GK Quiz | 27 April 2020

1. Which of the following is true about the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library?

1. It contains all types of traditional knowledge including Indian art and craft.
2. It is maintained by CSIR.
3. Both A and B.
4. None of the above is true.

Ans. B

Explanation

Traditional Knowledge Digital Library is an initiative by CSIR to preserve the traditional knowledge related to Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine. It aims to protect traditional knowledge of medicines from being wrongly patented in International Patent offices.

Hence, the correct answer is B.

 

2. Which of the following is true about the Limited Test ban treaty?

1. The founding countries were the U.K, U.S.A, and Russia.
2. It aims to prohibit nuclear tests in underwater, underground, and outer space.
3. The treaty is not effective in the present day.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. D

Explanation

Limited or Partial Test Ban Treaty was a treaty signed between the U.S.A, Russia, and the U.K in 1963 to limit the testing of a nuclear weapon in the atmosphere, underwater, and outer space. Currently, there are 126 countries party to this treaty including India. The treaty is currently in force. It was followed by the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty but that is not currently in force as it requires 44 countries to ratify it.

Hence, the correct answer is D.

 

3. Which of the following are possible means to test whether a nuclear test has taken place?

1. Pattern of underground tremor waves.
2. Presence of Xenon isotopes
3. Through hydroacoustic sensors

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. A

Explanation

Nuclear radiations can be detected through the following methods:

The presence of underground tremor waves. If a nuclear test is carried out underground, it can cause tremors underground. The waves generated can be differentiated from that of the earthquake as in earthquake tremors are slow at the initial point and experience an increase in their intensity later on.

Xenon is a Noble gas and two of its isotopes are long-lived and radioactive. Its presence in the atmosphere can be detected and the estimation of nuclear weapons can be made.

Hydroacoustic sensors can detect the nuclear waves underwater by detecting the sound underwater.

Hence the correct answer is A.

 

4. Which of the following is correct about SWAYAM?

1. It is a digital web portal that provides free education courses at various levels.
2. It has been developed by MHRD, NPTEL along with the assistance of Google Inc.
3. Both A and B
4. None of the above

Ans. C

Explanation

Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) is a digital study web portal that provides online courses at various levels of education including professional education. It has been developed by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, NPTEL, IIT Madras with the help of Google Inc. and Persistent Systems Ltd.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

5. Which of the following is true about the Special Liquidity facility opened up for the Mutual Funds by RBI?

1. The window is opened for 180 days.
2. The banks can carry out repo operations by putting corporate bonds as security or can give detect loan to Mutual funds under it.
3. The bonds or securities in which investment would be made will be treated as held- to- maturity.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. B

Explanation

A Special Liquidity Portal has been opened up by RBI for 90 days to assist debt-laden Mutual Funds. Under this liquidity can be infused by banks by extending loans, direct purchase, or repo operations using investment-grade operations bonds, commercial papers, debentures, or certificates of deposit held by mutual funds as collateral. The securities held or used as collateral would be held as held- to- maturity securities, i.e they are to behold till their maturity.

Hence the correct answer is B.

 

6. Which of the following is true about the Pitch Black exercise?

1. It is a multilateral air-force exercise held among Australia and other countries.
2. India participated in this exercise for the first time in 2018.
3. It is a biennial exercise.
4. India will not take part in the 2020 exercise when it will be held.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. C

Explanation

Pitch Black is a multilateral exercise among the air forces of different countries along with Australia. India 1^st took part in this exercise in 2018. It is a biennial exercise. The 2020 exercise in which India will take part but it has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hence the correct answer is C.

 

7. Which of the following is true about South Asian River Dolphin?

1. There are only two species of South Asian River Dolphin i.e Ganges river dolphin and Indus river dolphin.
2. All the species of this dolphin are freshwater dolphins.
3. Ganges River Dolphin and Indus water dolphin can be classified as two ecotypes.
4. None of the above is true.

Ans. D

Explanation

South Asian River Dolphins are the freshwater dolphins of specie Platanista gangetica. There are two subspecies (not species) of South Asian River Dolphin i.e Ganges and Indus water Dolphin which are both freshwater dolphins. While Ganges Dolphin is mainly found in Ganga, Brahmaputra and their tributaries, Indus river dolphin is now restricted to Indus and Beas. The IUCN status is endangered.

Subspecies are variants developed within species having phenotypic differences but can interbreed. Ecotypes are the variants having genetic differences and having phenotypic differences that develop due to geographical separation and thus adaptation to the ecological variety. Ecotypes can’t be described as subspecies as in ecotypes phenotypic differences are too subtle to be classified as subspecies.

Hence, the correct answer is D.