GK Quiz | 02 April 2020

1. Which of the following is true about SERB?

1. It is a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology.
2. It provides funding to academic institutes to promote research and development in the field of science.
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Ans. C

Explanation

Science and Engineering Research Board is a statutory organization under the Department of Science and Technology. It was established by an act of Parliament in 2009. It was set up to promote basic research in science and provide financial assistance to scientists and other institutions to promote basic research, through various research-based schemes. The board is chaired by the Secretary of the Government in the Department of Science and Technology. Senior government officials and eminent scientists act as its members.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

2. Which of the following statements is correct?

1. There are crude oil benchmarks that are decided solely based on the place from where it is sourced.
2. There are only 3 oil benchmarks i.e Brent crude, West Texas Intermediate, and Dubai/Oman.
3. India uses an average of Brent and Dubai/Oman benchmark.
4. None of the above is correct.

Ans. C

Explanation

There are different kinds of crude oil based on various indicators like volume, density, sulphur content, etc. For the ease of the trading of crude oil, there are various benchmarks set based on the quality of the crude oil, volume and the place at which it is majorly found. The 3 main international crude oil benchmarks are Brent crude, West Texas intermediate and Dubai/Oman benchmark. India uses an average of Brent crude and Dubai/Oman benchmark. The main benchmarks have been described as follows-

• Brent crude: It refers to oil from 4 different oil fields in the North sea i.e Brent, Forties, Oseberg, and Ekofisk. This type of oil is light and sweet.
• West Texas Intermediate: It refers to oil extracted from the wells of the U.S.A and sent via pipeline to Cushing, Oklahoma. It is light, sweet oil.
• Dubai crude: It refers to oil from the Middle-eastern region and is of lower grade and high sulphur content. It is sour oil. It consists of a basket of oil sourced from Dubai, Oman and Abu Dhabi. It is the main reference for the Persian Gulf oil.

Other benchmarks are Russian Export Blend, Tapis blend, bonny light, OPEC reference basket, etc. However, most of the other benchmarks peg their prices on the above three benchmarks.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

3. Which of the following is true about Nord Stream?

1. It is a gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany.
2. It is an artificial canal proposed to link the Superior lake to Lake Erie.
3. It is a proposed natural gas pipeline between Russia and China.
4. It is the ocean current recently discovered in the North Sea.

Ans. A

Explanation

Nord Stream, known by the name of North Transgas and North European Pipeline, is a system of an offshore natural gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany. Nord Stream 1 has two pipelines running from Vyborg (Russia) to Greifswald and Nord Stream 2 has two pipelines running from Ust- Luga (Russia) to Greifswald (Germany).

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

4. Which of the following statements are true?

1. Directorate General of Civil Aviation is the regulatory body for civil aviation in India.
2. DGCA acts as an attached body of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
3. The Convention on International Civil Aviation established the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which is the specialized body of the United Nations.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

1. 1,2 and 3
2. 1 and 3
3. 2 and 3
4. 1 and 2

Ans. A

Explanation

Directorate General of Civil Aviation is the attached body of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India and acts as a regulatory body for civil aviation. The Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention, established the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which is the specialized body of the United Nations. The Chicago convention set out the rules of airspace, aircraft registration, safety, etc. The convention came into effect in 1947, and there are 193 parties to this convention, including India.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

5. Which of the following is true about Malaysia?

1. It is divided into 2 regions by the South China Sea.
2. The Equator passes through the country.
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Ans. A

Explanation

Malaysia is an island country lying in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. It is divided into two parts by the South China Sea. Though lying close to the Equator, the Equator does not pass through this country.

Hence, the correct answer is A.