SSC CGL — Set 4

Correct Answer: C. Articles 20 and 21

Articles 20 and 21 remain enforceable even during the operation of a National Emergency. The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 restricted the President's power to suspend these specific rights. Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty to every citizen.

Correct Answer: B. The British and the Dutch

The Battle of Bedara saw the British East India Company defeat the Dutch forces in Bengal. This victory effectively ended Dutch ambitions and influence in the Indian subcontinent. The conflict was a part of the larger struggle for colonial supremacy in South Asia.

Correct Answer: B. Weber

Weber is the standard SI unit used to measure the total magnetic flux passing through a surface. One Weber is equal to one Tesla-square meter in terms of derived units. It is named after the German physicist Wilhelm Eduard Weber who studied magnetism.

Correct Answer: D. Stratosphere

The stratosphere houses the ozone layer which protects the Earth from harmful solar UV rays. It is the second major layer of the atmosphere located above the troposphere. Temperatures in this layer actually increase with altitude due to the absorption of radiation.

Correct Answer: A. Copper Sulphate

Copper Sulphate is commonly referred to as Blue Vitriol due to its distinct bright blue color. It is often used as a fungicide in agriculture and in various chemical laboratories. The chemical formula for its pentahydrate form is CuSO4·5H2O.

Correct Answer: B. Karnam Malleswari

Karnam Malleswari won a bronze medal in weightlifting at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She achieved this historic feat in the 69 kg weight category. This win made her a pioneer for women athletes in India's sporting history.

Correct Answer: C. 1951

The first Five-Year Plan was launched in 1951 with a primary focus on agricultural development. It was based on the Harrod-Domar model to address the economic needs of post-independence India. The plan successfully achieved a higher growth rate than the initial target set.

Correct Answer: D. Seismograph

A seismograph is the primary scientific instrument used to detect and record earthquake waves. The intensity of these vibrations is often quantified using the Richter or Mercalli scales. It works by capturing the relative motion between a suspended mass and a frame.

Correct Answer: A. 1942

The Quit India Movement began in August 1942 during the Second World War. Mahatma Gandhi gave the famous 'Do or Die' slogan to the Indian masses during this protest. It was a massive civil disobedience movement aimed at ending British rule in India.

Correct Answer: C. Karnataka

Karnataka accounts for more than 70 percent of the total coffee production in India. The regions of Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan are the primary hubs for coffee cultivation. India produces both Arabica and Robusta varieties of coffee for domestic and global markets.

Correct Answer: D. Adrenaline

Adrenaline is released by the adrenal glands in response to stress or dangerous situations. It prepares the body for a 'fight or flight' response by increasing heart rate and energy. This hormone rapidly triggers physiological changes to help the body handle immediate threats.

Correct Answer: B. 42nd Amendment

The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added the words Socialist, Secular, and Integrity to the Preamble. This amendment is often referred to as the 'Mini-Constitution' due to its wide-ranging changes. It remains the only time the Preamble has been formally amended since its adoption.

Correct Answer: B. Narmada

The Narmada river flows westward through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. It is one of the few major rivers in India that drains into the Arabian Sea. The river originates from the Amarkantak plateau in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Correct Answer: B. Adam Smith

Adam Smith published this foundational work in 1776, establishing modern economic theory. He is widely considered the father of economics for his analysis of free markets and labor. The book explores the roots of prosperity and the invisible hand of market forces.

Correct Answer: C. Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic Acid is the scientific name for Vitamin C, which is essential for tissue repair and immunity. It is a water-soluble vitamin found abundantly in citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. A deficiency of this vitamin in the human diet can lead to a disease called scurvy.

Correct Answer: D. Kathakali

Kathakali is a traditional dance-drama from Kerala known for its elaborate makeup and costumes. It typically depicts stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The performers use stylized hand gestures and facial expressions to convey the narrative.

Correct Answer: A. Lord Mountbatten

Lord Mountbatten served as the first Governor-General of independent India from 1947 to 1948. He was followed by C. Rajagopalachari, who became the first and only Indian to hold the post. The office was eventually replaced by the President of India when the Constitution was adopted.

Correct Answer: C. Transpiration

Transpiration is the evaporation of water from plant surfaces, primarily through the stomata in leaves. This process helps in the transport of minerals and maintains the temperature of the plant. It plays a significant role in the water cycle of the Earth's ecosystem.

Correct Answer: A. Assam

Kaziranga National Park is situated in Assam and is famous for its one-horned rhinoceros population. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major biodiversity hotspot in Northeast India. The park is located on the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity region.

Correct Answer: C. 552

The maximum permitted strength of the Lok Sabha is 552 members according to the Indian Constitution. This includes 530 members from states, 20 from Union Territories, and 2 nominated Anglo-Indians. However, the nomination of Anglo-Indians was discontinued by the 104th Amendment Act.

