SSC CHSL Tier 1 2021 General Awareness Questions with Solutions

Explanation

Nishad Kumar is an Indian para-athlete who was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2021 in recognition of his outstanding achievements in Para Athletics. Specializing in the high jump, he won the silver medal in the men's high jump T47 category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with an Asian record-setting jump of 2.06 meters. His other achievements include winning a gold medal at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in 2021 and a bronze medal at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships.

Explanation

Pteridophytes are vascular, non-seeded plants that possess specialized conductive tissues, namely xylem and phloem, for transporting water and nutrients. This group, which includes ferns, is characterized by having true roots, stems, and leaves. The leaves of ferns are specifically referred to as fronds, which are often large and divided. In tree ferns, the stems are highly developed, growing vertically to form upright, trunk-like structures called caudices. Unlike seed-producing plants, pteridophytes reproduce and disperse via spores.

Explanation

John Dalton formulated the Law of Partial Pressures in 1801. This law states that the total pressure exerted by a mixture of non-reacting gases is equal to the sum of the partial pressures that each individual gas would exert if it were present alone in the same volume and at the same temperature. Mathematically, this relationship is represented as P_total = P₁ + P₂ + P₃ + ... where P_total represents the total pressure of the mixture and P₁, P₂, P₃ represent the partial pressures of the individual constituent gases.

Explanation

The hydrological cycle, also commonly known as the water cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. Driven primarily by solar energy and gravity, this cycle facilitates the circulation of water through different phases—liquid, solid, and gas. It involves key interconnected processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, transpiration, infiltration, and runoff, which collectively maintain the global distribution and balance of water resources across Earth's ecosystems.

Explanation

The Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium is located in New Delhi, not in Bengaluru. Originally established in 1883 as the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, it is the second-oldest functional international cricket stadium in India. It was renamed in 2019 in honor of the late Arun Jaitley, who served as a Union Minister and the president of the Delhi | District Cricket Association (DDCA).

Explanation

Mahatma Gandhi wrote his autobiography, titled "The Story of My Experiments with Truth" (originally Satyana Prayogo athva Atmakatha), in his native language, Gujarati. It was written as a series of weekly articles and published in his journal Navajivan from 1925 to 1929. It was later translated into English by his close associate Mahadev Desai.

Explanation

Ravi Kumar Dahiya won a silver medal for India at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 in the men's 57 kg freestyle wrestling category. He reached the final after a series of strong performances, eventually claiming the silver. This was one of the two silver medals won by India at the Tokyo 2020 Games, with the other being secured by weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu in the women's 49 kg category.

Explanation

Epsom salt is chemically known as magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, represented by the chemical formula MgSO₄·7H₂O. It is composed of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen, along with water of crystallization. When added to a warm bath, it readily dissolves and releases magnesium and sulfate ions. The absorption of magnesium through the skin helps regulate neuromuscular signals, reduce inflammation, and alleviate muscle tension, making it highly effective for relaxing muscles and relieving pain in areas like the shoulders, neck, back, and scalp.

Explanation

In basketball, dribbling is the essential skill of continuously bouncing the ball against the floor with one hand while walking or running. It is the primary legal method for a player to maintain possession and move with the ball across the court, as taking steps without dribbling results in a traveling violation.

Explanation

The tropical climate zone, under the Köppen climate classification system, is defined by constant high temperatures throughout the year. In this zone, the average temperature of every month, including the coldest month, is 18°C (64.4°F) or higher. These regions are also characterized by high annual precipitation, typically exceeding 59 inches (1500 mm) of rainfall, which supports the growth of dense tropical rainforests and rich biodiversity due to the continuous warmth and abundant moisture.

Explanation

Mulk Raj Anand's debut novel, Untouchable, published in 1935, is a powerful critique of the Hindu caste system in pre-independence India. The novel narrates a single day in the life of Bakha, a young outcaste toilet-cleaner, exposing the pervasive cruelty, humiliation, and social exclusion experienced by the untouchable community. Through Bakha's encounters, Anand highlights the inhuman practice of untouchability, the concept of ritual purification, and the psychological trauma inflicted upon lower-caste individuals by the rigid social hierarchy of the colonial era.

