SSC CHSL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Karnataka Legislative Council is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of Karnataka and consists of 75 members. This composition is determined in accordance with Article 171 of the Constitution of India, which stipulates that the total number of members in the Legislative Council of a state shall not exceed one-third of the total number of members in the Legislative Assembly of that state, and shall in no case be less than 40. Out of the 75 members, 25 are elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly, 25 are elected by local authorities, 7 are elected by graduates, 7 are elected by teachers, and 11 members are nominated by the Governor for their special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art, cooperative movement, and social service.

Explanation

Mercury is a unique metal that exists in a liquid state at room temperature. It has a relatively low boiling point for a metal, which is approximately 357°C. When liquid mercury is heated to this temperature under standard atmospheric pressure, its atoms gain sufficient thermal energy to overcome the metallic bonding forces holding them together in the liquid phase, causing the substance to transition into a gaseous state.

Explanation

Sonal Mansingh is an acclaimed Indian classical dancer and choreographer who is widely recognized for her mastery in two major Indian classical dance forms: Bharatanatyam and Odissi. She has trained extensively in both styles under legendary gurus and has performed them globally for several decades. Her contributions to these classical arts earned her prestigious national accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2003, making her the youngest female recipient of the Padma Vibhushan.

Explanation

Shivaji Sawant is the author of the acclaimed Marathi novel Mrityunjay, published in 1967. This landmark biographical novel depicts the life of Karna, one of the central characters of the epic Mahabharata. Written from multiple perspectives, including Karna himself, the novel explores themes of fate, duty, and social discrimination, earning Sawant widespread literary acclaim and the popular title of Mrityunjaykar.

Explanation

These legendary musicians are all highly celebrated maestros of the tabla, a popular twin-headed hand drum central to Hindustani classical music. Ustad Allah Rakha and his son Ustad Zakir Hussain are iconic exponents of the Punjab gharana who popularized the instrument globally. Pandit Kishan Maharaj was a legendary virtuoso representing the Benares gharana, while Ustad Sabir Khan is a prominent exponent of the Farrukhabad gharana. Their mastery and contributions have significantly shaped the art of tabla playing.

Explanation

Correct Answer: D

Mandeep Singh did not receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021. Instead, he was honored with the Arjuna Award for Outstanding Performance in Sports and Games in 2021 for his contributions to Indian hockey, particularly during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where the men's national team secured a bronze medal.

Explanation

Ustad Amir Khan was the founder of the Indore Gharana of Hindustani classical music. Born in Indore in a family of musicians, he developed a unique, meditative singing style that emphasized the slower development of the raga (ati-vilambit laya) and integrated the presentation of sargam. His gayaki was deeply intellectual and serene, leaving a profound and lasting influence on modern Hindustani vocal music.

Explanation

Lake Baikal is located in the southern region of Siberia, Russia, situated between the Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest and the Buryat Republic to the southeast. It is globally recognized as the deepest lake in the world, with a maximum depth of approximately 1642 meters, and the largest freshwater lake by volume, containing about 23% of the world's fresh surface water. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 due to its exceptional biodiversity and its geological age, being the oldest lake in the world at approximately 25 to 30 million years.

Explanation

Hydrocolloids, also known as phycocolloids, are water-holding substances produced in large quantities by certain marine brown and red algae. Common examples include algin, which is extracted from brown algae, and carrageenan, which is obtained from red algae. These substances have a high capacity to retain water and are widely utilized in various industries, such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, for their gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties.

Explanation

The FIFA World Cup in 2026 will be jointly hosted by three North American countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This joint bid, known as the United 2026 bid, was selected by the 68th FIFA Congress during its meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2018. It marks the first time in history that a FIFA World Cup will be hosted by three nations.

Explanation

Vandana Katariya, a prominent forward player of the Indian women's hockey team, was appointed as the brand ambassador of the Union Government's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' scheme for Haridwar district in August 2021 by the Uttarakhand government. This honor was bestowed upon her following her historic performance at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she became the first Indian woman to score a hat-trick in an Olympic hockey match.

Explanation

The official distance of a marathon race is standardized at 42.195 kilometers, which is equivalent to 26 miles and 385 yards. This precise distance was first used during the 1908 Olympic Games in London to allow the race to start at Windsor Castle and finish directly in front of the Royal Box at the White City Stadium. In 1921, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) formally codified this distance as the official standard for all marathon races worldwide.

Explanation

AR Rahman won two Grammy Awards at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2010 for his work on the soundtrack of Danny Boyle's film Slumdog Millionaire. He received the awards in the categories of Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, and Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for the song Jai Ho.

