GK Quiz | 20 November 2020

Q1: With reference to the microwave weapons, consider the following statements:

1. These weapons are supposed to be a type of direct energy weapons.
2. They aim at highly focused energy in the form of sonic, laser, or microwaves at a target.
3. Currently, no country has these weapons.

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: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: Recently, The Indian Army has dismissed reports that said that China had used microwave weapons in eastern Ladakh as “fake” and “baseless” with a senior officer terming it part of the psychological operation from across the border.

About Microwave weapons:

• These are supposed to be a type of direct energy weapons, which aim at highly focused energy in the form of sonic, laser, or microwaves, at a target.
• A number of countries are thought to have developed these weapons to target both humans and electronic systems. The United States has also developed a prototype microwave-style weapon called the “Active Denial System,” and China had first put on display its “microwave weapon”, called Poly WB-1, at an air show in 2014.

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

 

Q2: Which of the following statement(s) is/are incorrect regarding Guillain Barre Syndrome?

1. It is a very rare autoimmune disorder.
2. It is caused by bacteria or viral infection.

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:

Statements 1 and 2: Some patients infected with Covid-19 have been found suffering from Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS).

About Guillain Barre Syndrome:

• It is a very rare autoimmune disorder.
• The exact cause of this syndrome is not known, but according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is often preceded by an infection. This could be a bacterial or viral infection and may also be triggered by vaccine administration or surgery.
• In an attempt to kill the coronavirus, the immune system accidentally starts attacking the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is a network of nerves that lead from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body. Attacking them can affect limb functions.
• There could be a respiratory failure as the worst outcome or weakness and effect on walking and limb movement.
• Treatment: Plasma therapy, Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
• Symptoms:

• • Weakness or tingling sensations, which usually start in the legs, and can spread to the arms and face.
  • Difficulty with facial movements, including speaking, chewing or swallowing.
  • Double vision, rapid heart rate, low or high blood pressure

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

 

Q3: Consider the following statements about Chapare Virus:

1. It is believed to have first originated in India in 2004.
2. It is generally carried by cats.
3. It can spread from person to person.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: Recently, researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recently discovered a rare Ebola-like illness that is believed to have first originated in rural Bolivia in 2004. It is Chapare Virus. Chapare is a rural province in the northern region of central Bolivia.

About Chapare Virus:

• Chapare virus belongs to the same Arenavirus family that is responsible for illnesses such as the Ebola virus disease.
• It causes Chapare Hemorrhagic Fever (CHHF).
• It is generally carried by rats and can be transmitted through direct contact with the infected rodent, its urine and droppings, or through contact with an infected person.
• It spreads only through direct contact with bodily fluids. Researchers also found fragments of Ribonucleic acid (RNA) associated with Chapare in the semen of one survivor 168 days after he was infected.
• Patients generally receive supportive care such as intravenous fluids since there are no specific drugs to treat the disease.
• It is much more difficult to catch than the coronavirus as it is not transmissible via the respiratory route.

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

 

Q4: With reference to the Intravenous therapy, consider the following statements:

1. It is a medical technique that delivers a liquid directly into a person’s vein.
2. The intravenous route is the fastest way to deliver medications and fluid replacement throughout the body.
3. The intravenous route of administration is used for the consumption of some recreational drugs.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: About Intravenous therapy:

• It is a medical technique that delivers a liquid directly into a person’s vein.
• The intravenous route of administration is commonly used for rehydration solutions or to provide nutrition in those who cannot consume food or water by mouth.
• The intravenous route is the fastest way to deliver medications and fluid replacement throughout the body
• The intravenous route of administration is also used to consume some recreational drugs, which are chemical substances taken for enjoyment, or leisure purposes, rather than for medical reasons.

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

 

Q5:  Consider the following statements about Ebola Virus Disease:

1. It is a viral hemorrhagic fever of humans and other primates.
2. Rats are natural Ebola virus hosts.
3. It can spread from animal to human.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: About Ebola virus disease or Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF):

• It is a viral hemorrhagic fever of humans and other primates caused by ebolaviruses.
• Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are natural Ebola virus hosts.
• It is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.

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

 

Q6: Consider the following statements with reference to deemed forests:

1. They refer to land tracts that appear to be a “forest” but have not been notified so by the government or in historical records.
2. The concept of these forests has been clearly defined in the Forest Conservation Act 1980.
3. They comprise about 20% of India’s forest land.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: Karnataka has recently announced that it would declassify 6.64 lakh hectares of the 9.94 lakh hectares of deemed forests in the state and hand it over to Revenue authorities.

About Deemed Forests:

• They refer to land tracts that appear to be a “forest” but have not been notified by the government or historical records.
• They comprise about 1% of India’s forest land.
• The concept of deemed forests has not even been clearly defined in any law including the Forest Conservation Act 1980.
• Since 1996, the freedom to define which tracts of forest qualifies as the forest has been the prerogative of States. However, this only applies to forest land that has not already been historically classified as “forest” in revenue records or categorised so by the government as “protected” or “reserve forest”.
• The provisions for forest conservation and the matters connected therewith apply clearly to all forests irrespective of the ownership or classification.
• An expert committee constituted by the state government identified ‘deemed forests’ in Karnataka as:

• • Recommended Thickly wooded areas to be handed over to the Forest Department
  • Thickly wooded plantations of the Forest Department
  • Land having the characteristic of forests irrespective of the ownership
  • Thickly wooded land distributed to grantees but not cultivated
  • Thickly wooded areas of the Revenue Department, not handed over to the Forest Department.

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

 

Q7: With reference to the PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It is a central sector scheme.
2. It will be implemented for ten years until 2029 -30.
3. Under the scheme, micro enterprises will get a credit-linked subsidy at 35% of the eligible project cost with ceiling of Rs. 10 lakh.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: Recently, the capacity building component of PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) scheme has been released.

About PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) scheme:

• It was launched as a part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ to provide financial, technical and business support for upgradation of existing micro Food Processing Enterprises.
• It will be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore. Under the scheme, the expenditure would be shared in 60:40 ratio between Central and State Governments, in 90:10 ratio with North Eastern and Himalayan States, 60:40 ratio with UTs with the legislature and 100% by Centre for other UTs.
• Under the scheme

• • Micro enterprises will get credit-linked subsidy at 35% of the eligible project cost with Rs. 10 lakh ceiling.
  • Support will be provided through credit-linked grants at 35% for the development of common infrastructure, including common processing facility, lab, warehouse, etc., through FPOs/SHGs/cooperatives or state-owned agencies or private enterprises.
  • A seed capital of Rs. 40,000 per Self Help Group (SHG) member will be provided for working capital and purchase of small tools.

• The States would identify food products for districts keeping in view the existing clusters and availability of raw material. The scheme focuses on perishables.

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

 

Q8: Mahajan Committee, recently seen in news, was constituted on 5^th June 1960 to look into the case regarding the border dispute between Maharashtra and -

1. Karnataka
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Chhattisgarh
4. Telangana

Solution: A)

Explanation: Mahajan Committee was constituted on 5^th June 1960 by the Central Government to look into the case regarding the border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is a four-member Committee consisted of two representatives from the Maharashtra Government, and two from the Mysore state Government.

In 1973, the States Reorganization Act, 1956 made Belgaum a part of Karnataka. Maharashtra claim over 814 villages along the border, as well as Belgaum city. Belgaum is a district in Karnataka and people living in Belgaum comprise both Marathi and Kannada speakers.

Hence, option A is correct.