SSC CHSL — Set 20

Correct Answer: B. Wular Lake

Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India. It was formed as a result of tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River. This lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in all of Asia.

Correct Answer: C. Arundhati Roy

Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize in 1997 for her debut novel 'The God of Small Things'. She was the first Indian citizen living in India to win this prestigious literary award. The book explores how small things affect people's lives and destinies.

Correct Answer: B. Mumbai

The Gateway of India is an arch-monument built during the 20th century in Mumbai. It was erected to commemorate the landing of King-Emperor George V and Queen-Mary at Apollo Bunder. It is often referred to as the 'Taj Mahal of Mumbai' due to its grandeur.

Correct Answer: C. Article 21A

Article 21A declares that the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14. This was added to the Constitution by the 86th Amendment Act in 2002. It made education a fundamental right for every child in India.

Correct Answer: A. Lactometer

A lactometer is a small glass instrument used to test the purity of milk by measuring its density. It works on the principle of Archimedes' principle concerning buoyancy. Pure milk has a specific gravity range that the device can easily verify.

Correct Answer: C. Bahadur Shah Zafar

Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal emperor who reigned until the 1857 revolt. He was a noted Urdu poet and was exiled to Rangoon by the British after the uprising. His death in 1862 marked the formal end of the Mughal dynasty.

Correct Answer: B. Calciferol

Calciferol is the chemical name for Vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption. It is often called the 'sunshine vitamin' because the body produces it when exposed to sunlight. It plays a critical role in maintaining healthy bone structure.

Correct Answer: A. Zoji La Pass

Zoji La is a high mountain pass in the Himalayas that connects Srinagar with Leh. It is located on National Highway 1 and is vital for the movement of supplies to the Ladakh region. The pass remains closed during peak winter months due to heavy snowfall.

Correct Answer: B. Atmaram Pandurang

Atmaram Pandurang founded the Prarthana Samaj in 1867 to promote social and religious reforms. The movement focused on monotheism and social issues like widow remarriage and women's education. It was inspired by the Brahmo Samaj movement of Bengal.

Correct Answer: C. Eyes

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the Eyes, specifically damaging the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain. It is often caused by abnormally high pressure within the eye. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness.

Correct Answer: B. Football

The Santosh Trophy is a major Indian football tournament contested by regional state associations. It was started in 1941 and is named after the late Maharaja Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhary of Santosh. It serves as a talent scouting platform for the national team.

Correct Answer: C. Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in India according to the India State of Forest Report. The state is home to several major national parks and diverse wildlife habitats. Forest area is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance of the region.

Correct Answer: B. 250

The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250 members as per the Indian Constitution. Out of these, 238 are representatives of States and UTs, while 12 are nominated by the President. Currently, the house has 245 members in total.

Correct Answer: B. Fe

The chemical symbol for Iron is Fe, which is derived from its Latin name 'Ferrum'. It is a transition metal that is vital for the production of hemoglobin in human blood. Iron is the most used metal globally for industrial and construction purposes.

Correct Answer: C. Karnam Malleswari

Karnam Malleswari won a bronze medal in weightlifting at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She made history by becoming the first Indian woman to ever win an Olympic medal. She was later honored with the Padma Shri for her achievement.

Correct Answer: C. Jaipur

Jaipur is called the Pink City because of the dominant color scheme of its historic buildings. It was painted pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. The city is the capital of Rajasthan and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Correct Answer: B. Tim Berners-Lee

Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist, invented the World Wide Web in 1989 while working at CERN. He wrote the first web browser and the first web server. His invention revolutionized how information is shared and accessed globally.

Correct Answer: C. 1576

The Battle of Haldighati was fought in 1576 between Maharana Pratap and the Mughal forces led by Man Singh. Though the Mughals won, Maharana Pratap continued his resistance from the hills. This battle is remembered for the extraordinary bravery shown by the Rajputs.

Correct Answer: C. Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is called laughing gas because of its intoxicating effects when inhaled. It is used in dentistry and minor surgery for its anesthetic and analgesic properties. It is a colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor and taste.

Correct Answer: C. Rajendra Prasad

Dr. Rajendra Prasad served as the first President of independent India from 1950 to 1962. He was a key leader of the Indian independence movement and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He is the only president to have served two full terms in office.

