1. At which among the following places is located the head office of International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems(ISME)?
[A] Manila, Philippines
[B] Jakarta, Indonesia
[C] Okinawa, Japan
[D] Chennai, India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Okinawa, Japan]
Notes:
The ISME, International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems was established in August 1990. The Secretariat of ISME has been located at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan.
2. The First G-20 Summit was held in which among the following places?
[A] London
[B] New York
[C] Washington
[D] Pittsburgh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Washington]
Notes:
The first G-20 summit was held in Washington D.C., United States, in response to the global financial crisis. The summit brought together leaders from 20 major economies to discuss solutions to the crisis and ways to reform the international financial system. The city was chosen as the host because it is the home of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, two key institutions involved in addressing the global financial crisis.
3. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region. How many ASEAN Countries are members of APEC?
[A] 4
[B] 5
[C] 6
[D] 7
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [7]
Notes:
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries. It has 7 ASEAN countries. It was established in 1989.
4. Which among the following organizations has the Latin motto, “fiat panis” ?
[A] Food and Agriculture Organization
[B] World Food Programme
[C] World Health Organization
[D] World Meteorological Organization
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Food and Agriculture Organization]
Notes:
FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all. Its Latin motto, fiat panis, translates into English as “let there be bread”
5. Who among the following authors wrote “Adipurana”?
[A] Mahaviracharya
[B] Srinatha
[C] Krishna Misra
[D] Jinasena
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Jinasena]
Notes:
In the 9th century, a Digambara Jain monk, Jinasena composed a Sanskrit poem “Adipurana” that deals with the story of the first Jain Tirthankar Rishabha Deva and his sons Bharata and Bahubali. It consists of 12 thousand shlokas and divided into 12 parvas.
6. How many members are there in the Commonwealth of Nations?
[A] 64
[B] 71
[C] 45
[D] 56
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [56]
Notes:
Commonwealth of Nations is a political organization with 56 member states. The Commonwealth was formed to maintain an association between countries that were once part of the British colonies. Although the Commonwealth has historical ties to the British Empire, any country can apply to be a member.
The Commonwealth is made up of independent countries from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific. The Commonwealth’s members have a combined population of 2.4 billion people, almost a third of the world’s population. 94% of the Commonwealth’s population lives in either Asia or Africa.
The Commonwealth’s 55th and 56th members are Gabon and Togo, both former French colonies.
7. Which one of the following is the underground army of the African National Congress? (UPSC Prelims 1993)
[A] Unkhonto
[B] Kwazulu
[C] Xhosa
[D] Ulundi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Unkhonto]
Notes:
Umkhonto meaning “Spear of the Nation” was the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), co-founded by Nelson Mandela in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre.
8. “The Uniting for Peace Resolution” adopted by the U.N. has which of the following features? (UPSC Prelims 1994)
[A] Enhanced the powers of the General Assembly in a comprehensive way
[B] Reduced the powers of the General Assembly
[C] Made no difference to the powers of the General Assembly
[D] Empowered the General Assembly to act in specific situations in matters of peace and security
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Empowered the General Assembly to act in specific situations in matters of peace and security]
Notes:
The Uniting for Peace resolution was initiated by the United States and submitted by the “Joint Seven-Powers” in October 1950, as a means of circumventing further Soviet vetoes during the course of the Korean War .It was adopted by 52 votes to 5, with 2 abstentions. It has empowered the General Assembly to act in specific situations in matters of peace and security.
9. Which famous author has written the books “The Shadow Lines”, “The Hungry Tide”, and “Ibis Trilogy”? (UPSC Prelims 2006)
[A] Kiran Desai
[B] Jhumpa Lahiri
[C] Amitav Ghosh
[D] Arundhati Roy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Amitav Ghosh]
Notes:
Amitav Ghosh is a renowned Indian author known for his rich and complex novels that weave together personal stories and historical events. His literary works also include “The Shadow Lines”, “The Hungry Tide” and the “Ibis Trilogy”. Ghosh’s novels have been translated into more than twenty languages and have won him numerous awards. His unique literary style blends historical detail, political commentary, and elements of the surreal.
10. Which organization is to assist India with $43 million to boost climate resilience in coastal states?
[A] World Bank
[B] Asian Development Bank
[C] Green Climate Fund
[D] World Economic Forum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Green Climate Fund]
Notes:
Green Climate Fund is to fund $43 million to India to boost climate resilience in three coastal states. The move aims to positively impact over 10 million people living on the coastline in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Green Climate Fund is established within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to assist developing countries. The estimated time for the project is six years.