SSC CHSL — Set 21

Correct Answer: A. Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam is a traditional classical dance that originated in Kerala. It is characterized by graceful, swaying movements that mimic the palm trees of the state. The dance is traditionally performed by women as a solo recital.

Correct Answer: B. Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi was the first woman to be honored with the Bharat Ratna in 1971. She served as the first and only female Prime Minister of India to date. The award was conferred upon her for her leadership during the 1971 war.

Correct Answer: B. Dehradun

The Indian Military Academy is located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It was established in 1932 to train officers for the Indian Army. The academy's motto is 'Valour and Wisdom'.

Correct Answer: B. Jupiter

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system by both mass and volume. It is a gas giant primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter is famous for its 'Great Red Spot', a giant persistent storm.

Correct Answer: A. Jalaluddin Khilji

Jalaluddin Khilji founded the Khilji Dynasty in 1290 after overthrewing the Mamluk dynasty. He was known for his mild and humble nature as a ruler. His nephew Alauddin Khilji eventually succeeded him after a palace coup.

Correct Answer: B. Kohima

Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland, located in the hilly terrain of the Northeast. It is well-known for hosting the annual Hornbill Festival every December. The city also houses a famous cemetery dedicated to soldiers of World War II.

Correct Answer: B. Article 25

Article 25 guarantees the freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion. It is a fundamental right available to all persons in India. This right is subject to public order, morality, and health.

Correct Answer: B. Madras

The Ryotwari system was introduced by Thomas Munro in the Madras Presidency. Under this system, the land revenue was paid directly by the peasants (Ryots) to the government. It was later extended to the Bombay area and other parts of India.

Correct Answer: A. Thiamine

Thiamine is the chemical name for Vitamin B1, which is essential for energy metabolism. A severe deficiency of this vitamin causes the disease known as Beriberi. It is found in whole grains, legumes, and meat.

Correct Answer: B. Income Tax

Income Tax is a direct tax because the burden of payment falls directly on the individual earning the income. Direct taxes are non-transferable and are collected based on the ability to pay. The Income Tax Department manages the assessment and collection of this tax.

Correct Answer: B. Tungabhadra

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning Dravidian architecture. The Virupaksha Temple is one of its most prominent remaining structures.

Correct Answer: A. Bhanu Athaiya

Bhanu Athaiya won the Oscar for Best Costume Design for the movie 'Gandhi' in 1983. She was the first Indian to ever win an Academy Award. She had a prolific career designing costumes for over 100 Bollywood films.

Correct Answer: B. Wheat

Wheat is a major Rabi crop in India, typically sown in winter and harvested in spring. These crops require a cool climate during the growing season and less water compared to Kharif crops. Other examples of Rabi crops include barley, peas, and mustard.

Correct Answer: B. Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Dioxide is used in fire extinguishers because it is heavier than oxygen and displaces it. By cutting off the oxygen supply, it effectively smothers the fire. It is particularly useful for electrical and flammable liquid fires.

Correct Answer: B. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar wrote 'Waiting for a Visa' as an autobiographical account of his experiences with untouchability. The book consists of several stories that highlight social discrimination in India. It is used as a textbook at Columbia University today.

Correct Answer: A. Tiger

Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is a famous tiger reserve in India. It served as the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's famous novel 'The Jungle Book'. The park is also known for saving the Barasingha (Swamp Deer) from extinction.

Correct Answer: B. Part II

Part II of the Constitution contains Articles 5 to 11 which deal with the provisions of citizenship. It defines who was a citizen at the commencement of the Constitution in 1950. The Parliament has the power to regulate citizenship through legislation.

Correct Answer: B. Joule

The Joule is the standard SI unit used to measure work and energy. It is defined as the work done when a force of one Newton moves an object by one meter. This unit is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule.

Correct Answer: B. Uttarakhand

Nanda Devi is the second highest mountain in India and is located entirely within Uttarakhand. It is part of the Garhwal Himalayas and is surrounded by a National Park. The peak is considered sacred by the local people of the region.

Correct Answer: A. 1972

The Shimla Agreement was signed on July 2, 1972, by Indira Gandhi and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. It followed the 1971 war and the creation of Bangladesh. The treaty established the Line of Control (LoC) as a ceasefire line.

