Which of the following is typically included in the EIS terms of reference by the proponent?

• A. Study objectives, scope, methodologies.
• B. The budget of the project.
• C. The list of suppliers.
• D. The legal penalties for noncompliance.

Answer: (A)

The main concept being tested is what the Terms of Reference for an Environmental Impact Statement typically establish. The most important elements are the study objectives, the scope, and the methodologies. These components set the purpose of the EIS, define what will be examined and within what boundaries, and outline how the assessment will be conducted and what tools or approaches will be used. This framework ensures the EIS is focused, consistent, and capable of producing credible results that reviewers can evaluate.

Budget, supplier lists, and penalties for noncompliance are outside this core framework. The budget is an administrative detail about project financing, the supplier list is procurement information, and penalties relate to enforcement or compliance rules rather than the methodological plan of the environmental study. The Terms of Reference should primarily guide the conduct of the EIS itself, not these administrative or legal specifics.