SSC CHSL Tier 1 2016 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty built the world-famous Konark Sun Temple in Odisha around 1250 CE. Located on the coastline of Odisha, the temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, complete with twenty-four intricately carved stone wheels and pulled by seven horses. It represents the pinnacle of Kalinga architecture and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Explanation

Nepali is the primary and most widely spoken language in Sikkim, serving as the mother tongue for more than 60% of the state's population. It is also designated as an official language of the state. Furthermore, Nepali is recognized as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, with Sikkim being the major state where it is spoken by the majority of the population.

Explanation

The price elasticity of demand measures the responsiveness of the quantity demanded of a product to a change in its price. The formula for the price elasticity of demand is:

Price Elasticity of Demand = Percentage Change in Quantity Demanded ÷ Percentage Change in Price

Given that the price elasticity of demand is -2 and the price is lowered by 5% (which represents a change of -5%):

-2 = Percentage Change in Quantity Demanded ÷ -5%

Multiplying both sides by -5%:

Percentage Change in Quantity Demanded = -2 × -5% = 10%

Explanation

The capacity of commercial banks to create credit is inversely proportional to the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), as expressed by the credit multiplier formula:

Credit Multiplier = 1 / CRR

When the central bank decreases the CRR, commercial banks are required to hold a smaller percentage of their total deposits as cash reserves with the central bank. This releases a larger portion of their deposits as excess reserves, which the banks can then use to advance more loans and advances to borrowers, thereby directly expanding the overall credit creation in the economy.

Explanation

The Geiger counter, or Geiger-Müller counter, is an instrument designed to detect and measure ionizing radiation, including alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. It consists of a tube filled with an inert gas at low pressure and subjected to a high voltage. When alpha, beta, or gamma radiation enters the tube, it collides with the gas atoms, causing ionization. This ionization creates free electrons and positive ions, which are accelerated toward the electrodes by the electric field, leading to an avalanche of further ionizations. This cascade produces a brief pulse of electric current that is detected and counted by the electronic circuitry. By using a very thin window, usually made of mica, the device allows even weakly penetrating alpha particles to enter the tube alongside beta and gamma radiations, making it capable of detecting all three types of radiation.

Explanation

Haematite, chemically known as iron(III) oxide with the formula Fe₂O₃, is one of the primary and most important mineral ores of iron. It is highly valued in metallurgy because of its high iron content, which can be up to 70% in its purest form, making it the leading source of iron used in blast furnaces for steel manufacturing.

Explanation

Tom Cruise played the lead role of Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a young naval aviator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, in the 1986 action drama film Top Gun, directed by Tony Scott. His performance in this movie solidified his status as a major Hollywood superstar.

Explanation

Cosmology is the scientific study of the origin, evolution, large-scale structures, and ultimate fate of the universe. Derived from the Greek words kosmos meaning world or universe and logia meaning study, it utilizes principles from physics and astronomy to understand the universe as a unified whole, tracing its development from the Big Bang to its present state and future evolution.

Explanation

The winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. At this point in Earth's orbit, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the Sun, and the Sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere. This tilt results in the minimum amount of sunlight reaching the Northern Hemisphere, creating the shortest period of daylight of the year.

Explanation

Adolf Hitler rose to power as the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party, serving as the Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945 and as the Fuhrer of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1945. As the dictator of Germany, his expansionist foreign policy initiated World War II in Europe, and his regime was responsible for the state-sponsored systematic genocide of six million Jews and millions of other victims during the Holocaust.

Explanation

Prithviraj Chauhan married Somyukta, also known as Sanyogita or Samyukta, who was the daughter of his bitter rival Jaichandra, the Gahadwal ruler of Kannauj.

Their legendary love story and dramatic elopement are detailed in the epic poem Prithviraj Raso, composed by the court poet Chand Bardai. Jaichandra, wishing to humiliate Prithviraj, had organized a swayamvara for his daughter and deliberately excluded Prithviraj from the list of invited princes. Instead, he placed a clay statue of Prithviraj at the entrance of the court to serve as a mock doorkeeper. Rejecting all other suitors present, Somyukta walked to the entrance and placed the wedding garland around the neck of the clay statue. Prithviraj, who had been waiting in hiding, then rescued her and rode away with her to Delhi.

Explanation

At the 88th Academy Awards held on February 28, 2016, the Hungarian drama film Son of Saul, directed by Laszlo Nemes, won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Set during World War II in the Auschwitz concentration camp, the film follows a day and a half in the life of Saul Auslander, a Hungarian prisoner and member of the Sonderkommando, who searches for a rabbi to perform a proper Jewish burial for a young boy he believes is his son.

