SSC CHSL Tier 1 2016 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Sir Sandford Fleming, a Canadian railway engineer and surveyor, proposed and advocated for the system of worldwide standard time zones. In 1876, after missing a train in Ireland due to a discrepancy in printed timetables, Fleming became convinced of the need for a uniform system of global timekeeping. He proposed dividing the Earth into 24 standard time zones of 15° longitude each, with local standard times in adjacent zones differing by exactly one hour. He also advocated for a 24-hour clock and a common prime meridian to establish a global standard, which he called Cosmic Time. His persistent efforts paved the way for the International Meridian Conference in Washington, D.C., in 1884, where standard time was internationally adopted, laying the foundation for modern Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Explanation

Kirchhoff's First Law, also known as Kirchhoff's Current Law, is a fundamental principle in electrical engineering based on the law of conservation of electric charge. It states that charge cannot be accumulated or lost at any junction in a circuit. Therefore, the total current entering a junction must exactly equal the total current leaving that same junction. Mathematically, the algebraic sum of all currents meeting at a common node or junction is zero, represented as ∑ I = 0.

Explanation

The acceleration due to gravity g_h at an altitude h from the surface of a planet is given by the formula:

g_h = GM / (R + h)²

where G is the universal gravitational constant, M is the mass of the planet, R is the radius of the planet, and h is the altitude from the surface.

From this relation, the acceleration due to gravity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the center of the planet, (R + h)². As the altitude h increases, the distance (R + h) increases, which causes the value of g_h to decrease. For altitudes close to the surface where h is much smaller than R, this can also be approximated as g_h ≈ g (1 - 2h/R), showing a direct decrease in gravity with increasing height.

Explanation

The National Institution for Transforming India, also known as NITI Aayog, was established by a resolution of the Union Cabinet on January 1, 2015, to replace the Planning Commission. By virtue of their office, the Prime Minister of India serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of NITI Aayog, guiding its policies and heading its Governing Council, which comprises Chief Ministers of all States and Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories.

Explanation

Under Article 89(1) of the Constitution of India, the Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In this capacity, the Vice-President serves as the presiding officer of the Upper House of Parliament. The Chairman is responsible for conducting the proceedings of the House, maintaining order and decorum during debates, and ensuring that the rules of the House are followed. The Chairman also possesses the power to adjourn the House or suspend its sitting in the event of a lack of quorum, and can cast a deciding vote in the case of an equality of votes.

Explanation

The book "My Truth" is authored by Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India. First published in 1980, the book is an autobiographical narrative presented in her own words, largely compiled from a series of interviews conducted by French writer and journalist Emmanuel Pouchpadass. It details her childhood, education, marriage, and political career, providing a unique first-hand account of modern Indian political history and her decision-making during crucial national events.

Explanation

Moti Masjid, also known as the Pearl Mosque, is a white marble mosque located within the Red Fort Complex in Delhi. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb between 1659 and 1660 for his personal use. The Red Fort Complex was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

Explanation

Kailash Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. He shared the honour with Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education. Satyarthi is the founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, an organization established in 1980 that has liberated tens of thousands of children from child labour, human trafficking, and exploitation, while championing the global movement to protect child rights and secure universal education.

Explanation

The cerebrum is the largest and most prominent part of the human brain, accounting for approximately 80% to 85% of its total weight. It is divided into two cerebral hemispheres connected by the corpus callosum. The cerebrum controls complex voluntary actions, sensory processing, and higher-level cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, decision-making, and language.

Explanation

An axillary bud, often referred to as an auxiliary bud, is an embryonic shoot located in the axil of a leaf, which is the angle formed between the leaf petiole and the main stem. These buds arise from the outer tissue layers near the shoot apical meristem during leaf development. Each axillary bud contains meristematic tissue and has the potential to grow into a lateral vegetative branch or develop into reproductive structures such as flowers or inflorescences when apical dominance is reduced.

Explanation

Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus is transmitted mainly through the fecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle such as contaminated water or food. It multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and cause irreversible paralysis.

Explanation

Ammonium dichromate is an inorganic compound composed of ammonium cations (NH₄⁺) and dichromate anions (Cr₂O₇²⁻). Because the ammonium ion has a charge of +1 and the dichromate ion has a charge of -2, two ammonium ions are necessary to chemically balance the charge of one dichromate ion, producing a neutral ionic compound with the formula (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇.

