Which of the statements given below are correct?
1. The author of the novel 'Accelerando' is Charles Stross.
2. The author of the novel 'The Windup Girl' is Paolo Bacigalupi.
3. The author of the novel 'The Devil in Silver' is Josh Malerman.
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Answer: (A) 1 and 2
Explanation
The novel Accelerando, published in 2005, was written by Charles Stross and is a significant work in the hard science fiction genre that explores the concept of the technological singularity. The Windup Girl is a biopunk novel published in 2009 by Paolo Bacigalupi, which won several major literary awards including the Hugo and Nebula. The Devil in Silver was authored by Victor LaValle in 2012, while Josh Malerman is the writer known for the 2014 novel Bird Box.
702General Awareness
Which of the following gases is heavier than oxygen?
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Answer: (A) Carbon dioxide
Explanation
The weight of a gas is determined by its molar mass. Oxygen gas (O₂) has a molar mass of approximately 32 g/mol, calculated by multiplying the atomic mass of oxygen (16) by two. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) consists of one carbon atom (atomic mass 12) and two oxygen atoms (16 × 2), resulting in a molar mass of 12 + 32 = 44 g/mol. Since 44 g/mol is greater than 32 g/mol, carbon dioxide is heavier than oxygen under the same temperature and pressure conditions.
703General Awareness
In March 2017, in which country was "world's largest artificial sun" switched on?
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Answer: (C) Germany
Explanation
In March 2017, German scientists from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) switched on the Synlight experiment in Juelich. This facility is the world's largest artificial sun, consisting of 149 high-power xenon short-arc lamps arranged in a honeycomb pattern. When focused on a single 20 by 20 centimeter spot, the lamps produce light intensity equivalent to 10,000 times the solar radiation naturally reaching Earth. The experiment generates temperatures reaching 3,000 degrees Celsius, and its primary purpose is to research the efficient production of solar fuels, specifically the extraction of hydrogen from water vapor for use as a clean energy source.
704General Awareness
With which other country does Bangladesh share its border besides India?
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Answer: (D) Myanmar
Explanation
Bangladesh shares its land borders with only two sovereign nations: India and Myanmar. While the vast majority of its land perimeter is shared with India to the west, north, and east, the country possesses a shorter international border in the southeast with Myanmar. This border extends for approximately 271 kilometers, primarily connecting the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh with the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The Naf River marks a significant portion of the southernmost section of this boundary before it reaches the Bay of Bengal.
705General Awareness
In India, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act came into force in 1981, but was amended in __________ to include noise as an air pollutant.
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Answer: (A) 1987
Explanation
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was originally enacted in 1981 to tackle the growing problem of atmospheric pollution from industrial and vehicular sources. In 1987, the Act was significantly amended to broaden its regulatory scope. This amendment revised the definition of an air pollutant under Section 2(a) to include noise. By legally classifying noise as an air pollutant, the government gained the authority to regulate and control acoustic pollution through the Central and State Pollution Control Boards. This change recognized that excessive noise has detrimental effects on human health and the environment, similar to chemical and particulate pollutants, and allowed for the formulation of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules later on.
706General Awareness
In April 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated phase-I (Link-2) pipeline canal of the ambitious Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) in which state?
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Answer: (C) Gujarat
Explanation
The Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana is a significant water infrastructure project implemented by the Government of Gujarat. In April 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Link-2 of Phase-I of this project at Botad. The SAUNI project is designed to divert excess floodwater from the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River into 115 major dams across the drought-prone Saurashtra region through a vast network of giant pipelines. By utilizing the surplus water that would otherwise flow into the sea, the project provides a reliable source of irrigation and drinking water for eleven districts in the state, significantly boosting agricultural productivity and water security in the region.
707General Awareness
Who invented the vacuum pump?
