GK Quiz | 12 December 2020

TOPIC: GS 1 - Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.

Q1: Consider the following statements Auroras:

1. The typical aurora is caused by collisions between fast-moving electrons from space with the oxygen and nitrogen in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
2. They commonly occur near the equator.
3. They are a spectacular sign that our planet is electrically connected to the Sun.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: About Aurora:

• It is also known as a Polar light.
• It is a display of light in the sky predominantly seen in the high latitude regions (Arctic and Antarctic).
• There are two types -

• aurora borealis often called the northern lights
• aurora australis called southern lights

• They commonly occur at high northern and southern latitudes, less frequent at mid-latitudes, and seldom seen near the equator.
• They are usually milky greenish in color, but can also show red, blue, violet, pink, and white. These colors appear in a variety of continuously changing shapes.
• The typical aurora is caused by collisions between fast-moving electrons from space with the oxygen and nitrogen in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
• They are a spectacular sign that our planet is electrically connected to the Sun. These light shows are provoked by energy from the Sun and fueled by electrically charged particles trapped in Earth’s magnetic field.

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

 

TOPIC: GS 2 - Issues related to health.

Q2: Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about Anthrax?

1. It is a disease caused by a virus.
2. People can get anthrax from contact with infected animals.
3. It spreads directly from one infected animal or person to another.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About Anthrax:

• It is a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It affects animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats more often than people.
• People can get anthrax from contact with infected animals, wool, meat, or hides.
• It does not spread directly from one infected animal or person to another. It spreads by spores and these spores can be transported by clothing or shoes.
• It can occur in four forms - skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection. Symptoms onset occurs between one day to over two months after the infection is contracted. Symptoms depend on the route of infection, which can range from a skin ulcer with a dark scab to difficulty breathing.

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

 

TOPIC:  GS 3 - Employment related issues.

Q3: With reference to the Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), consider the following statements:

1. Under the scheme, the Government of India will provide subsidy for five years in respect of new employees engaged on or after 1^st October 2020 and up to 30^th June 2025.
2. Under this, Government will pay both 12% employees’ contribution and 12% employers’ contribution.

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 Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY):

• Under the scheme, Government of India will provide subsidy for two years in respect of new employees engaged on or after 1^st October, 2020 and up to 30^th June, 2021.
• Government will pay both 12% employees’ contribution and 12% employers’ contribution i.e. 24% of wages towards EPF in respect of new employees in establishments employing upto 1000 employees for two years.
• Government will pay only employees’ share of EPF contribution i.e. 12% of wages in respect of new employees in establishments employing more than 1000 employees for two years.
• Eligibility under the scheme:

• • An employee drawing a monthly wage of less than Rs. 15000/- who was not working in any establishment registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) before 1st October, 2020 and did not have a Universal Account Number or EPF Member account number prior to 1st October 2020 will be eligible for the benefit.
  • Any EPF member possessing Universal Account Number (UAN) drawing monthly wage of less than Rs 15000 who made an exit from employment during Covid pandemic from March 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020, and did not join employment in any EPF covered establishment up to September 30 will also be eligible to avail benefit.

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

 

TOPIC: GS 1 – Indian Heritage and Culture

Q4: Hanukkah is a festival of which religion?

1. Jewish
2. Hinduism
3. Buddhism
4. Jainism

Solution: A)

Explanation:

About Hanukkah:

• It is also known as the Festival of Lights.
• It is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 1 - Geography

Q5: Which of the following countries does not share a border with Morocco?

1. Algeria
2. Niger
3. Mauritania

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

About Morocco:

• It is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa.
• It overlooks the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, with land borders with Western Sahara to the south and Algeria to the east.

Hence, option C is correct.

 

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

Q6: India is a party to which of the following conventions?

1. Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989
2. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006
3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 1979

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989: It is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities. It was ratified by India in 1992.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006: It entered into force on 3 May 2008. It is an international human rights treaty of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. India ratified this convention in 2007.

The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 1979: It is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. It entered into force as an international treaty on 3 September 1981.  India is a party to this convention.

Hence, option D is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 1 – Geography

Q7: Which of the following is/are a tributary of Sone River?

1. Ghaghar River
2. Rihand River
3. North Keol River

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Recently, the Ministry of Road and Transport has inaugurated Koilwar Bridge over Sone River.

About Sone River:

• It originates near Amarkantak in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
• It is a tributary of Ganga River.
• Tributary:

• • Left - Johilla River, Ghaghar River, Chhoti Mahanadi River
  • Right- Kanhar River, Gopad River, Rihand River, North Koel River

Hence, option D is correct.