Explanation

Van der Waals forces, often referred to as Van der Waals bonds, are the weak, residual electrostatic forces of attraction or repulsion between atoms, molecules, or atomic groups. Unlike covalent or ionic bonds, which involve the sharing or transfer of electrons to form strong chemical bonds, Van der Waals interactions arise from temporary or permanent dipoles within molecules. These forces include London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and dipole-induced dipole forces. They are physical in nature and play a fundamental role in determining the physical properties of substances, such as boiling points, melting points, and cohesive properties, without altering the chemical identity of the participating molecules.

Explanation

The two main versions of the Internet Protocol currently in active use across the global internet are Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6). IPv4 utilizes a 32-bit addressing scheme, which accommodates approximately 4.3 billion unique IP addresses. Due to the rapid growth of the internet and the exhaustion of available IPv4 addresses, IPv6 was developed as its successor. IPv6 utilizes a 128-bit addressing scheme, providing an exponentially larger address space of 2¹²⁸ (approximately 3.4 × 10³⁸) unique addresses to support the trillions of connected devices worldwide.

Explanation

Samvadini is a modified version of the hand-pumped harmonium (or reed organ) developed in India for solo and accompaniment classical performances. It is classified as an aerophone (wind instrument) because it relies on bellows to force air through vibrating metal reeds inside a frame to generate musical notes.

Explanation

Economic profit is defined as total revenue minus both explicit and implicit costs, whereas accounting profit is defined as total revenue minus only explicit costs.

The relationship between economic profit and accounting profit is given by the formula: Accounting Profit = Economic Profit + Implicit Costs

Substituting the given values into the formula: Accounting Profit = 60 crores + 18.5 crores = 78.5 crores

The explicit costs of Rs 35 crores are already subtracted to find both profits, meaning they do not need to be added back to get from economic profit to accounting profit.

Explanation

The introduction of mechanised tea leaf pickers represents a technological advancement that serves as a direct substitute for manual labor. When tea companies adopt mechanisation, the demand for manual tea leaf pickers decreases. In the labor market, a downward shift in the demand for a specific type of labor, while the supply of that labor remains unchanged, leads to a decrease in the market-clearing equilibrium wage rate. Consequently, the wages of manual tea leaf pickers will fall due to reduced demand and increased competition for the remaining manual harvesting jobs.

Explanation

Ozone is a triatomic molecule made up of three oxygen atoms, which is represented by the chemical formula O₃. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than the common diatomic gas O₂. In the atmosphere, ozone is continually formed and destroyed through the action of ultraviolet radiation and electrical discharges.

Explanation

Vermicomposting is a natural bio-oxidation and stabilization process that utilizes earthworms to break down organic waste materials into a highly nutrient-rich organic fertilizer called vermicast. During this process, earthworms ingest organic waste, grind it in their gizzards, and digest it with the assistance of digestive enzymes and symbiotic gut microbes. The excreted casts are rich in essential plant nutrients, growth hormones, and beneficial soil microbes, greatly enhancing soil fertility and structure. Earthworm species like Eisenia fetida (red wigglers) are particularly efficient in this composting process.

Explanation

Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) is a monetary policy instrument used by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to regulate liquidity and control credit growth in the economy. Under Section 24 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, commercial banks in India are required to maintain a specific minimum percentage of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) in the form of safe and liquid assets, such as government securities, gold, and cash, before offering credit to customers. This ensures the solvency of banks and prevents them from over-lending.

Explanation

At the time of the examination in 2016, Jupiter was scientifically recognized as the planet with the maximum number of natural satellites in the Solar System. It had 67 confirmed moons in its orbit, giving it the largest system of satellites of any planet at that time.

Explanation

Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway, serving as the country's political, economic, and cultural center. It is the seat of the Norwegian government, the parliament, and the royal family.

Explanation

Hungary officially joined the Axis Powers during World War II by signing the Tripartite Pact on November 20, 1940. Under the leadership of Regent Miklos Horthy, Hungary allied with Germany and Italy to regain territories it had lost after World War I under the Treaty of Trianon. As an active member of the Axis alliance, Hungary participated in the military campaigns against Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, committing substantial troops to the Eastern Front.

Explanation

Raja Man Singh I was the trusted general of the Mughal emperor Akbar. As the ruler of Amber and a prominent member of Akbar's Navaratnas (nine gems), he commanded the Mughal imperial army in several historic military campaigns. His most notable leadership was during the Battle of Haldighati in 1576, and he also served as the governor of Kabul, Bihar, Bengal, and the Deccan, playing a crucial role in expanding the boundaries of the Mughal Empire.