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Answer: (A) Otto von Guericke
Explanation
Otto von Guericke, a German scientist and politician, invented the first vacuum pump in 1650. His device consisted of a piston and a cylinder with one-way flaps, designed to pull air out of a sealed vessel. This invention was crucial for proving that a vacuum could exist, contradicting the long-held Aristotelian belief that nature abhors a vacuum. Guericke famously demonstrated the power of atmospheric pressure in 1654 using his Magdeburg hemispheres. He joined two large copper hemispheres, evacuated the air from within them using his pump, and showed that two teams of horses were unable to pull them apart. His work significantly advanced the study of pneumatics and the physics of gases.
708General Awareness
Who was the winner of 2017 Australian Grand Prix?
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Answer: (A) Sebastian Vettel
Explanation
Sebastian Vettel won the 2017 Australian Grand Prix, which served as the opening round of the 2017 Formula One World Championship. Driving for Scuderia Ferrari, Vettel secured the victory at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on March 26, 2017. He achieved this win by utilizing an effective overcut pit strategy, staying out longer than the lead car to emerge from his pit stop in first place. This victory was significant as it marked Ferrari first win since the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix and the first time a non-Mercedes driver had won the season opener in the turbo-hybrid era.
709General Awareness
Sanchi Stupa was built by?
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Answer: (C) Ashoka
Explanation
The Sanchi Stupa, located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, was originally commissioned by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. It was constructed to house and honor the relics of Gautama Buddha, serving as a focal point for the Buddhist faith. The original structure built by Ashoka was a simple hemispherical brick monument. The emperor chose this location because of its proximity to Vidisha, the merchant city where his wife, Devi, resided. While the stupa underwent significant expansions and the addition of ornate stone gateways (toranas) in later centuries under the Shunga and Satavahana dynasties, the foundational structure and the site's establishment as a major Buddhist center are credited to Ashoka. It stands today as one of the most important and well-preserved examples of early Indian Buddhist architecture.
710General Awareness
Who won the Best Actress in a Leading Role in 62nd Filmfare Awards 2017?
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Answer: (C) Alia Bhatt
Explanation
Alia Bhatt won the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the 62nd Filmfare Awards, which were held in January 2017 to honor the best films of 2016. She received this prestigious recognition for her critically acclaimed performance as an anonymous Bihari migrant worker in the crime drama Udta Punjab. Her portrayal was widely praised for its intensity and emotional depth, marking a significant milestone in her career during that awards season.
711General Awareness
A] The author of the novel 'The Grapes of Wrath' is Ayn Rand. B] The author of the novel 'The Fountainhead' is John Steinbeck. C] The author of the novel 'Ancillary Justice' is Ann Leckie. Which of the statements given above are not correct?
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Answer: (A) A and B
Explanation
The authorship of the novels in statements A and B is reversed. John Steinbeck is the actual author of the 1939 novel The Grapes of Wrath, which follows the Joad family's migration during the Great Depression. Ayn Rand is the author of the 1943 novel The Fountainhead, which explores themes of individualism and integrity through an uncompromising architect. Because these statements attribute the books to the wrong writers, they are factually incorrect. Statement C is accurate, as Ann Leckie is the author of the 2013 science fiction novel Ancillary Justice.
712General Awareness
The demand for a inferior good increases with ______ in the consumer's income.
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Answer: (B) decrease
Explanation
In microeconomics, an inferior good is defined by its negative income elasticity of demand. This means there is an inverse relationship between a consumer's income and the quantity demanded of the good. When a consumer's income decreases, their purchasing power is reduced, leading them to substitute more expensive normal goods with more affordable alternatives. Consequently, the demand for these inferior goods rises as they become a primary choice for budget-constrained consumers. This economic behavior is represented mathematically by the condition where the change in quantity demanded divided by the change in income is less than zero, specifically (∂ Q_d)/(∂ I) < 0.
713General Awareness
Goods for which demand move in the opposite direction of the income of the consumer are called?