Explanation

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It is the United Nations body responsible for assessing the science related to climate change, providing policymakers with regular scientific assessments, implications, potential future risks, as well as adaptation and mitigation options.

Explanation

The Kaveri River (also historically spelled Cauvery) was known in ancient times as Ponni (or Pooni) in Tamil, which translates to "the golden one". This name refers to the rich, golden-colored silt that the river deposits along its basin, making its delta one of the most fertile regions in southern India. It is the fourth largest river in south India, originating at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range of the Western Ghats in Karnataka's Kodagu district. From its source, the river flows in a south-easterly direction across the Deccan plateau through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Explanation

In cricket, an off break is a standard delivery bowled by an off-spin bowler. When bowled to a right-handed batsman, the ball spins from the off side toward the leg side after pitching. The bowler achieves this lateral movement by using the index and middle fingers to grip the seam and rotate the ball in a clockwise direction upon release. It is one of the fundamental spin-bowling deliveries in the sport.

Explanation

Premchand, one of the most celebrated figures in modern Hindi-Urdu literature, wrote Kafan in 1936. This classic work is widely recognized as one of his last and greatest masterpieces, renowned for its raw realism and profound psychological depth. The narrative depicts the devastating effects of extreme poverty and social inequality through the lives of the marginalized characters Ghisu and Madhav, showcasing how systemic deprivation can strip away basic human empathy and dignity.

Explanation

A liquidity trap is an economic scenario where interest rates are extremely low and savings rates are high, rendering monetary policy ineffective. In this situation, the speculative demand for money becomes perfectly elastic because individuals expect interest rates to rise in the future. Since bond prices move inversely to interest rates, any rise in interest rates will cause bond prices to fall, leading to capital losses for bondholders. Consequently, investors prefer to hold cash rather than bonds, causing the demand curve for money to become horizontal at the lowest interest rate level. Any further injection of liquidity by the central bank is simply hoarded by the public instead of being invested or spent.

Explanation

Ricky Kej won the Grammy Award at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015 in the Best New Age Album category. His album Winds of Samsara was created in collaboration with South African flautist Wouter Kellerman. The collaborative project focuses on themes of peace, harmony, and tolerance, drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. It features a rich blend of global musical traditions and successfully debuted at the top spot on the Billboard New Age Albums Chart, establishing him as a prominent global ambassador for Indian music.

Explanation

Gautam Adani was not featured in Time Magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People in 2021. Instead, he was recognized in the 2022 list under the Titans category for his global business expansion and industrial influence.

Explanation

Ustad Bundu Khan was a legendary master of the sarangi and is widely considered one of the most proficient Hindustani instrumentalists of the 20th century. Born in Delhi into a distinguished family of musicians, he received intensive training under his father Ali Jan Khan and his uncle Mamman Khan. He served as a court musician in the princely state of Indore for nearly three decades and played the sarangi for All India Radio when its Delhi station commenced broadcasting in 1935. Known for his exceptional technical mastery, musical scholarship, and the unique design of his smaller-sized sarangi, his contributions significantly elevated the status of the instrument in Indian classical music.

Explanation

Pingali Venkayya was born on August 2, 1876, in Bhatlapenumarru in present-day Andhra Pradesh. He was a dedicated freedom fighter, agriculturist, and linguist who designed the Swaraj flag, which laid the foundation for the modern Indian National Tricolour. He presented this design, initially consisting of saffron and green bands with a spinning wheel in the center, to Mahatma Gandhi during the All India Congress Committee session in Vijayawada in 1921. August 2, 2021, marked the 145th birth anniversary of this visionary designer.

Explanation

According to the land use data published by the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) in 2009, approximately 51.09% of the total land in India is under cultivation. This data maps the distribution of land resources in the country, which also includes 21.81% under forest cover and 3.92% under pasture.