Explanation

When a ball is thrown vertically upwards, it moves under the sole influence of gravity, assuming air resistance is negligible. Throughout its entire flight, the only force acting on the ball is the gravitational force exerted by the Earth. This constant force produces a constant acceleration, known as the acceleration due to gravity, denoted as g. The magnitude of this acceleration remains constant at approximately 9.8 m/s² near the Earth's surface, and its direction always points vertically downwards towards the center of the Earth, regardless of whether the ball is moving upwards, momentarily at rest at its highest point, or falling back down.

Explanation

Average velocity is defined as the ratio of the total displacement to the total time taken, given by the formula:

v_avg = Δr ÷ Δt

When a body completes one full cycle on a circular path, its final position coincides with its initial position. Therefore, the net displacement Δr is zero. Substituting this into the formula gives an average velocity of 0 ÷ 1 = 0.

Explanation

Under Article 80 of the Constitution of India, the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250 members. Out of these, 12 members are nominated by the President of India from among persons having special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service. The remaining 238 members represent the States and the Union Territories, and they are elected indirectly by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union Territories in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

Explanation

The wheel in the center of the Indian National Flag is the Ashoka Chakra, which represents the Dharma Chakra (the Wheel of the Law of Righteousness). It is adapted from the Sarnath Lion Capital of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.

During the presentation of the flag to the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan explained its symbolism, noting that the wheel represents the law of dharma, and that truth (satya) and virtue (dharma) must be the controlling principles for those who work under the flag. Thus, the wheel represents truth, justice, and righteousness.

Explanation

Kidambi Srikanth is a prominent Indian badminton player who was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2015 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. He received this prestigious award in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport of badminton, which included winning major international titles such as the China Open Superseries Premier in 2014 and the India Open Superseries in 2015.

Explanation

Baby Halder is an Indian domestic worker and author who wrote the acclaimed autobiography Aalo Aandhari, which was translated into English as A Life Less Ordinary: A Memoir. The book describes her harsh childhood, early marriage at the age of twelve, domestic abuse, and her struggles working as a domestic helper before finding literary support and mentorship from her employer, Prabodh Kumar.

Explanation

Syntax errors in programming languages are detected and reported by language translators such as interpreters or compilers during the process of translating source code into machine code. The control unit of a CPU handles the execution of machine-level instructions and does not analyze high-level language syntax.

Explanation

The Arithmometer was invented by Charles Xavier Thomas (also known as Thomas de Colmar) in 1820. Patented in France, it was the first digital mechanical calculator robust and reliable enough to be used daily in an office environment. The machine was capable of performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, making it the first commercially successful mechanical calculator in history.

Explanation

An oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In normal healthy cells, these genes exist as proto-oncogenes, which play a crucial role in regulating standard cellular growth, division, and survival. When proto-oncogenes undergo genetic mutations, chromosomal translocations, or gene amplification, they become permanently activated oncogenes. This activation results in the overproduction of growth-promoting proteins or the synthesis of hyperactive proteins, leading to rapid, uncontrolled cell division and tumor formation.

Explanation

Azadirachta indica is the scientific name of the neem tree, which is native to the Indian subcontinent and belongs to the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is widely known for its therapeutic, medicinal, and organic farming applications, particularly due to its natural antibacterial, antifungal, and pest-repellent properties.

Explanation

Octopuses are soft-bodied, bilaterally symmetrical invertebrates that belong to the class Cephalopoda under the phylum Mollusca. They exhibit typical molluscan characteristics such as a mantle, a highly developed central nervous system, and a radula, despite having lost the external protective shell common to many other members of this phylum.

Explanation

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely produced synthetic plastic polymer, formed by the polymerization of vinyl chloride monomers. It is highly valued for its versatility, chemical resistance, and durability, making it one of the most commonly used plastics in the world. PVC is manufactured in rigid and flexible forms, with applications spanning construction pipes, electrical cable insulation, medical tubing, and packaging.

Explanation

Aromatic hydrocarbons, also known as arenes, are cyclic organic compounds that possess a pleasant aroma and exhibit chemical stability due to resonance. To be classified as a benzenoid aromatic hydrocarbon, a molecule must contain at least one benzene-like ring in its structure. Benzene, with the molecular formula C₆H₆, is the simplest member of this category and consists of a single six-membered carbon ring with delocalized pi electrons. Larger aromatic molecules may possess multiple fused or conjugated rings, but a single benzene ring is the minimum structural unit required.