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Answer: (A) Inferior goods
Explanation
Inferior goods are defined by a negative income elasticity of demand, meaning that as a consumer income increases, the demand for these goods decreases. This inverse relationship occurs because consumers with higher purchasing power tend to shift their consumption toward more expensive or higher quality alternatives. Mathematically, the income elasticity of demand Eᵢ is expressed as Eᵢ = (% Δ Q_d)/(% Δ I), where Q_d is the quantity demanded and I is the income. For inferior goods, this value is always less than zero since the change in quantity demanded moves in the opposite direction of the change in income.
714General Awareness
"Population control and family planning" is listed in the _______ list given in the Seventh Schedule in the Constitution of India.
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Answer: (D) Concurrent
Explanation
Population control and family planning is included in the Concurrent List (List III) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. This subject was specifically inserted into the Concurrent List through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 under Entry 20-A. Placement in the Concurrent List signifies that both the Parliament and the State Legislatures possess the power to legislate on this matter. This arrangement enables the Union government to frame national policies and standards while allowing State governments to implement and adapt measures according to regional demographic requirements.
715General Awareness
In which city was Ariana Grande performing in when her concert was hit by a terrorist attack in May 2017?
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Answer: (A) Manchester
Explanation
On May 22, 2017, a suicide bombing occurred at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, at the conclusion of a concert by American singer Ariana Grande. The attack was carried out in the foyer of the arena as fans were departing the venue following the final performance of the night. This event took place during the European leg of Grande's Dangerous Woman Tour, resulting in 22 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Following the attack, the singer organized the One Love Manchester benefit concert in June 2017 to raise funds for the victims and their families.
716General Awareness
_______ is issued when the court finds that a particular office holder is not doing legal duty and thereby is infringing on the right of an individual.
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Answer: (B) Mandamus
Explanation
Mandamus is a Latin term meaning we command. It is a judicial writ issued by a superior court to a lower court, government official, or public authority, directing them to perform a specific legal duty that they are bound to fulfill but have failed or refused to perform. This writ is specifically utilized to ensure that public offices do not neglect their statutory or legal obligations, especially when such inaction leads to the infringement of an individual's fundamental or legal rights. By issuing this command, the court enforces the performance of public duties to uphold the rule of law and protect the interests of the aggrieved party.
717General Awareness
According to the categories of land mentioned in the Chola inscriptions _______ was known as the land donated to Jaina institutions?
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Answer: (D) Pallichchhandam
Explanation
In the administrative and revenue records of the Chola Empire, land was meticulously categorized based on its usage and the status of its recipients. Pallichchhandam refers specifically to the land donated to Jaina institutions or monasteries. These grants were typically made to support the upkeep of Jain shrines and the religious activities of the Jain community. The naming of such lands in inscriptions highlights the organized land-tenure system and the practice of providing state patronage to diverse religious sects beyond the dominant Vedic and Shaivite traditions of the time.
718General Awareness
Prince Khurram was the name of the future Emperor ________.
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Answer: (A) Shah Jahan
Explanation
Prince Khurram was the birth name of the fifth Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, who ruled from 1628 to 1658. Born in 1592 to Emperor Jahangir and the Rajput princess Jagat Gosain, he was a favorite of his grandfather, Akbar. The name Shah Jahan, which translates to King of the World in Persian, was originally a title bestowed upon him by his father in 1617 following his successful military campaigns in the Deccan, specifically for his role in the subjugation of Ahmednagar. Upon his accession to the throne in 1628, he adopted this title as his regnal name. His era is widely regarded as the golden age of Mughal architecture, characterized by the construction of iconic monuments such as the Taj Mahal and the Moti Masjid.
719General Awareness
_______ are defined as the mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope.
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Answer: (D) Landslide
Explanation
Landslides are geomorphological processes characterized by the downward movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth under the direct influence of gravity. This phenomenon occurs when the shear stress across a slope exceeds the shear strength of the materials forming the slope. Factors such as heavy rainfall, seismic activity, or human interference like deforestation and construction on steep terrains often trigger these movements. They are categorized based on the type of material involved and the specific mode of movement, such as falls, slides, or flows.