Explanation

Sonal Mansingh has not received the Padma Shri. Her exceptional contributions to classical dance, particularly Bharatanatyam and Odissi, were recognized directly with higher honors. She was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1987, the Padma Bhushan in 1992, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2003. She stands as the youngest recipient of the Padma Bhushan and the first female dancer in India to receive the Padma Vibhushan.

Explanation

Ustad Bismillah Khan is credited with single-handedly elevating the status of the shehnai from a traditional instrument played primarily during weddings and temple ceremonies to a respected classical concert-stage instrument. Recognizing his unparalleled mastery, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru invited him to perform live from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on 15 August 1947, marking the historic occasion of India's Independence. His performance of Raag Kafi became an iconic part of the independence day celebrations.

Explanation

The autobiography 'Unbreakable' is written by Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, popularly known as Mary Kom. Published in late 2013, the book chronicles her inspiring journey from a humble background in rural Manipur to becoming a world-renowned boxer, a multi-time World Amateur Boxing Champion, and an Olympic medalist. It provides an intimate account of her relentless struggles against poverty, societal expectations, and personal challenges, highlighting her determination, work ethic, and ultimate triumphs in the sporting arena.

Explanation

The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. Run by the International Tennis Federation, the tournament was established in 1900 by Dwight F. Davis, who conceived the competition format and donated the trophy. Often referred to as the World Cup of Tennis, it is the largest annual international team competition in sport, featuring nations competing in a knock-out format.

Explanation

Steam distillation is a specialized separation technique used to purify or isolate liquid mixtures containing organic compounds that are steam volatile and immiscible with water. When steam is passed through the mixture, both water and the volatile organic compound contribute to the total vapor pressure. The mixture begins to boil when the sum of these vapor pressures equals the atmospheric pressure. This allows the volatile compound to vaporize and distill over at a temperature significantly lower than its normal boiling point, preventing the thermal decomposition of heat-sensitive substances such as essential oils and plant fragrances.

Explanation

Hydrochloric acid is secreted by the parietal cells of the gastric glands in the stomach. It plays a crucial role in the digestive process by establishing a highly acidic environment, typically with a pH of 1.5 to 3.5. This acidic medium is essential for converting the inactive enzyme pepsinogen into its active form, pepsin, which begins the breakdown of dietary proteins. Additionally, this strong acid helps to sterilize the stomach by killing bacteria and other harmful microorganisms ingested with food.

Explanation

DDT is a broad-spectrum, non-selective organochlorine insecticide. Rather than targeting specific pest species, it acts indiscriminately upon contact or ingestion. Consequently, its application kills vital non-target beneficial insects, such as honey bees and other pollinators, which are essential for plant reproduction and maintaining ecological balance. This destruction of beneficial insect populations leads to severe ecological disruption and biodiversity loss.

Explanation

Begum Akhtar, born Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, was a legendary Indian classical singer widely acclaimed as Mallika-e-Ghazal or the Queen of Ghazal for her exceptional mastery over ghazal, dadra, and thumri genres of Hindustani classical music.

She gave her first major public performance at the age of fifteen during a charity concert organized to aid the victims of the 1934 Bihar earthquake. Her soulful and captivating singing at the event deeply moved the Nightingale of India, Sarojini Naidu, who was present in the audience. Naidu highly appreciated and encouraged the young artist, which served as a significant catalyst in propelling her into the national limelight.

Explanation

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was a legendary Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and master percussionist who played a pivotal role in reviving and popularizing the Odissi dance form in the 20th century. Apart from his legendary mastery of dance, he possessed exceptional proficiency in playing traditional percussion instruments, including the Mridangam, Pakhavaj, and Tabla. He received rigorous training in these percussion instruments during his early years working with theatre troupes under eminent maestros like Agadhu Moharana, Harihara Rao, and Kshetramohan Kar. This profound mastery of rhythm and percussion heavily influenced and enriched the choreographic structures and rhythmic complexities of his legendary dance compositions.

