GK Quiz | 16 April 2020

1. Which of the following is true about Indian Meteorological Department?

1. IMD is tasked with detecting earthquakes and measuring its seismicity.
2. It is under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above is true

Ans. A

Explanation

Indian Meteorological Department is under Ministry of Earth Sciences and it aims to :

• Take meteorological information and do production for weather-sensitive operations like agriculture, irrigation, shipping, aviation, etc.
• To warn against severe weather phenomena like tropical cyclones, northwestern, dust storms, heavy rains, etc.
• To detect and locate earthquakes and measure its intensity.
• To operate research in meteorology and related disciplines.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

2. Which of the following statements is true about Indian Monsoon?

1. Somali Jet streams intensify the movement of southwest monsoon winds from southern to northern hemisphere.
2. Arabian sea branch of monsoon gives more rainfall than the Bay of Bengal branch of monsoon.
3. Retreating gives the least rainfall across all parts of the eastern coast.
4. Lack of melted snow in the monsoon season over Tibetan plateau causes weak monsoon in India.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. C

Explanation

Indian monsoon season or rainfall season starts from June in India and completely retreats from India by November. Somali Jet stream originates over the eastern coast of Africa and crosses the Arabian sea to come to India. It thus further push southwestern monsoon winds towards India.

Arabian Sea monsoon winds bring more rainfall to India than Bay of Bengal stream.

Retreating monsoon winds cause feeble and less rainfall in the eastern part of India except in the Tamil Nadu region, which receives maximum rainfall from retreating monsoon. This is because northeastern monsoon winds flow parallel to the Indian coast, but after getting moisture from the Bay of Bengal, it causes rainfall in the Tamil Nadu region.

When the snowmelt in Tibetan plateau, it means that it is getting heated, which leads to the movement of the tropical easterly jet stream towards India, intensifying the low pressure and bringing more southwest monsoon winds.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

3. Which of the following is true about Indian Ocean Dipole?

1. A positive Indian Ocean Dipole means more monsoon rainfall in India.
2. A negative Indian Ocean Dipole brings more rainfall in India.
3. A positive Indian Ocean dipole means more rain in Australia.
4. A negative Indian Ocean Dipole means more rain in Australia.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. A

Explanation

Indian Ocean Dipole refers to the temperature variability between the eastern and western parts of the Indian Ocean. A positive IOD means warmer Arabian Sea as compared to the Bay of Bengal, which brings good rainfall in the central and northwestern parts of India. It is also called La Nino of India. A positive IOD thus causes a lack of rainfall in Australia and Indonesia. A negative IOD means warmer Bay of Bengal than the Arabian sea, which brings good rainfall in parts of Australia and Indonesia and less rainfall in India.

Hence the correct answer is A.

 

4. Which of the following is true about Black Death?

1. It was caused by bacteria Yersinia pestis.
2. It was the first plague pandemic recorded in world history.
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Ans. A

Explanation

Black Death was caused by bacteria Yersinia pestis. It was the 2^nd plague pandemic recorded in world history after the Justinian plague. The plague arrived in Europe in 1300 when 12 ships from the Black sea came at the Sicilian port of Messina. Most of the people on the ship were dead, and others were covered with black boils that gave out pus and blood. It spread frequently and caused a heavy toll.

Hence the correct answer is A.

 

5. Which of the following is true about Civil Defence forces?

1. They come under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. The Civil Defence Force has been formed under the Civil Defence Act 1968.
3. It is mainly organized voluntarily and its expenditure is shared on a 90: 10 basis.
4. Disaster Management also comes under its mandate.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. B

Explanation

Civil Defence Force is mainly a voluntary force formed by the Civil Defence Act 1968 under the Ministry of Home Affairs. They have been formed to assist in emergencies and provide assistance in ways not amounting to actual combat. Its mandate to deal with natural calamities was included by an amendment in 2009. The central government reimburses 50% of the expenditure incurred on raising, training and equipping of Civil Defence Services, etc. for Northeastern states excluding Assam and 25% for other states, including Assam. They are also deployed for constructive and nation-building activities.

Hence, the correct answer is B.