1) Consider the following statements about Kurile Islands
It is an island archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, lying between Russia and Japan.
It is of volcanic origin.
It comes under the jurisdiction of Japan.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
The Kuriles are an archipelago of some 56 islands spanning about 1,800 km from Japan’s Hokkaido to Russia’s Kamchatka.
All of them are under Russian jurisdiction but Japan claims the two large southernmost islands, Etorofu and Kunashiri, and two others, Shikotan and Habomai, as its ‘northern territories’. ]
These islands were occupied by the Soviet Union in August 1945, after which the entire Japanese population, numbering less than 20,000, was evicted.
Despite the passage of over 70 years, this dispute has defied solution and prevented the conclusion of a Russo-Japanese peace treaty
2) Consider the following statements regarding Dynamic Pricing Policy
This means that the prices fuels are changed daily by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) based on the movement of international crude oil prices.
It is beneficial to both OMCs and the consumers.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
3) Consider the following statements about Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
It is engaged in road construction along inaccessible regions in the border areas.
It is staffed by personnel from Indian Army, Military Police etc.
It functions under the Ministry of Defence.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
4) “MP Bezbarauah committee” was sometimes seen in the news recently. It was constituted for which of the following purposes?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
The government has notified a High-Level Committee for implementation of Clause six of the Assam Accord.
The nine-member committee, comprising of eminent Assamese persons from different fields, is headed by former bureaucrat MP Bezbarauah.
The committee will examine the effectiveness of actions since 1985 to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.
5) Consider the following statements with respect to Agasthyarkoodam peak
It is the second highest peak south of satpura range.
It is located within the Shendurney wildlife sanctuary.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
Agasthyarkoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala at 1,868 metres in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thiruvananthapuram.
The peak is named after a mythical Hindu sage Agasthya.
Kerala's Kani tribe has claimed that they have been traditionally worshipping the idol of Agasthya Muni atop the hill and it was customary for women not to go near the idol.
Last year, the Kerala High Court had ruled that no gender-based restrictions can be imposed on those who intend to trek Agasthyarkoodam, and lifted the unofficial ban on the entry of women to the peak.
6) Consider the following statements with respect to Mercury
It is the only metal to be liquid at room temperature.
It mixes with the environment due to both natural and anthropogenic activity.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Mercury is a heavy metal that is predominant in the environment.
It mixes with the environment due to both natural (e.g. volcanic activity) and anthropogenic (e.g. electrical appliances such as mercury lamps) activity.
It is the only metal to be liquid at room temperature.
7) “Financial Stability Report (FSR)” was published by which of the following organisations?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is releasing the Financial Stability Report bi-annually.
The Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR) is a semi-annual report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that assesses the stability of global financial markets and emerging-market financing.
It is released twice per year, in April and October.
8) Consider the following statements with respect to Cyclone Pabuk
It originated over the Andaman Sea and its neighbourhood.
The name Pabuk was given by Bangladesh.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
Pabuk originated over the Gulf of Thailand and its neighbourhood.
Pabuk is a name given byLaos and means a 'big fresh water fish'.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange alert for the Andaman Islands as cyclonic storm Pabuk is moving north-northwestwards.
9) “Mapping and Review Exercise of Child Care Institutions Report” was released recently by which of the following?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Ministry of Women and Child Development recently released a report titled ‘Mapping and Review Exercise of Child Care Institutions’.
10) Consider the following statements with respect to Phuti masjid
It was built by Sarfaraz Khan, the nawab of Murshidabad.
It is renowned for its construction which was completed in 5 years.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
It was built by Sarfaraz Khan, the nawab of Murshidabad.
Phuti masjid is quite large with four cupolas at the corners.
Only two of its five planned domes were completed. As the builder died soon after construction began, the mosque was never completed.
And so the name Phuti Masjid, or broken mosque. It is also known rather morbidly as Fouti Masjid. ‘Fout’ means death, and the name was apparently given after the builder’s death.
