SSC CGL Tier 1 2017 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Queen Didda was a powerful ruler of Kashmir who exercised significant influence over the region for nearly five decades, first as a queen consort, then as a regent, and finally as a sovereign monarch from 980 to 1003 CE. She was the daughter of Simharaja, the King of Lohara, and the granddaughter of the Shahi King of Kabul. Didda rose to prominence after the death of her husband, King Kshemagupta, in 958 CE. She initially served as regent for her son Abhimanyu II and later for her grandsons. In 980 CE, she ascended the throne in her own right. Her reign and political maneuvers are extensively documented in the Rajatarangini, a historical chronicle written by the 12th-century poet Kalhana. She is often noted for her administrative efficiency and for paving the way for the Lohara dynasty by appointing her nephew, Sangramaraja, as her successor.

Explanation

India shares its land border in the north-west with Pakistan. This boundary, which spans approximately 3,323 kilometers, was demarcated by the Radcliffe Line in 1947. The frontier stretches across diverse geographical terrains, including the marshy Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, the sandy expanses of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, and the riverine plains of Punjab, eventually reaching the high-altitude mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir. This north-western border serves as the primary land connection between the Indian subcontinent and the regions of West and Central Asia.

Explanation

The Kumaon Himalayas, also spelled as Kumoon, represent the western-central section of the Himalayas, defined by the river valleys that act as natural boundaries. This specific regional division is situated between the Satluj River in the west and the Kali River in the east, spanning a distance of approximately 320 kilometers. Primarily located in the state of Uttarakhand, this region contains several prominent peaks such as Nanda Devi, Kamet, and Trishul. This longitudinal classification of the Himalayas was originally proposed by geographers to categorize the mountain range based on the major rivers that bisect it, with the Satluj-Kali tract forming the distinct Kumaon section.

Explanation

Potato, tomato, and brinjal are distinct species known scientifically as Solanum tuberosum, Solanum lycopersicum, and Solanum melongena respectively. They all belong to the genus Solanum, which is a large and diverse group of flowering plants within the family Solanaceae. Members of this genus are grouped together based on shared taxonomic characteristics, particularly their floral structures and fruit morphology. Although they differ significantly in their growth habits and the parts of the plant used for food, their evolutionary lineage and reproductive anatomy link them to this common genus.

Explanation

Protoxylem represents the initial stage of primary xylem development, originating from the procambium in the growing regions of the plant. These cells are the first to differentiate and are characterized by their relatively small size and specific secondary wall patterns, such as annular or spiral thickenings. These structural features are essential because they provide mechanical support while allowing the xylem vessels to elongate alongside the surrounding tissues during the primary growth phase of the plant organ.

Explanation

Nereis, Pheretima, and Hirudinaria are members of the Phylum Annelida, characterized primarily by their metamerically segmented bodies. The term Annelida is derived from the Latin annulus, meaning little ring, reflecting the distinct ring-like segments or metameres that divide the body both externally and internally. These organisms are triploblastic, coelomate animals possessing a true body cavity and a closed circulatory system. They use specialized structures called nephridia for osmoregulation and excretion. While Nereis is an aquatic polychaete that uses lateral appendages called parapodia for locomotion, Pheretima and Hirudinaria utilize longitudinal and circular muscles to move through soil or water, all sharing the fundamental segmented body architecture definitive of this phylum.

Explanation

The larynx, commonly known as the voice box, is the primary organ responsible for sound production in humans. It is located at the upper end of the trachea or windpipe. Within the larynx are two muscular ligaments called vocal cords, which are stretched across the internal cavity. When air is forced out of the lungs and passes through the narrow slit between these vocal cords, it causes them to vibrate. these vibrations produce sound waves, the pitch and volume of which are controlled by the tension and thickness of the cords as adjusted by surrounding muscles.

Explanation

The vocal cords, also known as vocal folds, are two bands of smooth muscle tissue located in the larynx. The length and thickness of these cords are primary factors in determining the pitch of an individual's voice. In adult males, the vocal cords are typically longer and thicker than those of females due to the influence of testosterone during puberty. The average length of vocal cords in men ranges between 17 mm and 25 mm, with 20 mm being the standard approximate measurement cited in biological and anatomical studies. This greater length contributes to the characteristically deeper and lower-pitched voice found in men compared to women, whose vocal cords usually measure between 12.5 mm and 17.5 mm.

