GK Quiz | 16 June 2020

1. Which of the following statements correctly describes Gondwanatheria?

1. It is a major coal belt in South America.
2. It is a group of long-extinct early mammals that co-existed with dinosaurs.
3. It is era between Cenozoic and Mesozoic.
4. It is a recently discovered species of frog in India.

Ans. B

Explanation

Recently, a 74 million year old mammal teeth was discovered in Chile’s Patagonia. This teeth belonged to a species called Magallanodon baikashkenke. This species would have lived in southern Patagonia during the late Cretaceous era.

It is the southernmost record of Gondwanatheria which is a group of long-extinct early mammals that co-exited with dinosaurs.

Hence, the correct answer is B.

 

2. Recently a new species of fish named Schizothorax sikusirumensis has been discovered in which Indian State?

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Maharashtra
3. West Bengal
4. Jammu and Kashmir

Ans. A

Explanation

A new species of fish named Schizothorax sikusirumensis has been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh. The name of the fish has been taken from the name of the rivers Siku and Sirum at the junction of which this fish was collected. The fish inhibits the water logged area of torrential river drainage.

(Source: NagalandPost)

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

3. What is the IUCN status Malabar Gliding Frog?

1. Endangered
2. Vulnerable
3. Least Concern
4. Extinct

Ans. C

Explanation

Recently, a Malabar gliding frog was spotted at Pullad, Kerala. This green frog is a rare amphibian that can camouflage and glide in the air up to 10 to 12 meters. The scientific name of this frog is Rhacophorus malabaricus. This frog is endemic to rain forests of Western Ghats. It is one of the largest mossy frogs with a body length of 10 cm. The IUCN status is Least Concern.

(Source: The Hindu)

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

4. “It is an ancient form of performance dialogue and a variant of Yakshagana theatre. It is performed in the regions of Karnataka and Kerala. The artists in this sit across in a place without any costumes and engage in testing their oratory skills based on the episode chosen.”

 

Which of the following traditional arts is best described in the above given passage?

1. Talamaddale
2. Jatra
3. Kalaripayattu
4. Therukoothu

Ans. A

Explanation

Recently, the artists of the traditional theatre ‘Talamaddale’ have gone virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode titled ‘Paduka Pradhana’ was streamed live on social media.

‘Talamaddale’ is an ancient form, a variant of Yakshagana theatre. It is performed in the regions of Kerala and Karnataka. Talamaddale is different from Yakshagana in the way that unlike the latter, in the former, the artists sit across in a place without any costumes and engage in testing their oratory skills based on the episode chosen. In Talamaddale, there is no dance and costume unlike Yakshagana.

(Source: Deccan Herald)

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

5. Which of the following ministry is responsible for the implementation of ADIP Scheme?

1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2. Ministry of Finance
3. Ministry of Minority Affairs
4. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Ans. D

Explanation

Recently, the government has organized a virtual ADIP Camp for free distribution of assistive aids and devices at Block level for Divyangjans under the ADIP Scheme. This is the first camp organized by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALMICO), a Central Public Enterprise working under the aegis of Department of Empowerment of Person with Disability.

Assistance to Disabled persons for purchasing / fitting of aids / appliances (ADIP) scheme was launched to assist the divyanjan persons in procuring modern, durable, standard aids and appliances that can increase their economic potention by promoting their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the implementing agency for ADIP Scheme.

Hence, the correct answer is D.