GK Quiz | 11 December 2020

TOPIC: GS 3 - Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Q1: Consider the following statements regarding PM-Wani:

1. It is aimed at helping accelerate the uptake of broadband Internet services.
2. Under the project, Public data offices (PDOs) will be “facilitators” between service providers and users.
3. It will require Public data offices (PDOs) to get a license or pay a fee.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: Recently, Public Wi-Fi plan ‘PM Wani’ gets cabinet approval. It was first recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in 2017. It is aimed at helping accelerate the uptake of broadband Internet services.

About PM Wani project:

• The project will allow the setting up of public WiFi hotspots across the country via public data offices or public data offices (PDOs).
• It will not require the PDOs to get a license or pay a fee.
• This will involve multiple players, including PDOs, Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOA), app providers, and a central registry.
• PDOs will be “facilitators” between service providers and users. A PDOA will be an aggregator of PDOs that will oversee functions relating to authorization and accounting of Wi-Fi connections.

Statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 3 is incorrect. Hence, option A is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 3 - Conservation

Q2: Consider the following statements with reference to the Emissions Gap Report 2020:

1. It is published by the United Nations Environment Programme.
2. As per the report, Global GHG emissions continued to grow for the third consecutive year in 2019.
3. Fossil carbon dioxide emissions dominate total GHG emissions.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: Recently, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s Emissions Gap Report 2020 has been published.

Key highlights of the report:

• Global GHG emissions continued to grow for the third consecutive year in 2019, reaching a record high of 52.4 Gigatonne carbon equivalent (GtCO₂e) without including land-use changes (LUC). However, GHG emissions are declining in Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) economies and increasing in non-OECD economies.
• Since 2010, global GHG emissions have grown 1.4% per year on average, with a more rapid increase of 2.6% in 2019 due to a large increase in vegetation forest fires.
• Over the last decade, the top four emitters namely China, the United States of America, EU27+UK and India, have contributed to 55% of the total GHG emissions without LUC. The top seven emitters, including the Russian Federation, Japan and international transport, have contributed to 65%, with G20 members accounting for 78%.
• Fossil carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions (from fossil fuels and carbonates) dominate total GHG emissions. Fossil CO₂ emissions reached a record 38.0 GtCO₂ in 2019.

So, all statements are correct and hence, option D is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 3 - Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Q3: Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) ranks countries by looking at which of the following categories?

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
2. Energy Use
3. Climate Policy
4. Renewable Energy

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2021 has been released recently.

About Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI):

• It is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the climate protection performance of 57 countries and the European Union.
• It has been published by Germanwatch, the New Climate Institute and the Climate Action Network annually since 2005.
• It looks at four categories, with 14 indicators- Greenhouse Gas Emissions (40% of the overall score), Renewable Energy (20%), Energy Use (20%), and Climate Policy (20%).

In CCPU 2021, India ranked 10^th with 63.98 points out of 100. Last year, India had been ranked in the 9^th position.

Hence, option D is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 3 - Awareness in the fields of Space

Q4: Consider the following statements about Beresheet 2 project:

1. It is a project of Syria.
2. It is aimed at landing an unmanned craft on the moon in 2024.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: About Beresheet 2 project:

• It is a mission of Israel.
• It is aimed at landing an unmanned craft on the moon in 2024 and will involve launching two landing craft and an orbiter that would circle the moon for years.
• It will cost around 100 million dollars raised from international partnerships and donors.
• With this, Israel could become the 4^th nation to land a spacecraft on the moon after the USA, the former Soviet Union and China.

So, statement 1 is incorrect and statement 2 is correct. Hence, option B is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 3 – Science and Technology

Q5: Consider the following statements about Optical Fiber Cables:

1. They use electricity to carry signals.
2. They are affected by electromagnetic interference that reduces speed of transmission.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: About Optical Fiber Cables:

• They use light instead of electricity to carry signals.
• They support high-speed data transmission and long distance telecommunication. They are non-metallic and not affected by electromagnetic interference that can reduce the speed of transmission.

So, both statements are incorrect and hence, option D is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 2 - Important International Institutions, agencies and fora - their Structure, Mandate.

Q6: Consider the following statements about “Better Than Cash Alliance”:

1. Its purpose is to accelerate the transition from cash to digital payments.
2. India is a member of this alliance.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: About Better Than Cash Alliance:

• It was formed in September 2012.
• Based at United Nations, it is a global partnership of 75 governments, companies, and international organizations that accelerates the transition from cash to digital payments in order to reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth.
• It is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Citi, MasterCard, Omidyar Network, USAID, and Visa Inc.
• The United Nations Capital Development Fund serves as its secretariat.
• India became a member of this alliance in 2015.

So, both statements are correct and hence, option C is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 3 - Conservation

Q7: Consider the following statements about Pobitora wildlife sanctuary:

1. It has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world.
2. It is situated in Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Its natural boundary is made by river Brahmaputra on the south and Garanga Beel on the north.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3:  About Pobitora wildlife sanctuary:

• It is situated in the flood plains of River Brahmaputra in Morigaon district in Assam, India.
• It has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world and second highest concentration in Assam after Kaziranga National Park.
• It is also known as the ‘Mini Kaziranga’ due to its similar landscape and vegetation.
• The other mammals found in the sanctuary are - Leopard, Leopard cat, Fishing cat, Jungle cat, Feral Buffalo, Wild pigs, Chinese pangolins, etc.
• The natural boundary of this sanctuary is the river Brahmaputra on the North and the Garanga Beel on the South, and the rest of the boundary are artificial and surrounded by 27 villages.

So, statement 1 is correct and statements 2 and 3 are incorrect. Hence, option B is correct.