Explanation

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a global information system where documents and other web resources are identified by Uniform Resource Locators (URLs). A URL serves as a standardized global address used to locate specific files, such as web pages, images, or videos, across the internet. It specifies the protocol used to access the resource and the specific location of the file on a web server. This addressing scheme is one of the three fundamental technologies upon which the web is built, ensuring that every resource has a unique identifier that browsers can use to retrieve and display content to users.

Explanation

Electrical conductivity in liquids occurs through the movement of charged particles called ions. When substances like acids, bases, and salts are dissolved in water, they undergo chemical dissociation, breaking down into positive and negative ions. These free-moving ions act as charge carriers that allow an electric current to pass through the solution. Such conducting liquids are known as electrolytes. Common examples include aqueous solutions of sodium chloride or potassium hydroxide, where the presence of these dissolved solutes ensures the liquid can complete an electrical circuit.

Explanation

Milk of magnesia is the common name for magnesium hydroxide, which has the chemical formula Mg(OH)₂. It is an inorganic base that is typically found as a suspension in water. In medicine, it is widely used as an antacid to neutralize excess gastric acid in the stomach, helping to alleviate symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. It also functions as an osmotic laxative by drawing water into the intestines to facilitate bowel movements.

Explanation

Reforestation is the ecological process of regenerating or replanting forest areas that were previously destroyed or cleared. It involves the re-establishment of tree cover on land that once supported forests but was converted to other uses or lost due to natural disturbances. This can occur naturally through secondary succession, where seeds from nearby trees germinate and grow, or through intentional human activities such as planting seedlings and sowing seeds. The primary goal of reforestation is to restore the biological diversity, soil stability, and carbon sequestration capacity of the original forest ecosystem.

Explanation

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched by the Government of India on October 2, 2014, with the primary goal of making the country Open Defecation Free (ODF). The mission focused on accelerating sanitation coverage by providing financial assistance for the construction of individual household latrines (IHHL), as well as building community and public toilets. By addressing both infrastructure and behavior change, the scheme aimed to improve public health and hygiene across both rural and urban sectors of India.

Explanation

Sodium was discovered by the British chemist Humphry Davy in 1807. He achieved this by using the newly developed technique of electrolysis to decompose molten sodium hydroxide (NaOH). By passing an electric current from a powerful voltaic pile through the substance, he was able to isolate pure sodium as tiny metallic globules. This discovery followed his successful isolation of potassium just a few days earlier using a similar electrochemical process. Davy's work proved that electricity could be used to break down chemical compounds into their constituent elements, marking a significant milestone in the history of chemistry.

Explanation

The 2016 Kabaddi World Cup final was played in Ahmedabad, India, between the host nation and Iran. Iran finished as the runner-up of the tournament after losing the final match to India with a score of 29-38. Throughout the competition, Iran demonstrated significant tactical prowess and physical strength, overcoming Thailand in the semi-finals to secure their spot in the gold medal match. This was the third time Iran finished in second place in the history of the Men's Kabaddi World Cup, solidifying their position as the primary challenger to Indian dominance in the sport.

Explanation

The Jama Masjid of Delhi, originally named Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The construction of this monumental structure began in 1650 and was completed in 1656. The 17th century spans the years from 1601 to 1700, placing the mosque's entire construction period within this century. Built using red sandstone and white marble, the mosque reflects the Indo-Islamic architectural style that reached its peak during Shah Jahan's reign. It was inaugurated by an imam from Bukhari, Uzbekistan, and remains one of the largest mosques in India.

Explanation

Paul Beatty won the Man Booker Prize in 2016 for his satirical novel The Sellout. This achievement was historic as Beatty became the first American author to receive the award after the eligibility rules were expanded in 2014 to include any book written in English and published in the United Kingdom. The novel is a sharp, provocative satire on race relations in the United States, centering on a protagonist who attempts to re-segregate his fictional California hometown and reinstate slavery as a social experiment. The judging panel lauded the work for its wit, its ability to tackle difficult subject matter with humor, and its unflinching look at the complexities of contemporary American society.

