GK Quiz | 30 October 2020

Q1. Which of the following countries share their borders with France?

1. Netherlands
2. Italy
3. Switzerland
4. Austria

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Recently, India came out in support of France’s President Emmanuel Macron, whom Pakistan and Turkey have targeted for strongly defending the French people’s right to freedom of expression.

About France:

• It is a country in northwestern Europe.
• It borders Switzerland, Monaco and Italy to the east, Andorra and Spain to the south, and Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to the northeast.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q2. Consider the following statements with reference to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC):

1. Its examination is limited to the scrutiny of government finances.
2. It has no members from Rajya Sabha.
3. It is set up for a specific duration.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: About Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC):

• It is an ad-hoc body.
• It is set up to examine a particular bill presented before the Parliament or for the purpose of investigating cases of financial irregularities in any government activity.
• It is aimed at addressing a specific issue and is set up for a given period of time.
• These committees are set up by a motion passed in one house of Parliament and agreed to by the other.
• There are twice as many Lok Sabha members as the Rajya Sabha.
• The Parliament decides the details regarding its membership and subjects.
• Its mandate depends on the motion constituting it and this need not be limited to the scrutiny of government finances.

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

 

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Green Crackers:

1. They are called green firecrackers because they are green in colour.
2. In comparison to conventional firecrackers, they are costly to manufactures.
3. To manufacture these crackers, manufacturers would have to make many changes in their facilities.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: Recently, the Delhi government scheduled to launch an anti-firecracker campaign on November 3.

About Green Crackers:

• They are the crackers with reduced emission and decibel level.
• ‘Green’ firecrackers are so named because they have a chemical formulation that produces water molecules, substantially reducing emission levels and absorbing dust.
• They will be 25-30% cheaper to manufacture.
• Manufacturers would not have to make any changes to their facilities.
• They reduce particulate matters and harmful gases emission by 30- 35%.

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

 

Q4. Consider the following statements with reference to the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA):

1. It is a joint project of ISRO and NASA.
2. Its mission is to look at dark and distant objects.
3. It is a modified Boeing 747SP jetliner.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: Recently, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) confirms water molecules in Clavius Crater in the Moon’s southern hemisphere.  It is the first time that water has been detected on the sunlit surface of moon.

About Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA):

• It is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center.
• It is a modified Boeing 747SP jetliner modified to carry a 100-inch diameter telescope
• It flies at altitudes up to 45,000 feet.
• Its mission is to look at dark and distant objects. On the other hand, the Moon is so close and bright that it fills the SOFIA guide camera’s entire field of view.
• It has an infrared camera that picks up the wavelength unique to water molecules.

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

 

Q5. Consider the following statements about National Program and Project Management Policy Framework (NPMPF):

1. It has been launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
2. It is envisaged to bring radical reforms in the way infrastructure projects are executed in India.

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: A)

Explanation:

Statement 1 and 2: About ‘National Program and Project Management Policy Framework’ (NPMPF)

• It has been recently launched by NITI Aayog and Quality Council of India.
• It is envisaged to bring radical reforms in the way infrastructure projects are executed in India.
• It stressed accountability, monitoring, transparency and a corruption-free system, along with a fast-track decision-making process.
• The framework has an action plan to:

• Adopt a program and project management approach to infra development.
• Institutionalize and promote the profession of program and project management and build a workforce of such professionals.
• Enhance institutional capacity and capability of professionals.

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

 

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding PUSA Decomposer:

1. It is essentially a fungi-based liquid solution.
2. It takes only 1 day for the degradation process to be completed.
3. It degrades the productivity of the soil.

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

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: About PUSA Decomposer:

• It is a set of four tablets made by extract­ing fungi strains that help the paddy straw to decompose at a much faster rate than usual.
• It is an efficient and effective, cheaper, doable and practical technique to stop stubble burning.
• It gives farmers the option to shred the straw, spray a so­lution containing the fungal strains, and mix it with the soil for decompo­sition.
• It takes around 20 days for the degradation process to be completed.
• It improves the productivity of the soil.
• It is an eco-friendly and environmentally useful technology.

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