GK Quiz | 5 November 2020

Q1: Consider the following statement regarding La Nina

1. It refers to the large-scale warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
2. Due to La Nina, India is expected to receive more rainfall than normal.

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:

Statement 1 and 2: In its latest Global Seasonal update, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said that La Nina weather phenomenon is back in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean after nearly a decade’s absence.

About La Nina:

• It means The Little Girl in Spanish and it is opposite of El Nino which is the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
• It refers to the large-scale cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
• Following are some weather changes due to La Nina:

• • India will receive more rainfall than normal, leading to floods.
  • It could also lead to increased rainfall in southern Africa and could also affect the South West Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone season, reducing the intensity.
  • The Horn of Africa and central Asia will see below average rainfall
  • Southeast Asia, some Pacific Islands and the northern region of South America are expected to receive above-average rainfall.
  • East Africa is forecast to see drier-than-usual conditions.

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

 

Q2: With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushdhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), consider the following statements

1. It is a campaign launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
2. It seeks to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.
3. Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementing agency of PMBJP.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: Pharma products worth Rs 358 crore sold through Jan Aushadhi stores during first seven months of this fiscal (up to 31^st October).

About Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushdhi Pariyojana (PMBJP):

• It is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in 2008 under the name Jan Aushadi Campaign.
• It was launched in 2008 and rechristened in 2015.
• Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementation agency for PMBJP. BPPI has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs.
• PMBJP seeks to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendra’s known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.

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

 

Q3: Consider the following statements about Asiatic Lion

1. Its population is restricted to the state of Gujarat in India.
2. It is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ under the IUCN Red List.
3. It is protected under schedule 1 of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: About Asiatic Lion:

• Asiatic Lions are slightly smaller than African lions.
• Its population is restricted Gir National Park which is in Gujarat, India.
• Conservation status:

• • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule 1
  • CITES Appendix I

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

 

Q4: Consider the following pairs:

1. Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary                                        Kerala
2. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary                                Rajasthan
3. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary                                Gujarat

Which of the pair(s) given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Apart from the Kuno- Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary, six new sites were identified under Project Lion. Project Lion was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15^th August 2020.

Following are the six new sites:

• Madhav National Park, Madhya Pradesh
• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh
• Jessore-Balaram Ambaji WLS and adjoining landscape, Gujarat
• Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
• Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
• Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

Hence, option A is correct.

 

Q5: Consider the following statements

1. Fortification is the practice of deliberately decreasing the content of essential micronutrient in a food.
2. The scheme on Fortification of Rice is a central sector scheme.

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:

Statement 1 and 2: Recently, 15 States have been identified for implementing Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on Fortification of Rice & its distribution through Public Distribution System. It was approved in 2019 for a period of a three-year period from 2019-20 onwards.

Fortification is the practice of deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrient in a food. It improves the nutritional quality of the food supply and provides a public health benefit with minimal risk to health. The fortification of rice is a major opportunity to improve nutrition. Fortified rice contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Iron and Zinc.

So, both statements are incorrect and hence, option C is correct.

 

Q6: Consider the following statements about Paris agreement

1. It seeks to keep global temperature rise to below 3.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels.
2. It sets voluntary targets for each country for reduc­ing greenhouse gases.
3. A country can only give a notice for leaving at least one year after the Paris Agreement came into force.

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

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statement 1,2 and 3: Recently, the United States has formally left the Pa­ris Agreement. Some 189 countries re­main committed to the 2015 Paris accord.

About Paris Agreement:

• It is a historic international accord that brings almost 200 countries together in setting a common target to reduce global greenhouse emissions in an effort to fight climate change.
• It seeks to keep global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels, and to try and limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• It requires countries to set their own voluntary targets for reduc­ing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
• Article 28 of the Paris Agreement allows countries to leave the Paris Agreement and lays down the process for leaving. A country can only give a notice for leaving at least three years after the Paris Agreement came into force.

So, all statements are incorrect and hence, option D is correct.