Explanation

The United Nations Development Programme released the Human Development Report 2016, titled Human Development for Everyone, in March 2017. In this global assessment, the United Kingdom was ranked 16th with a Human Development Index value of 0.922. The index calculates rankings based on a composite measure of life expectancy, education (mean and expected years of schooling), and per capita income indicators. The United Kingdom's score placed it within the Very High Human Development category, reflecting high standards in longevity, knowledge acquisition, and gross national income per capita.

Explanation

The Thar Express is an international passenger train service that connects Bhagat Ki Kothi in Jodhpur, India, to Karachi Cantonment in Pakistan. Zero Point railway station, located in the Mirpur Khas district of Sindh, Pakistan, is specifically designed to facilitate the immigration and customs clearance for passengers crossing the border. Situated right at the international boundary between the two countries, it serves as the first point of entry into Pakistan for travelers coming from the Indian side via the Munabao border crossing. The station was constructed to streamline the verification of documents and baggage inspection for international commuters before the train proceeds further into the Pakistani rail network.

Explanation

The market demand curve is derived by the horizontal summation of all individual demand curves for a specific good or service in a market. It illustrates the aggregate quantity demanded by every consumer at various price points during a given period. If qᵢ(p) represents the quantity demanded by the i-th individual at price p, then the market demand Q(p) is calculated as Q(p) = ᵢ₌₁ⁿ qᵢ(p), where n is the total number of consumers. This curve depicts the relationship between the market price and the total volume of goods that all buyers combined are willing and able to purchase, typically exhibiting a downward slope in accordance with the law of demand.

Explanation

The term monopoly is derived from the Greek words monos, meaning single, and polein, meaning to sell. In economic theory, a monopoly represents a market structure characterized by a single seller who has exclusive control over the production and distribution of a product or service. Because there are no close substitutes available for the commodity, the single seller faces no competition and possesses significant power to influence the market price and supply levels. In this scenario, the individual firm effectively constitutes the entire industry.

Explanation

The Communist Party of India (Marxist), abbreviated as CPI(M), was formed in 1964 following a major split within the Communist Party of India (CPI). This division arose due to sharp ideological and political differences among the party leadership, particularly concerning the international communist movement and the correct approach to the Indian state and the ruling party. The Seventh Congress of the party, held in Calcutta from October 31 to November 7, 1964, marked the formal establishment of the CPI(M) as a separate entity representing the revolutionary wing that opposed the revisionist line of the CPI leadership.

Explanation

The Right against Exploitation is enshrined in Articles 23 and 24 of the Indian Constitution. Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings, begar, and other similar forms of forced labour, making such acts punishable by law. Article 24 prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories, mines, or any other hazardous employment. These provisions are designed to protect the dignity of the individual and safeguard children from being exploited in the workforce.

Explanation

The Battle of Chanderi took place in January 1528 between the Mughal Emperor Babur and the Rajput forces led by Medini Rai. Following his decisive victory at the Battle of Khanwa in 1527, Babur sought to eliminate the remaining pockets of Rajput resistance to secure his control over Northern India. Chanderi was a strategic fortress in Malwa held by Medini Rai, a close ally of Rana Sanga. Babur's army successfully besieged and captured the fort, which significantly weakened the influence of the Rajput confederacy in the region and paved the way for further Mughal expansion.

Explanation

The real exchange rate measures the relative price of foreign goods in terms of domestic goods and serves as a key indicator of a country's international competitiveness. It is calculated by adjusting the nominal exchange rate for differences in the price levels between two countries. The formula is generally expressed as RER = e × (P / P), where e represents the nominal exchange rate (defined as the amount of domestic currency per unit of foreign currency), P is the price level in the foreign country, and P is the price level in the domestic country. This calculation determines how many units of a domestic good are required to purchase one unit of a foreign good. Consequently, a change in the real exchange rate reflects changes in the purchasing power of a currency relative to the prices of actual goods and services across borders.