720General Awareness
The material carried by the glacier such as rocks big and small, sand and silt gets deposited, which are called glacial ______.
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Answer: (A) moraines
Explanation
Glacial moraines are landforms created by the accumulation of debris that has been transported and subsequently deposited by a glacier. As a glacier moves, it plucks and abrades the landscape, carrying a variety of materials including large boulders, smaller rocks, gravel, sand, and fine silt. When the ice melts or the glacier's carrying capacity decreases, this unsorted mixture, often referred to as till, is left behind. These deposits form distinct ridges or mounds known as moraines, which can be categorized based on their position relative to the glacier, such as terminal moraines at the snout, lateral moraines along the sides, or medial moraines formed where two glaciers converge.
721General Awareness
Based on the common features like presence of notochord and dorsal hollow neural system, animals like fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds along with mammals are included in which Phylum?
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Answer: (B) Chordata
Explanation
The classification of animals into Phylum Chordata is based on the presence of three fundamental diagnostic features at some stage of their life cycle: a longitudinal supporting rod called the notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, and paired pharyngeal gill slits. Fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals all possess these characteristics during their embryonic development or throughout their lives. In the taxonomic hierarchy, these groups represent various classes that fall under the subphylum Vertebrata, which is a major division of the Phylum Chordata. The presence of the notochord and the specific arrangement of the central nervous system on the dorsal side of the body are the primary criteria that unite these diverse groups into this single phylum.
722General Awareness
The members of phaeophyceae are commonly called ______ algae.
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Answer: (B) Brown
Explanation
The members of the class Phaeophyceae are commonly known as brown algae because they contain a large amount of the xanthophyll pigment called fucoxanthin. While they also possess chlorophyll a and chlorophyll c, the mask of fucoxanthin gives these organisms their characteristic brown to olive-green color. They are primarily found in marine habitats and exhibit great variation in size and form, ranging from simple branched filamentous forms to giant kelps. The cell walls of these algae are composed of cellulose and are typically covered on the outside by a gelatinous coating of algin. They store food as complex carbohydrates, specifically laminarin or mannitol.
723General Awareness
Asterias (Star fish), Echinus (Sea urchin), Antedon (Sea Lily) are all examples of which Phylum?
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Answer: (A) Echinodermata
Explanation
Asterias, Echinus, and Antedon are characteristic members of the Phylum Echinodermata. This phylum consists of marine animals identified by their spiny skin and an endoskeleton composed of calcareous ossicles. A defining morphological feature of these organisms is the water vascular system, which utilizes hydraulic pressure for locomotion, respiration, and the transport of nutrients and waste. While adult echinoderms typically exhibit pentamerous radial symmetry, they develop from bilaterally symmetrical larvae. Specifically, Asterias represents the class Asteroidea, Echinus represents the class Echinoidea, and Antedon represents the class Crinoidea, all demonstrating the triploblastic and coelomate body organization typical of this phylum.
724General Awareness
During uniform motion of an object along a straight line, the ______ remains constant with time.
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Answer: (B) Velocity
Explanation
Uniform motion is defined as the motion of an object in which it travels in a straight line and covers equal distances in equal intervals of time. In this state of motion, the speed of the object does not change. Since the object is moving along a straight line, its direction of motion also remains fixed. Velocity is a vector quantity defined as the rate of change of displacement, encompassing both speed and direction. Because both the speed and the direction of the object are unchanging during uniform straight-line motion, the velocity remains constant with time. This implies that the instantaneous velocity at any point is equal to the average velocity of the motion, and the acceleration, which is the derivative of velocity with respect to time (dv)/(dt), is zero.
725General Awareness
The impression of an image persists on the retina for about _______ of a second.
