Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – December 30, 2022 [Mock Test]
January 6, 2023 January 6, 2023
1. Consider the following pairs:
- Zhurong – China
- Spirit – France
- Opportunity – Germany
- Curiosity – America
Which of the pairs given above is/are matched correctly?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 4
[C] Only 2, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 & 4]
Notes:- Zhurong is China’s first Marsrover carried by China’s Tianwen-1 spacecraft in 2021. It is named after a Chinese mythical fire god,
- During the mission, Zhurong will explore the colossal basin of Utopia Planitia on Mars’ northern hemisphere, which was probably formed by an impact early in the planet’s history.
- The ‘Zhurong’ rover is slightly heavier than NASA’s Spirit and Opportunity rovers, but only one-fourth the weight of Perseverance and Curiosity (NASA).
2. Identify the river from the statements given below:
- It originates in the Western Ghats.
- It falls into the Gulf of Mannar.
- It originates and ends in the same state.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Palar
[B] Thamiraparani
[C] Brahmani
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Thamiraparani]
Notes:- The Thamiraparani is the only perennial river in Tamil Nadu. It is the shortest river in the state. It originates from the Agastyarkoodam peak of Pothigai hills of the Western Ghats. It flows through Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts of the Tamil Nadu state of southern India into the Gulf of Mannar. It thus originates and ends in the same state.
- Palar is a river of southern India. It rises in the Nandi Hills in Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka state and flows in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu before reaching its confluence into the Bay of Bengal at Vayalur. The Cheyyar and the Ponnai in Tamil Nadu are the major tributaries of this river Palar.
- The Brahmani River comes into existence by the confluence of the Koel and the Sankh rivers near Rourkela. It has a total length of 800 km. The basin flows through Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and the Orissa States and drains into the Bay of Bengal.
3. What is VSHORD, which was in news recently?
[A] Anti-ballistic Missile System
[B] Aircraft Carrier
[C] Man Portable Air Defence System
[D] Radar System
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Man Portable Air Defence System]
Notes:- Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed and developed indigenously by DRDO.
- VSHORADS missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS)and integrated avionics.
- The missile, meant for neutralizing low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges, is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor.
- A Reaction Control System (RCS) is responsible for attitude control and steering by the use of thrusters.
- The RCS system is capable of providing small amounts of thrust in any desired direction or combination of directions.
- MANPADS are short-range, lightweight and portable surface-to-air missiles that can be fired by individuals or small groups to destroy aircraft or helicopters. They help shield troops from aerial attacks and are most effective in targeting low-flying aircraft.
- MANPATs or Man-Portable Anti-Tank Systems work in a similar manner but are used to destroy or incapacitate military tanks.