Explanation

An isoquant is a curve that represents all possible combinations of input factors, typically labor and capital, that result in the same level of total output. In microeconomics, it serves as a graphical representation of the production function. While a production function Q = f(L, K) expresses the mathematical relationship between the quantities of inputs used and the maximum output obtainable, an isoquant maps this relationship onto a two-dimensional plane for a fixed level of output. By showing the various ways inputs can be substituted for one another to maintain a constant production level, the isoquant effectively illustrates the technical properties and substitution possibilities inherent in a firm's production technology.

Explanation

The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, pursuant to Article 246, defines and specifies the allocation of powers and functions between the Union and the States. The United Nations Organization is explicitly listed under Entry 12 of the Union List (List I). Consequently, the Parliament of India has the exclusive power to legislate on matters concerning the United Nations, as well as the implementation of decisions made at international conferences, associations, and other bodies. This allows the Central Government to maintain a unified national stance on international diplomacy and fulfill its global obligations under international law.

Explanation

The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is the upper house of India's bicameral Parliament. The allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha for each state and union territory is determined by the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India, primarily based on the population of each state. For the state of Punjab, the Constitution specifies an allocation of 7 seats. These representatives are elected by the elected members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly using a system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. This allocation of 7 seats has remained unchanged since the reorganization of Punjab in 1966. While Punjab sends 13 representatives to the Lok Sabha (the lower house), its representation in the Rajya Sabha is strictly limited to 7 members.

Explanation

By the seventh century, the political structure of the Indian subcontinent saw the emergence of powerful big landlords and warrior chiefs in various regions. Existing kings recognized and acknowledged these individuals as their subordinates, commonly known as Samantas. The Samantas held significant local influence and were required to perform specific duties, such as bringing gifts to the king court, providing military assistance during wars, and being present to show loyalty to their overlords. As these Samantas accumulated more power and wealth, they often adopted titles like maha-samanta or maha-mandaleshvara, eventually seeking independence from their sovereign rulers to establish their own kingdoms.

Explanation

The Agra Fort was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565. He chose Agra as his capital and decided to reconstruct the ruins of an ancient brick fort known as Badalgarh. The massive structure was built using red sandstone brought from the Barauli area of Rajasthan. The construction process was an immense undertaking that involved thousands of workers and lasted for eight years, reaching completion in 1573. Akbar designed the fort as a military stronghold as well as a royal residence, incorporating grand gates like the Delhi Gate and the Lahore Gate. The architecture under Akbar's reign featured a fusion of Persian and Indian styles, which is evident in the layout and surviving structures of the fort's original red sandstone buildings.

Explanation

The state of Telangana was officially inaugurated on June 2, 2014, following the passage of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. This creation resulted in the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh, making Telangana the 29th state of India. Since no further additions or removals of states occurred between June 2014 and the reference date of June 2017, the total number of states in the country during this period remained 29.

Explanation

Chandra Shekhar Azad was a central figure in the reorganization of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army (HSRA) during a meeting at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi, in September 1928. He served as the commander-in-chief of this revolutionary organization. Under his leadership, the group adopted a socialist ideology and shifted its focus toward coordinated militant actions against the British Raj. Azad played a crucial role in maintaining the organization's underground network and overseeing its military operations until his death in 1931.

Explanation

The Northern Plain of India is a vast physiographic division formed by the alluvial deposits of three major Himalayan river systems: the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra. Stretching over 2,400 kilometers from west to east, these plains were created through the continuous deposition of silt and sediments brought down by these perennial rivers and their numerous tributaries from the Himalayan mountains. The Brahmaputra river system, originating in Tibet and entering India through a deep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh, flows through the valley of Assam. Its heavy sediment load and extensive flooding cycles have been instrumental in the development of the fertile eastern section of the plains. This geological process transformed a massive structural depression at the foothills of the Himalayas into one of the most fertile and densely populated agricultural regions in the world.

Explanation

In the system of binomial nomenclature developed by Carl Linnaeus, every scientific name of an organism consists of two distinct components. The first word represents the genus, known as the generic name, while the second word represents the specific epithet. The specific epithet identifies a particular species within a broader genus. In the examples provided, Mangifera, Solanum, and Panthera denote the genera, whereas indica, tuberosum, and leo are the specific epithets that distinguish the mango, potato, and lion respectively. According to taxonomic rules, the specific epithet is always written in lowercase and follows the capitalized generic name to uniquely identify a biological species.

Explanation

Algae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms characterized by a simple, thalloid body structure that lacks true roots, stems, or leaves. They contain chlorophyll and other photosynthetic pigments, enabling them to function as primary producers. Their habitat is primarily aquatic, spanning across freshwater bodies like ponds and lakes as well as marine environments such as oceans. Because they can synthesize their own organic food from inorganic substances using light energy, they are classified as autotrophic organisms. They play a vital role in carbon dioxide fixation on Earth and serve as the foundation of the food chain in aquatic ecosystems.

Explanation

Bilateral symmetry is a biological body plan in which an organism can be divided into two identical and mirror-image halves, specifically the left and right sides, along only one single plane known as the midsagittal plane. This symmetrical arrangement is characteristic of most higher animals, including phyla such as Annelida and Arthropoda. It is typically associated with the development of a distinct head region, a process called cephalization, and allows for more efficient directed movement compared to other symmetry types. In these organisms, the body possesses definite dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends, with sensory organs and nervous tissues concentrated at the front.

Explanation

According to Kepler's First Law of Planetary Motion, also known as the Law of Orbits, every planet moves in an elliptical orbit with the Sun situated at one of the two foci of the ellipse. Geometrically, an ellipse is defined as the set of all points in a plane where the sum of the distances from two fixed points, called foci, remains constant. While an ellipse has a geometric centre, the physics of orbital mechanics dictated by gravity places the massive central body, such as the Sun, at one focus while the other focus remains empty.

Explanation

Static friction is the force that resists the initiation of motion between two surfaces in contact. At a microscopic level, every surface has irregularities that interlock with those of the opposing surface when an object is at rest. To start motion, a significant force is required to break these interlocked bonds, a value known as the limiting friction.

Once the object begins to slide, the irregularities on the surfaces do not have sufficient time to interlock as deeply as they do when the object is stationary. This leads to a decrease in the frictional resistance. The relationship is defined by the coefficients of friction, where the coefficient of static friction ₛ is typically higher than the coefficient of kinetic or sliding friction ₖ. Since the frictional force f is the product of the coefficient of friction and the normal force N, the resulting sliding friction fₖ = ₖ N is lower than the maximum static friction fₛ = ₛ N. This physical property is why it requires less force to maintain the motion of a sliding body than to start it from a state of rest.

Explanation

3D optical data storage is a technology that utilizes the volume of the storage medium instead of just the surface. While conventional optical discs like CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray record data in one or two layers on the surface, 3D optical storage uses multiple layers throughout the thickness of the disc. By focusing a laser at different depths within the recording material, data can be addressed in three dimensions. This approach significantly increases storage capacity because it overcomes the physical limitations of surface area by exploiting the depth of the medium. It often relies on non-linear optical effects to ensure that the laser beam only interacts with the specific point in the volume being read or written, leaving the surrounding layers unaffected.

Explanation

The Kelvin (K) is the SI base unit of thermodynamic temperature. It is defined as an absolute scale where 0 K, known as absolute zero, is the temperature at which all thermal motion of atoms and molecules ceases. In the Kelvin scale, the magnitude of one unit is exactly equal to one degree Celsius (°C), but the starting point is shifted such that 273.15 K corresponds to 0°C. This scale is the standard for scientific research and calculations in physics and chemistry because it allows for a direct proportional relationship between temperature and the average kinetic energy of particles.

Explanation

Rusting is a specific type of corrosion that occurs when iron or its alloys are exposed to oxygen and moisture. The chemical reaction involves the oxidation of iron to form hydrated iron(III) oxide, which is represented by the chemical formula Fe₂O₃ · nH₂O. In this process, iron atoms lose electrons to oxygen in the presence of water, resulting in the characteristic reddish-brown flaky coating known as rust. This atmospheric oxidation is the standard term used to describe the degradation of iron surfaces under environmental conditions.

Explanation

The stratosphere is the atmospheric layer situated between approximately 10 and 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface. It houses the ozone layer, which serves as a vital biological shield for the planet. Ozone molecules (O₃) in this region effectively absorb the majority of the sun's high-energy ultraviolet (UV) radiation, specifically filtering out nearly all UV-C and a significant portion of UV-B rays. By intercepting these harmful wavelengths before they reach the lower atmosphere, the stratosphere prevents them from causing cellular and DNA damage to living organisms on the surface. This absorption process also converts UV energy into heat, leading to the characteristic temperature increase with altitude found in this layer.

Explanation

The total surface area of the Earth is approximately 510 million square kilometers. The land surface, which includes all continents and islands, accounts for about 149 million square kilometers of this total. By calculating the percentage as (149 / 510) × 100, the resulting value is approximately 29.2 percent. In the context of general geography and environmental science, this figure is typically rounded to 30 percent to describe the portion of the Earth's surface not covered by the hydrosphere. The remaining 70 percent to 71 percent is covered by oceans, seas, and other water bodies.

Explanation

The Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) was launched by the Government of India in February 2016 to drive integrated development in rural areas. The mission follows the vision of creating Rurban clusters that possess the spirit of a village and the facilities of a city. It specifically targets the development of 300 such clusters across the country, which are essentially groups of geographically contiguous villages that exhibit potential for growth. By providing urban amenities such as improved connectivity, waste management, piped water supply, and digital literacy, the scheme aims to transform these clusters into Smart Villages. This holistic approach is designed to trigger local economic development and reduce the migration of rural populations to urban centers.

Explanation

Willem Einthoven, a Dutch physiologist, invented the first practical electrocardiogram (ECG) in 1903. He developed the string galvanometer, a device sensitive enough to record the minute electrical changes produced by the beating heart directly from the surface of the body. Einthoven assigned the letters P, Q, R, S, and T to the various deflections in the recording, establishing the standard nomenclature still used in cardiology today. His work transformed the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases by allowing doctors to study heart rhythm and electrical conduction non-invasively. For this monumental contribution to medicine, Einthoven was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1924.

Explanation

Lewis Hamilton, driving for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport team, emerged as the winner of the 2017 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix. Held at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 9, 2017, this race was the second round of the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship. Hamilton started the race from pole position and maintained a dominant lead to secure his first victory of the 2017 season. In addition to the race win, he achieved a career Grand Slam during this event by qualifying on pole, leading every lap of the race, and recording the fastest lap time. This victory marked his fifth win at the Chinese Grand Prix and brought him level in the championship standings with his primary title rival.

Explanation

The Charminar is a historic monument and mosque situated in the heart of Hyderabad, Telangana. Built in 1591 by Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, it was constructed to commemorate the end of a deadly plague that had ravaged the city. The structure is celebrated for its Indo-Islamic architectural style, featuring four grand arches and four distinctive fluted minarets that rise to a height of approximately 56 meters. Positioned on the east bank of the Musi river, it serves as the global icon of Hyderabad and stands at the center of the city's historic old quarters.

Explanation

At the 58th Annual Grammy Awards held in 2016, the song Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars won the prestigious Record of the Year award. This category recognizes the artist's performance as well as the contributions of the producers, recording engineers, and mixers. The track served as the lead single from Ronson's fourth studio album, Uptown Special, and achieved massive commercial success globally, spending fourteen consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Besides Record of the Year, the song also won the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the same ceremony.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because the novel Darkness at Noon was written by Arthur Koestler and published in 1940, focusing on the psychological disillusionment of a Bolshevik revolutionary during the Moscow trials. Statement 3 is incorrect because The Sound and the Fury is a masterpiece of modernist literature written by the American author William Faulkner and published in 1929. Both statements misattribute the authorship of these celebrated literary works.

Explanation

Norway secured the first rank in the 2016 Human Development Index (HDI) with a score of 0.949. The report, titled Human Development for Everyone, was released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in March 2017. Norway has consistently topped the index due to its exceptional performance across all three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living. In the 2016 report, Norway demonstrated high life expectancy at birth, a high mean number of years of schooling, and one of the highest Gross National Income (GNI) per capita figures globally.