Explanation

Zakir Hussain is an internationally acclaimed Indian tabla virtuoso, composer, and music producer. He is the eldest son of the legendary tabla player Ustad Allah Rakha. Zakir Hussain played a pivotal role in popularizing the tabla worldwide through his classical solo performances and innovative cross-cultural collaborations. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri in 1988 and the Padma Bhushan in 2002, for his outstanding contributions to Indian classical music.

Explanation

Dmitri Mendeleev left vacant spaces in his periodic table for elements that had not yet been discovered, predicting their properties based on the periodic trends of known elements. He named one of these predicted elements eka-aluminium because it was located directly below aluminium in the same group. In 1875, the French chemist Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran discovered gallium, which exhibited physical and chemical properties that closely matched Mendeleev's predictions for eka-aluminium, thereby filling the gap in the periodic table.

Explanation

POSHAN Abhiyaan, also known as the National Nutrition Mission, was officially launched by the Government of India on 8 March 2018 from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. This flagship programme aims to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls by setting specific targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight.

Explanation

Bhupen Hazarika was an iconic Indian musician, poet, lyricist, and filmmaker from Assam who is widely revered as the Bard of Brahmaputra due to his profound songs reflecting the culture and life along the Brahmaputra River. In 1993, he won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for his exceptional work in the Hindi film Rudaali, which featured memorable compositions like Dil Hoom Hoom Kare and Samay O Dhire Chalo. His immense contribution to Indian music, cinema, and integration also earned him the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, posthumously in 2019.

Explanation

Ashish Sankrityayan is a distinguished classical vocalist and a leading exponent of the Dhrupad genre of Indian classical music. He belongs to the Dagar tradition (Dagarvani) of Dhrupad, having trained under master musicians of the Dagar family, such as Ustad Rahim Fahimuddin Dagar, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, and Ustad Hussain Sayeeduddin Dagar. He has served as the director of the Dhrupad Kendra in Bhopal, a premier institution established by the Government of Madhya Pradesh for the training and promotion of Dhrupad, and is well-known for his efforts in teaching, researching, and performing this ancient musical tradition globally.

Explanation

Munshi Premchand wrote the realistic novel Godan, which was published in 1936. It is widely considered one of the greatest Hindi novels of modern Indian literature. The book vividly depicts the socio-economic struggles, debt-trap, and exploitation faced by the poor peasantry in colonial India, centering around the protagonist Hori Mahato and his lifelong desire to own a cow, which represents a symbol of religious merit and social prestige.

Explanation

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was a legendary Odissi dancer, choreographer, and guru who played a pioneering role in the revival and systematic structure of the classical dance form of Odissi in the 20th century. He is widely credited with rescuing the dance form from near extinction and popularizing it globally. In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian classical dance, he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan in 2000, becoming the first person from Odisha to receive this prestigious civilian award.

Explanation

The chemical symbol Ge represents Germanium, a lustrous, hard-brittle, grayish-white metalloid in the carbon group, with the atomic number 32. It is chemically similar to its group neighbors silicon and tin.

Explanation

According to the Multiple Indicator Survey report of the National Sample Survey 78th Round, approximately 85% of rural households in India had access to toilet facilities. This survey, which collected data on various sanitation, hygiene, and housing indicators, highlighted the progress in rural sanitation coverage across the country.

Explanation

Wajid Ali Shah was the last Nawab of Oudh (Awadh), ruling from 1847 to 1856. He was a magnificent patron of classical music, dance, and theatre, under whose reign the Lucknow gharana of Kathak reached its peak and experienced a golden age. He was himself a trained dancer and musician, composing many thumris under the pen name Akhtarpiya, and he played a pivotal role in popularizing Kathak by bringing it from the courtrooms to the masses.

Explanation

The repo rate, which stands for repurchase rate, is the interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends short-term funds to commercial banks, typically against the collateral of government securities. When commercial banks face a shortage of funds, they borrow from the central bank at this rate to maintain liquidity. It serves as a vital monetary policy tool to regulate inflation and credit flow in the economy.

Explanation

Harvinder Singh was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2021 for his outstanding achievements in Para Archery. He created history by winning the bronze medal in the men's individual recurve open event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, becoming the first ever Indian archer to win a medal at the Paralympics. His exceptional performance at the international level earned him this prestigious national sports award from the Government of India.

