GK Quiz | 8 December 2020

TOPIC: GS 3 - Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Q1: Consider the following statements regarding microwaves:

1. They are defined as electromagnetic radiations.
2. They fall between the infrared radiation and visible waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.
3. They cannot pass through glass and plastic.

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

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

Solution: C)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: Recently, a study commissioned by the US State Department has found that “directed” microwave radiation is the likely cause of illnesses among American diplomats in Cuba and China.

About Microwaves:

• They are defined as electromagnetic radiations with a frequency ranging between 300 MHz to 300 GHz while the wavelength ranges from 1 mm to around 30 cm.
• They fall between the infrared radiation and radio waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.
• They can pass through glass and plastic.
• Microwaves of certain frequencies are absorbed by water, and microwave transmission is affected by wave effects such as refraction, reflection, interference, and diffraction.

So, all statements are correct. Hence, option C is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 3 - Infrastructure – Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Q2: Which of the following pollutants released by burning of natural gas?

1. Carbon dioxide
2. Nitrogen oxides
3. Carbon monoxide

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

About Natural Gas:

• It is the cleanest fossil fuels among the available fossil fuels.
• It consists primarily of methane and propane. Butane, hexane and pentane, are also present.
• It is a potent greenhouse gas itself when released into the atmosphere.
• It creates carbon dioxide during oxidation.
• Russia has the largest natural gas reserves in the world.
• Uses:

• • It is used as a fuel for electricity generation, heating purpose in industrial and commercial units as well as used as a feedstock in the manufacture of fertilizers, plastics and other commercially important organic chemicals
  • It is used for cooking in domestic households.
  • It is used in rubber compounding operations.

• Pollutants released by burning of natural gas include – Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, Sulfur dioxide, Particulates.

Hence, option D is correct.

 

TOPIC: GS 1 - Geography

Q3: Consider the following statements about Bhashan Char Island:

1. It is located in the Arabian Sea.
2. It falls in an ecologically fragile area prone to floods, erosion and cyclone.
3. It was formed about two decades ago at the mouth of river Meghna.

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

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

Solution: B)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: Authorities in Bangladesh sent the first group of more than 1,500 Rohingya refugees to an isolated Bhasan Char island in the Bay of Bengal.

About Bhashan Char Island:

• It is also known as Thengar Char Island.
• It was formed about two decades ago at the mouth of river Meghna.
• It is an uninhabited island located in the Bay of Bengal, around 30 kilometres east of Hatiya island in South-East Bangladesh.
• It falls in an ecologically fragile area prone to floods, erosion and cyclone.

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

 

TOPIC: GS 2 - Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act

LEVEL 3:

Q4:  Consider the following statements:

1. At present, postal ballots are allowed only for persons employed under Government of India on post outside India.
2. A Non- Resident Indian (NRI) can vote in the constituency in his/her place of residence, as mentioned in the passport, is located.
3. Currently, a Non- Resident Indian (NRI) can only vote in person.

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

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

Solution: A)

Explanation:

Statement 1, 2 and 3: Voting rights for NRIs were introduced only in 2011, through an amendment to the Representation of the People Act 1950. An NRI can vote in the constituency in his/her place of residence, as mentioned in the passport, is located. He/She can only vote in person and will have to produce her passport in original at the polling station for establishing identity.

At present, postal ballots are allowed for certain categories of voters living in India, which include members of the Armed Forces, members of the Armed Police Force of a State, serving outside that State, persons employed under Government of India on post outside India.

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

 

TOPIC: GS 3 - Science and Technology

Q5: Consider the following statements:

1. Trojans are asteroids that share an orbit with a larger planet.
2. Lagrange Points are the locations in space where the combined gravitational pull of two large masses roughly balance each other.

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:

Statement 1 and 2: Trojans are the asteroids that share an orbit with a larger planet but do not collide with it because they gather around two special places in the orbit, called the L4 and L5 Lagrangian points.

Lagrange Points: These are the locations in space where the combined gravitational pull of two large masses roughly balance each other. These can be used by spacecraft to reduce fuel consumption needed to remain in position.

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

 

TOPIC: GS 1 - Indian Culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Q6: Which of the statement(s) given below is/are correct about Hampi Chariot?

1. It is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
2. It was built by Devaraya II during the 15^th century.
3. It is the only stone chariot in India.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Solution: D)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2 and 3: Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has put up a chain barricade to prevent people from touching or climbing the iconic stone chariot in front of the Vijaya Vittala Temple at Hampi and causing damage to it in any way.

About Hampi Chariot:

• It is one of the three famous stone chariots in India, the other two being in Konark, Odisha, and Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
• It was built by the Great King of Vijayanagara, Shri Krishna Deva Raya, during the 16^th century. Vijayanagara rulers reigned from 14^th to 17^th century CE.
• It is a shrine dedicated to Garuda, the official vehicle of Lord Vishnu. The sculpture of Garuda is now missing.

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

 

TOPIC: GS 3 – Science and Technology, General awareness in the fields of Space

Q7: HL-2M Tokamak reactor, recently seen in the news, is the largest and most advanced nuclear fusion experimental research device of which country?

1. China
2. Taiwan
3. Japan
4. Russia

Solution:  A)

Explanation: Recently, China successfully powered up its “artificial sun” nuclear fusion reactor (HL-2M Tokamak reactor) for the first time marking a great advance in the country’s nuclear power research capabilities.

About HL-2M Tokamak reactor:

• It is the largest and most advanced nuclear fusion experimental research device of China.
• It is located in Sichuan province, the reactor is often called an “artificial sun” on account of the enormous heat and power it produces.
• It uses a powerful magnetic field to fuse hot plasma and can reach temperatures of over 150 million degrees Celsius, approximately ten times hotter than the core of the sun.

Hence, option A is correct.