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Answer: (C) 1/16th
Explanation
Persistence of vision is the phenomenon where the sensation of an image remains on the retina for a brief period after the object is no longer being viewed. In humans, this impression persists for approximately 1/16th of a second. Because the retinal response does not vanish instantly, the brain continues to process the visual stimulus for this short interval. This biological delay is the fundamental principle behind cinematography and animation. When a series of static images is presented to the eye at a frequency higher than 16 frames per second, the persistence of one image overlaps with the next, causing the brain to perceive them as a single, continuous moving image rather than a sequence of separate pictures.
726General Awareness
The Indian State of Sikkim does not share a border with which neighbouring country?
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Answer: (B) Bangladesh
Explanation
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state situated in the Eastern Himalayas and shares international borders with three distinct countries. It is bounded by Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the east, and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north and northeast. To the south, Sikkim shares its only domestic border with the Indian state of West Bengal. Bangladesh lies to the south of West Bengal, and the two are separated by the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow strip of land often referred to as the Chickens Neck. Because this portion of West Bengal sits between the two, Sikkim has no direct geographical contact or shared border with Bangladesh.
727General Awareness
In Microsoft Word, _______ allows us to move selected paragraphs to the left.
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Answer: (A) Decrease Indent
Explanation
The Decrease Indent command in Microsoft Word is used to reduce the indentation of a paragraph by moving it closer to the left margin. By clicking this button in the Paragraph group on the Home tab, the selected text shifts to the left by a fixed increment, typically 0.5 inches or one tab stop, allowing users to adjust the alignment and hierarchy of their document content.
728General Awareness
Acetic Acid is another name for which of the following?
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Answer: (A) Vinegar
Explanation
Vinegar is an aqueous solution primarily composed of acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and water. It is produced through a two-step biological process where sugars are first fermented into ethanol by yeast, followed by the oxidation of that ethanol into acetic acid by Acetobacter bacteria. In commercial and domestic contexts, vinegar typically contains between 4% and 8% acetic acid by volume, which is the component responsible for its distinctively sour taste, pungent odor, and preservative properties. As the defining chemical constituent, acetic acid is essentially the chemical identity of vinegar.
729General Awareness
The reaction of Copper Sulphate and Iron produces Iron Sulphate and _______
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Answer: (D) Copper
Explanation
The chemical reaction between iron and copper sulphate is a single displacement reaction. In this process, iron (Fe), being more reactive than copper (Cu) according to the reactivity series, displaces copper from its salt solution. The chemical equation for the reaction is:
Fe (s) + CuSO₄ (aq) → FeSO₄ (aq) + Cu (s)
When iron is placed in a blue copper sulphate solution, the iron atoms lose electrons to become iron ions (Fe²⁺), which enter the solution to form green-colored iron sulphate (FeSO₄). The copper ions (Cu²⁺) in the solution gain these electrons to become neutral copper atoms, which then deposit as a reddish-brown solid metal.
730General Awareness
A few organisms can tolerate and thrive in a narrow range of temperatures. Such organisms are called _______
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Answer: (C) Stenothermal
Explanation
Organisms are classified based on their thermal tolerance levels. Stenothermal organisms are those that are restricted to a narrow range of temperatures for their survival and growth. The term is derived from the Greek words stenos, meaning narrow, and therme, meaning heat. These organisms typically inhabit environments where the temperature remains relatively stable throughout the year, such as the deep sea or polar regions. Their physiological processes and enzymatic activities are specialized to function optimally within this limited thermal window, making them highly sensitive to even minor temperature fluctuations.
731General Awareness
___________ scheme was launched by the Central Government in the state of Bihar to provide clean water of the Ganges to domestic areas via postal services.
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Answer: (A) Ganjagal Delivery Scheme
Explanation
The Gangajal Delivery Scheme was launched by the Union Government in 2016 through the Department of Posts to leverage the vast postal network for the distribution of holy water from the River Ganges. Under this initiative, the government provides bottled water sourced directly from Gangotri and Rishikesh to citizens across India. In Bihar, the scheme was formally inaugurated in Patna by the Union Minister of Communications to ensure that domestic households could access clean Ganga water at nominal prices without needing to travel to the river. The postal department handles the logistics of procurement, packaging, and doorstep delivery, making the sacred water accessible even in remote areas.
