UPSC Current Affairs Quiz: April 24, 2025
April 24, 2025 April 24, 2025
1. With reference to the process of sainthood in the Catholic Church, consider the following statements:
- A person can be canonised as a saint immediately after their death if they were a martyr.
- The title “Blessed” is granted after the Vatican confirms one miracle attributed to the candidate.
- Canonisation is the final step in a four-stage judicial process known as the “cause”.
- The title “Venerable” is given only after at least one verified miracle is attributed to the individual.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] 1 and 4 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1, 2, and 4 only
[D] 1, 3, and 4 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]
Notes:
In the Catholic Church’s process of recognising a saint, even martyrs are not canonised immediately; instead, all require a thorough judicial process. One miracle is usually needed for beatification, which results in the title “Blessed”. Canonisation indeed signifies the final step in the process. Contrary to the fourth statement, the title “Venerable” is granted for recognition of heroic virtues, not necessarily for miracles.
2. Consider the following factors that could have possibly contributed to the increasing frequency of sandstorms in Iraq:
- Rising global temperatures
- Chronic water scarcity
- Loss of vegetation cover
- Increasing coastal erosion
Which of the above mentioned factors are correct?
[A] 1, 2, and 3 only
[B] 1, 3, and 4 only
[C] 2 and 4 only
[D] 1, 2, 3, and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2, and 3 only]
Notes:
Rising temperatures, water scarcity, and loss of vegetation all contribute to desertification and dust storms, thereby increasing the frequency of sandstorms, particularly in a region like Iraq. Coastal erosion is not a direct contributor to sandstorms, especially in a largely inland desert region like Iraq.
3. Consider the following phenomena as per the European State of the Climate 2024 report:
- Record glacier mass loss in Scandinavia and Svalbard
- Record sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea
- Decrease in Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) across southern Europe
- Increase in tropical nights in southeastern Europe
Which of the above phenomena were directly attributed to extreme warming in 2024?
[A] 1, 2 and 4 only
[B] 1, 3 and 4 only
[C] 2, 3 and 4 only
[D] All the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 4 only]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct as Glacier mass loss in Svalbard and Scandinavia was the highest on record due to extreme warming in 2024. Statement 2 is also correct as the Mediterranean Sea recorded the highest sea surface temperatures due to the same reasons. Statement 3 is incorrect, UTCI increased, not declined, in southeastern Europe (3.3°C above average). Statement 4 is correct as Southeastern Europe saw a record number of 23 tropical nights due to extreme warming.
4. With reference to recent archaeological findings on ancient human settlements, consider the following statements:
- Material inequality has been observed in settlements dating back more than 10,000 years.
- Settlements with higher levels of economic inequality were always less sustainable and short-lived.
- Settlement persistence can be used as a proxy for sustainability in archaeological studies.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
[A] 1 and 3 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 2 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 3 only]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct: According to archaeological study, material inequality has been observed in settlements dating back over 10,000 years. Statement 2 is incorrect: The study has not concluded that settlements with higher inequality were always less sustainable. In fact, it has been observed that higher inequality often associates with longer-lasting settlements. Statement 3 is correct: Scholars do use settlement persistence as a proxy for sustainability.
5. Consider the following conclusions as per the global study on anthropogenic land modification:
- About 43% of the Earth’s land remains minimally modified as of 2022.
- Built-up areas have been expanding at a rate of more than 4% annually.
- Australasia showed the highest level of land modification due to rapid urbanization.
- Nearly 31 million sq km of land has undergone significant modification since 1990.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
[A] 1, 2 and 4 only
[B] 1 and 3 only
[C] 2 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 4 only]
Notes:Please check the condition of each statement:
- Statement 1 is correct: 43% of the Earth’s land remained minimally modified by 2022.
- Statement 2 is correct: Built-up areas have been expanding at a rate of more than 4% annually.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Australasia had the lowest level of land modification due to urbanization, not the highest.
- Statement 4 is correct: Nearly 31 million sq km of land has undergone significant modification since 1990.
The above questions are part of Daily UPSC 20 Current Affairs MCQs Series in GKToday Android Application. This series can be subscribed in the app only for user friendly test with detailed answers and explanations.
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