SSC CGL — Set 30

Q: Which of the following sites provides evidence of the first use of fire by early humans in India?

Kurnool Caves. Traces of ash have been found in the Kurnool caves, suggesting that people were familiar with the use of fire. Fire could have been used as a source of light, to roast meat, and to scare away animals. Bhimbetka is primarily famous for its prehistoric rock paintings.

Q: What is the phenomenon called when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun?

Solar Eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun. This event can only happen during a New Moon phase. A total solar eclipse allows the solar corona to be visible to the naked eye.

Q: Which of the following is an example of a 'Colloid'?

Milk. Milk is a colloid where tiny droplets of liquid fat are dispersed in water. Unlike a true solution, the particles in a colloid are large enough to scatter light, known as the Tyndall effect. Muddy water is a suspension, as the particles eventually settle down.

Q: Who was the first Indian ruler to use 'Rocket Artillery' in warfare against the British?

Tipu Sultan. Tipu Sultan used Mysorean rockets, which were the first iron-cased rockets, during the Anglo-Mysore Wars. These rockets were highly advanced for their time and served as a prototype for British Congreve rockets. They caused significant damage and panic among the British infantry.

Q: Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides for the 'Adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers'?

Article 262. Article 262 empowers Parliament to provide for the adjudication of any dispute with respect to the use or control of inter-state river waters. This is vital for resolving conflicts like the Cauvery water dispute. Article 263, by contrast, deals with the establishment of an Inter-State Council.

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Which of the following sites provides evidence of the first use of fire by early humans in India?

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Correct Answer: B. Kurnool Caves

Traces of ash have been found in the Kurnool caves, suggesting that people were familiar with the use of fire. Fire could have been used as a source of light, to roast meat, and to scare away animals. Bhimbetka is primarily famous for its prehistoric rock paintings.

What is the phenomenon called when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun?

💡

Correct Answer: B. Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the Sun. This event can only happen during a New Moon phase. A total solar eclipse allows the solar corona to be visible to the naked eye.

Which of the following is an example of a 'Colloid'?

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Correct Answer: B. Milk

Milk is a colloid where tiny droplets of liquid fat are dispersed in water. Unlike a true solution, the particles in a colloid are large enough to scatter light, known as the Tyndall effect. Muddy water is a suspension, as the particles eventually settle down.

Who was the first Indian ruler to use 'Rocket Artillery' in warfare against the British?

💡

Correct Answer: B. Tipu Sultan

Tipu Sultan used Mysorean rockets, which were the first iron-cased rockets, during the Anglo-Mysore Wars. These rockets were highly advanced for their time and served as a prototype for British Congreve rockets. They caused significant damage and panic among the British infantry.

Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides for the 'Adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers'?

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Correct Answer: A. Article 262

Article 262 empowers Parliament to provide for the adjudication of any dispute with respect to the use or control of inter-state river waters. This is vital for resolving conflicts like the Cauvery water dispute. Article 263, by contrast, deals with the establishment of an Inter-State Council.

What is the chemical name of 'Vitamin B12'?

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Correct Answer: C. Cyanocobalamin

Cyanocobalamin is the chemical name for Vitamin B12, which contains the metal ion cobalt. It is essential for red blood cell formation and the healthy functioning of the nervous system. Thiamine is Vitamin B1, while Riboflavin is Vitamin B2.

In which city is the 'Central Rice Research Institute' (CRRI) located?

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Correct Answer: B. Cuttack

The Central Rice Research Institute is located in Cuttack, Odisha, and was established in 1946. It plays a pivotal role in rice breeding and enhancing the productivity of rice crops in India. It is currently under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Which of the following is a 'scalar quantity'?

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Correct Answer: C. Pressure

Pressure is a scalar quantity because it is defined as force per unit area and does not have a specific direction. Velocity, Force, and Acceleration are vector quantities as they require both magnitude and direction. The SI unit of pressure is the Pascal (Pa).

The 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' is India's highest award in which field?

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Correct Answer: B. Cinema

The Dada Saheb Phalke Award is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony for outstanding contribution to the growth of Indian cinema. It was introduced in 1969 to commemorate the father of Indian cinema. Devika Rani was the first recipient of this prestigious award.

Which of the following is the longest tributary of the river Ganga?

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Correct Answer: B. Yamuna

The Yamuna is the longest and the second-largest tributary of the Ganges in North India. It originates from the Yamunotri Glacier and flows parallel to the Ganga before joining it at Prayagraj. The confluence point is famously known as the Triveni Sangam.

In the context of the Indian economy, what does 'Laissez-faire' imply?

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Correct Answer: C. Non-interference of government in trade

Laissez-faire is an economic system in which transactions between private groups are free from or have minimal government intervention. It advocates for a free market where the 'invisible hand' of supply and demand regulates prices. This concept is central to classical capitalist theory.

Which of the following is the primary constituent of 'Natural Gas'?

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Correct Answer: B. Methane

Methane ($CH_4$) constitutes about 70-90% of natural gas, making it the primary component. It is a potent greenhouse gas but also a clean-burning fossil fuel compared to coal. Butane and propane are major components of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The 'Champaran Satyagraha' (1917) was Mahatma Gandhi's first Satyagraha in India, against which system?

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Correct Answer: C. Tinkathia

The Tinkathia system forced farmers to grow indigo on 3/20th of their land for British planters. Gandhi visited Champaran at the request of Raj Kumar Shukla to address the plight of these farmers. This movement established Gandhi as a major leader in the Indian national struggle.

Which of the following cell organelles is known as the 'Suicide Bag' of the cell?

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Correct Answer: C. Lysosomes

Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that can break down all types of biological polymers. If a cell is damaged, lysosomes may burst and their enzymes digest the cell itself, leading to the name 'suicide bag'. They are also responsible for removing cellular waste and debris.

The 'Kyat' is the official currency of which neighboring country of India?

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Correct Answer: C. Myanmar

The Kyat is the currency of Myanmar (formerly Burma). One Kyat is divided into 100 pyas, though pyas are rarely used in circulation today. Bangladesh uses the Taka, while Bhutan uses the Ngultrum.

Who was the founder of the 'Prathana Samaj' in 1867?

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Correct Answer: B. Atmaram Pandurang

Atmaram Pandurang founded the Prarthana Samaj in Bombay to promote religious and social reform. It was inspired by the Brahmo Samaj but focused more on the Bhakti tradition of Maharashtra. M.G. Ranade later joined and became the driving force of the society.

What is the SI unit of 'Frequency'?

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Correct Answer: B. Hertz

Hertz (Hz) is the SI unit of frequency, defined as the number of cycles per second. It is named after Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, who proved the existence of electromagnetic waves. Human hearing typically ranges from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental right according to the Indian Constitution?

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Correct Answer: C. Right to Property

The Right to Property was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment Act in 1978. It is now a legal right under Article 300A. The Constitution currently guarantees six categories of Fundamental Rights to its citizens.

The 'Sunda Strait' connects the Java Sea with which ocean?

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Correct Answer: C. Indian Ocean

The Sunda Strait lies between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra, connecting the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean. It is a strategically important shipping route in Southeast Asia. The famous volcanic island of Krakatoa is located in this strait.

Which among the following is the hardest substance in the human body?

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Correct Answer: C. Tooth Enamel

Tooth enamel is the highly mineralized, outermost layer of the teeth and is the hardest substance in the human body. It is composed primarily of hydroxyapatite, a crystalline calcium phosphate. Unlike bone, enamel does not contain any living cells and cannot repair itself.

Who was the author of the famous book 'The Discovery of India'?

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Correct Answer: B. Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru wrote 'The Discovery of India' during his imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort (1942–1945). The book provides an extensive analysis of Indian history, culture, and philosophy from ancient times. It was written in English and later adapted into a popular television series.

Which chemical is used to give 'Green color' to firecrackers?

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Correct Answer: B. Barium

Barium salts, such as barium chloride, are used to produce a green flame in fireworks. Strontium salts are used for red, and Sodium is used for yellow or gold colors. Copper compounds are responsible for producing blue colors in pyrotechnics.

The 'Bhitarkanika National Park' is located in which Indian state?

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Correct Answer: B. Odisha

Bhitarkanika National Park is located in Odisha and is famous for its mangrove forests and saltwater crocodiles. It is a Ramsar site and one of the largest mangrove ecosystems in India. The park is also the second largest viable mangrove ecosystem in India after the Sundarbans.

What is the tenure of a member of the 'Rajya Sabha'?

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Correct Answer: C. 6 years

Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of six years. One-third of the members retire every two years, making it a permanent body that is never fully dissolved. The Vice-President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Which of the following is a 'Direct-Action' day observed on August 16, 1946?

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Correct Answer: B. Direct Action Day

Direct Action Day, also known as the 1946 Calcutta Killings, was a day of widespread communal violence between Muslims and Hindus. It was called by the Muslim League to show strength for the demand of a separate Pakistan. This event significantly accelerated the partition of India.

The process of transformation from a gas directly to a solid is called?

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Correct Answer: B. Deposition

Deposition is the phase transition in which gas transforms into solid without passing through the liquid phase. An example is the formation of frost on a cold window. Sublimation is the reverse process, where a solid turns directly into a gas.

Which Mughal Emperor abolished the 'Jizya' tax in 1564?

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Correct Answer: C. Akbar

Akbar abolished the Jizya tax, which was a religious tax levied on non-Muslim subjects, to promote religious harmony. This was part of his liberal religious policy known as 'Sulh-i-kul'. However, the tax was later reintroduced by Aurangzeb in 1679.

What is the SI unit of 'Power'?

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Correct Answer: B. Watt

The Watt (W) is the SI unit of power, defined as one Joule per second. It is named after the Scottish engineer James Watt for his contributions to the development of the steam engine. In electrical terms, one Watt is equal to one Volt times one Ampere.

Which of the following mountain ranges is the oldest in India?

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Correct Answer: C. Aravallis

The Aravallis are the oldest mountain range in India and among the oldest in the world. They stretch approximately 800 km from Delhi through Haryana and Rajasthan to Gujarat. The Aravallis have significantly eroded over hundreds of millions of years but continue to serve as an important ecological barrier.

The 'Palk Strait' separates India from which country?

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Correct Answer: B. Sri Lanka

The Palk Strait is a strait between the Tamil Nadu state of India and the Jaffna District of Sri Lanka. It connects the Bay of Bengal in the northeast with Palk Bay in the southwest. A chain of low-lying islands called Ram Setu or Adam's Bridge is located in this region.

Which of the following diseases is caused by 'Bacteria'?

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Correct Answer: B. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. Polio and AIDS are viral diseases, while Malaria is caused by a protozoan.

What is the full form of 'NITI' in NITI Aayog?

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Correct Answer: B. National Institution for Transforming India

NITI Aayog stands for National Institution for Transforming India and was established on January 1, 2015. It replaced the Planning Commission and serves as the premier policy 'Think Tank' of the Government of India. The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Aayog.

Which layer of the Earth's atmosphere reflects 'Radio Waves' back to the Earth?

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Correct Answer: C. Ionosphere

The Ionosphere is a region of the upper atmosphere that contains a high concentration of ions and free electrons. It is responsible for reflecting radio waves back to Earth, facilitating long-distance radio communication. The Ionosphere overlaps with the Mesosphere and Thermosphere.

Who was the first Indian to win an individual Olympic 'Gold Medal'?

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Correct Answer: B. Abhinav Bindra

Abhinav Bindra won the gold medal in the men's 10m Air Rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He became the first Indian individual athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. Neeraj Chopra became the second individual gold medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Which chemical is known as 'Blue Vitriol'?

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Correct Answer: B. Copper Sulfate

Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate ($CuSO_4 \cdot 5H_2O$) is commonly referred to as Blue Vitriol due to its characteristic bright blue color. It is widely used as a fungicide and in electroplating. Ferrous Sulfate is known as Green Vitriol.

Which of the following is a 'Primary Storage' device in a computer?

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Correct Answer: B. RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the primary storage or main memory of a computer that stores data currently being processed. It is volatile memory, meaning its contents are lost when the power is turned off. Hard disks and Pen drives are examples of secondary storage.

The 'Statue of Equality' in Hyderabad commemorates which 11th-century saint?

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Correct Answer: B. Ramanujacharya

The Statue of Equality commemorates the 11th-century Vaishnava saint Ramanujacharya, who promoted the idea of equality in all aspects of living. It is one of the tallest metallic sitting statues in the world. It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in 2022.

Which hormone is secreted by the 'Pancreas' to lower blood sugar levels?

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Correct Answer: B. Insulin

Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels. It allows cells in the muscles, fat, and liver to absorb glucose from the blood. Glucagon, also produced by the pancreas, works in opposition to insulin to raise blood sugar.

The 'Hirakud Dam' is built on which of the following rivers?

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Correct Answer: C. Mahanadi

Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi River in Odisha and is one of the longest earthen dams in the world. It was the first major multipurpose river valley project started after India's independence. It helps in flood control, irrigation, and power generation.

Which of the following is the 'Fastest Planet' in our solar system in terms of rotation?

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Correct Answer: C. Jupiter

Jupiter has the shortest day of all the planets in the solar system, completing one rotation on its axis in just under 10 hours. This rapid rotation causes the planet to have an oblate shape, bulging at the equator. Saturn has the second-fastest rotation.