RRB NTPC CBT 1 2016 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

German engineer Carl Benz developed the world's first practical gasoline-powered internal combustion engine designed for an automobile. In 1885, he built the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which was powered by a single-cylinder four-stroke gasoline engine. He officially received German patent number 37435 for this invention on January 29, 1886, establishing it as the birth of the modern automobile.

Explanation

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Africa's first democratically elected female President when she won the general election in Liberia in November 2005 and took office on January 16, 2006. She served as the President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018 and was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work.

Explanation

Thermal power plants primarily burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil, or natural gas to generate electricity. This combustion process releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide, fly ash, greenhouse gases, and harmful atmospheric pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, contributing significantly to air pollution, acid rain, and global warming.

Explanation

The 10th annual G20 Leaders' Summit was held on 15–16 November 2015 in Antalya, Turkey. Turkey held the G20 presidency for the year 2015, and the summit focused on inclusive and robust global growth, investment, implementation of previous commitments, and international counter-terrorism measures.

Explanation

Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) in July 1960, making her the first female Prime Minister of Sri Lanka as well as the world's first democratically elected female head of government. She served as Prime Minister across three separate terms: 1960–1965, 1970–1977, and 1994–2000.

Explanation

An ecotone is a transition zone or area of junction where two distinct ecosystems or biomes meet and integrate, such as the zone between a forest and a grassland, or between a terrestrial and marine ecosystem. These transition zones often display high species diversity and density because they contain conditions and organisms from both adjoining communities, a phenomenon known as the edge effect.

Explanation

Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft Corporation on April 4, 1975, alongside his childhood friend Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The duo established the business to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800 microcomputer, setting the foundation for Microsoft to become a world leader in personal computer software.

Explanation

In 1922, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially recognized and defined 88 standard constellations covering the entire celestial sphere. These boundaries were further precisely established in 1930 by Belgian astronomer Eugène Delporte, ensuring that every region and point in the sky falls within one of these 88 recognized constellations.

Explanation

Bidhya Devi Bhandari (Vidya Devi Bhandari) was elected as the President of Nepal in October 2015, becoming the country's first female head of state following the adoption of Nepal's new constitution.

Explanation

Sardar Patel Stadium, located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is a major cricket stadium in India, managed by the Gujarat Cricket Association. It was constructed specifically to host domestic and international cricket matches, making it a cricket venue rather than a football stadium.

Explanation

Lord Hardinge of Penshurst, who served as the Viceroy of India from 1910 to 1916, awarded the Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal to Mahatma Gandhi in 1915. This honour was bestowed upon Gandhi for his public service in organizing the volunteer Indian Ambulance Corps to care for wounded soldiers during the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa. Gandhi later surrendered the medal in August 1920 during the Non-Cooperation Movement to protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the British government's stance on the Khilafat issue.

Explanation

Borosilicate glass contains boron trioxide, which gives it a very low coefficient of thermal expansion. This property makes it highly heat resistant and immune to thermal shock, ensuring that the glassware will not crack, warp, or break when subjected to high temperatures or rapid temperature changes inside a microwave oven.

Explanation

The Kurukshetra War described in the Indian epic Mahabharata lasted for 18 days. Fought on the fields of Kurukshetra between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, the war resulted in the victory of the Pandavas. The number 18 holds deep symbolic importance in the epic, which itself is divided into 18 Parvas (books) and featured a total of 18 Akshauhinis (army divisions) participating in the battle.

Explanation

K. P. Sharma Oli was elected as the Prime Minister of Nepal on 11 October 2015 after securing 338 votes out of 587 cast in the Parliament. He became the first Prime Minister to take office under Nepal's newly promulgated Constitution of 2015.

Explanation

Land outside forest areas encompasses deserts, rocky terrains, and degraded soils that naturally or artificially lack nutrients due to diverse climatic and geological factors, making Assertion (A) true. Reason (R) is also true because overgrazing by cattle removes protective vegetation cover, compacts the soil, increases erosion, and reduces soil organic matter, leading to a loss of soil fertility. However, extensive cattle grazing is only one isolated cause of soil degradation and does not directly serve as the general explanation for why non-forest land lacks fertility.

Explanation

Humayun's tomb is located in Delhi. Commissioned by his chief consort, Empress Bega Begum (Haji Begum), in 1558 and designed by Persian architects Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and his son Sayyid Muhammad, it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and introduced the Charbagh style to Mughal architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and served as a major architectural inspiration for subsequent Mughal monuments, including the Taj Mahal.

Explanation

In the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2015 released by Transparency International on 27 January 2016, India was ranked 76th out of 168 surveyed countries. India scored 38 on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). India shared this rank alongside six other nations, including Brazil, Burkina Faso, Thailand, Tunisia, and Zambia.