Explanation

Georges Claude, a French engineer and chemist, invented the neon lamp. In 1910, he demonstrated the first modern neon lamp at the Paris Motor Show by passing an electric discharge through a sealed tube filled with neon gas, which produced a bright red glow. He patented the neon lighting tube and subsequently founded Claude Neon, a company that commercialized neon signs for advertising and outdoor illumination globally.

Explanation

A chronometer is an exceptionally precise and accurate instrument specifically designed for measuring time. It is engineered to keep time with great accuracy despite external factors such as motion, temperature variations, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. Historically, marine chronometers played a vital role in celestial navigation, allowing sailors to determine their longitude at sea by keeping track of a standard reference time. The word itself comes from the Greek words "chronos", meaning time, and "metron", meaning measure.

Explanation

The acceleration due to gravity g on the surface of a spherical body of mass M and radius R is given by the formula:

g = GM/R²

where G is the universal gravitational constant.

According to this relation, when the mass M remains constant, the acceleration due to gravity is inversely proportional to the square of the radius of the Earth:

g ∝ 1/R²

If the radius of the Earth R decreases, the value of the denominator R² decreases. As a result, the value of the acceleration due to gravity g increases.

Explanation

Under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India, Rajya Sabha seats are allocated to states and union territories on the basis of their population. Being the most populous state in India, Uttar Pradesh is allocated the highest representation in the upper house of Parliament with 31 seats. These members are elected by the elected representatives of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

Explanation

Article 222 of the Indian Constitution resides under Chapter V of Part VI, which is titled "The States" and deals with the structure and functioning of the State Government. This specific article governs the transfer of a judge from one High Court to another by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India. Because the High Courts form the apex of the state-level judiciary, provisions regulating them are systematically placed within the constitutional framework governing the State Government.

Explanation

Inderjeet Singh is a distinguished Indian track and field athlete who specializes in the shot put. He achieved significant international success by winning the gold medal at the 2015 Asian Athletics Championships in Wuhan. He also won a bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon and became the first Indian athlete to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics in the shot put event.

Explanation

Preeti Shenoy is the author of the contemporary fiction novel It's All in the Planets, published in 2016. The book is a romantic drama that explores the intricate themes of love, fate, destiny, and relationships. The story is told through the alternating perspectives of its two main characters, Aniket and Nidhi, whose lives intertwine after a chance meeting on a train. Preeti Shenoy is widely recognized as one of India's highest-selling female authors, celebrated for her realistic portrayal of human emotions, modern-day dilemmas, and interpersonal relationships.

Explanation

The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram was built by the rulers of the Pallava dynasty during the 7th and 8th centuries CE. Prominent Pallava kings, particularly Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I, commissioned these exquisite rock-cut cave temples, monolithic rathas, bas-reliefs, and structural temples. This collection of monuments highlights the peak of Pallava art and architecture and is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Explanation

A. R. Rahman holds the record for winning the maximum number of Filmfare Awards for Best Music Director, with 10 wins. His award-winning soundtracks in Hindi cinema include Rangeela (1995), Dil Se.. (1998), Taal (1999), Lagaan (2001), Saathiya (2002), Rang De Basanti (2006), Guru (2007), Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008), Delhi-6 (2009), and Rockstar (2011).

Explanation

During the cardiac cycle, the contraction of the heart chambers is referred to as systole. During this phase, the heart muscle contracts to pump blood out of the chambers and into the arteries. Specifically, ventricular systole involves the contraction of the ventricles, which forces blood into the pulmonary artery and the aorta to distribute it throughout the body.

Explanation

Azadirachta indica is the binomial botanical name of the neem tree, which belongs to the mahogany family Meliaceae. Native to the Indian subcontinent, this evergreen tree is renowned for its extensive therapeutic, medicinal, and insecticidal properties. The genus name Azadirachta is derived from the Persian phrase Azad darakht, which translates to noble or free tree, reflecting its highly valued role in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and sustainable agriculture.

Explanation

Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth with salivary amylase and continues in the small intestine through pancreatic amylase and brush border enzymes. These enzymes break down complex carbohydrates like starch and glycogen into simpler sugars. The final stage of digestion hydrolyzes these molecules into monosaccharides, of which glucose is the main and most abundant end product. Glucose is easily absorbed through the lining of the small intestine directly into the bloodstream to serve as the primary source of energy for cellular respiration throughout the body.

