SSC CGL — Set 17
40 questions
Which of the following elements is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors to slow down neutrons?
Correct Answer: C. Graphite
Graphite is commonly used as a moderator to decrease the speed of fast-moving neutrons. This slowing process is essential for maintaining a controlled nuclear chain reaction. Heavy water is another substance frequently used for the same purpose.
Who was the founder of the 'Prarthana Samaj', established in Bombay in 1867?
Correct Answer: A. Atmaram Pandurang
Atmaram Pandurang founded the Prarthana Samaj with the aim of rational worship and social reform. It was heavily influenced by the Brahmo Samaj movement of Bengal. Mahadev Govind Ranade later became its most influential leader.
Which mountain pass connects the state of Sikkim with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China?
Correct Answer: B. Nathu La
Nathu La is a strategic mountain pass in the Himalayas that connects Sikkim with Tibet. It was part of the ancient Silk Road trade route. It was reopened for trade in 2006 after being closed for over 40 years.
Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides for the 'Abolition of Untouchability'?
Correct Answer: C. Article 17
Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form. It is one of the few fundamental rights available against private individuals. The Parliament enacted the Untouchability (Offences) Act in 1955 to enforce this.
The 'Laffer Curve' in economics represents the relationship between which two variables?
Correct Answer: B. Tax Rates and Tax Revenue
The Laffer Curve suggests that there is an optimal tax rate that maximizes total government revenue. It shows that higher tax rates do not always result in higher revenue. The curve is a bell-shaped representation used in supply-side economics.
The 'Ghoomar' folk dance is primarily associated with which Indian state?
Correct Answer: C. Rajasthan
Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance performed by women of the Bhil tribe in Rajasthan. It involves graceful twirling movements while wearing a long, flowing skirt called a Ghaghra. It is typically performed during festivals and wedding ceremonies.
Which part of the human eye is responsible for controlling the amount of light entering the eye?
Correct Answer: B. Iris
The iris is the colored part of the eye that adjusts the size of the pupil. By changing the pupil size, it regulates the intensity of light reaching the retina. This function is similar to the aperture of a camera lens.
In which city was the first session of the Indian National Congress held in 1885?
Correct Answer: C. Bombay
The first session was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay. It was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee and attended by 72 delegates. The session was originally planned for Pune but shifted due to a plague outbreak.
What is the chemical name of the common gas known as 'Laughing Gas'?
Correct Answer: B. Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide ($N_2O$) is known as laughing gas because of its euphoric effects when inhaled. It is commonly used in dentistry and surgery for its anesthetic properties. It is also a significant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
The 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' is India's highest award in which of the following fields?
Correct Answer: A. Cinema
The Dada Saheb Phalke Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the growth of Indian cinema. It was introduced in 1969 by the Government of India. Devika Rani was the first recipient of this prestigious honor.
Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?
Correct Answer: C. Pulmonary Artery
The pulmonary artery is the only artery in the human body that carries deoxygenated blood. It transports blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation. All other arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart.
Which of the following Buddhist Councils was held during the reign of Emperor Ashoka?
Correct Answer: C. Third
The Third Buddhist Council was convened in Pataliputra under the patronage of Ashoka. It was presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa. The main objective was to purify the Buddhist movement from opportunistic factions.
What is the primary constituent of 'Natural Gas'?
Correct Answer: B. Methane
Methane ($CH_4$) typically makes up about 70 to 90 percent of natural gas. It is a clean-burning fossil fuel used for heating and electricity generation. Natural gas is often found alongside petroleum deposits in the earth.
Which instrument is used to measure the intensity of solar radiation?
Correct Answer: B. Pyrheliometer
A pyrheliometer is a specialized instrument used to measure direct beam solar irradiance. It works by converting the solar energy into heat which is then measured. Pyrometers are different as they measure very high temperatures of surfaces.
Who was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress?
Correct Answer: B. Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu presided over the Kanpur session of the Congress in 1925. She was famously known as the 'Nightingale of India' for her poetry. Annie Besant was the first woman president, but she was of British origin.
Which acid is found in 'Vinegar', giving it its characteristic sour taste?
Correct Answer: B. Acetic Acid
Vinegar contains about 5 to 8 percent acetic acid by volume. It is produced through the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. It is widely used in food preservation and as a culinary ingredient.
Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains provisions related to the 'Anti-Defection Law'?
Correct Answer: C. Tenth Schedule
The Tenth Schedule was added to the Constitution by the 52nd Amendment Act in 1985. it aims to prevent political defections motivated by power or material benefits. It lays down the process for disqualifying legislators on grounds of defection.
The 'Ujjayanta Palace' is a former royal palace situated in which city?
Correct Answer: B. Agartala
Ujjayanta Palace is located in Agartala, the capital of the state of Tripura. It was built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya in 1901. It now serves as the state museum showcasing the heritage of the region.
The 'Blue Revolution' in India is specifically targeted towards increasing the production of what?
Correct Answer: C. Fish
The Blue Revolution focuses on the rapid growth of the aquaculture and fisheries sector. Hiralal Chaudhuri and Arun Krishnan are known as the fathers of this movement in India. It aims to improve the economic condition of fishermen and farmers.
What is the process of conversion of a solid directly into a gas without passing through the liquid state called?
Correct Answer: B. Sublimation
Sublimation occurs when a substance gains enough energy to bypass the liquid phase. Examples include the vaporization of dry ice and camphor. This phenomenon is an endothermic phase transition.