Correct Answer: B. Adrenaline

Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands during stressful or dangerous situations. It increases heart rate and blood flow to prepare the body for immediate action. This physiological response is essential for survival in threatening environments.

Correct Answer: B. Hockey

The Aga Khan Cup is a prestigious tournament associated with field hockey. It is one of the oldest hockey competitions in India, traditionally held in Mumbai. Field hockey is often considered the national sport of India.

Correct Answer: B. Mercury

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and has the shortest orbital period. It completes one revolution around the Sun in approximately 88 Earth days. Its high orbital speed is due to the strong gravitational pull of the Sun.

Correct Answer: A. Sukumar Sen

Sukumar Sen served as the first Chief Election Commissioner of India from 1950 to 1958. He successfully managed the first two general elections of independent India. He was a civil servant who set the foundations for the Indian electoral process.

Correct Answer: B. Quick Lime

Calcium Oxide is commonly known as quick lime or burnt lime. It is a white, caustic, alkaline solid at room temperature. It is widely used in the manufacturing of steel, paper, and cement.

Correct Answer: B. Karnataka

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is the largest bird sanctuary in the state of Karnataka. It is located on the banks of the Kaveri River near Srirangapatna. The sanctuary is a major breeding ground for many species of migratory birds.

Correct Answer: B. Mitochondria

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell because they produce energy in the form of ATP. They carry out the process of cellular respiration to fuel biological functions. Every eukaryotic cell contains these vital organelles.

Correct Answer: A. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society to promote social and human development. The members took a vow to serve the nation in a selfless and non-political manner. The society worked in fields like education and healthcare.

Correct Answer: B. Bhagirathi

Tehri Dam is the highest dam in India, built on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand. It is a multi-purpose rock and earth-fill embankment dam. The project generates significant electricity and provides water for irrigation.

Correct Answer: B. Photosphere

The photosphere is the visible 'surface' of the Sun that emits the light we see. It is the lowest layer of the solar atmosphere and has a temperature of about 5500 degrees Celsius. Other layers like the corona are only visible during a total solar eclipse.

Correct Answer: B. 8th Schedule

The 8th Schedule of the Constitution currently recognizes 22 official languages of India. Initially, there were only 14 languages listed in this schedule. Languages like Bodo, Dogri, and Santhali were added through later amendments.

Correct Answer: A. Mathematics

The Nobel Prize is not awarded for Mathematics; the Abel Prize is often considered its equivalent. The Nobel Prizes were established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895. The categories include Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economics.

Correct Answer: B. 98.6°F

The average normal body temperature is generally accepted as 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. This is equivalent to 37 degrees Celsius on the metric scale. Body temperature can vary slightly depending on the time of day and physical activity.

Correct Answer: B. Garbhagriha

Garbhagriha is the innermost sanctum of a Hindu temple where the primary idol of the deity resides. The term literally translates to 'womb chamber' in Sanskrit. It is usually a small, dark, and unadorned square room.

Correct Answer: B. Ganymede

Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system and orbits the planet Jupiter. It is even larger than the planet Mercury in terms of diameter. Ganymede is the only moon known to have its own magnetic field.

Correct Answer: A. Odisha

Chilika Lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in India, located in Odisha. It is a major wintering ground for migratory birds from as far as Siberia. The lake was the first Indian wetland to be designated under the Ramsar Convention.

Correct Answer: B. Mercury

Mercury is the only metallic element that is liquid at standard room temperature and pressure. It is commonly used in thermometers and barometers because of its high density. Mercury is toxic and must be handled with great care to avoid poisoning.

Correct Answer: B. Rakesh Sharma

Rakesh Sharma flew aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission in 1984. He remains the only Indian citizen to have traveled into space. During the flight, he famously told Indira Gandhi that India looks 'Saare Jahan Se Achha' from space.

Correct Answer: B. Leaves

Leaves are the primary sites of photosynthesis in most plants because they contain chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a pigment that captures light energy from the Sun to produce food. This process also releases oxygen into the atmosphere as a byproduct.

Correct Answer: A. Odisha

Bhitarkanika National Park is located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha. It is famous for its vast mangrove forests and saltwater crocodiles. The park is also a significant nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles.