SSC CHSL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

M.S. Subbulakshmi, the legendary Carnatic vocalist, was the first Indian musician to perform at the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, on the special invitation of UN Secretary-General U Thant. She was also the first Indian musician to be honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1974 for public service, recognized for her sublime musicianship and her philanthropic contributions. Her historic achievements set a precedent for Indian classical music on the global stage, leading to her also becoming the first musician to be awarded India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 1998.

Explanation

Polyphenol oxidase is the enzyme responsible for enzymatic browning in fruits and vegetables. When the tissue of fruits or vegetables is damaged by cutting, bruising, or peeling, the cell structure is disrupted, exposing this enzyme to oxygen in the air. Polyphenol oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of naturally occurring phenolic compounds into o-quinones. These quinones then rapidly polymerize to form melanins, which are dark brown pigments, causing the characteristic discoloration of the exposed surfaces.

Explanation

The Southern Ocean is recognized by the US Board on Geographic Names as the body of water extending from the coast of Antarctica to the line of latitude 60° South. It is the fourth largest of the world's five principal oceans, covering an area of approximately 20.3 million square kilometers, which makes it larger than only the Arctic Ocean.

Explanation

Kiran Desai is the author of the novel 'The Inheritance of Loss', published in 2006. The book won the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 2006, which made her the youngest woman at that time to win the award. The narrative is set in the mid-1980s in Kalimpong, a town in the Indian Himalayas, and explores themes of globalization, economic inequality, identity, and the lingering effects of colonialism.

Explanation

The Caribbean Sea is a tropical water body of the western hemisphere that is part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is bounded by South America to the south, Central America to the west, and the Greater Antilles to the north. It lies directly to the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico, separated from it by the Yucatan Peninsula and the island of Cuba, connecting to it via the Yucatan Channel.

Explanation

Begum Akhtar, born Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, was a legendary Indian singer of Hindustani classical music, specializing in Ghazal, Thumri, and Dadra genres. Renowned for her distinct vocal timbre, emotional expression, and mastery over classical and semi-classical forms, she was widely bestowed with the title Mallika-e-Ghazal, meaning the Queen of Ghazals. Her immense contribution to music was also recognized by the Government of India with prestigious civilian honors, including the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan.

Explanation

Magnetite is a mineral with the chemical formula Fe₃O₄, which represents a mixed oxide of iron(II) and iron(III), often written as FeO·Fe₂O₃. It contains both divalent and trivalent iron in its crystal structure, making it a key source of iron. Due to its very high iron content of about 72.4%, magnetite is a highly valuable ore primarily used in the blast furnace process for steel manufacturing.

Explanation

Eukaryotic cells are characterized by the presence of a well-defined, membrane-bound nucleus that houses their genetic material. This nucleus is enclosed by a double-layered lipid bilayer known as the nuclear membrane, which regulates the traffic of macromolecules and other substances between the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm. Prokaryotic cells lack this membrane-bound nucleus, meaning their genetic material floats freely in a region called the nucleoid, making the nuclear membrane unique to eukaryotic cells.

Explanation

The 8th ICC Men's T20 World Cup was hosted by Australia in October and November 2022, making pair IV incorrectly matched as it lists India as the host.

Explanation

The Southwest Monsoon winds split into two branches: the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch. The Arabian Sea branch advances northwards along the western coast of India, causing heavy rainfall. It typically reaches the coastal city of Mumbai around June 10, marking the official onset of the monsoon season in the region.

Explanation

The Wadali Brothers, Puranchand Wadali and Pyarelal Wadali, are acclaimed Sufi singers and musicians from Guru Ki Wadali in Amritsar, Punjab. They are deeply rooted in the Sufi tradition, performing spiritual genres such as Kaafi, qawwali, and ghazal. Their style is characterized by the traditional Punjabi Sufi music tradition, carrying forward the legacy of Sufi saints like Baba Bulleh Shah, Kabir, and Amir Khusrow.

