SSC CPO — Set 16

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 added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002. It serves as a fundamental pillar for human resource development in India.

Correct Answer: B. Kanishka

The Gandhara school of art flourished under the Kushana emperor Kanishka in the 1st century AD. It is known for its unique Greco-Buddhist style, depicting Lord Buddha in Greek physical features. Taxila and Peshawar were major centers for this artistic movement.

Correct Answer: B. Carrot

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for maintaining healthy vision and a strong immune system. Deficiency of Vitamin A is the leading cause of night blindness.

Correct Answer: C. Gujarat

Lothal was a vital port city of the Harappan civilization located in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. It features the world's earliest known artificial dockyard for maritime trade. The site provides evidence of advanced town planning and trade with Mesopotamia.

Correct Answer: C. Himalayas

The Himalayas form a massive natural barrier between the Indian plains and the Tibetan Plateau. They contain some of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest. This range significantly influences the climate and river systems of South Asia.

Correct Answer: B. Washing Soda

Washing soda is the chemical compound sodium carbonate used for laundry and cleaning. It helps in removing permanent hardness from water by reacting with calcium and magnesium ions. It is also used in the manufacturing of glass and soap.

Correct Answer: B. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was elected as the first woman president of the UNGA in 1953. She was an eminent Indian diplomat and the sister of Jawaharlal Nehru. She also served as India's ambassador to several major countries.

Correct Answer: C. Troposphere

The troposphere extends from the Earth's surface up to about 12 km and contains most of the atmosphere's mass. All weather phenomena, such as clouds and rain, occur within this layer. The temperature generally decreases as altitude increases in this zone.

Correct Answer: B. Lord Linlithgow

Lord Linlithgow was the Viceroy when the Cripps Mission arrived in 1942 to seek Indian support for World War II. The mission failed as Indian leaders rejected the proposal for 'Dominion Status' after the war. Mahatma Gandhi famously described the offer as a 'post-dated cheque'.

Correct Answer: C. Stagnant growth and high inflation

Stagflation is an economic anomaly where the inflation rate is high while economic growth remains slow. This situation usually leads to high unemployment and reduced consumer purchasing power. It is difficult for policymakers to manage because traditional tools often worsen one side.

Correct Answer: C. Hertz

Hertz (Hz) is the SI unit used to measure the number of cycles per second in a periodic wave. It is named after Heinrich Hertz, who proved the existence of electromagnetic waves. High frequency sounds have a higher pitch than low frequency sounds.

Correct Answer: B. Kalidasa

Kalidasa, often called the 'Shakespeare of India', wrote this masterpiece about the love between King Dushyanta and Shakuntala. He was one of the 'Nine Gems' (Navaratnas) in the court of Chandragupta II. His works are considered the pinnacle of classical Sanskrit literature.

Correct Answer: C. Mitochondria

Mitochondria are responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. They contain their own DNA and are double-membraned structures found in eukaryotic cells. The number of mitochondria in a cell depends on its energy requirements.

Correct Answer: C. 61st Amendment

The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988 reduced the voting age for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. This change was implemented to encourage greater youth participation in the democratic process. It came into effect during the premiership of Rajiv Gandhi.

Correct Answer: C. Assam

Sattriya is a classical dance form created by the 15th-century saint Srimanta Sankardev in Assam. It was originally performed in Vaishnavite monasteries called 'Sattras'. It was officially recognized as a classical dance of India in the year 2000.

Correct Answer: C. Silver

Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals because its electrons move more freely. However, copper is more commonly used in wiring because it is much cheaper and more abundant. Silver is used only in specialized equipment where high conductivity is critical.

Correct Answer: B. Journalism

The Pulitzer Prize is a prestigious award established in 1917 for excellence in journalism, literature, and music. It is administered by Columbia University in the United States. Winning a Pulitzer is considered one of the highest honors in the media industry.

Correct Answer: B. Bachendri Pal

Bachendri Pal reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1984, becoming the first Indian woman to do so. She was part of an expedition sponsored by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. She later received the Padma Bhushan for her pioneering achievements.

Correct Answer: C. Acetic Acid

Vinegar contains roughly 5-8% acetic acid, which gives it its characteristic sour taste and pungent smell. It is produced through the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. It is widely used in food preservation and as a cleaning agent.

Correct Answer: B. The Central Government

Residuary powers refer to subjects not mentioned in the Union, State, or Concurrent lists of the Seventh Schedule. Article 248 grants the Parliament exclusive power to make laws on such matters. This reflects the strong centralizing tendency of the Indian federal system.

Correct Answer: B. Mars

Mars appears red due to the presence of iron oxide (rust) on its surface. It has thin atmosphere and features such as volcanoes and deep canyons similar to Earth. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and has two small moons.

Correct Answer: B. Lahore 1929

The 1929 Lahore session, presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, officially demanded 'Complete Independence'. The Tricolor flag was hoisted for the first time on the banks of the Ravi River. January 26 was subsequently celebrated as Independence Day until 1947.

Correct Answer: B. Hygrometer

A hygrometer measures the amount of water vapor or moisture content in the atmosphere. It is an essential tool in meteorology for predicting weather conditions like fog or rain. Modern digital versions are highly accurate and used in climate-controlled environments.

Correct Answer: B. Jalaluddin Khilji

Jalaluddin Firuz Khilji founded the dynasty in 1290 after overthrowing the Slave dynasty. He was known for his mild and lenient policies towards his subjects and rivals. He was later assassinated by his nephew and son-in-law, Alauddin Khilji.

Correct Answer: B. Pancreas

Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans within the pancreas. it regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates by promoting the absorption of glucose from the blood. Lack of insulin production leads to Type 1 diabetes.

Correct Answer: B. Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is located off the northeast coast of Australia, in the Coral Sea. Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 km and visible from outer space. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to an extraordinary diversity of marine species.

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 of the Indian Constitution. This was done to facilitate land reforms and equitable distribution of resources.

Correct Answer: B. 7

Pure water has a pH value of 7, which makes it chemically neutral. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with values below 7 indicating acidity and above 7 indicating alkalinity. A pH of 7 means equal concentrations of hydrogen (H⁺) and hydroxide (OH⁻) ions. Pure water's neutral pH of 7 makes it an important reference point on the pH scale.

Correct Answer: C. Rashtrakutas

Rashtrakutas 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 Rashtrakutas 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. Heavy Water

Heavy water (Deuterium oxide) is used to slow down fast-moving neutrons to sustain a controlled nuclear chain reaction. Graphite is another common material used as a moderator in different types of reactors. This process is essential for the efficient generation of nuclear power.

Correct Answer: C. Kerala

Silent Valley is located in the Nilgiri Hills of Palakkad district, Kerala, and is known for its rare tropical rainforests. It is home to the endangered lion-tailed macaque and a vast variety of flora. The park was saved from a hydroelectric project by a major environmental movement.

Correct Answer: A. Simuka

Simuka was the first ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, which ruled over the Deccan region of India. They were the first indigenous Indian kings to issue their own coins with portraits. The dynasty is famous for its patronage of Buddhism and the Prakrit language.

Correct Answer: A. Cosmology

Cosmology is the scientific study of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe. It uses physics and astronomy to understand large-scale structures and the Big Bang theory. It is different from astrology, which claims to predict human fate based on stars.

Correct Answer: C. Taxes on local markets and fairs

Gram Panchayats are empowered to levy taxes on local fairs, markets, and houses to fund village development. This financial autonomy is a key feature of the Panchayati Raj system introduced by the 73rd Amendment. Other funds come as grants from the State and Central governments.

Correct Answer: C. Argon

Argon is a noble gas belonging to Group 18 of the periodic table, meaning it is chemically unreactive. It is the third most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere. Noble gases are often used in lighting and welding because they do not react with other elements.

Correct Answer: B. Football

The Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia, first held in 1888 in Shimla. It was named after its founder, Sir Mortimer Durand, who was the Foreign Secretary of British India. Today, it is one of the most prestigious trophies in Indian domestic football.

Correct Answer: A. Dadabhai Naoroji

Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the 'Grand Old Man of India', was elected to the UK House of Commons in 1892. He used this platform to highlight the economic drain of India under British rule. He was also a founding member of the Indian National Congress.

Correct Answer: D. Force

Force is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude and a specific direction. Speed and mass are scalar quantities because they only have magnitude. Understanding vectors is fundamental to solving problems in classical mechanics.

Correct Answer: C. 1945

The UNO was officially founded on 24 October 1945 following the end of World War II. Its primary goal is to maintain international peace and security and promote human rights. India was one of the original 51 founding members of the organization.

Correct Answer: B. Camel

The Camel was declared the state animal of Rajasthan in 2014 to promote its conservation. It is perfectly adapted to the desert environment and is often called the 'Ship of the Desert'. Rajasthan is the only state in India where camels are found in significant numbers.