Explanation

Under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, the Supreme Court has the power to issue five types of writs for the enforcement and protection of Fundamental Rights. These constitutional remedies are Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo-Warranto. This power forms part of the basic structure of the Constitution, securing the right of citizens to approach the Supreme Court directly when their fundamental rights are violated.

Explanation

The legendary Bharatanatyam dancer duo, Vannadil Pudiyaweettil Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan, popularly known as the Dhananjayans, were honored with the prestigious Rashtriya Kalidas Samman by the Government of Madhya Pradesh for the year 2019-20. This state-level award is presented annually for outstanding contributions in the field of classical arts, including classical dance, classical music, theatre, and plastic arts.

Explanation

Guru Bipin Singh was a legendary exponent, choreographer, and teacher of Manipuri classical dance. In 1972, he founded the Govindji Nartanalaya in Imphal, an institution dedicated to training women in the traditional art form of Manipuri dance. He played a pivotal role in refining and systematizing the dance style, making it accessible to women and presenting it on national and international stages. His efforts significantly contributed to the revival and academic structure of Manipuri dance, earning him the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1966.

Explanation

The first ICC World Test Championship final was played between India and New Zealand from 18 to 23 June 2021 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England. Initially scheduled to be held at Lord's in London, the venue was shifted to Southampton because the stadium's on-site accommodation and comprehensive bio-secure facilities were ideally suited for managing the safety requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Explanation

Correct Answer: D

In January 2021, the Directorate of Education of Delhi issued a circular directing all schools in the national capital territory to strictly implement the School Bag Policy 2020. This policy, originally framed by the Union Ministry of Education, mandates that the weight of a school bag must not exceed 10% of the student's body weight. Under these guidelines, the weight of school bags for students across different classes is capped, with the maximum weight for senior students in classes 9 to 12 restricted to a range of 3.5 kg to 5 kg.

Explanation

Group 18 elements, known as the noble gases, have a completely filled valence electron shell with an ns² np⁶ configuration, or 1s² in the case of helium. This stable electronic configuration makes them highly stable and chemically non-reactive under standard conditions. Because they do not readily form chemical bonds, they exist as individual atoms and are monoatomic. The weak London dispersion forces between these monoatomic atoms require very little thermal energy to overcome, resulting in extremely low boiling points across the entire group.

Explanation

Before Memory Fades: An Autobiography is the autobiography of the distinguished Indian constitutional jurist and senior advocate Fali S. Nariman, published in 2010. The book provides a detailed account of his illustrious legal career spanning over several decades, offering valuable insights into the functioning of the Indian judiciary, landmark constitutional battles, and the evolution of the legal landscape in India.

Explanation

Banihal Pass is a mountain pass situated across the Pir Panjal Range in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. At an elevation of approximately 2832 metres, it serves as a critical mountain pass connecting the Kashmir Valley with the Outer Himalayas and the Jammu plains to the south.

Explanation

Correct Answer: A

I, Me, Mine is the autobiography of George Harrison, the lead guitarist of the legendary British rock band, the Beatles. Published in 1980, the book is named after his song of the same title from the Beatles' final studio album, Let It Be. The autobiography features his personal recollections, conversations with Derek Taylor, and the handwritten lyrics and commentary for over 80 of his songs, providing deep insights into his musical journey, spirituality, and life during and after the Beatles.

Explanation

White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, exhibit an amoeboid shape. This highly flexible and irregular shape allows them to alter their form dynamically, which is essential for their immunological functions. The amoeboid movement enables these cells to undergo diapedesis, a process where they squeeze through the tiny gaps in capillary walls to reach infected or damaged tissues. This shape-shifting ability also facilitates phagocytosis, allowing them to engulf and destroy foreign pathogens, cellular debris, and microbes in a manner similar to an amoeba.

Explanation

Correct Answer: D

Ruturaj Gaikwad, playing for Chennai Super Kings, won the Orange Cap in the 2021 season of the Indian Premier League. He scored a total of 635 runs in 16 matches at an average of 45.35 and a strike rate of 136.26, which included one century and four half-centuries, playing a pivotal role in leading his team to their fourth IPL title. He also became the youngest player in IPL history to win the Orange Cap.

Explanation

Dietary fibre is a type of carbohydrate consisting of plant-derived compounds that the human digestive system cannot digest or absorb. The human gastrointestinal tract lacks the specific enzymes, such as cellulase, required to break down the beta-glycosidic bonds in these complex carbohydrates. As a result, fibre passes through the stomach and small intestine largely intact, providing zero net metabolic energy to the body. In the large intestine, insoluble fibre adds bulk to the stool and promotes peristalsis, which speeds up the transit of food and waste, preventing constipation. Soluble fibre absorbs water to form a gel-like substance, helping to soften stool and supporting beneficial gut bacteria, thereby maintaining a healthy intestinal tract.