732General Awareness
Who discovered Electron?
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Answer: (C) J.J.Thomson
Explanation
J.J. Thomson discovered the electron in 1897 through his experiments with cathode ray tubes. He demonstrated that cathode rays were composed of previously unknown negatively charged particles, which he initially called corpuscles. By applying electric and magnetic fields to the cathode rays, he was able to calculate the charge-to-mass ratio (e/m) of these particles, finding them to be approximately 1,800 times lighter than a hydrogen atom. This provided the first evidence that atoms were not indivisible solid spheres but contained subatomic particles, leading to the development of the plum pudding model of the atom. Thomson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1906 for his work on the conduction of electricity by gases.
733General Awareness
Which country won the 2016 Men's Kabaddi World Cup?
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Answer: (A) India
Explanation
India won the 2016 Men's Kabaddi World Cup by defeating Iran in the final match with a score of 38-29. The tournament was held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and was organized by the International Kabaddi Federation. Led by captain Anup Kumar, the Indian team maintained its dominance in the sport by securing its third consecutive standard-style World Cup title. Star raider Ajay Thakur was the top performer in the final, scoring 12 raid points to help India stage a comeback after trailing in the first half of the match.
734General Awareness
Mattancherry Palace is located in?
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Answer: (B) Kerala
Explanation
Mattancherry Palace, popularly known as the Dutch Palace, is located in the Mattancherry area of Kochi, Kerala. It was originally constructed by the Portuguese around 1545 and presented to Veera Kerala Varma, the Raja of Kochi, as a gesture of goodwill. The palace underwent significant renovations by the Dutch in 1663, which gave it its alternative name. The structure reflects the traditional Kerala architectural style known as nalukettu while incorporating certain European elements. It is highly regarded for its exquisite collection of murals, which are among the best examples of Hindu temple art in India, depicting elaborate scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranic traditions.
735General Awareness
Which of the following is an award given by the Government of India to recognize outstanding achievement in National sports?
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Answer: (C) Arjuna Award
Explanation
The Arjuna Award was established by the Government of India in 1961 to recognize outstanding achievement in National sports. It is administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and is awarded to athletes who have demonstrated consistent good performance at the international level over a period of four years, alongside qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and a sense of discipline. The honor includes a bronze statuette of Arjuna, a certificate, ceremonial dress, and a cash prize, making it one of the highest recognitions for sportspersons in the country.
736General Awareness
Which of the statements given below are not correct?
1. The author of the novel 'A Visit from the Goon Squad' is Edward P Jones. 2. The author of the novel 'The Corrections' is Jonathan Franzen. 3. The author of the novel 'The Known World' is Jennifer Egan.
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Answer: (C) 1 and 3
Explanation
The novel A Visit from the Goon Squad was written by Jennifer Egan and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2011. The novel The Known World was written by Edward P. Jones and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2004. In the given statements, the authors of these two works have been swapped, making statements 1 and 3 incorrect. Statement 2 is accurate as Jonathan Franzen is indeed the author of the 2001 novel The Corrections.
737General Awareness
In April 2017, the G20 Digital Ministerial Meeting on Digital Economy was held in which country?
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Answer: (B) Germany
Explanation
Germany held the G20 presidency in 2017 and hosted the G20 Digital Ministers Meeting in Düsseldorf on April 6 and 7, 2017. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a ministerial declaration titled Digitalisation for Everyone, which established a roadmap for digital growth and emphasized international cooperation on digital policy, infrastructure, and standardized norms for the global digital economy.
738General Awareness
Which is the only train which runs between Kolkata and Dhaka?
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Answer: (B) Maitree Express
Explanation
The Maitree Express, which translates to Friendship Express, was inaugurated on April 14, 2008, to restore the direct rail link between Kolkata and Dhaka. This service marked the resumption of passenger rail travel between the two cities after it had been suspended for 43 years following the 1965 India-Pakistan war. The train operates between Kolkata station in India and Dhaka Cantonment in Bangladesh, traveling via the Gede-Darshana border point. Up until the introduction of the Bandhan Express in late 2017, it was the only dedicated passenger train connecting these two specific destinations, playing a crucial role in strengthening social and economic ties between the neighboring nations.
739General Awareness
If the ______ firm has zero costs or only has fixed cost, the quantity supplied in equilibrium is given by the point where the average revenue is zero.
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Answer: (A) Perfect Competition
Explanation
In a market characterized by perfect competition, the firm is a price taker, meaning that the market price (P) is equal to both the average revenue (AR) and the marginal revenue (MR). The profit-maximization rule for any firm dictates that equilibrium is achieved at the point where marginal revenue equals marginal cost (MR = MC). If a firm has zero variable costs or only fixed costs, the cost of producing an additional unit is zero, making the marginal cost zero (MC = 0). Substituting this into the equilibrium condition results in MR = 0. Since AR = MR in a perfectly competitive environment, the equilibrium quantity is reached at the point where the average revenue is zero.
740General Awareness
The average variable cost curve is ____ shaped.
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Answer: (A) U
Explanation
The Average Variable Cost (AVC) curve is U-shaped due to the operation of the Law of Variable Proportions. In the initial stage of production, as more units of a variable factor are added to a fixed factor, the efficiency of the factors increases through specialization and better utilization of the fixed input. This leads to increasing returns, causing the average variable cost to decline. As production continues, the curve reaches a minimum point representing the optimum combination of factors. Beyond this point, the law of diminishing marginal returns sets in, where the fixed factor becomes over-utilized and the marginal product of the variable factor decreases. Consequently, the cost of producing each additional unit of output begins to rise, turning the curve upward and creating the characteristic U-shape.
741General Awareness
"Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation" is listed in the _______ list given in the Seventh Schedule in the Constitution of India.
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Answer: (A) Union
Explanation
Entry 8 of the Union List (List I) in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India explicitly mentions the Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation. The Seventh Schedule facilitates the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States, where the Union List contains subjects of national importance over which only the Parliament has the authority to legislate. This constitutional provision ensures that the central government has the exclusive power to establish and regulate agencies responsible for national intelligence and specialized criminal investigations, which are vital for maintaining the internal security and integrity of the country.
742General Awareness
There are total _______ parliamentary seats (Rajya Sabha constituency) in Odisha.
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Answer: (C) 10
Explanation
The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India specifies the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the various states and union territories. According to this schedule, the state of Odisha is allocated 10 seats in the Rajya Sabha. These members are elected by the elected representatives of the Odisha Legislative Assembly through a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. While Odisha sends 21 representatives to the Lok Sabha, its representation in the Upper House of Parliament consists of these 10 members who serve staggered six-year terms.
743General Awareness
In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi went to _______ to organise a satyagraha movement amongst cotton mill workers.
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Answer: (D) Ahmedabad
Explanation
In 1918, Mahatma Gandhi intervened in a dispute between the cotton mill owners and workers in Ahmedabad. The workers were demanding a 35 percent wage increase to compensate for the withdrawal of the plague bonus and the high inflation resulting from World War I. At the invitation of Anusuya Sarabhai, Gandhi organized the workers to use the method of Satyagraha. During this movement, he undertook his first fast unto death in India to strengthen the workers' resolve and pressure the owners. The strike ended successfully when the mill owners agreed to the 35 percent wage hike, establishing Gandhi's influence in the urban labor movement shortly after his success in Champaran.
744General Awareness
Murshid Quli Khan, Alivardi Khan and Sirajuddaullah were all nawabs of ________?
