SSC CHSL Tier 1 2016 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, is a historic railway terminal in Mumbai, India. The station was designed by the British architectural engineer Frederick William Stevens. He was commissioned to design the masterpiece in 1878, and construction was completed in 1887. The design blends Victorian Gothic Revival architecture with traditional Indian palace architectural influences.

Explanation

The 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded jointly to Takaaki Kajita and Arthur B. McDonald for their groundbreaking discovery of neutrino oscillations. Their experiments demonstrated that neutrinos, which are subatomic particles with no electric charge, can change their identities or flavors as they travel through space. This metamorphosis, known as neutrino oscillation, conclusively proved that neutrinos possess a non-zero mass. This discovery challenged the long-held assumption in the Standard Model of particle physics that neutrinos were completely massless, opening up new pathways for research in particle physics and cosmology.

Explanation

Kidney stones, medically known as renal calculi, are solid mineral deposits that form in the urinary tract when certain substances in the urine become highly concentrated. The most common type of kidney stone is composed of calcium oxalate, which accounts for approximately 70% to 80% of all diagnosed cases. Calcium oxalate crystals form when calcium binds with oxalate, a compound found naturally in many foods and also produced daily by the liver. When urine has high levels of these minerals and insufficient fluid to dilute them, they crystallize and bind together to form hard stones within the kidneys.

Explanation

In angiosperms, the dominant, photosynthetic, and independent phase of the life cycle is the diploid sporophyte, which forms the main plant body including the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. Conversely, the haploid gametophyte phase is highly reduced, microscopic, and entirely dependent on the sporophyte for nutrition. The male gametophyte is represented by the pollen grain, while the female gametophyte is represented by the embryo sac, meaning the gametophyte is not the dominant phase.

Explanation

Carbohydrates are essential biomolecules consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms that serve as the primary source of energy and structural components for living organisms. Animals ingest carbohydrates in their diet to undergo cellular respiration, breaking them down to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which powers various physiological processes. Because carbohydrates are vital nutrients utilized for energy storage and metabolic fuel rather than being metabolic byproducts of cellular degradation, they are not classified as excretory or waste products of animals.

Explanation

RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. It is a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. Ribonucleic acid is composed of a chain of nucleotides, each containing a ribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (adenine, uracil, cytosine, or guanine). Unlike deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), RNA is typically single-stranded and contains ribose as its pentose sugar.

Explanation

Dichlorodifluoromethane, represented by the chemical formula CF₂Cl₂, is widely known by the brand name Freon, specifically Freon-12. This colorless gas is a member of the chlorofluorocarbon family and was extensively utilized as a refrigerant in air conditioners and refrigerators, as well as an aerosol spray propellant, prior to its global phase-out under the Montreal Protocol.

Explanation

Data manipulation language (DML) is a class of database languages used by database users and application programs to retrieve, insert, delete, and modify data stored within a database. It provides the specific commands, such as INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE, that enable users to perform operations on the actual data occurrences in the database tables.

Explanation

The Razmnama, meaning Book of War, is the Persian translation of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. It was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1582 as part of his Maktab Khana (House of Translation) initiative at Fatehpur Sikri. This translation project aimed to bridge cultural and religious divides within his empire by making Indian classical texts accessible to the Persian-speaking Mughal court. Scholars such as Naqib Khan, Mulla Abdul Qadir Badayuni, and Faizi, working closely with Hindu pandits, compiled this free translation, which was subsequently beautifully illustrated by prominent court artists.

Explanation

At market equilibrium, the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied, so we set D = S:

45000 - 21P = 15000 + 9P

Rearranging the terms to solve for the equilibrium price P:

45000 - 15000 = 9P + 21P

30000 = 30P

P = 1000

To find the equilibrium quantity, we substitute the value of P back into either the demand or the supply equation:

Using the demand equation:

Q = 45000 - 21 × 1000

Q = 45000 - 21000

Q = 24000 units

Using the supply equation:

Q = 15000 + 9 × 1000

Q = 15000 + 9000

Q = 24000 units

Explanation

Veblen goods are luxury items for which the demand increases as their price increases, establishing a proportional or positive relationship between price and demand. This upward-sloping demand curve violates the traditional law of demand because consumers associate higher prices with greater prestige, quality, and social status, leading to conspicuous consumption.

Explanation

Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in the northern part of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha. It was formally designated as a tiger reserve in 1956 and became part of Project Tiger in 1973. The reserve is named after the abundance of semul or red silk cotton trees that grow in the region. It is also a part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves and is famously known for harboring a unique population of melanistic tigers, often referred to as black tigers, due to a genetic mutation that causes thick black stripes.

