GK Quiz | 8 June 2020

1. Which of the following institute publishes Environmental Performance Index?

1. Colombia University
2. Yale University
3. United Nations Development Programme
4. Both A and B

Ans. D

Explanation

The Environmental Performance Index is a biennial index published by the Yale and Colombia University in collaboration with World Economic Forum (WEF). The index has 32 indicators and measures 10 year environmental sustainability performance at the national and international levels. Denmark ranked first while the 2^nd and 3^rd rank has been gained by Luxembourg and Switzerland.

India has ranked 168^th out of 180 countries in the 2020 report. According to the report, India needs to focus on sustainability issues with a focus on climate change, air, water quality, and biodiversity. In terms of climate change, it ranked 106^th and 2^nd in the South Asian Region. However, in terms of the overall ranking, it is below all the countries except Afghanistan in the South Asian Region.

Hence, the correct answer is D.

 

2. Which of the following statements is true?

1. For a new capital to be declared a bill needs to be passed by the Parliament by the simple majority.
2. To declare a new capital of a state a bill needs to be passed by the Legislative Assembly by a simple majority.
3. To declare a new capital of a state a bill needs to be passed by the Legislative Assembly by a special majority.
4. The executive of the state can declare a new capital with the permission of the governor.

Ans   A

Explanation

The power to declare a new state comes under Article 3(e) of the constitution in which the only parliament has the power to change the territory or name of the existing states. The state assembly can only pass a resolution to request the parliament to change or declare a new capital. Hence, to declare a new capital, a bill is passed by the Parliament with a simple majority after being recommended by the President.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

3. Jaya Jaitley Task Force recently constituted is related to which of the following issues?

1. Reviving small business
2. Dairy Development
3. Women and Children’s issues
4. Tourism Development

Ans. C

Explanation

The government has constituted the Jaya Jaitley Taskforce to look into the issues related to Women and child development. It will look into the various issues like lowering maternal Mortality rate, improving the Nutritional level, and to look into the issues related to motherhood.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

4. Concerning the public procurement norms recently established, consider the following statements:

1. Under the policy, the suppliers are classified into 3 categories.
2. Those suppliers using 30-50% of local goods will be given the most preference.
3. Earlier, there was no specific classification of the goods for the public procurement.
4. The suppliers using domestic content less than 30% will be classified as the non- local supplier.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. C

Explanation

The government has modified the public procurement norms. In the new policy, the suppliers are classified into 3 categories which are as follows:

• Class 1 suppliers: Suppliers using domestic content 50% or more than that. Class 1 suppliers are the most preferred suppliers.
• Class 2 suppliers: Suppliers using 20% to 50% local content.
• Non-local suppliers (Class 3): Those using domestic content of less than 20%. They are ineligible for most of the public contracts.

Earlier those suppliers using minimum local content of 50% were called the local suppliers and there was no classification.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

5. Which of the following countries has developed the World’s first internet operated robot?

1. France
2. Germany
3. India
4. USA

Ans. C

Explanation

India based engineer student has developed  Coro-bot that can be operated remotely through the internet and will be used in the treatment of patients through the use of internet of things technology. The robot has 3 nozzles to disinfect itself and the path on which it is walking, so it can work as a nurse, hospital staff, etc.

Hence, the correct answer is C.

 

6. Which of the following is true about Vamsadhara river?

1. It is a west-flowing river and drains into the Arabian Sea.
2. The river dispute on Vamsadhara is between the states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
3. Both A and B
4. None

Ans. B

Explanation

Vamsadhara is an east-flowing river draining into the Bay of Bengal. The river originates in Odisha and flows through Andhra Pradesh to join the Bay of Bengal. It flows between Rushikulya and Godavari. Mahendratanaya River is a major tributary river of Vamsadhara that originates in Odisha. There is a dispute going on between the two states over the Andhra Pradesh constructing a canal over the river.

The water disputes are taken under Article 262 of the constitution under which only the Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution or control of the waters of, or in, any inter-State river or river valley.

Hence, the correct answer is B.

 

7. Which of the following is the correct explanation of PAC-MAN?

1. It is an artificial intelligence-based game designed to raise awareness against COVID-19.
2. It is an antiviral strand that can destroy the RNA strand of the COVID-19 virus.
3. It is a specially designed PPE kit by DRDO.
4. None of the above.

Ans.  B

Explanation

PAC-MAN or Prophylactic Antiviral CRISPR in human cells is an antiviral agent that had been effective against various flu and now is found to be effective in breaking the genetic strands of the COVID-19 virus. It is made up of enzymes and a strand of guide RNA.

In PAC-MAN, the RNA commands the protein CAS-13 to break the genetic strands of the virus and therefore, found to be effective in the treatment of the disease.

Hence, the correct answer is B.

 

8. Which of the following statements is true about the problems due to the natural gas leakage?

1. Risk of fire due to high flammability of methane
2. Risk of asthma
3. Increase in global warming

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

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

Ans. A

Explanation

The leakage of natural gas leads to the release of methane gas in the atmosphere. It can cause harm due to its high flammability as lighting of any lighter or matchstick can cause the risk of fire. The release of methane can also cause the problem of global warming as the methane is a Greenhouse gas and has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP). Its release can also cause smog which may be the cause of asthma.

There has been a sudden and excessive release of the natural gas after a leakage occurred in Baghjan 5, a purely gas producing well in Assam.

Hence, the correct answer is A.

 

9. “He was an Indian scientist and the first one to decode the genetic information and emphasize its function in the stoppage and the synthesis of the protein which proved to be extremely useful in the evolution of genetic engineering. He also constructed artificial DNA in the lab. For his genetic decoding, he was awarded a Nobel prize in medicine in 1968. He had been awarded Louisa Gross Horwitz Award by Colombia University.”

Which of the following personality is described above?

1. Jagdish Chand Bose
2. Venki Ramakrishnan
3. Yellapragada Subbarao
4. Har Gobind Khorana

Ans. D

Explanation

Har Gobind Khorana was an Indian scientist and was the 1^st one to demonstrate the role of nucleotides in protein synthesis. Thus, he interpreted the genetic code and specified its role in protein synthesis. For this, in 1968, he was awarded Nobel Prize in medicine. He along with his partner Marshall W. Nirenberg and Robert W. Holley was awarded Louisa Gross Horwitz Award. He is also credited with the synthesis of artificial DNA.

Hence, the correct answer is D.

 

10. Which of the following states has launched India’s first online waste exchange?

1. Tamil Nadu
2. Bhopal
3. Andhra Pradesh
4. Bihar

Ans. C

Explanation

Andhra Pradesh has launched India’s first online waste exchange program to ensure the safe recycling of the toxic waste and to promote recycling and reuse of the waste.

The online platform will be maintained by Andhra Pradesh Environment Management Corporation and will track, audit, scrutinize the waste, and encourage the proper utilization of the waste.

Hence, the correct answer is C.