Explanation

The Race of My Life is the autobiography of Milkha Singh, the legendary Indian athlete known as the Flying Sikh. Co-authored with his daughter Sonia Sanwalka, the book was published in 2013 and details his journey from the trauma of Partition to becoming one of India's most celebrated track and field runners. His life story, as depicted in this autobiography, served as the basis for the biographical film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

Explanation

Uday Shankar was a pioneer of modern Indian dance who synthesized traditional Indian classical and folk dance forms with Western theatrical techniques to create a unique fusion style. He initially named this innovative, non-classical style of movement Hi-dance, which he later rechristened as Creative dance. This expressive form paved the way for modern dance in India and was institutionalized at his academy, the Uday Shankar India Culture Centre, in Almora.

Explanation

Correct Answer: D

Alarmel Valli is a foremost exponent of the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam. In 2004, the Government of France honored her with the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) for her outstanding contribution to the classical dance form and her efforts in enhancing international cultural cooperation.

Explanation

Jawaharlal Nehru wrote his autobiography, titled An Autobiography (also published as Toward Freedom in the United States), while he was in prison between June 1934 and February 1935. The book outlines his personal life, his political journey, and his perspective on the Indian independence movement, capturing the socio-political climate of India during that era.

Explanation

The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2021 was awarded to the Tanzanian-born British novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah. The Swedish Academy recognized him for his uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents. His notable works, including Paradise, Desertion, and By the Sea, extensively explore themes of displacement, identity, and the post-colonial experience in East Africa.

Explanation

Sundaram Balachander was an acclaimed Indian classical musician and filmmaker who was highly celebrated as a virtuoso performer of the Saraswati Veena. Renowned for his unique, self-taught style of playing, he popularized the instrument globally and made significant contributions to Carnatic music. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1982 in recognition of his exceptional musical talent and contribution to the arts.

Explanation

The Kalaimamani is the highest state award conferred by the Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, which is a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture under the Government of Tamil Nadu. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding contributions and excellence of artists in various fields including literature, music, dance, cinema, and traditional theatre in the state.

Explanation

Neeraj Chopra was nominated for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award 2022 following his historic performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He won the gold medal in the men's javelin throw with an outstanding effort of 87.58 meters, becoming the first track and field athlete from India to win an Olympic gold medal, and only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold. This monumental achievement earned him a place among the six global nominees selected for this prestigious international sporting honor.

Explanation

Conformers are organisms that cannot maintain a constant internal environment. In aquatic conformers, the osmotic concentration of the body fluids changes directly with the osmotic concentration of the ambient water. Since active osmoregulation requires significant energy expenditure, nearly all plants and about 99% of animals adapt by allowing their internal osmotic concentration to fluctuate and match that of their external aquatic environment.

Explanation

Shubha Mudgal is a highly acclaimed Indian vocalist specializing in Hindustani classical music. Her vast repertoire encompasses classical genres such as Khayal, Thumri, and Dadra. Over her career, she received training under renowned tutelage from various gharanas, incorporating diverse techniques into her singing. For her outstanding contributions to the field of Hindustani classical music, she was honored with the Padma Shri in 2000.

Explanation

The Tapi River basin has a total drainage area of 65,145 km² and is spread across the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Maharashtra contains the largest share of the basin, covering 51,504 km² which is approximately 79% (nearly 80%) of the total drainage area. The remaining portion of the basin lies in Madhya Pradesh (about 15%) and Gujarat (about 6%). The river itself originates in the Satpura range near Multai in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh and flows westward before emptying into the Arabian Sea.

Explanation

Prathama Grameen Bank (now known as Prathama UP Gramin Bank) was the first Regional Rural Bank established in India on 2 October 1975. Its establishment was based on the recommendations of the Narasimham Committee on Rural Credit, functioning under the provisions of the Regional Rural Banks Ordinance of 1975, which was subsequently enacted as the Regional Rural Banks Act of 1976. Headquartered in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, the bank was sponsored by Syndicate Bank to provide institutional credit to small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, artisans, and small entrepreneurs in rural areas.

Explanation

According to Law 3 of the Laws of the Game established by the International Football Association Board, a standard football match is played by two teams, each consisting of a maximum of 11 players on the field at any one time. One of these 11 players must be designated as the goalkeeper. A match cannot start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players.