GK Quiz | 12 November 2020

Q1: With reference to the Thirty-meter telescope (TMT) project, consider the following statements:

1. It is an international project being funded by India and Russia.
2. It is being installed at Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii.
3. It is designed for near-ultraviolet to mid-infrared observations.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: Recently, Indian astronomers collaborated with Nobel laureate on Thirty Meter Telescope Project.

About Thirty Meter Telescope Project:

• It is an astronomical observatory with an extremely large telescope (ELT).
• It is an international partnership between USA, Canada, Japan, China, and India.
• It will allow deeper exploration into space and observe cosmic objects with unprecedented sensitivity.
• It is designed for near-ultraviolet to mid-infrared observations, featuring adaptive optics to assist in correcting image blur.
• It is being installed at Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii in the US state of Hawaii.
• It will enable scientists to study fainter objects far away from us in the Universe, which gives information about early stages of evolution of the Universe, and will give us finer details of not-so-far-away objects like undiscovered planets and other objects in the Solar System and planets around other stars.

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

 

Q2: With reference to the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), consider the following statements:

1. It is a trade program of Canada.
2. It was designed to promote economic growth in the developing world by providing preferential duty-free entry.
3. It objective was to give development support to poor countries by promoting exports from them into the developed countries.

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

1. 2 and 3 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3:  India is likely to press Biden Administration for early restoration of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade privilege for India.

About the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP):

• It is a US trade program, instituted on 1^st January 1976 by the Trade Act of 1974.
• It was designed to promote economic growth in the developing world by providing preferential duty-free entry for up to 4,800 products from 129 designated beneficiary countries and territories.
• It promotes sustainable development in beneficiary countries by helping these countries to increase and diversify their trade with the United States.
• Its objective was to give development support to poor countries by promoting exports from them into the developed countries.

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

 

Q3: Consider the following statements regarding Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):

1. It is a set of emergency measures to be implemented to control air pollution depending upon the air quality.
2. It was prepared by NITI Aayog.
3. It works only as an emergency measure.

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

1. 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. None

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):

• It is a set of emergency measures to be implemented to control air pollution depending upon the air quality, approved by the Supreme Court in 2016.
• It was prepared by Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA)
• It requires action and coordination among 13 different agencies in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan (NCR areas).
• EPCA is at the head of the table, as mandated by the Supreme Court. Before the imposition of any measures, EPCA holds a meeting with representatives from all NCR states, and a call is taken on which actions has to be made applicable in which town.
• When the air quality shifts from poor to very poor, the measures listed have to be followed since the plan is incremental in nature.
• It works only as an emergency measure.

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

 

Q4: Consider the following statements about TataMD CHECK:

1. It is a novel diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
2. It is the world’s third viral diagnostic kit based on FELUDA CRISPR Cas-9 platform.

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: A)

Explanation:

Statement 1 and 2: About TataMD CHECK:

• It is a novel diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
• It is the world’s first viral diagnostic kit based on FELUDA CRISPR Cas-9 platform.
• It has been developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology and Tata group.
• It is a simple testing process requiring standard laboratory equipment.
• It will be a simple paper-strip test that will give image-based visual results.
• The testing will have a reaction time of 45-50 mins in lab and the total testing time starting from extraction of RNA sample to results is 75 minutes.
• It will not require highly trained staff and will be able to provide high quality and quick results.

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

 

Q5: Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct regarding Exoplanets?

1. They are the planets that orbit around stars other than the sun.
2. They are hidden by the bright glare of the stars they orbit.
3. The first confirmation of detection of exoplanets occurred in January 2020.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About Exoplanets:

• They are the planets that orbit around stars other than the sun.
• They are hidden by the bright glare of the stars they orbit and thus, they are very hard to see directly with telescopes.
• The first confirmation of detection of exoplanets occurred in 1992.

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