Explanation

The Agra Gharana is one of the oldest and most prominent schools of Hindustani classical music, known for its deep roots in Dhrupad-Dhamar and its emphasis on powerful voice culture and rhythmic play (laykari).

Ustad Faiyyaz Khan was a legendary figure who defined the modern Agra gharana style, bringing immense popularity to its robust and emotive presentation. Ustad Latafat Hussain Khan was a highly acclaimed vocalist of this tradition, having trained directly under stalwarts of the Agra school, including Faiyyaz Khan himself. Pandit Dinkar Kaikini was a distinguished classical vocalist, composer, and guru who belonged to the Agra lineage, having received his rigorous musical training from Pandit S.N. Ratanjankar, a premier disciple of Ustad Faiyyaz Khan.

Explanation

In the Afternoon of Time is the English translation of the landmark four-volume autobiography of the eminent Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Translated and abridged by Rupert Snell, this book brings together his original Hindi memoirs: Kya Bhooloon Kya Yaad Karoon, Needa Ka Nirman Phir, Basere Se Door, and Dashdwar Se Sopan Tak. The work details his personal life, his literary journey, and the cultural landscape of 20th-century India.

Explanation

Faster than Lightning: My Autobiography is the autobiography of Usain Bolt, the legendary Jamaican sprinter. Published in 2013, the book chronicles his journey from a young boy running in rural Jamaica to becoming an eight-time Olympic gold medalist and the fastest human in recorded history, holding the world records in both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints. His world-record-breaking speed earned him the nickname Lightning Bolt, inspiring the title of the book.

Explanation

Correct Answer: B

The marginal propensity to consume (MPC) is the proportion of an increase in income that is spent on consumption. It is expressed by the formula:

MPC = ΔC / ΔY

where ΔC is the change in consumption expenditure and ΔY is the change in income. This economic measure quantifies the consumption response to a small change in income, indicating how much of each additional unit of income is used for purchasing goods and services.

Explanation

Mithali Raj was honored with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in the year 2015 for her outstanding contributions to women's cricket. She did not receive this award in 2022.

Explanation

The Karbi Anglong Agreement is a historic tripartite peace accord signed on September 4, 2021, among the Central Government, the State Government of Assam, and representatives of five insurgent groups of the Karbi ethnic community. This agreement successfully brought an end to the decades-long insurgency and ethnic conflict in the Karbi Anglong region of Assam. Under the accord, over 1,000 armed cadres surrendered their weapons and joined the mainstream. The agreement ensures greater devolution of administrative and financial autonomy to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, protects the unique cultural and linguistic identity of the Karbi people, and provides a special development package of ₹1,000 crore over five years for the development of the region.

Explanation

According to the Laws of Cricket established by the Marylebone Cricket Club, a cricket match is played between two teams, each consisting of eleven players. When a team is fielding, all eleven of its players are on the ground simultaneously to bowl and field. When a team is batting, it has two of its players on the ground as batsmen. Thus, the standard number of players in a cricket team on the ground is eleven.

Explanation

Shobhaa De is the author of the novel Sultry Days, which was published in 1994. The book is set in Mumbai and offers a vivid portrayal of the city's glamorous yet competitive worlds of journalism, advertising, and high society. It follows the story of the protagonist, Nisha, and her complex relationship with Deb, an ambitious and eccentric artist. The novel is known for its candid exploration of relationships, ambition, and the social dynamics of urban India, which are characteristic elements of Shobhaa De's literary style.

Explanation

The Brahmaputra River, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, flows eastward parallel to the Himalayas. Upon reaching the easternmost point of the mountain range near the Namcha Barwa peak, the river takes a sharp, deep gorge-like U-turn, known as the Great Bend. Through this bend, it cuts through the Himalayas and enters India in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, where it is initially known as the Siang or Dihang River.

