GK Quiz | 12 March 2020

1. Which of the following is true about an earthquake?

1. The shadow zone of P waves is more than the S waves.
2. While the P waves can not pass through semi-liquid or liquid, the S waves can pass through it.
3. Both A and B
4. None

Ans. D

Explanation

Earthquake is the tremor felt on the surface due to the movement of the tectonic plates and the release of the energy along a fault. The point where the energy gets released is called the focus of the earthquake or the hypocenter, and the point nearest to the focus just above it is called the epicentre.

The tremors generate body waves and surface waves.

Body waves generate on the focus and travel in all directions. These waves strike at the surface and are known as surface waves. These are of two types i.e. P or Primary waves and S or Secondary waves.

P-Waves: Primary waves are a type of body wave that is first to generate and thus are first to reach the surface of the earth. They are longitudinal in nature and move in a parallel direction across solid, liquid and gas media. The shadow zone (the region over which the wave is not recorded) lies between 105°-145°.

S-Waves: Secondary wave is a type of body wave that gets generated after the P waves. They move in a transversal way i.e. perpendicular to the surface of the Earth. They are the most dangerous waves. These waves can travel through solid only and not through liquid or gas medium. Thus, the shadow zone of the waves is much more than that of primary waves i.e. S waves are not received beyond 105° curvature of the Earth.

Hence, D is the correct answer.

 

2. Which of the following statements are true?

1. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an intergovernmental organization created in Baghdad Conference in 1960.
2. The membership of the OPEC is included West Asia, Africa, and South America only.
3. Both A and B
4. None

Ans. C

Explanation

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an intergovernmental organization created in Baghdad Conference in 1960 by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. Currently, the countries consist of 13 countries i.e. Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

The mandate of the organization is to unify the oil-exporting countries with similar interests to ensure the stability of crude oil demand and supply in the market. To get the membership, it needs to be approved by 3/4^th of the OPEC members, provided the country seeking membership is a substantial oil-exporting nation.

Note:

OPEC+ needs to be differentiated from OPEC as OPEC+ is a non-formal organization given to represent oil-exporting nations out of OPEC. The OPEC+ was formed in 2016 as a result of the joint efforts of Russia and Saudi Arabia, leading to the Vienna agreement, a deal to prevent the decrease in oil production in order to prevent the fall in the oil prices. The OPEC+ countries include Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan, and Sudan. However, in the current meeting held between OPEC and OPEC plus countries in Vienna, Austria leads to the withdrawal of Russia from the 2016 deal.

Hence, C is the correct answer.

 

3. Which of the following statement is incorrect?

1. The governor of Assam is responsible for organizing and reorganizing the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Council.
2. The Autonomous Councils under the 6^th schedule are empowered to regulate the land revenues to be collected.
3. The district councils formed can constitute courts for the trial of cases among tribes according to their tradition.
4. The councils can not give the death penalty in any case.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. D

Explanation

Article 244 of the constitution under part 10^th of the constitution designates some areas as scheduled and tribal areas. The 6^th schedule provides for schedule and tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, thus providing them some special power to administer themselves. According to the 6^th schedule, the governor is empowered to constitute the organize and reorganize autonomous districts and regions having autonomous councils. The council has 30 members out of which 26 are elected on the basis of adult franchise every 5 years and 4 are nominated by the governor and are appointed at the pleasure of the governor.

The areas fall outside the executive authority of the state, and the councils are empowered to administer their regions. The councils can make laws on various subjects like land, forest, canal water, shifting cultivation, village administration, social custom, collection of land revenue and some specified taxes, etc. The councils can also constitute village councils or court for the trial of cases related to tribal affairs. The courts are constituted within specific area’s rules like the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Administration of Justice) Rules, 1953, which allows for the death penalty in certain cases. The rules and acts of Parliament and State legislature apply with the assent of the Governor and the President. In the case of Assam, this power lies with the Governor, and in the other 3 states, this power lies with the President.

Hence, D is the correct answer.

 

4. Which of the following rivers is not correctly matched to their tributaries?

1. Yamuna : Hindan
2. Narmada: Pranhita
3. Damodar: Bokaro
4. Brahmaputra: Teesta

Ans. B

Explanation

• Some of the tributaries of Yamuna are Chambal, Sind, Betwa, Ken, Hindan, Rind, Senger, Varuna.

• Some of the tributaries of Narmada are Sher, Shakkar, Dudhi, Tawa and the Ganjal, Hiran, Barna, the Choral, Karam and Lohar

• Some of the prominent tributaries of Damodar are Barakar, Konar, Bokaro, Haharo, Jamunia, Ghari, Guaia, Khadia and Bhera.

• Some of the tributaries of Brahmaputra are Subansiri, Kameng, Bhareli, Dhansiri, Manas, Champamati, Saralbhanga, and Sankosh , Teesta etc.

Hence, B is the correct answer.

 

5. Which of the following is true about Anti- Defection law?

1. Disqualification on the basis of defection was not included in the original constitution.
2. A member of Parliament can be disqualified if he resigns from the party.
3. A member, if elected as a speaker needs to resign from his post in order to avoid disqualification under schedule 10 of the constitution.
4. Defection is allowed by the merger.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. D

Explanation

Anti – Defection Law was included under the 10^th schedule of the constitution was included by the 52^nd Amendment Act of 1985. According to this act, a member of parliament or a legislature can be disqualified under Article 102 and 191 respectively, because of defection. A member can be disqualified if:

• He voluntarily gives up the membership of the party to which he belongs or on whose ticket he is elected.

• If he votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to any direction given by his political party.

• If any independent member joins any political party.

• If a nominated member joins any political party after 6 months of his nomination.

However, there are certain exemptions to this disqualification:

• If 2/3 of the members of a party who are the member of the house defects thus leading to defection by merger.

• If a member on being elected as a speaker or presiding officer of the house resigns or rejoins the party after he ceases to hold the office of speaker (it is not compulsory for the speaker or the presiding officer to resigns from his party on being elected at the post).

Hence, D is the correct answer.

 

6. Which of the following can reduce the Current Account Deficit of India?

1. Increase investment in Gold Bond Scheme.
2. Widespread locust attack on agriculture produce.
3. Decrease oil price

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. C

Explanation

Current Account Deficit occurs when there is a deficit current account balance i.e total imports of a country of goods and services exceed the total export receipt and transfer receipts of a country.

Increase investment in Gold Bond Scheme may decrease the CAD as gold can be used as an investment mode, and interest can be earned / Gold can become circular in the economy.

Widespread locust attack damages the crops, which can, in turn, increase the need for import of the effected food crops, thus increasing CAD.

In India, around 80% of crude oil is imported. If the global prices are decreased, then it can help to reduce the CAD.

Hence, C is the correct answer.

 

7. Which of the following countries makes boundary with the Yellow Sea?

1. China
2. Japan
3. North Korea
4. South Korea

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. B

Explanation

The yellow sea is a marginal sea in the Western Pacific Ocean located between China and the Korean Peninsula.