Explanation

Amoeba is a unicellular organism that obtains its food through the process of endocytosis, specifically known as phagocytosis. When Amoeba senses a food particle, it extends temporary, flexible, finger-like projections of its cell membrane called pseudopodia. These pseudopodia surround and engulf the external food material, eventually fusing together to form a food vacuole inside the cell. Within this vacuole, digestive enzymes break down the complex food particles into simpler substances, which are then absorbed directly into the cytoplasm.

Explanation

Padma Subrahmanyam is a highly acclaimed Indian classical Bharatanatyam dancer, research scholar, and choreographer. She is renowned for developing and conceptualizing Bharata Nrityam, a performance system that reconstructs the ancient 108 karanas described in the Natya Shastra into dynamic dance movements. Recognizing her exceptional contributions to the performing arts and cultural preservation, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri in 1981 and subsequently with the Padma Bhushan in 2003.

Explanation

Mallika Sarabhai is an acclaimed Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and activist who specializes in Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. In recognition of her exceptional and distinguished service in the field of performing arts, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Bhushan, the country's third-highest civilian award, in the year 2010.

Explanation

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was nominated for the prestigious Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award in February 2022. This nomination came in recognition of his historic achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he won the gold medal in the men's javelin throw with a distance of 87.58 meters, becoming only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal and the first to win one in track and field.

Explanation

Article 22 of the Constitution of India grants protection against arrest and detention in certain cases. This fundamental right, classified under the Right to Freedom, provides critical safeguards to individuals. It ensures that any person arrested under ordinary law must be informed of the grounds of such arrest as soon as possible, is granted the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of their choice, and must be produced before the nearest magistrate within twenty-four hours of the arrest, excluding the time necessary for the journey. It also contains provisions regulating preventive detention to prevent arbitrary state action.

Explanation

The Indian music composer Ilaiyaraaja is the first Asian to compose a full-length Western classical symphony, which was recorded with London's prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1993. Following this monumental achievement, the orchestra conferred upon him the title of Maestro, a moniker by which he is globally celebrated. He has also pioneered the blending of Western classical music arrangements with Indian classical and folk music across thousands of cinematic and non-cinematic compositions.

Explanation

The Cash Reserve Ratio is the share of a bank's total deposit that must be maintained with the central bank in the form of liquid cash. Under Section 42(1) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the Reserve Bank of India has the sole authority to prescribe, regulate, and modify this ratio for scheduled commercial banks. By altering the Cash Reserve Ratio, the Reserve Bank of India directly manages money supply and liquidity in the banking system, making it a key instrument of its monetary policy.

Explanation

Tokyo holds the unique distinction of being the first city in history to host the Summer Paralympic Games twice. The city first hosted the event in 1964, which was only the second official Summer Paralympic Games in history. Tokyo hosted the Games for the second time during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics, which took place in 2021.

Explanation

Rasipuram Krishnaswamy Laxman, popularly known as R. K. Laxman, wrote his autobiography titled The Tunnel of Time: An Autobiography, which was published in 1998. He was India's most celebrated cartoonist, best known for his daily cartoon strip You Said It in The Times of India, which featured his iconic creation, the Common Man. The book chronicles his life journey starting from his childhood in Mysore, his early illustrations, his rise to prominence as a premier political cartoonist, and his keen observations of Indian political and social life over several decades.

Explanation

In January 2022, the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police launched the Deaddiction, Reformation and Entrepreneurial Assistance for Making a Safe Society (DREAMS) initiative in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The primary goal of this project is to identify and rehabilitate drug addicts, especially those residing in slums who have turned to property-related crimes like snatching, theft, and robbery to fund their substance abuse. Under this initiative, individuals undergo a multi-month program consisting of clinical treatment, psychiatric counseling, and detoxification, followed by specialized vocational and entrepreneurial skill training. This helps them secure sustainable livelihood opportunities and successfully reintegrate into mainstream society. The program is supported by the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and implemented in partnership with the Indian Institute of Education and Care (IIEC).

