GK Quiz | 23 October 2020

Q1. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about Aldabra?

1. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nicaragua.
2. It is located in the Pacific Ocean.

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: A new research published in Nature has found that Aldabra’s coral reefs recovered faster after the 2015-2016 bleaching event due to tolerance to heat stress.

About Aldabra:

• It is situated in the Aldabra Group of islands in the Indian Ocean.
• It is the world’s second-largest coral atoll.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Seychelles.

So, both statements are incorrect. Hence, option D is correct.

 

Q2. Consider the following statements about Monoclonal antibodies:

1. They are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell. 
2. They are man-made proteins.

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: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2:  Recently, Tocilizumab has been used in the treatment of some hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Tocilizumab is an arthritis drug and belongs to a class of drug called monoclonal antibodies (mABs).

About Monoclonal antibodies:

• They are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell. 
• They can have monovalent affinity, binding only to the same epitope.
• They are man-made proteins that act like human antibodies in the immune system.
• They have more potential as they are derived from a single recovered cell.

So, both statements are correct. Hence, option D is correct.

 

Q3. With reference to Stand-off Anti-tank (SANT) missile, consider the following statements:

1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.
2. It is an upgrade on India’s Helicopter Launched Nag (Helina) missile.
3. It does not have lock-on before launch capability.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: Recently, India has successfully test-fired its Stand-off Anti-tank (SANT) missile off the coast of Odisha.

About Stand-off Anti-tank (SANT) missile:

• It is an air-to-surface missile, developed by the DRDO’s research centre, Imarat, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force.
• It is an upgrade on India’s Helicopter Launched Nag (Helina) missile.
• It is equipped with a nose-mounted active radar seeker.
• It has both lock-on before launch and lock-on after launch capability.

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

 

Q4. Consider the following statements about Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH):

1. They are parasites that live in the human brain.
2. They are transmitted through soil contaminated with faecal matter.

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: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: Recently, 14 states reported a reduction in worm prevalence.

About Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH):

• They are the parasites live in human intestine.
• They are transmitted through soil contaminated with faecal matter.
• These intestinal worms interfere with nutrient uptake in small children causing parasitic infestation which lead to severe complications among the children resulting in anaemia, malnutrition and improper mental and physical development.

National Deworming Day was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2015 to make every child in the country worm free. It is a single fixed-day approach to treating intestinal worm infections in all children aged 1- 19 years. It is observed bi-annually on 10^th February and 10^th August.

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

 

Q5. Consider the following statements with reference to a global study “State of Global Air 2020 (SoGA 2020)”:

1. China faced the highest per capita pollution exposure in the world.
2. Among all health risks in India, air pollution is one of the largest risk factor for death.
3. In 2019, India was among the top ten countries with highest ozone exposure.

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: C)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: Recently, Health Effects Institute (HEI) has released a global study, State of Global Air 2020 (SoGA 2020).

Key findings of State of Global Air 2020 (SoGA 2020):

• Among all health risks in India, air pollution was one of the largest risk factors for death.
• Long-term exposure to outdoor and household air pollution contributed to over 1.67 million annual deaths from stroke, heart attack, diabetes, lung cancer, chronic lung diseases and neonatal diseases in India in 2019.
• India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal are among the top ten countries with the highest PM2.5 exposures in 2019 and all of these countries experienced increases in outdoor PM2.5 levels between 2010 and 2019.
• For the youngest infants, most deaths were related to complications from low birth weight and preterm birth.
• In 2019, India was among the top ten countries with the highest ozone exposure and recorded the highest increase (17%) in O₃ concentrations in the past ten years among the 20 most populous countries.
• India faced the highest per capita pollution exposure in the world, followed by Nepal and Niger.

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

 

Q6. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about the Azad Hind Government?

1. It was formed in Japan in 1943.
2. Under this provisional government, Rash Behari Bose was the head of the state.
3. Its provisional capital was Port Blair.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3:  77^th anniversary of the formation of Azad Hind Government was on 21^st October, 2020.

About Azad Hind Government:

• In 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had announced the establishment of the provisional government of Azad Hind. It is Known as Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind.
• It was formed as Subhash Chandra Bose was convinced that armed struggle was the only way to achieve independence for India.
• It had its own court, civil code and currency.
• Its capital-in-exile was Rangoon and Singapore, while its provisional capital was Port Blair.
• Under the provincial government, Bose was the head of the state, the prime minister and the minister for war and foreign affairs, while Rash Behari Bose was designated as the supreme advisor.

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

 

Q7. India’s first seaplane project may affect which of the following wildlife sanctuary?

1. Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

Solution: A)

Explanation: India’s first seaplane service in Gujarat is set to begin from 31^st October. It will be operated by Spicejet Airlines. It will connect Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia.

The service may affect Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a protected area in Gujarat, located at an approximate aerial distance of 2.1 km from the proposed project site.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q8. Consider the following statements:

1. Under Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, an incorrect account or expenditure beyond the cap can lead to disqualification of the candidate by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for up to three years.
2. All candidates are required to submit their expenditure statement to the Election Commission of India within 90 days of the completion of the elections.
3. In India, there is no cap on the expenditure of a political party.

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

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently constituted a committee to examine the issues concerning the expenditure limit for a candidate.

Expenditure limit is the amount an election candidate can legally spend for their election campaign and has to account for, which includes expenses on public meetings, rallies, advertisements, posters, banners vehicles and advertisements. These limits range from Rs. 54 lakh to Rs. 70 lakh for Lok Sabha elections and from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 28 lakh for assembly elections.

All candidates are required to submit their expenditure statements to the ECI within 30 days of the completion of the elections.

Under Section 10A of Representation of the People Act, 1951, an incorrect account or expenditure beyond the cap can lead to disqualification of the candidate by the ECI for up to three years.

Under Section 77 of Representation of the People Act, 1951, every candidate shall keep a separate and correct account of all expenditure incurred between the date on which they have been nominated and the date of declaration of the result.

There is no cap on a political party’s expenditure. However, all registered political parties have to submit a statement of their election expenditure to the ECI within 90 days of the completion of the elections.

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

 

Q9. Consider the following statements about Blue Dot Network (BDN):

1. It is formed by the United States and Germany.
2. Like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it would also offer public funds or loans for the project.

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: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2:  Recently, a group of the US Senators, in a letter, has asked India to join the Blue Dot Network (BDN).

About Blue Dot Network (BDN):

• It was formally announced on 4^th November 2019 at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok, Thailand.
• It is a multi-stakeholder initiative formed by the United States, Japan, and Australia.
• It is expected to serve as a globally recognized evaluation and certification system for roads, ports and bridges with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
• It is planned as a direct counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, unlike the BRI, it would not offer public funds or loans for the project.

So, both statements are incorrect. Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q10. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana was formulated by amalgamating which of the following schemes?

1. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)
2. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
3. Pandit Deendayal Unnat Krishi Shiksha Yojana

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: B)

Explanation: The Ministry of Jal Shakti has recently launched a mobile application for geo-tagging of the components of projects under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).

About Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY):

• It was launched in 2015 with the motto of “Har Khet Ko Paani”.
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme.
• It is being implemented to expand cultivated areas with assured irrigation, reduce wastage of water and improve water use efficiency i.e. Per drop-More crop. It focuses on enhancing water efficiency at farm level through micro irrigation technologies such as “drip and sprinkler” irrigation.
• It has been formulated by amalgamating the following schemes:

• • Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) of the Ministry of Water Resources,
  • River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR, RD&GR)
  • Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) of Department of Land Resources (DoLR)
  • The On Farm Water Management (OFWM) of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC)

Hence, option B is correct.