SSC CGL Tier 1 2019 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

According to Article 79 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament of the Union consists of the President and two Houses, namely the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Although the President is not a member of either House, they are an integral part of the legislative process because no bill passed by both Houses can become law without receiving the President's assent. Additionally, the President performs key parliamentary functions such as summoning and proroguing the Houses and dissolving the Lok Sabha.

Explanation

Hydrogen exhibits properties similar to both alkali metals and halogens, which created a dilemma for its placement in Mendeleev's periodic table. Like alkali metals, hydrogen has one valence electron and forms compounds with oxygen, sulphur, and halogens in a similar ratio, such as H₂O and H₂S. Conversely, like halogens, hydrogen exists as a diatomic molecule (H₂) and can form ionic compounds by gaining an electron to form hydride ions (H⁻), as well as covalent compounds with non-metals. Due to this dual behavior, Mendeleev could not justify a fixed position for hydrogen, as it could logically be placed in either Group I or Group VII.

Explanation

A nautical mile is a unit of measurement used in air, marine, and space navigation, as well as for the definition of territorial waters. In 1929, the First International Extraordinary Hydrographic Conference in Monaco established the international nautical mile as exactly 1852 metres. This value was derived from the historical definition of one minute of arc of latitude along a meridian, which is approximately 1/60 of a degree of the Earth's circumference. While the Earth is not a perfect sphere, the standardized value of 1852 metres provides a consistent measurement for global navigation and is recognized by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.

Explanation

Gauri Lankesh was a prominent Indian journalist and activist who edited the Kannada weekly tabloid Gauri Lankesh Patrike. She was known for her outspoken views against communalism and caste-based discrimination. On September 5, 2017, she was assassinated by unidentified gunmen outside her home in Bengaluru, Karnataka. In October 2017, she was posthumously honored with the Anna Politkovskaya Award, presented by the human rights organization Reach All Women in War (RAW in WAR). The award recognizes women human rights defenders from conflict zones who stand up for victims and truth. Gauri Lankesh was the first Indian to receive this award, which she shared with Pakistani activist Gulalai Ismail.

Explanation

The Sunda Strait is the body of water that separates the Indonesian islands of Sumatra to the northwest and Java to the southeast. It serves as a vital maritime link connecting the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean. At its narrowest point, the strait is approximately 24 kilometers wide. It is geographically significant for containing several volcanic islands, most notably Krakatoa, and remains a crucial shipping lane for international trade within the Indonesian archipelago.

Explanation

Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, ascended the throne in 1556 at the age of 13 following the death of his father, Humayun. His reign lasted for 49 years until his death on October 27, 1605. In accordance with his wishes, he was buried in a magnificent mausoleum located at Sikandra, which is situated on the outskirts of Agra. The construction of this tomb, which features a unique blend of Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist architectural styles, was commenced by Akbar himself and completed by his son Jahangir in 1613.

Explanation

Swaroop Rawal, a former Miss India and the wife of actor Paresh Rawal, was named one of the top 10 finalists for the 1 million dollar Global Teacher Prize in 2019. She was recognized for her contribution to education through her work at Lavad Primary School, which is located in the Gandhinagar district of Gujarat. Her teaching methodology focuses on using drama-in-education to impart life skills to children, specifically targeting students in rural areas and those from marginalized backgrounds to improve their mental health and social skills.

Explanation

Shah Jahan is widely referred to as the Architect King or the Engineer King because his reign marked the pinnacle of Mughal architecture, often described as its Golden Age. He shifted the primary building material from red sandstone to polished white marble and introduced refined aesthetic elements like pietra dura, which involved intricate floral inlays using semi-precious stones. His most iconic contribution is the Taj Mahal in Agra, a masterpiece of symmetry and design built as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Other significant architectural achievements under his patronage include the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid in Delhi, the Moti Masjid in Agra, and the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore, all of which demonstrate a sophisticated fusion of Persian, Indian, and Islamic artistic traditions.