Explanation

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential approximately 298 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO₂) over a 100-year timescale. In addition to trapping heat in the atmosphere, N₂O is also a primary ozone-depleting substance. When it reaches the stratosphere, N₂O is broken down by solar radiation and reacts with excited oxygen atoms to produce nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide acts as a catalyst that destroys ozone (O₃) molecules, making N₂O one of the most dominant ozone-depleting substances emitted by human activities in the post-CFC era.

Explanation

Manohar Parrikar served as the Minister of Defence of India from November 2014 to March 2017 under the First Modi Ministry. He was inducted into the Union Cabinet to head the Ministry of Defence, succeeding Arun Jaitley who was holding the additional charge of the portfolio at the time. Parrikar remained in this post until he resigned in March 2017 to return to state politics as the Chief Minister of Goa.

Explanation

Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland, serving as the nation's political, cultural, economic, and educational hub since it was established as the capital in 1812.

Explanation

Pune is situated at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers, which merge to form the Mula-Mutha river. This river flows through the city of Pune and eventually joins the Bhima River, which is a major tributary of the Krishna River. The river system plays a crucial role in the city's geography, drainage, and historical development, defining the physical landscape of Pune.

Explanation

Ajatashatru was a prominent ruler of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha, reigning in the early 5th century BCE. He was the son of King Bimbisara, who founded the Haryanka dynasty and established Magadha as a powerful empire through strategic military conquests and matrimonial alliances. Ajatashatru ascended the throne after imprisoning his father, Bimbisara, and went on to further expand the kingdom's territory by conquering neighbouring states like Vaishali and Kosala.

Explanation

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was the second ruler of the Maratha Empire, succeeding his father, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who founded the empire. Sambhaji ruled the Maratha kingdom from 1680 until his death in 1689. During his reign, he championed the Maratha cause by defending the empire against the massive military campaigns of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, while also engaging in conflicts with the Portuguese and the Siddis of Janjira to consolidate Maratha sovereignty in the Deccan region.

Explanation

Douglas Engelbart invented the computer mouse in 1963 while working at the Stanford Research Institute. His early prototype consisted of a wooden shell with two metal wheels that tracked movement along the X and Y axes, which he patented in 1970 as an X-Y position indicator for a display system.

Explanation

The first law of thermodynamics is a formulation of the law of conservation of energy applied to thermodynamic systems. It states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but only transformed from one form to another. Mathematically, it is expressed as ΔU = Q + W, where ΔU is the change in internal energy, Q is the heat supplied to the system, and W is the work done on the system. This law establishes that internal energy is a state function, meaning its value depends solely on the current state of the system and not on the thermodynamic path taken to reach that state.

Explanation

Torque is defined as the vector cross product of the position vector and the force vector:

τ = r × F

According to the properties of the vector cross product, the resulting torque vector is perpendicular to the plane formed by the position vector r and the force vector F. Consequently, the direction of torque is always perpendicular to the direction of the applied force, as determined by the right-hand rule.

Explanation

Article 27 of the Constitution of India is contained within Part III, which spans from Article 12 to Article 35. Part III of the Constitution enshrines the Fundamental Rights guaranteed to the citizens of India. Specifically, Article 27 provides the freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion, ensuring that no person can be compelled to pay any taxes the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious denomination. Since this article is located in Part III, it is classified as a fundamental right of the Indian citizen.

Explanation

Article 31C of the Indian Constitution is located within Part III, which defines and governs the Fundamental Rights of the Indian Citizen (Articles 12 to 35). Added by the 25th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971, this article provides a protective shield to certain laws, stating that no law giving effect to the policy of the State towards securing the principles specified in Article 39(b) or 39(c) shall be deemed to be void on the ground that it is inconsistent with or takes away any of the fundamental rights conferred by Article 14 or Article 19. Because it directly limits, defines, and forms an integral part of the constitutional provisions under Part III, it deals with the fundamental rights of the Indian Citizen.

Explanation

Brian Lara has not scored a double century in One Day Internationals (ODIs). His highest score in ODI cricket is 169 runs, which he made against Sri Lanka in 1995. While he holds the legendary record for the highest individual score in Test cricket history with 400 not out, he never reached the 200-run milestone in the limited-overs format.

Explanation

Devdutt Pattanaik is the author of Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata, published in 2010. The book is a contemporary retelling of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, which was originally compiled by Vyasa under the title Jaya, meaning victory. In this work, the author seamlessly integrates various regional folk narratives, classical Sanskrit variants, and his own line drawings to present the complex multi-layered epic in an accessible and structured format.