Correct Answer: C. Silver

Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals because its electrons can move more freely. While it is the best conductor, copper is more commonly used in wiring due to its lower cost. Aluminium is also used frequently in long-distance power lines because it is lightweight.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Lytton

Lord Lytton passed the Vernacular Press Act to suppress the criticism of British policies in Indian languages. This act allowed the government to confiscate printing presses if they published 'seditious' material. It was later repealed by Lord Ripon in 1881 to restore press freedom.

Correct Answer: B. Part IV

Part IV of the Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy from Articles 36 to 51. These principles are guidelines for the government to ensure social and economic justice for citizens. Unlike Fundamental Rights, these directives are not enforceable by any court of law.

Correct Answer: B. Mahanadi

The Hirakud Dam is located on the Mahanadi river in the state of Odisha. It is one of the longest earthen dams in the world and was a major multipurpose river valley project. The dam helps in controlling floods and provides water for irrigation and hydroelectric power.

Correct Answer: B. Hydrogen

Hydrogen makes up about 73 percent of the Sun's mass and serves as its primary nuclear fuel. Through the process of nuclear fusion, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium and release energy. This energy is the source of the light and heat that sustains life on Earth.

Correct Answer: A. Bimbisara

Bimbisara founded the Haryanka dynasty and established Magadha as a powerful kingdom in north India. He was a contemporary of Gautama Buddha and expanded his territory through conquests and marriages. His capital was Rajagriha, which was a strategically protected city surrounded by hills.

Correct Answer: C. 212°F

The boiling point of water at standard atmospheric pressure is 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100°C). At this temperature, liquid water converts into steam. The boiling point lowers at higher altitudes where atmospheric pressure is less. Below 212°F at sea level, water remains in liquid state.

Correct Answer: C. Income Tax

Income Tax is a direct tax paid by individuals or entities based on their earnings during a financial year. Direct taxes are those where the burden cannot be shifted to another person or entity. Indirect taxes like GST are applied to goods and services and paid by consumers.

Correct Answer: D. Sri Lanka

The Palk Strait is a narrow body of water between the Tamil Nadu state of India and Sri Lanka. It connects the Bay of Bengal in the northeast with the Palk Bay in the southwest. The strait is named after Robert Palk, who was a Governor of Madras during the British era.

Correct Answer: C. Kidneys

The kidneys filter waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream to maintain chemical balance. These waste products are then excreted from the body in the form of urine through the bladder. They also play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and red blood cell production.

Correct Answer: C. Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan commissioned the construction of the Red Fort in 1638 when he shifted his capital to Delhi. It is built using red sandstone and represents the pinnacle of Mughal architectural brilliance. The fort was the main residence of the Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years.

Correct Answer: B. National Institution for Transforming India

NITI Aayog stands for the National Institution for Transforming India, which replaced the Planning Commission. It serves as a policy think-tank for the Government of India providing strategic and technical advice. It was established on January 1, 2015, to foster cooperative federalism among Indian states.

Correct Answer: C. Venus

Venus is often called the morning or evening star because it is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun and Moon. It is the second planet from the Sun and is similar in size and mass to Earth. Its brightness is due to a thick atmosphere that reflects a high percentage of sunlight.

Correct Answer: B. Annie Besant

Annie Besant presided over the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress in 1917. She was a prominent British activist who supported Indian self-rule and founded the Home Rule League. Sarojini Naidu later became the first Indian woman to hold this prestigious position in 1925.

Correct Answer: B. Ganga and Brahmaputra

The Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers join to form the largest mangrove delta in the world before entering the Bay of Bengal. This region is famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger and is a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. It spans across the borders of India and Bangladesh in the eastern part of the subcontinent.

Correct Answer: C. Mitochondria

Mitochondria are responsible for generating chemical energy in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). This energy powers the various biochemical reactions required for the survival and function of the cell. They contain their own genetic material and are found in almost all eukaryotic organisms.

Correct Answer: C. Kushanas

The Kushanas were a powerful Central Asian dynasty who ruled parts of northern India and Central Asia in the 1st–3rd centuries CE. The most famous Kushana ruler, Kanishka, was a great patron of Buddhism and helped spread it to Central Asia and China. The Kushanas also played a crucial role in the development of the Silk Road trade between India, China, and Rome.

Correct Answer: B. Article 356

Article 356 allows the President to take over the administration of a state if the constitutional machinery fails. This is commonly known as State Emergency or President's Rule and requires parliamentary approval. Article 352 deals with National Emergency, while Article 360 is for Financial Emergency.

Correct Answer: A. Cinema

This award is India's highest honor in the field of cinema and is presented annually by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It was instituted in 1969 to commemorate the contribution of Dadasaheb Phalke to Indian film history. Devika Rani was the very first recipient of this prestigious national award.

Correct Answer: D. Nitrogen

Nitrogen makes up approximately 78 percent of the Earth's atmosphere by volume. Oxygen is the second most abundant gas, accounting for about 21 percent of the air we breathe. These gases, along with argon and carbon dioxide, create the necessary environment for life on our planet.