Correct Answer: C. Mercury

Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system and is the closest to the Sun. It has no natural satellites and its surface is covered with craters like the Moon. One day on Mercury lasts about 59 Earth days.

Correct Answer: B. Mathura-Barsana

Lathmar Holi is a unique celebration in Barsana and Nandgaon near Mathura. In this tradition, women playfully beat men with sticks (lathis). It recreates the legend of Lord Krishna and Radha during the festival of colors.

Correct Answer: C. Paris

Paris is the capital and largest city of France, known as a global center for art and fashion. It is situated on the Seine River and features famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. The city is often called the 'City of Light'.

Correct Answer: C. Part IV

Part IV of the Indian Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36-51). These principles serve as guidelines for the government to establish a welfare state. They are not enforceable by any court but are fundamental to governance.

Correct Answer: A. Sodium

Sodium is an extremely reactive alkali metal that catches fire when exposed to air or water. To prevent such reactions, it is stored under kerosene or mineral oil. It is soft enough to be cut with a knife and has a silver appearance.

Correct Answer: B. Marie Curie

Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win in two different sciences. She won in Physics in 1903 and in Chemistry in 1911. Her pioneering research on radioactivity changed the world of science.

Correct Answer: A. 1914

The First World War began in July 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It involved the world's great powers organized into two opposing alliances. The war lasted for four years and ended in 1918.

Correct Answer: A. Vitamin A

Retinol is the chemical name for Vitamin A, which is essential for good vision and immune health. It is found in foods like carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to night blindness.

Correct Answer: A. Assam

Kaziranga National Park is located in the state of Assam and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is famous for hosting two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses. The park is also a tiger reserve and a significant bird area.

Correct Answer: B. Adam Smith

Adam Smith published 'The Wealth of Nations' in 1776, which is considered the first modern work of economics. He is known as the 'Father of Economics' for his theories on free markets and labor. His work laid the foundation for classical economic theory.

Correct Answer: B. 37°C

The normal body temperature of a healthy human adult is 37 degrees Celsius (98.6°F). This temperature is maintained by the body's thermoregulatory system. A temperature above 37.5°C is generally considered a fever. The hypothalamus in the brain acts as the body's thermostat to regulate this temperature.

Correct Answer: C. Football

In football (especially American and Rugby), a punt is a kick performed by dropping the ball and kicking it before it hits the ground. It is used to move the ball deep into the opponent's territory. In soccer, the goalkeeper often uses this technique to clear the ball.

Correct Answer: C. Karnataka

Karnataka accounts for about 70% of the total coffee production in India. The districts of Kodagu, Chikmagalur, and Hassan are the major coffee-growing regions. India is known for producing high-quality shade-grown coffee.

Correct Answer: C. 65 years

Judges of the Supreme Court of India serve until they reach the age of 65 years. For High Court judges, the retirement age is 62 years. These provisions ensure the independence and stability of the higher judiciary.

Correct Answer: B. Citric Acid

Citric acid is a weak organic acid found naturally in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges. It gives these fruits their characteristic sour taste and acts as a natural preservative. It is widely used in the food and beverage industry.

Correct Answer: C. Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Maharaja Ranjit Singh founded the Sikh Empire in the Punjab region in the early 19th century. He was known as the 'Lion of Punjab' for his military leadership. His empire was famous for its secularism and administrative efficiency.

Correct Answer: C. Kanchenjunga

Kanchenjunga is the highest mountain peak located in India (Sikkim border). While K2 is higher, it is located in Gilgit-Baltistan (PoK). Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world.

Correct Answer: C. Tokyo

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is a major global financial center and the seat of the Japanese government. The city was formerly known as Edo.

Correct Answer: B. Modified Stem (Rhizome)

Ginger is a modified underground stem called a rhizome. It is widely used as a spice and for its medicinal properties. Unlike roots, rhizomes have nodes and buds from which new plants can grow.

Correct Answer: B. Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu was given the title 'Nightingale of India' (Bharat Kokila) by Mahatma Gandhi for her beautiful poetry. She was a major figure in the Indian independence movement. She also became the first woman to serve as the Governor of an Indian state.