Explanation

The point elasticity of demand is given by the formula: Ed = (ΔQ / ΔP) × (P1 / Q1)

Here, the given values are: P1 = 100 P2 = 80 ΔP = P2 - P1 = 80 - 100 = -20 Q2 = 4600 ΔQ = Q2 - Q1 = 4600 - Q1 Ed = -0.75

Substituting these values into the formula: -0.75 = ((4600 - Q1) / -20) × (100 / Q1) -0.75 = (4600 - Q1) × (-5 / Q1) -0.75 Q1 = -23000 + 5 Q1 5.75 Q1 = 23000 Q1 = 23000 / 5.75 = 4000 units

Explanation

The oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India are the Barabar Caves, which are located in the Jehanabad district of Bihar. Dating back to the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BCE, specifically during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, these caves were carved directly out of monolithic granite cliffs. The caves were predominantly constructed for the Ajivika sect, an ascetic movement contemporary to early Buddhism and Jainism. They feature highly polished interior surfaces, known as Mauryan polish, and early semicircular chaitya arches, making them the foundational prototypes for later rock-cut architecture across India.

Explanation

Azithromycin is a widely used macrolide antibiotic that is prescribed to treat a broad range of bacterial infections. It works by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria, which inhibits bacterial protein synthesis and stops their growth. It is highly effective in treating respiratory tract infections, skin infections, ear infections, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Explanation

Tamarindus indica is the binomial scientific name of the tamarind tree. The genus name Tamarindus is derived from the Arabic words tamar hind, which translates to Indian date. The specific epithet indica refers to India, where the tree has been cultivated for thousands of years. It belongs to the Fabaceae family and is a long-lived, medium-growth tree that produces pod-like fruit containing a sweet and tangy pulp used extensively in cuisines around the world.

Explanation

In eukaryotic cells, the synthesis of RNA, a process known as transcription, takes place in the nucleus. The genomic DNA, which serves as the template for transcription, is housed within the nuclear envelope. RNA polymerase enzymes inside the nucleus read the DNA sequence to synthesize various types of RNA, including messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). The nucleolus, a prominent sub-region within the nucleus, is specifically responsible for the synthesis and assembly of ribosomal RNA. After being synthesized and undergoing post-transcriptional modifications inside the nucleus, these RNA molecules are transported through nuclear pores into the cytoplasm.

Explanation

The period number in the modern periodic table represents the principal quantum number (n) of the valence shell, while the group number indicates the valence electron configuration. For an element in the 4th period, the outermost energy level is n = 4. Since the element belongs to the 2nd group, it has 2 valence electrons in its outermost s-subshell, resulting in a valence shell configuration of 4s².

Filling the preceding inner subshells in order of increasing energy according to the Aufbau principle yields the complete electronic configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s².

Summing the electrons in each subshell gives the total number of electrons in a neutral atom of this element: 2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 6 + 2 = 20

Since the number of electrons in a neutral atom equals its atomic number, the element is Calcium with an atomic number of 20.

Explanation

Fluorine exists as a diatomic gas, F₂, under standard conditions. In its solid state, the individual F₂ molecules are held together only by very weak intermolecular London dispersion forces. Because these van der Waals forces are extremely weak and require very little thermal energy to overcome, fluorine has an exceptionally low melting point of -219.67 °C (53.48 K).

Explanation

The Arithmetic Logic Unit is a fundamental digital circuit within the central processing unit of a computer that performs arithmetic operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as bitwise logical operations, such as AND, OR, XOR, and NOT. It acts as the primary computational component of the processor, executing the core mathematical and logical instructions required to run software programs and process data.

Explanation

A Tirthankara is a spiritual teacher and savior of the Dharma in the Jain tradition. The term translates to ford-maker, representing someone who has crossed the ocean of cycle of rebirths and made a path for others to follow. According to Jain cosmology, each cosmic cycle is guided by 24 Tirthankaras. Rishabhanatha was the first Tirthankara of the current cycle, while Parshvanatha and Mahavira served as the 23rd and 24th Tirthankaras, establishing the core spiritual tenets and practices of the religion.

Explanation

Inflation is defined as a sustained, general increase in the price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services, reflecting a decline in the purchasing power of money. Therefore, a persistent and widespread rise in prices across the economy over time directly signifies the existence of inflation.

Explanation

CCl₂F₂ (dichlorodifluoromethane), commonly known as CFC-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon that acts as both a potent greenhouse gas and a major ozone-depleting substance. In the stratosphere, ultraviolet radiation causes it to photodissociate, releasing free chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms act as catalysts in a chain reaction that breaks down ozone molecules (O₃) into oxygen molecules (O₂), thereby depleting the protective ozone layer. Additionally, it absorbs infrared radiation reflecting from the Earth's surface, contributing significantly to the greenhouse effect.

