GK Quiz | 5 August 2020

Q1. Which of the following is/are the primary factors of sea level rise?

1. Melting glaciers
2. Thermal expansion
3. Loss of Antarctica’s ice sheets

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Sea Level Rise (SLR) is an increase in the level of the world’s oceans due to the effects of climate change. The main cause of sea level rise is global warming, induced by following primary factors:

• Melting Glaciers: high temperature causes melting of large ice formations, finally create imbalance between runoff and ocean evaporation, causing sea levels to rise.
• Thermal Expansion: water expends when heats up.
• Loss of Greenland and Antarctica’s ice sheets.

Hence, option D is correct.

 

Q2. Consider the following statements about Galapagos Archipelago:

1. These are a part of Ecuador.
2. These are located in Atlantic Ocean.
3. These are the first World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: About Galapagos Archipelago:

• These are a part of Ecuador.
• These are located in Pacific Ocean.
• In 1935, Ecuador made a part of the Galapagos a wildlife sanctuary, and in 1959, the sanctuary became the Galapagos National Park.
• These became UNESCO’s first World Heritage Site in 1978.
• It contains aquatic species such as manta rays and sharks, and aquatic wildlife such as marine iguanas, waved albatrosses, and fur seals.
• Giant tortoises are also found here known as Galapagos in old Spanish.

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

 

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding Humboldt Current:

1. It is a cold, low-salinity ocean current.
2. It flows north along the western coast of South Africa.

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: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2: Humboldt Current or Peru Current is a cold, low salinity ocean current. It flows north along the western coast of South America. The current brings in nutrients and accounts for roughly 18-20% of the total worldwide marine fish catch.

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

 

Q4. Consider the following statements with reference to China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC):

1. It is a bilateral project between Pakistan and Russia.
2. It passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Balochistan.
3. It is a part is a part of One Belt One Road.

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

1. 2 and 3 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1,2 and 3
4. None

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC):

• It is a bilateral project between China and Pakistan.
• It links the Western part of China (Xinjiang) to the Gwadar Port in Balochistan (Pakistan) via Khunjerab Pass in the Northern Parts of Pakistan.
• It is intended to promote connectivity across Pakistan with a network of highways, railways, and pipelines accompanied by energy, industrial, and other infrastructure development projects.
• CPEC is a part of One Belt One Road (OBOR) which is not supported by India.
• CPEC passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Baluchistan.
• It will enable China to access the Middle East and Africa from Gwadar Port, and the Indian Ocean in return China will support development projects in Pakistan to stabilize its faltering economy.

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

 

Q5. Agatti Island, recently seen in news, is located in-

1. Andaman and Nicobar
2. Lakshadweep
3. West Bengal
4. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Agatti Island is a 7.6 km long island, located to the west of Kavaratti Island (the capital of the UT of Lakshadweep). It is located about 459 km (285 mi) off Kochi (Kerala). There is plenty of coral growth and multi-coloured coral fishes in the lagoons and fishing is the most important industry of this island.

Recently, National Green Tribunal (NGT) has put an interim ban on the felling of coconut trees in the Agatti island.

Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q6. Consider the following statement(s) with reference to Black Lives Matter Protest:

1. The movement was founded in 2013.
2. It is global movement advocating for violent civil disobedience in protest against all racially motivated violence against African-American people.
3. Its main aim is to abolish white supremacy.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About Black Lives matter Protest:

• After the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin (African-American), the movement was founded on 13^th July 2013.
• It is global movement advocating for non-violent civil disobedience in protest against all racially motivated violence against African-American people.
• Its main aim is to build local power and abolish white supremacy to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities.

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

 

Q7. Consider the following statements about Gratuity:

1. Gratuity is the monetary benefit provided by the employer to his/her employee for the services rendered by him during the period of employment.
2. An organization will always remain covered once it comes under the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972.
3. For availing the benefit of gratuity, a minimum of ten years of service with an organization is mandatory.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About Gratuity:

• It is the monetary benefit provided by the employer to his/her employee for the services rendered by him during the period of employment.
• For availing the benefit of gratuity, a minimum of five years of service with an organization is mandatory.
• An organization comes under the purview of the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972, if it has 10 or more employees on any single day in the preceding 12 months.
• The act follows the rule of ‘Once Covered, Always Covered’ means once an organization comes under the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972, it will always remain covered.

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

 

Q8. Which of the following space agencies is/are the primary space agency partners on the International Space Station (ISS) programme?

1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
2. Roscosmos
3. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
4. European Space Agency (ESA)
5. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 ,3 and 5 only
2. 1,2,3 and 4 only
3. 3 and 4 only
4. 2,4 and 5 only

Solution: B)

Explanation:

The International Space Station (ISS) is a modular space station in low Earth orbit. Its first component was launched into orbit in 1998. The ownership and use of the space station is established by intergovernmental treaties and agreements. The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which scientific experiments are conducted in astrobiology, physics, astronomy, meteorology and other fields.

Following are five primary space agency partners on the project:

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
• Roscosmos
• European Space Agency (ESA)
• Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q9. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is an attached office under which ministry?