Explanation

Aurangzeb, the sixth Mughal Emperor, reigned from 1658 to 1707 and expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest territorial limits. His extensive military campaigns in the Deccan resulted in the final annexation of the Sultanates of Bijapur in 1686 and Golconda in 1687. Under his rule, the empire spanned nearly the entire Indian subcontinent, stretching from Kabul and Ghazni in the west to Chittagong in the east, and from Kashmir in the north to the Kaveri River in the south. This period marked the empire's zenith in terms of land area, covering an estimated 4 million square kilometers and consolidating control over regions that had previously remained independent of Mughal authority.

Explanation

In 1866, John Newlands arranged the then-known elements in increasing order of their atomic masses. He observed that the properties of every eighth element were a repetition of the properties of the first element, similar to the octaves found in music where the eighth note resembles the first. This observation led to the formulation of the Law of Octaves. It was one of the earliest attempts to classify elements by atomic weight and demonstrated a periodic recurrence of chemical properties, though the arrangement was primarily successful for lighter elements up to calcium.

Explanation

Gina Miller, a Guyana-born businesswoman and campaigner of Indian descent, was named the UK's most influential black person in the Powerlist 2018, announced on 25 October 2017. She gained international prominence for her lead role in the legal challenge against the UK government, known as the Miller case, which argued that the government could not trigger Article 50 to leave the European Union without an act of Parliament. Her successful pursuit of this constitutional issue through the High Court and the Supreme Court established a significant legal precedent regarding parliamentary sovereignty and made her a leading figure in British political activism.

Explanation

To find the required ratio, calculate the sums for the two groups specified. The total production of type C and D cars in 2012 is 43 + 47 = 90. The total production of type A cars in 2014 and type E cars in 2015 is 56 + 64 = 120.

The ratio is expressed as: Ratio = 90 : 120

Dividing both terms by their greatest common divisor, which is 30, we get: Ratio = ⁹⁰⁄₃₀ : ¹²⁰⁄₃₀ = 3 : 4

Explanation

The total sum of the 12 numbers is 12 × 55.5 = 666. The sum of the first four numbers is 4 × 53.4 = 213.6, and the sum of the next four numbers is 4 × 54.6 = 218.4. The combined sum of the first eight numbers is 213.6 + 218.4 = 432. Consequently, the sum of the remaining four numbers (9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th) is 666 - 432 = 234.

Let the 10th number be x. According to the problem, the 10th number is 3 greater than the 9th number, meaning the 9th number is x - 3. Furthermore, the 10th number is lesser than the 11th and 12th numbers by 2 and 3 respectively, which makes the 11th number x + 2 and the 12th number x + 3.

The sum of these four numbers is (x - 3) + x + (x + 2) + (x + 3) = 4x + 2. We set this equal to the remaining sum: 4x + 2 = 234, which simplifies to 4x = 232, yielding x = 58. Thus, the 10th number is 58 and the 12th number is 58 + 3 = 61. The average of the 10th and 12th numbers is (58 + 61) / 2 = 119 / 2 = 59.5.

Explanation

The production of type B cars in 2015 was 66 thousand and the production of type D cars in 2016 was 74 thousand. Their combined production is 66 + 74 = 140 thousand. The total production of type E cars over the five-year period from 2012 to 2016 is the sum of its annual productions: 48 + 58 + 63 + 64 + 67 = 300 thousand. To find what percent 140 is less than 300, we first find the difference, which is 300 - 140 = 160. The required percentage is calculated using the formula (Difference)/(Base Value) × 100, which gives ¹⁶⁰⁄₃₀₀ × 100. This simplifies to ¹⁶⁰⁄₃ = 53.33%. Based on the numerical value, the result is 53.3.

