SSC CPO — Set 21

Correct Answer: B. Aluminium

Aluminium is the most abundant metal and the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust. It makes up about 8% of the crust's total weight. It is widely used in industries due to its low density and resistance to corrosion.

Correct Answer: A. Kushana

The Gandhara School of Art reached its peak during the reign of Kanishka in the Kushana Empire. It is known for its Greco-Buddhist style, where Buddhist themes were depicted in Greek artistic forms. Taxila was a major center for this style of art.

Correct Answer: B. Article 213

Article 213 gives the Governor the power to promulgate ordinances when the state legislature is not in session. This power is similar to the President's ordinance-making power under Article 123. An ordinance issued by the Governor has the same force as an act of the legislature.

Correct Answer: C. Kerala

Silent Valley National Park is situated in the Nilgiri Hills of Palakkad district in Kerala. It is one of the last undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats mountain rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forests in India. It is famous for its population of the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque.

Correct Answer: A. Baking Soda

Sodium Bicarbonate ($NaHCO_{3}$) is commonly known as baking soda and is used primarily in cooking and as an antacid. It acts as a leavening agent by releasing carbon dioxide gas when it reacts with an acid. Washing soda, on the other hand, is sodium carbonate.

Correct Answer: C. The Hague

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and is based at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. It is the only one of the six principal UN organs not located in New York City. It settles legal disputes between states.

Correct Answer: A. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was elected as the President of the UN General Assembly in 1953. She was the sister of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. She also served as India's ambassador to several major countries.

Correct Answer: C. Kosi

The Kosi River is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent and devastating floods. It is known for changing its course frequently, which causes immense damage to agriculture and infrastructure. It is a major tributary of the Ganga.

Correct Answer: C. Convex mirror

Convex mirrors are used in vehicles because they provide a wider field of view than plane or concave mirrors. They always produce an upright, although diminished, image of objects. This allows drivers to see a large area of traffic behind them.

Correct Answer: B. Adam Smith

Adam Smith is known as the 'Father of Economics' and published 'The Wealth of Nations' in 1776. The book laid the foundations of classical free-market economic theory. He introduced the concept of the 'invisible hand' in this work.

Correct Answer: C. Liver

The liver is the largest internal organ and gland in the human body, weighing about 1.5 kg. It performs over 500 vital functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and bile production. It has a unique ability to regenerate itself.

Correct Answer: B. Constitutional reforms

The Simon Commission was sent to India to review the working of the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest further constitutional changes. It was boycotted by Indian leaders because it had no Indian members. The slogan 'Simon Go Back' became a symbol of national protest.

Correct Answer: A. Troposphere

The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere where almost all weather changes like clouds, rain, and snow happen. It contains about 75% of the atmosphere's total mass and 99% of its water vapor. The temperature decreases as altitude increases in this layer.

Correct Answer: C. Ashoka

The Great Stupa at Sanchi was commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE to house the relics of Lord Buddha. It is one of the oldest stone structures in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stupa was later expanded by subsequent dynasties like the Shungas.

Correct Answer: B. Part IX

Part IX of the Constitution was added by the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 to provide a constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions. It contains Articles 243 to 243O. This amendment aimed at decentralizing power to the grassroots level.

Correct Answer: A. Dioptre

The power of a lens is the reciprocal of its focal length in meters and is measured in Dioptres (D). For a convex lens, the power is positive, while for a concave lens, it is negative. It indicates the degree of convergence or divergence of light rays.

Correct Answer: B. 2015

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

Correct Answer: A. Ethylene

Ethylene is a natural plant hormone that triggers the ripening process in fruits. In commercial fruit ripening, it is used in a controlled environment to ensure uniform ripening. While acetylene (from calcium carbide) is also used, it is considered unsafe and banned in many regions.

Correct Answer: C. Bertha von Suttner

Baroness Bertha von Suttner was the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905 for her novel 'Lay Down Your Arms'. Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in general (Physics). Mother Teresa won the Peace Prize much later in 1979.

Correct Answer: B. Ved Vyasa

Maharishi Ved Vyasa is traditionally credited as the author of the Mahabharata, the world's longest epic poem. It narrates the struggle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Valmiki is the author of the other great Indian epic, the Ramayana.

Correct Answer: B. Wular Lake

Wular Lake, located in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, is the largest freshwater lake in India. It was formed due to tectonic activity and is fed by the Jhelum River. Chilika Lake, on the other hand, is the largest brackish water lagoon.

Correct Answer: C. Article 280

Article 280 mandates the President of India to constitute a Finance Commission every five years or earlier. Its primary role is to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States. It consists of a Chairman and four other members.

Correct Answer: A. Calciferol

Vitamin D is known as calciferol and is essential for calcium absorption in the body. It can be synthesized by the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Deficiency of this vitamin in children leads to a condition called rickets.

Correct Answer: C. Sports Coaching

The Dronacharya Award is presented to sports coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams that excel in international events. It was instituted in 1985 and is named after the legendary guru Dronacharya. It includes a bronze statue, a certificate, and a cash prize.

Correct Answer: B. 1929 Lahore

The historic resolution for 'Purna Swaraj' was passed at the Lahore session in 1929 under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru. Following this, January 26, 1930, was celebrated as the first Independence Day. This goal became the guiding force for the final phase of the freedom struggle.

Correct Answer: C. Kidney

Kidneys are bean-shaped organs that filter waste products, excess water, and other impurities from the blood. These waste products are then excreted as urine. They also play a critical role in regulating blood pressure and producing red blood cells.

Correct Answer: C. Meghalaya

These hills are part of the Meghalaya plateau in Northeast India. The region is famous for receiving the world's highest rainfall, particularly in Mawsynram and Cherrapunji. These hills are named after the major tribes residing in the area.

Correct Answer: C. 61st Amendment

The 61st Amendment Act of 1988 reduced the voting age for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. This was done to give the youth of the country an opportunity to be part of the political process. It came into force in 1989 during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi.

Correct Answer: B. Hertz

Hertz (Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as one cycle per second. It is named after Heinrich Hertz, who proved the existence of electromagnetic waves.

Correct Answer: B. Simuka

Simuka was the founder of the Satavahana dynasty, which ruled mainly in the Deccan region. They succeeded the Mauryan Empire in that area. The dynasty is famous for issuing lead and copper coins and patronizing Buddhist art.

Correct Answer: A. Equator

An equinox happens twice a year when the Sun is positioned vertically above the Earth's equator. During an equinox, day and night are of approximately equal length worldwide. These occur around March 21 and September 23 each year.

Correct Answer: B. Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for functions like reasoning, planning, memory, and voluntary muscle movements. It is divided into two hemispheres. The cerebellum, in contrast, mainly controls balance and coordination.

Correct Answer: A. Lord Canning

Lord Canning became the first Viceroy of India after the passing of the Government of India Act 1858. He had previously served as the last Governor-General of India under the East India Company. His tenure saw the abolition of the 'Doctrine of Lapse'.

Correct Answer: C. Tamil Nadu

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power station in India, located in Tamil Nadu. It was built with the technical collaboration of Russia. It uses Pressurized Water Reactors (VVER) for power generation.

Correct Answer: B. Eighth Schedule

The Eighth Schedule currently recognizes 22 official languages of India. Originally, it had 14 languages, but others were added by subsequent constitutional amendments. English is not included in this list of 22 languages.

Correct Answer: C. 1576

The Battle of Haldighati took place on June 18, 1576, between the forces of Maharana Pratap and the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar's army was led by Raja Man Singh I. Although the Mughals won the battle, they could not capture Maharana Pratap.

Correct Answer: B. Acetylsalicylic Acid

Acetylsalicylic acid is a medication used to reduce pain, fever, or inflammation. It is one of the most widely used medicines globally. It belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Correct Answer: B. Sri Lanka

The Palk Strait is a water body between the Tamil Nadu state of India and the Mannar district of Sri Lanka. It connects the Bay of Bengal in the northeast with Palk Bay in the southwest. It is named after Robert Palk, a governor of Madras during the Company rule.

Correct Answer: B. Agriculture

Primary sector involves activities that are directly dependent on nature for resources, like agriculture, mining, and fishing. Manufacturing belongs to the secondary sector. Banking and transport are part of the tertiary (service) sector.

Correct Answer: B. Kalidasa

Kalidasa, known as the 'Shakespeare of India', was a classical Sanskrit author and poet in the Gupta period. 'Abhigyan Shakuntalam' is one of his most celebrated plays. His other famous works include 'Meghaduta' and 'Raghuvaṃśa'.