Explanation

Tiramisu is a popular coffee-flavoured dessert that originated in Italy. It is traditionally made using ladyfinger biscuits soaked in espresso, layered with a whipped mixture of mascarpone cheese, sugar, and eggs, and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder.

Explanation

The Ganga river originates in the Himalayas in Uttarakhand and flows southeastward through the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal before draining into the Bay of Bengal. Its geographical course lies entirely to the east of the Punjab region, meaning it does not pass through or flow within Punjab.

Explanation

The Tropic of Cancer is a major circle of latitude located at approximately 23°30′ N of the Equator. It passes almost halfway through the center of India, dividing the country into nearly equal northern and southern halves. This line of latitude runs from west to east through eight Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram, significantly influencing the climatic patterns of the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation

The Peacock Throne, also known as Takht-i-Tavus, was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the early 17th century. It served as the magnificent, jeweled royal seat of the Mughal rulers of India and was placed in the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audiences) in the Red Fort at Delhi. The throne was lavishly decorated with gold, silver, and countless precious gems, including the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond. In 1739, the Persian emperor Nadir Shah invaded Delhi, defeated the Mughal forces, and plundered the city, taking the Peacock Throne along with other immense treasures back to Persia.

Explanation

The aerosol spray can was invented by Erik Rotheim, a Norwegian chemical engineer. He submitted an application for the patent in Norway in October 1926, which was granted in 1929. He also secured a United States patent for the invention in 1931. Rotheim's design featured a pressurized container with a valve mechanism that used a chemical propellant to dispense various fluids in a fine mist. This pioneering design laid the foundation for the modern aerosol cans used globally today.

Explanation

According to the law of conservation of energy, energy can neither be created nor destroyed. In an ideal transformer, the electrical power delivered by the secondary winding is exactly equal to the electrical power received by the primary winding. In real transformers, some energy is always lost as heat due to winding resistance, hysteresis, and eddy currents, meaning the output power is actually slightly less than the input power. Because a transformer is a passive device that does not contain any power source, it cannot generate or increase power. It can only alter the ratio of voltage and current such that their product, power (P = V × I), remains constant or decreases.

Explanation

According to Ampere's circuital law, the line integral of magnetic field strength H along a closed path is equal to the enclosed current I:

∮ H · dl = I

For a circular path of radius r around a straight wire, this relationship is expressed as:

H × 2πr = I

Solving for H yields:

H = I / (2πr)

Substituting the SI units of electric current (ampere, A) and length (meter, m) into the relation directly yields the unit of magnetic field strength as ampere per meter (A/m).

Explanation

India is not a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Under Article 23 of the United Nations Charter, the five permanent members of the Council, known as the P5, are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. India has served multiple terms as a non-permanent member, which are elected for two-year terms by the United Nations General Assembly, but it does not possess permanent status or veto power.

Explanation

The Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 inserted Article 21-A into the Constitution of India to provide free and compulsory education for all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right. This constitutional amendment made education a justiciable right under Part III of the Indian Constitution, guaranteeing every child the right to receive elementary education. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 was subsequently enacted to operationalize this fundamental right.

Explanation

The Indian Super League is a top-tier men's professional football league in India. Founded in 2013, it was designed to promote, popularize, and develop the sport of football across the nation, featuring franchise teams from various cities competing for the championship title.

Explanation

The Hungry Tide is a highly acclaimed novel written by Amitav Ghosh, published in 2004. Set in the Sundarbans, a vast and volatile archipelago of islands in the Bay of Bengal, the story beautifully weaves together themes of environmentalism, human displacement, and wildlife conservation. The narrative focuses on the lives of local inhabitants and researchers, particularly highlighting the struggle between human survival and the protection of endangered species such as the Irrawaddy dolphins. Through this work, Ghosh masterfully portrays the unique ecological and social landscape of the tide country.

Explanation

For the movie Taare Zameen Par (2007), which marked Aamir Khan's directorial debut, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Director at the 53rd Filmfare Awards held in 2008. The film was highly acclaimed for its sensitive portrayal of a dyslexic child's struggles and educational journey, earning Aamir Khan wide praise for his direction.

Explanation

Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles where key metabolic reactions of cellular respiration occur. They facilitate the conversion of nutrients into chemical energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through essential metabolic pathways, including the Krebs cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation.

Explanation

Sikh refers to an adherent of Sikhism, which is a major monotheistic religion founded in the Punjab region of India. It represents a religious and cultural identity of a group of people, rather than a language. The primary language spoken by the Sikh community is Punjabi.