GK Quiz | 14 October 2020

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding artificial technologies (AI)

1. It is a part of Machine Leaning which is a broader concept with a bunch of technologies.
2. According to a Canada based company’s report, Global AI Report 2019, India stood at the second position in terms of the number of the AI specialists working in the field.

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:

Statement 1 and 2: About Artificial Intelligence (AI):

• AI is a broader concept with a bunch of technologies that include machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, self algorithms, neural networks, etc.
• Unlike the natural intelligence displayed by humans and animals, it is intelligence demonstrated by machines.
• It involves complex things such as feeding a particular data into the machine and making it react as per the different situations
• According to a Canada based company’s report, Global AI Report 2019, United States is at 1^st position in terms of the number of the AI specialists working in the field followed by China and the UK while India stood at the ninth position.

So, both statement 1 and 2 are incorrect and hence, option D is correct.

 

 Q2. With reference to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), consider the following statements

1. They are legally binding.
2. SDGs are to be achieved by 2025.
3. Goal 4 seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: About Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• United Nations (UN) launched the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs to bring sustainable development in the mainstream.
• The World leaders have adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit and officially came into force on 1^st January 2016.
• The SDGs are not legally binding.
• SDGs are to be achieved by 2030.
• Goal 2 seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security while SDG 4 is the education goal which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

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

  

Q3. Consider the following statements with reference to “The Human Cost of Disasters 2000-2019” report released recently by United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

1. India is the most affected country by floods.
2. In terms of affected countries, the United States topped the list with 577 events.
3. Africa has suffered the highest number of disasters in the past 20 years.

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

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has recently released its report “The Human Cost of Disasters 2000-2019”.

Following are some key findings:

• 6,681 climate-linked disasters had been recorded in the period 2000-19, up from 3,656 during the previous 20-year-period.
• In India, heatwaves of 2015 resulted in 2,248 deaths.
• As per data, Asia has suffered the highest number of disasters in the past 20 years with 3,068 such events, followed by the Americas with 1,756 and Africa with 1,192.
• In terms of affected countries, China topped the list with 577 events followed by the US and India.
• 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami as the deadliest single disaster in the past 20 years with 2,26,400 deaths, followed by the 2010 Haiti earthquake, which claimed some 2,22,000 lives.
• China is the most affected country by flood followed by India.
• 7,348 major disaster events had occurred between 2000 and 2019, affecting 4.2 billion people and costing the global economy some USD 2.97 trillion.

So, all statements are incorrect and hence, option B is correct.

 

 Q4. With reference to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), consider the following statements

1. It was established in December 2017.
2. It is the successor to the secretariat of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.
3. It supports the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

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

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: About United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR):

• It was created in December 1999.
• It was established to ensure the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.
• It is the successor to the secretariat of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.
• It supports the implementation, follow-up and review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
• It is an organizational unit of the UN Secretariat and is led by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG).

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

  

Q5. Which of the following statement(s) is/are incorrect about Sendai Framework?

1. It was adopted during the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.
2. It is the successor instrument to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1 and 2: About Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction 2015-30:

• It was adopted during the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan in March, 2015.
• It is the successor instrument to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters.
• It aims to guide the multi hazard management of disaster risk in development at all levels as well as within and across all sectors.

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

  

Q6. With reference to Smog Towers, consider the following statements

1. These are structures designed to work as large-scale air purifiers.
2. The world’s largest air-purifying tower is in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
3. It sucks the polluted air from the bottom and releases clean air from above.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: A smog tower will be installed in Delhi to counter the persistent issue of smog in Delhi.

About Smog towers:

• These are structures designed to work as large-scale air purifiers.
• The world’s largest air-purifying tower is in Xi’an, China.
• The first such tower was erected in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in 2015, created by Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde.
• It sucks the polluted air from above and releases clean air from the bottom.

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

  

Q7. Consider the following statements

1. World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9^th October.
2. Universal Postal Union is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
3. India Post comes under the Ministry of Communications.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9^th October, to commemorate the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

About UPU:

• It was established by the Treaty of Bern of 1874 and is headquartered in Bern, Switzerland.
• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system.

India Post is the trade name for the Department of Posts (DoP) which comes under the Ministry of Communications.

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

  

Q8. Consider the following statements

1. Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Uganda, Africa.
2. Kilimanjaro National Park was named a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in 1987.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statement 1 and 2: About Mount Kilimanjaro:

• It is the highest peak in Africa, located in Tanzania.
• It is the largest free-standing mountain rise in the world.
• It is a stratovolcano or composite volcano and is made up of three cones namely Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.

Kilimanjaro National Park, established in 1973, covering an area of some 75,575 ha protects the largest free standing volcanic mass in the world and the highest mountain in Africa. In 1987, it was named a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site.

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

  

Q9. Which of the following countries does not share their border with Iran?

1. Armenia
2. Tajikistan
3. Turkey
4. Syria

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

About Iran:

• It is a country in Western Asia.

• It is bordered to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan, to the west by Turkey and Iraq, to the southeast by Pakistan, and to the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Hence, option B is correct.

  

Q10. Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog comes under which ministry?

1. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
2. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
3. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
4. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Solution: B)

Explanation:

About Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog:

• It is a high powered permanent apex advisory body, constituted in 2019
• Its mandate is to help the Central Government to develop appropriate programmes for conservation, sustainable development and genetic upgradation of indigenous breeds of cows.
• It will function as an integral part of Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
• It comes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

Hence, option B is correct.

 

 Q11. With reference to the FATF’s (Financial Action Task Force) list, consider the following statements

1. Country’s continuation in the ‘Grey List’ makes it difficult for the country to get financial aid from the World Bank.
2. Only the Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in grey list.
3. Inclusion in blacklist serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the grey list.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: About the Financial Action Task Force (FATF):

• It is an inter-governmental body founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7.
• The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris.
• Its purpose is to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.
• Its president is a senior official appointed by the FATF Plenary from among its members for a term of one year.
• FATF has maintained two lists namely the FATF greylist (formally called the "Other monitored jurisdictions") and the FATF blacklist (formally called the "Call for action").
• The countries that support terror funding and money laundering activities are put in the FATF blacklist. These countries are known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs).
• Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. Inclusion in grey list inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.
• Countries which are considered in the grey list may face:

• Economic sanctions from Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• Reduction in international trade.
• Problem in getting loans from IMF, World Bank, ADB and other countries
• International boycott

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

 

 Q12. Which of the following countries share borders with Adriatic Sea?

1. Austria
2. Croatia
3. Serbia
4. Albania

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

About Adriatic Sea:

• It is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkans.
• Following are the countries with coasts on the Adriatic - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and Slovenia.
• It is the northernmost arm of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Croatia has the longest coastline along the Adriatic Sea.

Hence, option B is correct.