Explanation

Ranthambhore Fort is a historic fortress situated near the town of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan. Constructed by the Chauhan rulers in the tenth century, the fort lies within the Ranthambore National Park, which was the former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Hill Forts of Rajasthan group due to its exemplary military hill architecture and historical significance.

Explanation

Dogri is an Indo-Aryan language spoken predominantly in the Jammu region of Jammu | Kashmir. It is the traditional mother tongue of the Dogra community living in this mountainous and sub-mountainous tract. Recognized for its literary and cultural significance, Dogri was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India as one of the official languages of the country through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 2003.

Explanation

The Marginal Resource Cost is defined as the addition to the total cost when one more unit of resource (labor) is employed.

Initially, when 5 women are hired at a wage of Rs. 300 each: Total Cost for 5 women = 5 × 300 = Rs. 1500

When the 6th woman is hired, the wage rate for all 6 women becomes Rs. 350 each: Total Cost for 6 women = 6 × 350 = Rs. 2100

The marginal cost of the 6th woman is the change in total cost: Marginal Resource Cost = Total Cost for 6 women - Total Cost for 5 women Marginal Resource Cost = Rs. 2100 - Rs. 1500 = Rs. 600

This increased cost includes the Rs. 350 paid to the 6th woman plus the Rs. 50 raise given to each of the first 5 women (5 × Rs. 50 = Rs. 250).

Explanation

Stagflation is an economic phenomenon characterized by a combination of stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and high inflation. It represents a period where the inflation rate is high, the economic growth rate slows down, and unemployment remains steadily high. This condition is particularly challenging for policymakers because actions designed to lower inflation may increase unemployment, while expansionary policies to stimulate growth and reduce unemployment can worsen inflation.

Explanation

Biotic factors are the living or once-living components of an ecosystem that shape and influence an organism's environment. These include all kingdoms of life, such as plants, animals, fungi, protists, and microorganisms. They interact with one another through various ecological relationships, including predation, competition, symbiosis, and disease, which play a crucial role in determining the survival and distribution of organisms within their habitat.

Explanation

Ben Kingsley played the titular role of Mahatma Gandhi in the 1982 biographical drama film Gandhi. His highly acclaimed performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, while the film itself won a total of eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Explanation

In India, agriculture is the primary source of livelihood and the backbone of the economy. Traditionally, about 70% of India's population is dependent on or employed in agriculture and allied sectors, particularly in the rural areas where the vast majority of people reside. This sector remains the largest employer in the country, supporting the sustenance of a major portion of the national population.

Explanation

Proxima Centauri is a low-mass red dwarf star located in the constellation of Centaurus. Situated at a distance of approximately 4.246 light-years (about 1.30 parsecs or 40 trillion kilometers) from Earth, it is the closest known individual star to our Sun and solar system.

Explanation

The English East India Company was incorporated by a Royal Charter signed by Queen Elizabeth I on 31 December 1600. The charter granted the company a fifteen-year monopoly on all English trade in the East Indies, laying the foundation for its subsequent mercantile and territorial expansion across the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation

In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhishthira was the eldest of the five Pandava brothers. He was the son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, conceived through the invocation of Yama, the god of righteousness and justice. Known for his steadfast adherence to truth and duty, he was also called Dharmaraja or Dharmaputra, and he eventually ascended the throne of Hastinapura as the rightful emperor.

Explanation

Brie Larson won the Academy Award for Best Actress at the 88th Academy Awards in 2016 for her role as Joy "Ma" Newsome in the drama film Room.

Explanation

When an object is projected vertically upward, the downward force of gravity constantly decelerates it. The upward velocity of the object decreases continuously at a rate of 9.8 m/s² (the acceleration due to gravity, g). The object reaches its maximum height when its upward motion momentarily stops. Consequently, at this peak point of the trajectory, the instantaneous velocity of the object becomes exactly 0 m/s before it reverses direction and begins its downward descent.

Explanation

According to the impulse-momentum theorem, the impulse applied to an object is equal to the change in its momentum. Impulse is defined as the product of the average force acting on the object and the time interval for which it acts:

Impulse = F × Δt = Δp

Here, F is the applied force and Δt is the duration of time. Since the same force acts on both objects for the same amount of time, both objects experience the same impulse. Consequently, they undergo the same change in momentum. Since both objects start from rest, their initial momentum is zero, which means their final momentum is equal to the change in momentum and is therefore identical for both objects.

