GK Quiz | 23 May 2020

1. Which of the following is true about Khudol?

1. It is a traditional dance form performed in Kerala.
2. It is a traditional sport carried out in Manipur.
3. It is a traditional form of street dance performed in Assam.
4. It is an initiative aims at distributing food and providing health supplies to the people belonging to the LGBTQI+ community, people living with HIV, daily wage earners, children, and adolescents.

Ans. D

Explanation

Khudol is a crowdfunding initiative by Manipur based NGO Ya_All  that aims at distributing food and providing health supplies to the people belonging to the LGBTQI+ community, people living with HIV, daily wage earners, children, and adolescent. The United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth has listed it among the world's top 10 initiatives for a fight against COVID-19.

United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth is an office under UN Secretariat and advocate the issues of youth besides bringing the UN’s reach closer to youths.

Hence, the correct answer is D.

 

2. Which of the following is true about Open Skies Treaty?

1. It allows countries to use each others’ skyspace for carrying civilian flights.
2. India is a part of this treaty.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. D

Explanation

The Open Skies treaty was signed in 1992 and came into force in 2002. It aims at permitting the state parties to carry out short notice, unarmed, reconnaissance flights over other party’s territory to collect military data and other related activities. It aims at building confidence measures among the state parties. 34 countries are party to this treaty and India is not one of them.

The U.S. has announced that it will withdraw from the Open Skies treaty as Russia didn’t adhere to the treaty. Between 2002-2016, the US flew 196 flights over Russia while Russia flew only 71 flights.

Hence, the correct answer is D.

 

3. Which of the following is incorrect about Digital currency in China?

1. China is the 1^st country to roll out its digital currency.
2. It consists of Blockchain and cryptographic technology.
3. The new digital currency, unlike another cryptocurrency, is backed by Renminbi.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. B

Explanation

Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP) is China’s digital currency backed by Renminbi and authorized and managed by China’s central bank. It is based on cryptography along with partial blockchain technology.

Other countries having their official digital currencies are Venezuela, Ecuador, Senegal, etc. The central bank can track the movement of the currency along with control on its value. With this China aims to make the Renminbi a global currency.

Hence, the correct answer is B.

 

4. Which of the following are correctly matched?

1. Green Turtle: Riverine turtle
2. Hawksbill turtle: Marine turtle
3. Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle: Riverine turtle
4. Indian Softshell turtle: Marine turtle

Select the correct answer from the options below:

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

Ans. B

Explanation

• Green Turtle is a species of marine turtle found in India. Its IUCN status is Endangered.
• Hawksbill Turtle is a species of marine turtle found in India with IUCN status is Critically Endangered.
• Red-Crowned Roof Turtle is a riverine turtle found in the National Chambal sanctuary with IUCN status of Critically Endangered.
• Indian Softshell Turtle is a riverine turtle found in the waters of Ganga, Indus, and Mahanadi. Its IUCN status is Vulnerable.

Hence, the correct answer is B.

 

5. Consider the following statements:

1. The cut in repo rate will prompt banks to lend more rather than keeping the funds with the RBI.
2. The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) is kept 25 basis points higher than the repo rate.

Which of the above given statements is/are incorrect?

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

Ans. A

Explanation

Repo rate is the rate at which RBI lends short term money to the commercial banks. If the repo rate is cut, the banks tend to reduce lending rates and funds will become cheaper for banks.

Reverse repo rate is the opposite of the repo rate. It is the rate at which commercial banks deposits their money with RBI for short term. If the reverse repo rate is cut, the banks are prompted to lend the funds rather than to keep it with RBI.

Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) is the rate at which RBI lends funds overnight to scheduled banks, against government securities. It is maintained at 25 basis points higher than the repo rate.

Recently, RBI governor has announced a cut of 40 basis points in the repo rate and reverse repo rate, which now stands at 4% and 4.25% respectively.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

6. Which of the following is true about Kangra Tea?

1. It has been given GI Tag.
2. The tea has medicinal properties and is being claimed for creating immunity against COVID-19.
3. Both statements are true.
4. None of the statements is true.

Ans. C

Explanation

Kangra Tea is being grown in Himachal Pradesh since British times. It was given a Geographical Indicator tag in 2005. ICMR is claiming that it has medicinal properties that can cure COVID-19 by creating strong immunity along with Ashwagandha.

Hence, the correct answer is C.