1. Who is the author of “Divine Comedy”?
[A] Goethe
[B] Milton
[C] Dante
[D] Shakespeare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Dante ]
Notes:
The Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri between c. 1308 and his death in 1321. It is widely considered the preeminent work of Italian literature, and is seen as one of the greatest works of world literature. The poem’s imaginative and allegorical vision of the afterlife is a culmination of the medieval world-view as it had developed in the Western Church. It helped establish the Tuscan dialect, in which it is written, as the standardized Italian language.
2. Which among the following is oldest ?
[A] Border security force
[B] Central Reserve Police Force
[C] Assam Rifles
[D] National Security Guards
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam Rifles]
Notes:
[A] Border Security Force (BSF): Established on December 1, 1965.
[B] Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): Established on July 27, 1939.
[C] Assam Rifles: Formed in 1835 as the Cachar Levy, it was later renamed as the Assam Rifles in 1917.
[D] National Security Guards (NSG): Established in 1984.
So, the Assam Rifles is the oldest among these organizations, with its origins dating back to the 19th century.
3. Which among the following accord is known to led the formation of Palestinian Authority?
[A] Oslo Accords
[B] Camp David Accord
[C] Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum
[D] London Agreement
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Oslo Accords]
Notes:
Oslo Accords or Oslo Process refers to two agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. First is the Oslo I Accord, signed in Washington in 1993 and second is Oslo II Accord, signed in Taba, Egypt in 1995. It resulted in recognition of Israel by the PLO and the recognition by Israel of the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people and as a partner in bilateral negotiations.
4. Who among the following authors composed “Rajatarangini”?
[A] Jayadeva
[B] Dandin
[C] Kalhana
[D] Bhavabhuti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kalhana]
Notes:
Rajatarangini (or River of Kings) wrote by Kashmiri Brahman Kalhaṇa in Sanskrit between 1148 and 1149. The book is an account of the history of Kashmir, particularly the kings of Kashmir.
5. Which of the following is slated to be the biggest free trade agreement since the establishment of the WTO?
[A] Trans-Pacific Partnership
[B] African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
[C] Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA)
[D] Commonwealth of Independent States Free Trade Area (CISFTA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ]
Notes:
Around 44 African countries are entering into an agreement to set up AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) to remove barriers to trade, like tariffs and import quotas, allowing the free flow of goods and services between its members. The agreement will still have to be ratified at a national level, and is only due to come into force in 180 days. This is touted to be biggest free trade agreement since establishment of WTO.
6. Which of the following countries is not a member of ‘The Indian Ocean Rim Association(IORA)?
[A] Seychelles
[B] Mauritius
[C] China
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a dynamic inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 22 Member States and 9 Dialogue Partners.
7. Which one of the following statements regarding the “veto” power in the Security Council is correct according to the United Nations Charter? (UPSC Prelims 1994)
[A] The decisions of the Security Council on all non-procedural matters must be made by an affirmative vote of nine members, including the concurring, votes of the permanent members of the Council
[B] Every permanent member of the Security Council can prevent any decision from being accepted, by vetoing it
[C] The term veto was used in Article 27 of the United Nations Charter to enable any permanent member of the Security Council to prevent any resolution from being passed by the majority
[D] Any member of the Security Council can prevent any resolution from being passed by voting against it
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Every permanent member of the Security Council can prevent any decision from being accepted, by vetoing it]
Notes:
The veto power originates in Article 27 of the United Nations Charter, which states: Each member of the Security Council shall have a vote. Decisions of the Security Council on procedural matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of five members.
8. India has signed an agreement with which country for polar science cooperation?
[A] Sweden
[B] Mexico
[C] Russia
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sweden]
Notes:
India and Sweden are to sign their first maritime cooperation agreement during the Swedish Royal couple visit. The agreement includes cooperation between the countries in both Arctic and Antarctic regions and hence the name Polar Science. In the last few years, India has signed series of maritime agreements to exchange military information and to extend the reach of its armed forces in the arctic region. This will help India to learn about resource exploration and keep in pace.
The agreement further aids in India’s ambitions in strengthening its defence forces. The agreement will help India get access to Russian bases in the Arctic.
9. Second World War started in which year?
[A] 1939
[B] 1945
[C] 1947
[D] 1949
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1939]
Notes:
In the year 1939 (3rd September), Second World War started. It ended in 1945.
10. Which among the following nations is mainly associated with the “Dirty War”?
[A] Uruguay
[B] Israel
[C] Iran
[D] Argentina
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Argentina]
Notes:
Dirty War was the term used by the then military dictatorship of Argentina to denote US-backed state-terrorism for the period from 1976-1983. Under Operation Condor, military and security forces and right-wing death squads in the form of Argentine Anti Communist Alliance destroyed any political dissidents associated with socialism and left-wing Peronism.