Explanation

Under Article 359 of the Constitution of India, the President has the power to suspend the right to move any court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights during a National Emergency. However, the 44th Amendment Act of 1978 restricted this power, specifying that the right to protection of life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21, along with the protection in respect of conviction for offenses under Article 20, cannot be suspended under any circumstances, including during an emergency. Consequently, the right to personal liberty remains enforceable even when a National Emergency is in operation.

Explanation

The Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens were incorporated into the Constitution of India through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. This addition was based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee, which suggested including a chapter on fundamental duties to ensure that citizens are aware of their responsibilities alongside their fundamental rights. These duties were inspired by and adopted from the Constitution of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Originally, ten duties were introduced under Article 51A in Part IVA of the Constitution, and an eleventh duty was added later in 2002.

Explanation

The Sultan of Johor Cup is an annual, international under-21 men's field hockey tournament held in Johor, Malaysia. Established in 2011, this premier invitational tournament is named after the Sultan of Johor and serves as a crucial platform for the world's top junior national field hockey teams to compete at the highest level.

Explanation

The book Indian Home Rule, originally written in Gujarati under the title Hind Swaraj in 1909, was authored by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (M. K. Gandhi). In this seminal work, Gandhi outlines his political philosophy of self-rule (Swaraj) and presents a profound critique of modern western civilization, industrialization, and passive resistance. Written during his sea voyage from London to South Africa on board the SS Kildonan Castle, the book was subsequently banned by the British colonial administration in India, which prompted Gandhi to translate it into English under the title Indian Home Rule to communicate his ideas to the English-speaking world.

Explanation

An IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) address is a 32-bit numeric address. These 32 bits are divided into four 8-bit segments known as octets, which are typically represented in dotted-decimal format where each octet is separated by a period and has a decimal value ranging from 0 to 255.

Explanation

George Stephenson was an English civil engineer and mechanical engineer who is widely regarded as the Father of Railways. He pioneered the application of steam engine technology to rail transport by developing the first practical railway steam engine, also known as the steam locomotive. In 1814, he designed his first locomotive, Blücher, which was used for hauling coal. He subsequently built Locomotion No. 1 for the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, creating the world's first public railway to use steam locomotives. His work revolutionized global transportation and played a critical role in the advancement of the Industrial Revolution.

Explanation

The medulla oblongata is a key structure located in the lower portion of the brainstem, positioned at the base of the brain where it connects to the spinal cord. It is responsible for controlling crucial autonomic, involuntary functions necessary for survival, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, while also coordinating reflex actions like swallowing, coughing, and sneezing.

Explanation

A spore is a typically one-celled reproductive unit that is capable of giving rise to a new individual without sexual fusion. Spores are produced by plants, algae, fungi, and various protozoans as a means of asexual reproduction, germinating directly into a new organism under favorable environmental conditions.

Explanation

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek discovered bacteria in 1676 when he observed microscopic, single-celled organisms in rainwater, pond water, and scrapings from human teeth using high-magnification single-lens microscopes that he designed and constructed himself. He originally referred to these microscopic organisms as animalcules, which were later identified as bacteria and protists, making him the first person to observe and document microscopic life.

Explanation

Alpha particles have very low penetrating power. Because an alpha particle is a relatively heavy particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons with a +2 charge, it interacts strongly and frequently with the atoms of any material it passes through. This high rate of interaction causes the particle to lose its energy rapidly over a very short distance. Consequently, alpha radiation can be easily stopped by a thin sheet of paper, a few centimeters of air, or the outer layer of human skin.

Explanation

The addition of hydrogen to a substance is chemically classified as a reduction reaction rather than an oxidation reaction. Oxidation is defined as a process that involves the loss of electrons, the addition of oxygen or an electronegative element, or the removal of hydrogen. Therefore, adding hydrogen is a characteristic of reduction and not oxidation.

Explanation

Chandragiri Fort is a historical fort located near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. It was built in the 11th century, around 1000 AD, by the Yadava Naidu kings who ruled the region for about three centuries.

The fort is highly renowned for its association with the Vijayanagara Empire, eventually serving as its fourth and final capital when the emperors shifted their base here after the fall of Penukonda. The fort complex houses prominent historical structures like the Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal, which exhibit remarkable Indo-Saracenic architectural style.