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Answer: (D) Bengal
Explanation
Murshid Quli Khan was the first Nawab of Bengal, appointed as the Governor by Aurangzeb and later becoming the independent ruler of the province from 1717 to 1727. He shifted the capital from Dhaka to Murshidabad. Alivardi Khan reigned as the Nawab of Bengal from 1740 to 1756, during which he successfully defended the province against Maratha invasions. Sirajuddaullah, the grandson of Alivardi Khan, succeeded him in 1756 and was the last independent Nawab of Bengal. His reign ended following his defeat by the British East India Company forces under Robert Clive at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, a pivotal event that established British influence in India.
745General Awareness
_______ affect the rate of humus formation of soil.
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Answer: (A) Flora | Fauna
Explanation
Flora and fauna, including microorganisms, are the primary biological agents responsible for the creation of organic matter in soil. Flora provides the raw material for humus through leaf litter, fallen branches, and decaying roots. Fauna, ranging from macro-organisms like earthworms and insects to microorganisms like fungi and bacteria, act as decomposers. These organisms break down dead plant and animal tissues through biochemical processes, transforming them into the dark, stable organic substance known as humus. Consequently, the density and diversity of life in a specific environment directly determine the speed and volume of humus production.
746General Awareness
The latitudes of main land of India extends between ________.
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Answer: (A) 8°4' N and 37°6' N
Explanation
The mainland of India lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere, which dictates that its latitudinal measurements are designated as North. The southernmost tip of the mainland, located at Kanyakumari, begins at 8°4' N latitude. From there, the country extends northward to its northernmost point at the Indira Col, which is situated at 37°6' N latitude. This latitudinal stretch of approximately 29° accounts for the varying climatic zones found within the country, with the Tropic of Cancer (23°30' N) passing through the middle of the landmass.
747General Awareness
________ is a straw coloured, viscous fluid constituting nearly 55 per cent of the blood.
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Answer: (A) Plasma
Explanation
Plasma is the liquid matrix of blood that serves as the medium for transporting nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body. It is characterized as a straw-colored, viscous fluid that accounts for nearly 55 percent of the total blood volume. Chemically, plasma is composed of approximately 90 to 92 percent water, while the remaining 8 to 10 percent consists of solutes, primarily proteins such as fibrinogen, globulins, and albumins. Fibrinogen is essential for blood clotting, globulins are involved in the body's defense mechanisms, and albumins help maintain the osmotic balance of the blood. Additionally, plasma contains small amounts of minerals, glucose, amino acids, and lipids that are constantly in transit.
748General Awareness
Sexual reproduction in Algae that takes place through fusion of two similar size gametes is called?
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Answer: (C) Isogamous
Explanation
Isogamous reproduction in algae occurs when the fusion involves two gametes that are morphologically similar in size and appearance. These gametes cannot be distinguished as male or female and are often referred to as plus and minus mating types. Depending on the species, isogamous gametes may be flagellated and motile, such as in certain species of Chlamydomonas, or non-flagellated and non-motile, as seen in Spirogyra. The process results in the formation of a zygote through the union of these identical reproductive cells.
749General Awareness
Animals in which the cells are arranged in three embryonic layers are called ________.
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Answer: (C) Tripoblastic
Explanation
Triploblastic animals are characterized by the arrangement of their cells into three primary embryonic germ layers during early development. These layers include the outermost ectoderm, the innermost endoderm, and a middle layer called the mesoderm. The evolution of the mesoderm is significant as it enables the development of complex organ systems, such as the muscular, circulatory, and excretory systems, which are not present in simpler organisms with fewer layers. This tri-layered organization is a fundamental trait of the Bilateria clade, which encompasses the vast majority of animal species, including insects, mollusks, and vertebrates.
750General Awareness
An image formed by a concave mirror on a screen is called ________?
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Answer: (B) Real image
Explanation
A real image is defined as an image that is formed when reflected light rays actually meet or converge at a point in front of the mirror. Because these light rays physically intersect at the image location, the image can be captured and displayed on a screen placed at that position. Concave mirrors are capable of forming real images whenever the object is placed at a distance greater than the focal length of the mirror.