Explanation

Based on the properties of tangents drawn from an external point to a circle, the lengths of the tangents are equal. From vertex A, the tangents to the circle are AB and AC, so AB = AC. From point P, the tangents to the circle are PB and PR, hence PB = PR. Similarly, from point Q, the tangents are QC and QR, hence QC = QR.

The perimeter of △ APQ is defined as the sum of its sides: Perimeter = AP + PQ + AQ Since PQ = PR + RQ, we substitute the tangent equalities: Perimeter = AP + (PR + RQ) + AQ Perimeter = AP + PB + QC + AQ Looking at the collinear points, AP + PB = AB and AQ + QC = AC. Thus: Perimeter = AB + AC Given that AB = AC, the relationship simplifies to: Perimeter = 2 × AB Substituting the given perimeter of 30 cm: 30 = 2 × AB AB = 15 cm

Explanation

Let the income of B be 100 units. Since A's income is 40% more than B's, A's income is 140 units. The total combined initial income of A and B is 140 + 100 = 240 units.

A receives a 25% rise in income, which is 0.25 × 140 = 35 units. B receives a 40% rise in income, which is 0.40 × 100 = 40 units. The total increase in their combined income is 35 + 40 = 75 units.

The percentage increase in the combined income is calculated by dividing the total increase by the total initial income and multiplying by 100: Percentage Increase = ⁷⁵⁄₂₄₀ × 100 Percentage Increase = ⁷⁵⁰⁄₂₄ = ¹²⁵⁄₄ = 31.25

Alternatively, using the weighted average method with the ratio of incomes A:B = 140:100 = 7:5: Combined Increase = ((25 × 7) + (40 × 5))/(7 + 5) = (175 + 200)/(12) = ³⁷⁵⁄₁₂ = 31.25

Explanation

The formula for the amount under annual compound interest is A = P(1 + ʳ⁄₁₀₀)ᵗ. For the given 3-year period:

20,736 = 12,000(1 + ʳ⁄₁₀₀)³

(1 + ʳ⁄₁₀₀)³ = (20,736)/(12,000)

Dividing both numerator and denominator by 12 yields:

(1 + ʳ⁄₁₀₀)³ = (1,728)/(1,000)

Taking the cube root on both sides:

1 + ʳ⁄₁₀₀ = ³√((1,728)/(1,000)) = ¹²⁄₁₀ = 1.2

To find the amount after 2 years (A₂), we apply the compound interest formula for t = 2 using the same principal and growth factor:

A₂ = 12,000(1.2)²

A₂ = 12,000 × 1.44

A₂ = 17,280

Explanation

The curved surface area (CSA) of a cylinder is given by 2π rh and the volume (V) is given by π r²h. Dividing the volume by the curved surface area provides a direct relation to the radius:

(V)/(CSA) = (π r²h)/(2π rh) = ʳ⁄₂

Substituting the given values: ⁹²⁴⁄₂₆₄ = ʳ⁄₂ r = (924 × 2)/(264) = ¹⁸⁴⁸⁄₂₆₄ = 7 cm

To find the height (h), substitute the value of r into the CSA formula: 2π rh = 264 2 × ²²⁄₇ × 7 × h = 264 44h = 264 h = ²⁶⁴⁄₄₄ = 6 cm

The ratio of the radius to the height is r:h = 7:6.

Explanation

The ratio of efficiencies of A, B, and C is given as 7:3:5. The combined efficiency of A, B, and C working together is 7 + 3 + 5 = 15 units per day. Since they complete the work in 21 days, the total work is calculated as 15 × 21 = 315 units.

A and C work together for 15 days. Their combined efficiency is 7 + 5 = 12 units per day. The work completed by A and C in these 15 days is 12 × 15 = 180 units. The remaining work is the difference between the total work and the work already completed, which is 315 - 180 = 135 units.

B's efficiency is 3 units per day. Therefore, the time taken by B alone to complete the remaining work is ¹³⁵⁄₃ = 45 days.