Explanation

J. Robin Warren, an Australian pathologist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005 jointly with Barry J. Marshall. Together, they discovered the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and demonstrated its critical role in causing gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, challenging the long-held medical belief that stress and lifestyle were the primary causes of these conditions.

Explanation

Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma was a legendary classical dancer from Kerala who played a monumental role in resurrecting and formalizing Mohiniyattam. Often referred to as the mother of Mohiniyattam, she cleared the dance form of its historical stigma and structured its teaching methodology, transforming it into a mainstream Indian classical dance. Her relentless efforts at the Kerala Kalamandalam, along with her books on the subject, established a systematic curriculum and brought international recognition to Mohiniyattam.

Explanation

Mallika Sarabhai was awarded the prestigious Palme d'Or by the French Government in 1977. She received this accolade for her outstanding solo dance performance at the International Dance Festival held in Paris, recognizing her exceptional talent in the classical dance forms of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi.

Explanation

Sir Joseph John Thomson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1906 in recognition of his great merits in theoretical and experimental investigations on the conduction of electricity by gases. His pioneering research in this field led directly to the discovery of the electron, fundamentally changing the scientific understanding of atomic structure and the nature of electricity.

Explanation

Ramakrishnabuva Vaze was an eminent Hindustani classical vocalist of the Gwalior gharana who authored the multi-volume music treatise Sangeet Kala Prakash. This seminal work is highly regarded in Indian classical music as it documents a vast treasure of traditional bandishes, ragas, and musical notations, preserving the rich heritage of the Gwalior gayaki for students and performers.

Explanation

Under Article 330 of the Constitution of India and the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order of 2008, seats in the Lok Sabha are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population. Based on this delimitation, 47 seats are allocated and reserved for Scheduled Tribes across all states and union territories, which was the structure applied during the 2019 general election.

Explanation

Under the official rules of the International Hockey Federation, a standard field hockey match is played between two teams, with each team permitted to have a maximum of 11 players on the pitch at any one time. This lineup typically consists of 10 outfield players and 1 goalkeeper.

Explanation

Gold has its name derived from the Anglo-Saxon word geolo, which means yellow. The chemical symbol for gold, Au, is derived from the Latin word aurum, which means shining dawn.

Explanation

Sartaj Khan, Sarwar Khan, Swaroop Khan, and Mame Khan are highly acclaimed exponents of Rajasthani folk music, belonging to the traditional Manganiyar community of the Jaisalmer and Barmer regions in Rajasthan. The Manganiyars are hereditary professional musicians known for their powerful vocals and rich musical heritage. These artists have popularized Rajasthani folk music both nationally and internationally through playback singing in Indian cinema, television music shows, and global music festivals.

Explanation

Gulabo Sapera was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016, India's fourth highest civilian award, for her outstanding contribution to the Kalbeliya folk dance of Rajasthan. Belonging to the nomadic Kalbeliya community, she overcame immense social barriers to popularize this traditional dance on both national and international platforms. Her efforts were instrumental in bringing global recognition to the dance form, leading to UNESCO inscribing Kalbeliya folk songs and dances on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.

Explanation

The temperate deciduous forest biome is primarily located in the mid-latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere, which include Eastern North America, Western Europe, and Northeast Asia. These regions experience a moderate climate characterized by four distinct seasons, with warm summers, cold winters, and well-distributed precipitation throughout the year. The dominant vegetation consists of broad-leaved trees, such as oak, maple, beech, and hickory, which shed their leaves annually in autumn to conserve water and survive the freezing winter temperatures.

Explanation

Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa is a classic example of a volcanic mountain, also known as a mountain of accumulation. These mountains are formed when molten rock or magma from deep within the Earth escapes through vents or cracks in the crust. Upon reaching the surface as lava, ash, and other volcanic materials, it cools and solidifies. Over successive eruptions, these materials pile up layer upon layer around the vent, eventually building a massive mountain structure. Mount Kilimanjaro, which is a giant stratovolcano, was built entirely through this process of self-accumulation of volcanic debris.

