PRELIMS MCQs, QUIZ 10/03/2021
1. Consider the following statements.
1. Glaciers are the only source of freshwater in the Himalayan ecosystem. 2. There is considerable shrinking of glacial lakes across the Himalayas, in recent decades.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: d) Neither 1 nor 2
Glaciers are the largest source of freshwater outside of the polar regions. Glaciers and snow melt in the Himalayan ecosystem are the source of water for several rivers across the subcontinent, and are responsible for maintaining the perennial supply of water in the river systems like the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra to over a billion people. Some models predict that an increase in global temperatures by 2°C from 1850 by 2070 would result in 45% of the medium and large glaciers (10 sq km or more) disappearing completely. Nearly 70% smaller glaciers are likely to melt away. Shrinking glaciers have led to the formation of a large number of glacial lakes all across the Himalayas. Many of these high-altitude lakes are potentially dangerous, because of their potential to cause flash floods in the event of a breach. There has been an increase in the number of such lakes in the last few decades because of an acceleration in the glacial melt. A 2005 study had listed 127 such lakes in Uttarakhand. More recent studies put the number of such lakes in the state at around 400.
2. Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayas are best suitable for tea plantations due to –
1. Moderate slope 2. Thick soil cover with high organic content 3. Well distributed rainfall throughout the year 4. Harsh winters.
Choose the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 2, 3 and 4 only d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution (a) 1, 2 and 3
Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayas physical conditions such as moderate slope, thick soil cover with high organic content, well distributed rainfall throughout the year and mild winters makes it very much suitable for tea plantations.
3. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) includes which of the following medical procedures
1. In-vitro fertilization 2. Cryopreservation 3. Surrogacy
Select the correct answer code:
a) 1, 2 b) 1, 3 c) 2, 3 d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: d) 1, 2 and 3
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) comprises procedures such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), intra-uterine insemination (IUI), oocyte and sperm donation, cryopreservation and includes surrogacy as well. Although not all surrogacy arrangements involve ART. The technology works to remove an egg from a woman’s body and fertilize it with a man’s sperm to make an embryo.
4. Consider the following statements regarding Gross Cropped Area (GCA) and Net Sown Area :
1. Gross Cropped Area (GCA) is the total area sown once as well as more than once in a particular year 2. Net Sown Area is the total area sown once as well as more than once in a particular year 3. Gross Cropped Area (GCA) is the area sown with crops but is counted only once 4. Net Sown Area is the area sown with crops but is counted only once.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 3 and 4 only d) 1 and 4 only
Solution (d) 1 and 4 only
Gross Cropped Area (GCA) is the total area sown once as well as more than once in a particular year. When the crop is sown on a piece of land for twice, the area is counted twice in GCA. Hence statement 1 is correct Net Sown Area is the area sown with crops but is counted only once. This implies that if we deduct net sown area from gross cropped area; what we find is those areas where crops are cultivated for more than once in a particular agriculture year. Hence statement 4 is correct
5. Which of the following Ministry implements “SAMARTH”?
a) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship b) Ministry of Minority Affairs c) Ministry of Textile d) Ministry of Education
Solution (c)
Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SAMARTH) was approved towards addressing the skill gap in textile sector and also to supplement the efforts of textile industry in providing gainful and sustainable employment to the youth. The objectives of Samarth are as follows: 1. To provide demand driven, placement oriented National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant skilling programmes to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles, excluding Spinning and Weaving 2. To promote skilling and skill upgradation in the traditional sectors of handlooms, handicrafts, sericulture and jute 3. To enable provision of sustainable livelihood either by wage or self-employment to all sections of the society across the country The skilling programme under Samarth is implemented through Implementing Partners (IPs) comprising Textile Industry/ Industry Associations, State Government Agencies and Sectoral Organizations of Ministry of Textiles.
6. With reference to the tea cultivation, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is an indigenous crop of hills in northern Himalayas of India. 2. It is grown over undulating topography of hilly areas and well-drained soils in humid and sub-humid tropics and sub-tropics.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution b) 2 only
Tea is a plantation crop used as beverage. Black tea leaves are fermented whereas green tea leaves are unfermented. Tea leaves have rich content of caffeine and tannin. It is an indigenous crop of hills in northern China. It is grown over undulating topography of hilly areas and well-drained soils in humid and sub-humid tropics and sub-tropics.
7. Consider the following statement about ‘FASTag’ –
1. FASTag cards have limited validity of 1 year. 2. It uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. 3. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has issued orders making FASTag compulsory at all toll plazas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only b) 2 only c) 2 and 3 only d) All of the above
Solution (c)
Basics of FASTag FASTag is an electronic toll collection system in India, operated by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). It employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it or directly toll owner. It is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and enables to drive through toll plazas without stopping for transactions. The tag can be purchased from official Tag issuers or participating Banks and if it is linked to a prepaid account, then recharging or top-up can be as per requirement. As per NHAI, FASTag has unlimited validity. 7.5% cashback offers were also provided to promote the use of FASTag. Dedicated Lanes at some Toll plazas have been built for FASTag. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has issued orders making FASTag compulsory at all toll plazas from the midnight of February 15, 2021 across the country.
8. Consider the following statements regarding Singapore Convention on Mediation.
1. It is the first UN treaty to be named after Singapore. 2. It settles disputes between the members at the Government level and does not involve corporate disputes. 3. India is a signatory to the Convention.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution c)
1. The Singapore Convention on Mediation will provide a more effective way for enforcing mediated settlements of corporate disputes involving businesses in India and other countries that are signatories to the Convention. 2. Also known as the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, this is also the first UN treaty to be named after Singapore. 3. With the Convention in force, businesses seeking enforcement of a mediated settlement agreement across borders can do so by applying directly to the courts of countries that have signed and ratified the treaty, instead of having to enforce the settlement agreement as a contract in accordance with each country’s domestic process. 4. As on September 1 (2020), the Convention has 53 signatories, including India, China and the U.S.
9. Arrange the following planetary winds in order of their occurrence from South pole to North:
1. South Westerlies 2. South East Trade Winds 3. North East trade Winds 4. North Westerlies
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
a) 1-2-3-4 b) 4-3-2-1 c) 4-2-3-1 d) 2-3-1-4
Solution (c)
The correct order from South to North pole is: North Westerlies – South East Trade Winds – North East Trade Winds -South Westerlies
10. Select the appropriate climatic zone/type having the below given characteristics:
1. Precipitation level: 35-75cm 2. Warm, dry summer and cool, wet winter 3. Shifting of wind belts
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
a) Laurentian type b) Mediterranean climate c) Steppe/Temperate grasslands d) Coniferous forest Siberian climate
Solution (b)
Mediterranean climate
1. The basic cause of this type of climate is the shifting of the wind belts. 2. Clear skies and high temperatures; hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. 3. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 35 – 90 cm. 4. Climate is not extreme because of cooling from water bodies.