UPSC Current Affairs Quiz: April 17, 2025
April 17, 2025 April 17, 2025
1. Consider the following statements about the role of iron opacity in stellar models:
- Iron opacity has no impact on the sun’s temperature profile.
- Discrepancies in solar models have led scientists to examine the opacity of elements like iron.
- The boundary between the radiation and convection zones in the sun is a crucial site for studying iron opacity.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] 2 and 3 only
[B] 1 and 2 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [2 and 3 only]
Notes:- Statement 1 is incorrect: Iron opacity directly affects how energy is absorbed and transported, impacting the temperature profile of the sun.
- Statements 2 and 3 are correct: Opacity discrepancies have been linked to mismatches in model predictions, and the radiation-convection boundary is where opacity effects are observed.
2. Consider the following common sources of indoor air pollution in Indian urban settings:
- Use of incense sticks and mosquito coils
- Poor ventilation and overcrowded spaces
- Emissions from furniture, paints, and cleaning chemicals
- Burning of agricultural waste outside the building
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] 1, 2 and 3 only
[B] 1 and 4 only
[C] 2, 3 and 4 only
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 3 only]
Notes:
Burning of agricultural waste, given as the fourth statement in the options, is primarily an outdoor source of air pollution. The sources of indoor air pollution primarily stem from practices and materials inside the building such as use of incense sticks and mosquito coils, poor ventilation and overcrowded spaces, and emissions from furniture, paints, and cleaning chemicals, which are given in the first to third statements.
3. With reference to the Biomass Mission recently launched by the European Space Agency (ESA), consider the following statements:
- It is the first satellite mission in the world to carry a P-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
- The mission aims to generate 3D maps of global forest biomass and height at a resolution of 1 kilometre.
- It operates in a Sun-synchronous dawn-dusk orbit at an altitude of around 666 km.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] All given statements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:- Statement 1 is correct: Biomass is the first satellite globally to carry a P-band SAR, which penetrates forest canopies.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: The mission generates data at a resolution of 200 meters, not 1 km.
- Statement 3 is correct: It is placed in a Sun-synchronous dawn-dusk orbit at 666 km altitude.
4. Reflecting on the Indian judicial system, consider the following:
- The Supreme Court set aside the Tamil Nadu Governor’s action of reserving 10 bills for the President (Assertion A)
- Under Article 200, the Governor must grant assent after a bill is passed again by the legislature upon reconsideration (Reason R)
Given A and R, choose the correct response:
[A] Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A
[B] Both A and R are correct, but R is not the correct explanation of A
[C] A is correct, but R is incorrect
[D] A is incorrect, but R is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are correct, and R is the correct explanation of A]
Notes:
The Supreme Court’s ruling was based on the protocol of Article 200, where if a Legislature passes a bill again after it has been returned by the Governor, the Governor is obliged to give assent. The bills were deemed approved as the Governor’s denial was deemed illicit.
5. Consider the following:
- Dire Wolf Scientific Name is Aenocyon dirus
- First revived dire wolf pups are named Romulus and Remus
- Closest living relative of dire wolf is Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
- Dire wolves went extinct in the Late Holocene, around 2,000 years ago
Which of the above statements is / are correctly matched?
[A] A, B and C only
[B] A and D only
[C] B, C and D only
[D] A, B, C and D
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [A, B and C only]
Notes:
Statement D is incorrect. Although dire wolves did go extinct, it happened around the Late Pleistocene, approximately 13,000 years ago, not in the Late Holocene 2,000 years ago. Therefore, options containing Statement D are subsequently incorrect.
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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