Explanation

Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam was a legendary guru and dancer of the Kuchipudi dance form. He played a revolutionary role in systemizing and refining Kuchipudi, helping it secure its status as one of the classical dances of India. In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian classical dance and art, the Government of India conferred the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award of India, upon him in the year 1998.

Explanation

Bhavina Patel was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2021 in recognition of her outstanding achievements in Para Table Tennis. She secured a historic silver medal in the women's singles Class 4 event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, becoming the first Indian table tennis player to win a medal at the Paralympics.

Explanation

Potash alum is potassium aluminium sulphate, represented by the chemical formula KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O. In its anhydrous or ionic formulation, it consists of potassium (K⁺), aluminium (Al³⁺), and sulphate (SO₄²⁻) ions in a strict 1 : 1 : 2 ratio. It is widely utilized across various industries due to its diverse chemical properties. It functions as a mordant in dyeing processes, where it helps bind dye molecules to fabric fibers. In medical and cosmetic applications, it acts as an astringent, causing the contraction of body tissues and helping to stop bleeding from minor cuts. It is also used as a flame retardant to treat textiles, wood, and paper products to reduce their flammability.

Explanation

Palghat T. S. Mani Iyer, often referred to as P. Mani Iyer, was a legendary virtuoso of the mridangam, a primary double-sided percussion instrument used in Carnatic classical music. Revered as one of the greatest mridangists of all time, he is credited with elevating the instrument from a basic rhythmic accompaniment to an expressive partner that closely mirrored the melodic nuances of vocal music. His exceptional mastery and innovative techniques earned him prestigious honors, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1956, the Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1966, and the Padma Bhushan in 1971.

Explanation

Ornit Shani was awarded the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize in 2019 for her acclaimed book How India Became Democratic: Citizenship and the Making of the Universal Franchise. The book reconstructs the monumental administrative and democratic feat of creating India’s first electoral roll on the basis of universal adult franchise even before the Constitution of India was finalized. Shani’s research highlights how ordinary citizens, local officials, and the Secretariat of the Constituent Assembly cooperated to build the foundations of Indian democracy, making it a landmark work on modern Indian political history.

Explanation

Under Section 4 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, the Election Commission of India is mandated to issue the notification for the election of the next Vice-President on any day within the sixty days preceding the date of expiry of the term of the outgoing Vice-President. This period of 60 days is designated to complete the entire electoral process so that the successor is chosen before the incumbent's five-year term officially expires, ensuring a seamless transition of office.

Explanation

In the landmark case of Jayamma | Anr. vs. State of Karnataka, decided in May 2021, the Supreme Court of India deliberated on the admissibility and reliability of a dying declaration. The Court observed that a dying declaration is admitted as evidence on the principle of necessity, because there is little hope of the maker surviving, and a person who is about to die is highly unlikely to tell a falsehood. This principle is based on the legal maxim nemo moriturus praesumitur mentiri, which means a man will not meet his Maker with a lie in his mouth. Under Section 32(1) of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, such statements are admissible even without cross-examination, provided they are made voluntarily and the declarant is in a fit state of mind.

Explanation

The Value Added Method of calculating national income is also known as the Industrial Origin Method or the Product Method. This method measures national income by estimating the net value contribution of each producing enterprise across various industries in the domestic territory of a country during an accounting year. The economy is divided into different industrial sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The gross value added by each sector is calculated by subtracting the value of intermediate consumption from the value of output. Summing the net value added across all these distinct industrial sectors yields the net domestic product at factor cost, which is then adjusted for net factor income from abroad. Because this approach tracks and aggregates the value added at the point of origin within each specific industry, it is widely referred to as the Industrial Origin Method.

Explanation

Bhupen Hazarika was a legendary singer, lyricist, musician, poet, and filmmaker from Assam, often referred to as Sudhakantha. He was instrumental in popularizing the rich folk music, culture, and traditional heritage of Assam and Northeast India on a global platform. His immortal compositions, written and sung in Assamese as well as other languages, highlighted social justice, communal harmony, and humanism. For his outstanding contributions to Indian music and cinema, he was posthumously honored with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 2019.

Explanation

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is an internationally acclaimed Indian classical musician who is widely recognized as one of the greatest masters of the sarod. Born into a distinguished musical dynasty of the Senia Bangash gharana, he represents the sixth generation of sarod players in his family. He is credited with modifying the structure of the instrument to make it more versatile and capable of expressing the delicate nuances of vocal music. For his extraordinary contributions to Indian classical music, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor, in 2001.

Explanation

Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam was a legendary Indian dancer and guru of Kuchipudi, a classical dance form that originated in Andhra Pradesh. He is widely credited with refining, codifying, and popularizing Kuchipudi both within India and internationally. He established the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Madras in 1963 to systematically train students, transforming the traditional dance drama into a classical solo and group dance medium. For his immense contributions to the classical dance form, he was honored with several prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 1998 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship.

Explanation

The Modhera Dance Festival, also known as the Uttarardh Mahotsav, is an annual cultural celebration held in the Mehsana district of Gujarat. The festival takes place in the third week of January at the historical Sun Temple in Modhera, which was built during the reign of King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty. Organized by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited, the three-day event showcases various Indian classical dance forms against the beautifully illuminated backdrop of this eleventh-century architectural masterpiece.

Explanation

According to the official statistics of Indian Railways, the network operates a fleet of 13169 passenger trains daily. This vast system serves both long-distance and suburban routes, connecting more than 7300 stations across the country. In addition to these passenger services, Indian Railways operates over 8400 freight trains daily across a massive national network spanning over 67900 route kilometers, making it one of the largest railway networks in the world under single management.

Explanation

Kalamandalam Kshemavathy Pavithran is a highly distinguished exponent of Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form that originated in Kerala. Known for her superb abhinaya (expression) and traditionalist approach, she completed her formal training at the prestigious Kerala Kalamandalam. Her extensive contributions, innovative choreographies, and teaching in Mohiniyattam were recognized by the Government of India, which conferred the Padma Shri award upon her in 2011. She has also received other prestigious honors, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, for her immense impact on preserving and popularizing this classical dance form.

Explanation

Kiran Desai wrote the acclaimed novel The Inheritance of Loss, which was published in 2006. The novel explores themes of colonialism, globalization, identity, and the struggle between tradition and modernity. It won the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 2006, making Kiran Desai the youngest woman to win the award at that time. The narrative is set in Kalimpong, a town in the Indian Himalayas, and revolves around an embittered retired judge, his granddaughter Sai, and his cook whose son is an undocumented immigrant in the United States.

Explanation

C. V. Chandrasekhar is an eminent Indian classical dancer, choreographer, researcher, and academician widely celebrated for his mastery of Bharatanatyam. Over a career spanning several decades, he has contributed significantly to the promotion, teaching, and choreographic richness of this traditional dance form. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field of performing arts, the Government of India conferred upon him the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in the year 2011.

Explanation

Louis Pasteur published his landmark paper on lactic acid fermentation in 1857, proving that fermentation is a biological process catalyzed by living yeast cells. He experimentally demonstrated that yeast converts sugar into alcohol, while contaminating microorganisms introduced from the air are responsible for producing undesirable acids that sour the fermentation, a discovery that disproved the prevailing theory of spontaneous chemical decomposition.

Explanation

Rajna Swaminathan is an acclaimed percussionist and composer who performs the mridangam, a double-sided drum that serves as the primary rhythmic accompaniment in Carnatic music. She is one of the few female artists to play the mridangam professionally. Under the guidance of her father, P.K. Swaminathan, and the legendary mridangam maestro Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, she developed a deep foundation in Carnatic percussion before going on to collaborate across jazz and creative music traditions.