Explanation

Argon is a noble gas that exists in a monatomic gaseous state at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Due to its stable, complete valence electron shell, argon atoms do not form chemical bonds with each other. In its solid state, the atoms are held together only by very weak intermolecular London dispersion forces. These weak forces require extremely little thermal energy to overcome, resulting in a very low melting point of -189.3 °C.

Explanation

Brimstone is the historical and common name for sulfur. The term is derived from Old English and Middle English words meaning burning stone, referencing sulfur's notable property of burning easily with a distinct blue flame and releasing a strong, pungent odor. This name has ancient origins and is frequently referenced in historical, literary, and biblical texts to describe fiery, volcanic elements and geothermal activity.

Explanation

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, which is the standard markup language used to structure and display content on the World Wide Web. Developed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991, HTML uses a system of tags to define elements like headings, paragraphs, links, and multimedia, enabling web browsers to interpret and render documents as interactive web pages.

Explanation

The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is India's largest multicultural street festival, held annually in Mumbai. It takes place in the historic Kala Ghoda art district of South Mumbai, typically starting on the first Saturday of February and concluding on the second Sunday. Established in 1999 by the Kala Ghoda Association, the festival hosts a wide array of programs spanning visual arts, dance, music, theatre, cinema, literature, workshops, and heritage walks.

Explanation

The profit of a firm is calculated using the formula:

Profit = Total Revenue - Total Cost

Since Total Revenue is Price × Output and Total Cost is Average Total Cost × Output, the profit formula is:

Profit = (Price - Average Total Cost) × Output

Substituting the given values into the formula:

Price = Rs 7.2 Average Total Cost = Rs 4 Output = 4500 units

Profit = (7.2 - 4) × 4500 Profit = 3.2 × 4500 = 14400

Explanation

A minimum wage acts as a legally mandated price floor in the labor market. A price floor is a government-imposed limit on how low a price can be charged for a product, service, or resource. In this scenario, labor is the service being sold by workers and purchased by employers. By establishing a minimum wage, the government sets a legal threshold below which workers are not permitted to sell their labor, thereby ensuring that compensation does not fall below the specified level.

Explanation

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds penetrates the outer layers of the skin and damages the DNA within skin cells. This cellular damage can lead to acute conditions such as sunburn, as well as long-term consequences including premature skin aging, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and a significantly increased risk of developing skin cancers like melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Explanation

The Great Himalayan National Park is located in the Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh. Established in 1984, it covers an area of 1171 square kilometers and protects high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems. The park is home to numerous threatened animal species, including the snow leopard, blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, and western tragopan. In June 2014, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the natural category for its exceptional biodiversity and conservation value.

Explanation

The National Saving Certificate is a government-backed savings bond scheme in India that encourages small savings and offers tax benefits. It is primarily issued through post offices and provides guaranteed returns with low risk. Investments made in these certificates are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, making it a highly popular instrument for salaried individuals looking to reduce their taxable income while securing safe, long-term savings.

Explanation

Mercury is the innermost planet in our Solar System and is located closest to the Sun. It orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 58 million kilometers, which is approximately 0.39 astronomical units, making it the first planet from the Sun.

Explanation

Raipur became the capital of Chhattisgarh on November 1, 2000, when the state was newly carved out of Madhya Pradesh. It is the largest city in Chhattisgarh and serves as the primary administrative, commercial, and industrial hub of the state.

Explanation

World War I began on July 28, 1914, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914. This event triggered the July Crisis, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, which subsequently mobilized the complex network of alliances across Europe and initiated the global conflict.

Explanation

India's maiden interplanetary venture to Mars, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation on 5 November 2013, is officially designated as the Mars Orbiter Mission, widely known by its acronym MOM. The spacecraft successfully inserted itself into Martian orbit on 24 September 2014, making India the first nation in the world to achieve this feat on its very first attempt.

Explanation

The maximum height H attained by a projectile is determined by its initial velocity u and the angle of projection θ with the horizontal, as expressed by the formula:

H = u² sin²θ / 2g

In this relation, g represents the acceleration due to gravity. For a constant initial velocity, the maximum height is proportional to sin²θ. As the angle of projection with the horizontal increases, the value of sin θ increases, which leads to a greater vertical height. Thus, a large angle of projection leads to a high trajectory.