1. Ministry of Communications
2. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
3. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
4. Ministry of External Affairs

Solution: B)

Explanation:

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) was established in 1976 under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It is headquartered at New Delhi. It provides infrastructure to help support the delivery of some of the initiatives of Digital India and the delivery of government IT services.

Hence, option B is correct.

 

Q10. Which of the following is/are the focus areas under the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP 2020)?

1. Procurement Reforms
2. Optimize Resource Allocation
3. Quality Assurance & Testing Infrastructure
4. Export Promotion

Select the correct answer using the codes given above:

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

The Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 aims to provide thrust to defence production capabilities of the country for exports and self-reliance.

Following are some main objectives of the policy:

• To achieve a turnover of Rs 1,75,000 Crores (US$ 25Bn) including export of Rs 35,000 Crore (US$ 5 Billion) in Aerospace and Defence goods and services by 2025.
• To reduce dependence on imports and take forward "Make in India" initiatives
• To create an environment that rewards innovation, creates Indian IP ownership and encourages R&D.
• To promote export of defence products
• To develop a competitive defence industry to cater to the needs of Armed forces with quality products.
• Focus area under which the policy brings out multiple strategies are-
• Procurement Reforms
• Indigenization & Support to MSMEs/Startups
• Innovation and R&D
• Quality Assurance & Testing Infrastructure
• Optimize Resource Allocation
• Investment Promotion, FDI & Ease of Doing Business
• Export Promotion
• Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)

Hence, option C is correct.

 

Q11. Consider the following statements with reference to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA):

1. Under the scheme, the local government will have to legally provide at least 100 days of wage employment in India to enhance their quality of life.
2. It guarantees “the right to work”.
3. The entire implementation of this scheme is monitored by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

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

1. 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. None

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: About Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA):

• Under the scheme, the local government will have to legally provide at least 100 days of wage employment in rural India to enhance their quality of life.
• It guarantees “the right to work”.
• The entire implementation of this scheme is monitored by the Ministry of Rural development.
• Wage employment will be provided to the applicant within 15 days of submitting the application or from the day work is demanded.
• Social Audit of MGNREGA works is mandatory.
• In case employment is not provided within fifteen days of submitting the application or from the date when work is sought, the scheme guarantees the right to get unemployment allowance.
• The order of priority of works is determined by the Gram Sabha in its meeting.

Role of Gram Panchayat in MGNREGA:

• Receiving applications for registration and applications for work
• Issuing Job Cards (JCs) and dated receipts for these applications for work
• Verifying registration applications
• Registering households
• Identification and planning of works
• Allotting work within fifteen days of submitting the application or from the date when work is sought in the case of an advance application

Eligibility criteria for receiving the benefits under MGNREGA scheme:

• Applicant must be citizen of India to seek NREGA benefits.
• Job seeker has completed 18 years of age at the time of application.
• Applicant must volunteer for unskilled labour.
• The applicant must be part of a local household.

Responsibilities of the State Government:

• Setting up the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC), a State level MGNREGA implementation agency, a State Employment Guarantee Fund (SEGF), State level MGNREGA social audit agency.
• Develop and notify the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the State, and frame rules on matters pertaining to State responsibilities under Section 32 of the Act.

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

 

Q12. Enforcement Directorate is a law enforcement agency under-

1. Ministry of Finance
2. Ministry of External Affairs
3. Ministry of Law and Justice
4. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Solution: A)

Explanation:

About Enforcement Directorate:

• It is a law enforcement agency, founded on 1st May 1956.
• It is headquartered at New Delhi (India). 
• It is mandated with the task of enforcing the provisions of two special fiscal laws – Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).
• It comes under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• It composed of directly recruiting personnel and also draws officers from different Investigating Agencies namely Income Tax, Customs & Central Excise, Police, etc. on deputation.

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q13. Consider the following statements regarding Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI):

1. It is an indicator of business activity only in the manufacturing sectors.
2. PMI above 50 represents contraction when compared to the previous month.
3. It is a good leading indicator of economic activity.
4. It is usually released at the end of the month.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2,3 and 4: Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI):

• It is an indicator of business activity in the service and manufacturing sectors.
• It is calculated separately for services and the manufacturing sectors, and then a composite index is constructed.
• PMI above 50 represents an expansion when compared to the previous month and anything below 50 represents contraction.
• It is a good leading indicator of economic activity and corporate earnings.
• It is usually released at the start of the month.

So, statements 1,2 and 4 are incorrect and statement 3 is correct. Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q14. Consider the following statements about Leopard:

1. It is a nocturnal animal.
2. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
3. In India, they are only found in tropical rainforests.

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

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1,2 and 3
4. None

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statements 1,2 and 3: Recently, Wildlife Institute of India has announced that the Leopard Census Report will be released soon.

About Leopard:

• It is a nocturnal animal (those who are awake and active at night and then sleep during the day).
• It is the smallest of the big cats.
• They are distributed across Africa and Asia.
• Melanism is a common occurrence in leopards, wherein the entire skin of the animal is black in colour, including its spots. A melanistic leopard is often known as jaguar or black panther.
• It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• In India, except mangroves of Sundarbans and desert, they are found in all forest types, from tropical rainforests to temperate deciduous and alpine coniferous forests. They are also found in dry scrubs and grassland.

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