Which major river of India flows through a 'Rift Valley' between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges?
Correct Answer: B. Narmada
The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau and flows westward into the Arabian Sea. It is one of the few rivers in India that flow in a rift valley. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a major project built on this river.
The 'Sarkaria Commission' was appointed by the Government of India to examine which of the following?
Correct Answer: B. Centre-State Relations
The Sarkaria Commission was set up in 1983 under the chairmanship of Justice R.S. Sarkaria. It recommended changes to improve the balance of power between the Union and States. One of its key suggestions was the establishment of an Inter-State Council.
In which city is the 'Indian Institute of Pulses Research' (IIPR) located?
Correct Answer: B. Kanpur
IIPR is a premier national research institute situated in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. It works under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Its primary focus is on developing high-yielding varieties of pulses.
Which of the following is a 'Vestigial Organ' in the human body?
Correct Answer: B. Appendix
The vermiform appendix is considered a vestigial organ because it has lost its original function through evolution. In herbivorous ancestors, it helped in the digestion of cellulose. While not vital, recent studies suggest it may play a minor role in the immune system.
The 'Pampa' grasslands are found in which of the following continents?
Correct Answer: B. South America
The Pampas are fertile South American lowlands covering parts of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. They are ideal for agriculture and cattle ranching. These temperate grasslands are similar to the Prairies of North America.
Which scientist is credited with the discovery of 'Neutrons' in 1932?
Correct Answer: C. James Chadwick
James Chadwick discovered the neutron, a subatomic particle with no charge. For this discovery, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1935. This finding was crucial for the development of nuclear fission.
The 'Moti Masjid' located inside the Red Fort of Delhi was built by which Mughal Emperor?
Correct Answer: B. Aurangzeb
Aurangzeb built the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) as a private place of worship for himself. It is made of white marble and is located within the Red Fort complex. It should not be confused with the Moti Masjid in Agra built by Shah Jahan.
What is the phenomenon of rising prices combined with slow economic growth and high unemployment called?
Correct Answer: C. Stagflation
Stagflation is a portmanteau of stagnation and inflation. It is a difficult situation for policymakers as measures to reduce inflation may increase unemployment. It was prominently observed in the global economy during the 1970s.
Which constitutional amendment reduced the voting age in India from 21 years to 18 years?
Correct Answer: A. 61st Amendment
The 61st Amendment Act of 1988 amended Article 326 of the Constitution. It came into force in 1989 during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi. This change aimed to increase the participation of youth in the democratic process.
Which of the following minerals is found in 'Monazite' sand in the coastal areas of Kerala?
Correct Answer: B. Thorium
Monazite is a reddish-brown phosphate mineral containing rare-earth metals and thorium. Kerala has one of the world's largest deposits of monazite sand. Thorium is considered a vital fuel for India's three-stage nuclear power program.
The 'Kathakali' classical dance form originated in which Indian state?
Correct Answer: C. Kerala
Kathakali is a 'story-play' genre of art known for its elaborate costumes and colorful makeup. It originated in the 17th century in Kerala. It traditionally involves male actors performing both male and female roles.
What is the SI unit of 'Frequency'?
Correct Answer: A. Hertz
The Hertz (Hz) is the unit of frequency, defined as one cycle per second. It is named after Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, who proved the existence of electromagnetic waves. High frequencies are often measured in Kilohertz or Megahertz.
Who was the first woman to be elected as the President of the UN General Assembly?
Correct Answer: A. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was elected to the post in 1953. She was a prominent Indian diplomat and the sister of Jawaharlal Nehru. She also served as India's ambassador to several major countries.
Which gas is released when bleaching powder is treated with dilute sulphuric acid?
Correct Answer: C. Chlorine
Bleaching powder ($CaOCl_2$) reacts with acids to liberate chlorine gas. This property makes it effective for sterilization and bleaching. The released chlorine is responsible for its strong characteristic odor.
The 'Nagarjuna Sagar Dam' is constructed across which of the following rivers?
Correct Answer: C. Krishna
The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a masonry dam built across the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is one of the world's largest and tallest masonry dams. It provides irrigation water to several districts.
Which part of the Constitution of India deals with 'Directive Principles of State Policy'?
Correct Answer: C. Part IV
Directive Principles are covered from Article 36 to 51 in Part IV. They were borrowed from the Irish Constitution. Unlike Fundamental Rights, they are non-justiciable but fundamental in the governance of the country.
The 'Gobar Gas' produced from animal waste primarily consists of which gas?
Correct Answer: C. Methane
Gobar gas, or biogas, contains about 55 to 70 percent methane. It is produced through the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter by bacteria. It serves as an eco-friendly fuel for cooking and lighting in rural areas.
Which state in India is known as the 'Land of Five Rivers'?
Correct Answer: B. Punjab
Punjab gets its name from the Persian words 'Panj' (five) and 'Ab' (water). The five rivers are Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Historically, these rivers have made the region highly fertile for agriculture.
The 'Kalinga War', which changed Emperor Ashoka's life, was fought in which year?
Correct Answer: A. 261 BC
The war took place in 261 BC between the Maurya Empire and the state of Kalinga. The massive bloodshed led Ashoka to renounce violence and adopt Buddhism. He later propagated 'Dhamma' through his rock and pillar edicts.
What is the SI unit of 'Electric Current'?
Correct Answer: B. Ampere
The Ampere is the base unit of electric current in the International System of Units. It is named after the French physicist André-Marie Ampère. It measures the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor.