SSC CGL — Set 21

Correct Answer: A. Iron Pyrite

Iron Pyrite is called Fool's Gold because its metallic luster and brassy hue resemble real gold. It is chemically composed of iron and sulfur with the formula FeS2. While it looks like gold, it is much harder and more brittle.

Correct Answer: A. C.R. Das

Chittaranjan Das presided over the Gaya session where the proposal to enter legislatures was defeated. This led to the formation of the Swaraj Party by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru. The session highlighted the internal division between 'Pro-changers' and 'No-changers'.

Correct Answer: B. Article 21A

Article 21A declares that the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children aged six to fourteen. This was inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002. It made education a fundamental right rather than just a directive principle.

Correct Answer: D. Maikal Range

The Narmada River originates from the Amarkantak Plateau in the Maikal Range of Madhya Pradesh. It flows westwards through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. It is one of the few major rivers in India that flows into the Arabian Sea.

Correct Answer: C. Hyperinflation

Hyperinflation is a situation where prices rise more than 50% per month, rendering the national currency nearly worthless. It often occurs due to excessive money printing during periods of political or economic instability. Historical examples include post-WWI Germany and modern-day Zimbabwe.

Correct Answer: D. Karnataka - Baisakhi

Baisakhi is a major harvest festival primarily celebrated in Punjab, not Karnataka. Karnataka is famous for festivals like Ugadi and the Mysore Dasara. Matching cultural festivals with their respective states is a common pattern in general awareness.

Correct Answer: C. Platelets

Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, help prevent bleeding by forming clots at injury sites. They release chemicals that trigger the formation of a fibrin mesh to seal wounds. A low platelet count can lead to excessive bruising and bleeding.

Correct Answer: C. 1764

The Battle of Buxar took place in 1764 between the British East India Company and a combined Indian force. The Indian alliance included Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula, and Shah Alam II. The British victory established them as the masters of Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.

Correct Answer: C. Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is a colorless gas used in dentistry and surgery for its anesthetic effects. It is called laughing gas because it can induce a state of euphoria when inhaled. It is also a significant greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance.

Correct Answer: B. Tehri Dam

The Tehri Dam, located on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, is the highest dam in India. It stands at a height of 260.5 meters and is one of the tallest in the world. Bhakra Dam is the highest gravity dam, while Hirakud is the longest.

Correct Answer: B. 6 years

The CAG is appointed by the President for a term of 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier. This office is established under Article 148 of the Indian Constitution. The CAG is the guardian of the public purse and audits all government expenditures.

Correct Answer: C. Agriculture

Primary sector activities involve the direct extraction and production of natural resources. Agriculture, fishing, mining, and forestry are key examples of this sector. Secondary involves manufacturing, while tertiary focuses on providing services.

Correct Answer: C. Lungs

Lungs is the correct answer to this question. This is an important fact from the General Knowledge and Current Affairs syllabus frequently tested in Indian competitive examinations such as SSC CGL, RRB NTPC, and state-level PSC exams. A thorough understanding of Lungs and related topics will help candidates score well in the GK section. Regular revision of such key facts is highly recommended for exam preparation.

Correct Answer: B. Partition of India

The Mountbatten Plan, announced on June 3, 1947, outlined the procedure for the partition of India and Pakistan. It moved the date of independence forward to August 15, 1947. This plan led to the enactment of the Indian Independence Act by the British Parliament.

Correct Answer: C. Barometer

A barometer measures the pressure exerted by the weight of the air in the atmosphere. High pressure generally indicates fair weather, while low pressure suggests storms or rain. Mercury barometers and aneroid barometers are the most common types.

Correct Answer: B. Ganges River Dolphin

The Ganges River Dolphin was declared the National Aquatic Animal in 2009 to facilitate its conservation. It is a reliable indicator of the health of the entire river ecosystem. These dolphins are essentially blind and hunt using ultrasonic sounds.

Correct Answer: C. Geneva

The WTO headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland, and it was established on January 1, 1995. It replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). It is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations.

Correct Answer: B. Akbar

Akbar built the Panch Mahal, a five-story pillared structure, as a pleasure palace for himself and the ladies of the court. It is designed to allow air circulation and offers views of the surrounding area. The architecture reflects the influence of Buddhist temple designs.

Correct Answer: B. Calcium Hydroxide

Slaked lime is chemically known as Calcium Hydroxide with the formula Ca(OH)2. It is produced by the reaction of quicklime (calcium oxide) with water. It is widely used in construction, water treatment, and as a food additive.

Correct Answer: B. Narasimhadeva I

Narasimhadeva I built the Sun Temple at Konark in the 13th century in Odisha. The temple is designed as a colossal chariot with 24 wheels and 7 horses. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Nagara architecture.