Explanation

Devendra Jhajharia, a celebrated Paralympic javelin thrower, was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2022 for his outstanding contributions to sports. With this, he became the first Indian para-athlete to receive the country's third-highest civilian award. Over his illustrious career, he won gold medals at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and the 2016 Rio Paralympics, along with a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics in the F46 category.

Explanation

The Sangita Ratnakara is one of the most authoritative Sanskrit treatises on Indian classical music and dance, written by the 13th-century musicologist Sharngadeva (also spelled Sharnadeva). He was a scholar and accountant in the court of King Simhana of the Yadava dynasty in Devagiri, located in present-day Maharashtra.

The text is widely respected in both the Hindustani and Carnatic classical music traditions. It is also known as Saptadhyayi because it is structured into seven distinct chapters. These chapters comprehensively compile and systematically explain the fundamentals of Indian musicology, including notes, musical scales, melodies, rhythm, instruments, and dance.

Explanation

Kanak Rele was an eminent classical dancer, choreographer, and academician who made pioneering contributions to the revival, promotion, and systematization of Mohiniyattam, the classical dance form of Kerala. She is credited with establishing the Nalanda Dance Research Centre and the Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya in Mumbai, which played a crucial role in bringing Mohiniyattam into the mainstream academic fold. Her extensive research and documentation of the dance style earned her global recognition, and she was honored with the Padma Shri in 1989 and the Padma Bhushan in 2013 by the Government of India.

Explanation

Hepatitis is the medical term for the inflammation of the liver, derived from the Greek word hepar meaning liver and the suffix -itis meaning inflammation. This condition is commonly caused by viral infections, specifically hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E. It can also be triggered by non-infectious agents such as heavy alcohol use, toxins, certain medications, and autoimmune responses where the body's immune system attacks its own liver tissue. The resulting inflammation can impair liver function and lead to severe complications like cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

Explanation

The National Human Rights Commission is a statutory body rather than a constitutional body. It was established on 12 October 1993 under the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. This means it was created through an Act of Parliament and does not find a specific mention in the text of the Constitution of India.

Explanation

Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra was a legendary exponent, guru, and choreographer of Odissi dance who is widely credited with reviving and popularizing this classical dance form in the twentieth century. Born in Raghurajpur, Odisha, he dedicated his life to refining the techniques and grammar of Odissi, training generations of outstanding dancers. In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian classical dance, he was honored with several prestigious accolades, culminating in the Padma Vibhushan in 2000, which made him the first recipient of this second-highest civilian award from the state of Odisha.

Explanation

Yamini Krishnamurthy is an eminent classical dancer of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi styles who was appointed as the Asthana Nartaki (resident dancer) of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD). Known for her unparalleled contributions to the popularisation of these classical dance forms both in India and abroad, she has also been honoured with India's highest civilian awards, including the Padma Shri in 1968, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016.

Explanation

Daughter of Destiny: An Autobiography is the personal memoir written by Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan. Originally published in 1988, the book details her early life, her education at Radcliffe College and Oxford University, the military coup that led to the execution of her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and her subsequent political struggles, detention, and ultimate triumph in restoring democracy to Pakistan as the first female leader of a Muslim country.

Explanation

The National Award-winning music composer brothers, Ajay and Atul Gogavale, collectively known as Ajay-Atul, made their debut on the Forbes India Celebrity 100 List in 2015, securing the 82nd rank. Their debut on the list came on the back of a highly successful year with notable compositions for the Marathi film Nilkanth Master and the Bollywood movie Brothers. Additionally, their creations during this period included the popular song Tharki Chokro from the blockbuster movie PK, the song Mauli Mauli which featured in Maharashtra's award-winning Republic Day parade tableau, and the official background score for the Make in India presentation in Germany.

Explanation

Bungee jumping is classified as an adventure sport because it involves activities with a high level of inherent risk, speed, physical exertion, and specialized gear. It typically entails jumping from a tall structure, such as a bridge, cliff, or crane, while attached to a thick elastic cord. The thrill and adrenaline rush associated with the free fall and subsequent rebound are defining characteristics of adventure and extreme sports.