Explanation

The overall percentage gain or loss can be calculated using the successive percentage change formula: x + y + ˣʸ⁄₁₀₀, where x and y represent the percentage changes in each step. The initial cost price of ₹5,400 is not required for calculating the final percentage change as it is a constant base.

In the first transaction, there is a loss of 30%, so x = -30. In the second transaction, there is a gain of 60%, so y = +60.

Substituting these values into the formula: Net Change = -30 + 60 + ((-30 × 60))/(100) Net Change = 30 - ¹⁸⁰⁰⁄₁₀₀ Net Change = 30 - 18 = 12%

Since the resulting value is positive, there is an overall gain of 12%.

Explanation

In right-angled triangle △ QTR, the sum of angles must be 180°. Since QT ⊥ PR, ∠ QTR = 90°. Given ∠ TQR = 46°, we calculate ∠ QRT = 180° - (90° + 46°) = 44°.

In △ PSR, the angle p (which is ∠ PSQ) acts as an exterior angle at vertex S because Q, S, R are collinear points on the same line segment. By the exterior angle theorem, the measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of its two interior opposite angles. Thus, p = ∠ SPR + ∠ PRS. Substituting the values, p = 32° + 44° = 76°.

Explanation

The mean proportional between two numbers a and b is given by the formula √(a × b). For the numbers 4.8 and 10.8, the mean proportional is √(4.8 × 10.8). To simplify the calculation, express the decimals as fractions: √(⁴⁸⁄₁₀ × ¹⁰⁸⁄₁₀) = √(16 × 3 × 36 × 3){10} = (4 × 6 × 3)/(10) = ⁷²⁄₁₀ = 7.2.

The third proportional to two numbers c and d is calculated using the formula (d²)/(c). For the numbers 0.4 and 2.4, the third proportional is (2.4 × 2.4)/(0.4). Simplifying this expression, we get (2.4)/(0.4) × 2.4 = 6 × 2.4 = 14.4.

The required ratio is the ratio of the mean proportional to the third proportional, which is 7.2 : 14.4. Dividing both sides by 7.2, we obtain the simplified ratio 1:2.

Explanation

The measure of an angle formed by two chords intersecting inside a circle is equal to half the sum of the measures of the intercepted arcs. Here, the diameter AC and the chord BD intersect at point E. The angle ∠ BEC and its vertically opposite angle ∠ AED intercept arc BC and arc AD, respectively.

The measure of an arc is determined by the central angle it subtends. We are given: Measure of arc BC = ∠ BOC = 50° Measure of arc AD = ∠ AOD = 110°

Applying the intersecting chords theorem: ∠ BEC = ½ (measure of arc BC + measure of arc AD) ∠ BEC = ½ (50° + 110°) ∠ BEC = ½ (160°) = 80°

Explanation

For a number to be divisible by 72, it must be divisible by both 8 and 9, as 8 and 9 are co-prime factors of 72.

According to the divisibility rule for 8, the last three digits of the number must be divisible by 8. For the number 5y5884805x6, the last three digits are 5x6. Testing values for the digit x: 536 / 8 = 67 576 / 8 = 72 Thus, x can be 3 or 7.

According to the divisibility rule for 9, the sum of all digits in the number must be divisible by 9. Sum = 5 + y + 5 + 8 + 8 + 4 + 8 + 0 + 5 + x + 6 = 49 + x + y

Case 1: If x = 3 Sum = 49 + 3 + y = 52 + y. For this to be divisible by 9, the nearest multiple is 54, so y = 2. Then, √(xy) = √(3 × 2) = √6. This value is not present in the options.

Case 2: If x = 7 Sum = 49 + 7 + y = 56 + y. For this to be divisible by 9, the nearest multiple is 63, so y = 7. Then, √(xy) = √(7 × 7) = 7.

This matches option c. (Note: The expression in the question ³√(xy) is a typographical variation of the standard √(xy) used in this exam shift to reach the integer solution 7).