Correct Answer: B. Convex Mirror

Convex mirrors provide a wider field of view compared to plane or concave mirrors. They produce erect and diminished images, allowing drivers to see more traffic behind them. This safety feature helps in detecting vehicles in blind spots.

Correct Answer: B. Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu, the 'Nightingale of India', was appointed the Governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) in 1947. She was a prominent poet and a key figure in the Indian independence movement. Sucheta Kripalani was the first woman Chief Minister.

Correct Answer: B. India and Sri Lanka

Palk Bay is an inlet of the Bay of Bengal between southeastern India and northern Sri Lanka. It is bounded on the south by the Palk Strait and Adam's Bridge. The area is historically significant and rich in marine biodiversity.

Correct Answer: A. Hertz

Hertz (Hz) is the unit used to measure the number of occurrences of a repeating event per second. It is named after the physicist Heinrich Hertz who proved the existence of electromagnetic waves. One hertz is equal to one cycle per second.

Correct Answer: C. Cricket

The Deodhar Trophy is a List A domestic cricket competition in India. It is named after Prof. D. B. Deodhar, who is considered the Grand Old Man of Indian Cricket. The tournament features teams representing various zones of India.

Correct Answer: B. Acetylene

Acetylene gas, produced from calcium carbide, is commonly used to artificially ripen fruits like mangoes and bananas. It mimics the action of ethylene, which is the natural ripening hormone in plants. However, the use of calcium carbide for this purpose is banned in many regions due to health risks.

Correct Answer: A. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded the society in 1905 to train Indians to devote themselves to national service. He was a moderate leader and a political mentor to Mahatma Gandhi. The society aimed to promote social and human development regardless of caste or creed.

Correct Answer: B. Ganymede

Ganymede is a moon of Jupiter and is larger than the planet Mercury. It is the only moon known to have its own magnetic field. It has a complex surface with both old cratered and younger grooved terrain.

Correct Answer: A. Article 32

Article 32 provides the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights via writs like Habeas Corpus. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called this Article the 'Heart and Soul' of the Constitution. High Courts have similar powers under Article 226.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Cornwallis

Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal and Bihar to fix the land revenue demand permanently. This system created a class of hereditary landlords known as Zamindars. It was intended to provide financial stability but led to the exploitation of peasants.

Correct Answer: C. Immune defense

White Blood Cells are the cells of the immune system that protect the body against infectious diseases and foreign invaders. They are produced in the bone marrow and travel through the bloodstream. An increased WBC count often indicates an active infection.

Correct Answer: D. Reliance Industries

Reliance Industries is a private sector conglomerate, whereas Navratna status is given to high-performing Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). The status grants these companies significant financial autonomy. BHEL, HAL, and OIL are examples of government-owned Navratna companies.

Correct Answer: B. Gujarat

Kandla Port is a major seaport located in the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat. It was established in the 1950s to serve as the main port for Northwest India after Karachi went to Pakistan. It is one of the busiest and most profitable ports in the country.

Correct Answer: A. Troposphere

The Troposphere contains approximately 80% of the atmosphere's mass and almost all of its water vapor. This is the layer where all weather phenomena occur. Its height varies from about 8 km at the poles to 18 km at the equator.

Correct Answer: B. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Mahatma Gandhi considered Gopal Krishna Gokhale as his mentor and guide after returning to India from South Africa. Gokhale advised Gandhi to travel across India to understand the country's ground reality. Both leaders shared a commitment to non-violence and social reform.

Correct Answer: B. Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. It is used in baking as a leavening agent because it releases carbon dioxide gas. It is also used as a mild antiseptic and an antacid.

Correct Answer: B. One-horned Rhinoceros

Kaziranga hosts two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses. It is located in the state of Assam and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park's diverse habitat also supports elephants, wild water buffalo, and many bird species.

Correct Answer: C. Reita Faria

Reita Faria won the Miss World crown in 1966, becoming the first Indian and Asian woman to do so. After her one-year tenure, she chose to pursue her medical studies and became a doctor. Sushmita Sen was the first Indian to win Miss Universe in 1994.

Correct Answer: C. Wealth Tax

Wealth tax is a direct tax imposed on the net wealth of an individual or entity. In India, it was abolished in the 2015 budget and replaced with an additional surcharge on super-rich individuals. Direct taxes are those where the tax liability cannot be shifted to another person.

Correct Answer: B. Aryabhata

Aryabhata was launched in 1975 using a Soviet rocket from Kapustin Yar. It was named after the famous 5th-century Indian astronomer and mathematician. The satellite was built to conduct experiments in X-ray astronomy and solar physics.