Explanation

Rohini (RS-1) was placed into orbit on July 18, 1980, using the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3), making it the first satellite successfully launched using an indigenously developed Indian launch vehicle. The SLV-3 project was directed by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and this achievement made India the seventh nation in the world to possess indigenous satellite launch capabilities.

Explanation

The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) was founded on 11 November 1947 in Ahmedabad by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, considered the father of the Indian space program. Initially starting at his residence, the institute began with research focusing on cosmic rays and the upper atmosphere. It served as the cradle of space sciences in India and eventually evolved into a premier autonomous research institute under the Department of Space, Government of India.

Explanation

The Pashupatinath Temple is a renowned Hindu temple complex located along the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal. Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Pashupati (Lord of Animals), it stands as one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations for Shiva worshippers globally. The entire temple complex was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 as part of the Kathmandu Valley heritage area.

Explanation

Mount Everest, the world's highest peak at an elevation of 8,848.86 meters above sea level, is situated in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas along the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. In Nepal, it is officially known as Sagarmatha.

Explanation

Astronauts inside an orbiting spaceship experience weightlessness or zero weight because both the spaceship and the astronauts are in a continuous state of free fall towards Earth under the influence of gravity. Since both fall with the same gravitational acceleration, there is no normal reaction force exerted by the spaceship's floor or walls on the astronauts. Since perceived weight depends on this normal reaction force, the felt weight becomes zero.

Explanation

Fish bones and other animal waste products are generally avoided in home composting because they attract pests, rodents, and insects, generate foul odors as they decay, and can harbor harmful pathogens if the compost pile does not maintain consistently high heat levels.

Explanation

Operation Smile, also known as Operation Muskaan, is an initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) designed to rescue, track, and rehabilitate missing and trafficked children. Under this campaign, trained police personnel carry out dedicated drives across railway stations, bus stands, shelter homes, and public places to identify missing children and safely reunite them with their families.

Explanation

The human spinal column (vertebral column) is composed of 33 individual vertebrae in early development. These bones are categorized into five distinct regions based on their location: 7 cervical vertebrae in the neck region, 12 thoracic vertebrae in the chest region, 5 lumbar vertebrae in the lower back region, 5 sacral vertebrae, and 4 coccygeal vertebrae. In adults, the sacral vertebrae fuse to form the sacrum, and the coccygeal vertebrae fuse to form the coccyx.

Explanation

Air is a homogeneous mixture composed of both elemental gases and chemical compounds. Its primary elemental constituents are nitrogen (N₂), oxygen (O₂), and argon (Ar), while its prominent compound constituents include carbon dioxide (CO₂), water vapor (H₂O), and trace gases like methane (CH₄). Because these components are physically intermixed without forming chemical bonds with one another, air retains the individual properties of both its constituent elements and compounds.

Explanation

The Rhesus (Rh) factor is an inherited protein antigen located on the surface of red blood cells. It is used in blood group classification to determine Rh-positive or Rh-negative status and plays a crucial role in blood transfusion compatibility, having no direct functional or structural relationship to cholesterol or lipid transport.

Explanation

The 31st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1973 raised the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha from 525 to 545 members. This amendment was enacted following the 1971 Census to accommodate population growth and increase the representation of states from 500 to 525 seats while reducing the upper limit of representation for Union Territories from 25 to 20 seats.

Explanation

Computed Tomography (CT) scanning is a completely non-invasive and painless medical imaging procedure. The patient simply lies on a motorized table that moves through a ring-shaped scanner, and the imaging process itself causes no physical sensation or pain. Any slight discomfort is typically limited to remaining still on the table for a few minutes or a brief warm sensation if an intravenous contrast dye is administered.

Explanation

Kalindi is an ancient alternative name for the River Yamuna. The river derives this name from Mount Kalinda (Kalindagiri), a mountain peak in the Central Himalayas where it originates. In Hindu mythology, Kalindi is also revered as a goddess, the daughter of the Sun god Surya, and is closely associated with the legends of Lord Krishna in Mathura and Vrindavan.

Explanation

Very old pendulum clocks operated entirely on mechanical principles without any electrical components or batteries. They relied on potential energy stored in elevated weights or a wound mainspring to drive a train of gears. A swinging pendulum provided a constant periodic oscillation that regulated the movement of the gears through an escapement mechanism, converting stored energy into precise timekeeping motion purely through physical force and geometry.

Explanation

The internet acts as a vast digital repository that allows users instant access to information, educational resources, research materials, and global news at the click of a button. It democratizes access to knowledge, empowering individuals to learn, research, and acquire skills independently from anywhere in the world.

Explanation

Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, originally performed by the Bhil tribe to worship Goddess Saraswati and later adopted by royal Rajput women. The dance is characterized by women dressed in flowing ghagras gracefully spinning in circular patterns, deriving its name from the word ghoomna, meaning whirling. It is performed during major festivals such as Gangaur and Teej, as well as on auspicious occasions like wedding ceremonies.

Explanation

Ravi Shastri has not been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame was established in January 2009 by the International Cricket Council in association with the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations to recognize the outstanding achievements of cricket's legendary players.

Explanation

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was famously termed the First War of Indian Independence by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his book The Indian War of Independence. It was the first major, widespread armed uprising against the rule of the British East India Company, involving Indian sepoys as well as local rulers, landlords, and civilians across large parts of northern and central India.

Explanation

Bio-sand water filters cannot guarantee high-quality water at all times because their performance depends heavily on proper maintenance, consistent operation, and the maturity of the biological layer. Furthermore, bio-sand filtration alone cannot remove dissolved chemicals, heavy metals, or all viral pathogens, and proper function requires strict adherence to operating parameters like pause times and flow rates. Secondary disinfection, such as chlorination, is often necessary to ensure completely safe drinking water.

Explanation

Article 44 of the Constitution of India, contained within Part IV under the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the State to endeavour to secure for citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India. It aims to replace personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of various religious communities with a common set of civil laws governing all citizens uniformly in matters such as marriage, divorce, succession, and adoption.

Explanation

The Davis Cup, administered by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), was structured with a 16-nation World Group at its top tier. These 16 elite national teams competed in a knock-out format across four rounds throughout the year to decide the champion.

Explanation

Melting an ice cube is a physical change rather than a chemical change because it involves only a change in the physical state of water from solid to liquid. The chemical composition remains unchanged as H₂O throughout the process, no new chemical substances are formed, and the phase transition can be easily reversed by freezing.

Explanation

Christine Lagarde was re-appointed as the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a second five-year term starting July 5, 2016. She was first appointed to the post on July 5, 2011, becoming the eleventh Managing Director of the IMF and the first woman to head the organization. The IMF Executive Board officially selected her by consensus in February 2016 after a merit-based selection process in which she was nominated as the sole candidate.

Explanation

Voice recognition is an audio-based input technology that relies on microphones and signal processing algorithms to capture and interpret spoken sound waves. Because it processes acoustic signals rather than physical contact or optical interaction on a display surface, it operates independently of touch panel sensing mechanisms.

Explanation

Acid rain is caused by chemical reactions that begin when compounds like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances rise high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form acidic pollutants known as sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which fall to the ground as acid precipitation.

Explanation

Western blot is a molecular biology technique used to detect specific proteins in a blood sample. In clinical medicine, it serves as a confirmatory diagnostic test for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection, typically performed after an initial screening test such as ELISA yields a positive result. The test identifies antibodies produced against key viral proteins of HIV, such as p24, gp41, and gp120/160, providing high specificity to confirm the infection.

Explanation

HB is not a recognized or standardized unit for measuring digital data storage or computer memory capacity. Standard data storage metrics use established SI or binary prefixes attached to bytes—such as kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte, exabyte, zettabyte, and yottabyte—making HB an invalid metric in computer architecture.

Explanation

Karnataka is the leading producer of raw silk in India, contributing nearly one-third of the country's total raw silk output. The state is particularly renowned for mulberry silk, with major sericulture hubs situated in districts such as Ramanagara, Mysuru, Mandya, and Bengaluru Rural. Ramanagara hosts one of the largest silk cocoon markets in Asia, serving as the central trading center for the state's thriving silk industry.

Explanation

Saina Nehwal is a prominent Indian badminton player who achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 1 in 2015. She won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal, and has won over 24 international titles, including multiple Commonwealth Games gold medals and Super Series titles.

Explanation

The Hotaki dynasty was an Afghan monarchy founded in 1709 by Mirwais Hotak, a Ghilzai Pashtun tribal leader from Kandahar. He led a successful revolt against the Safavid Persian rulers to establish an independent kingdom in Afghanistan. At its peak, the dynasty expanded its control over large parts of present-day Afghanistan and Persia until it was defeated in 1738 by Nader Shah.

Explanation

Rhizobium is a soil bacterium that forms a symbiotic relationship with the root nodules of leguminous plants such as beans, peas, and clover. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen into usable nitrogenous compounds like ammonia using the enzyme nitrogenase, enriching the soil and aiding plant growth.

Explanation

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Protection of Life and Personal Liberty. It states that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. This fundamental right is available to both citizens and non-citizens alike.

Explanation

The Nobel Museum (known as the Nobel Prize Museum) is located in the historic Stock Exchange Building (Börshuset) on Stortorget square in Gamla stan, the old town of Stockholm. Opened in 2001 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize, the museum houses exhibitions, artifacts, and information showcasing the history of the prize, its founder Alfred Nobel, and the achievements of all Nobel Laureates.