SSC MTS — Set 17

Correct Answer: B. Haldia Port

Haldia Port in West Bengal is popularly known as Diamond Harbour. It is located at the spot where the Hooghly River meets the Bay of Bengal. This port serves as a major trade hub for Eastern India.

Correct Answer: A. Manipur

Lai Haraoba is an important ritualistic festival celebrated by the Meitei community in Manipur. It is performed to please the local deities known as Umang Lai. The festival features traditional music, dance, and reenactments of creation myths.

Correct Answer: C. Adrenaline

Adrenaline is another name for the hormone Epinephrine, which is produced by the adrenal glands. It is often called the 'fight or flight' hormone because it prepares the body for stress. It increases heart rate and blood flow to muscles during emergencies.

Correct Answer: D. Lord Linlithgow

Lord Linlithgow served as the Viceroy of India when the Quit India Movement was launched. He held the office of Viceroy for the longest period from 1936 to 1943. He was responsible for declaring India's involvement in World War II without consulting Indian leaders.

Correct Answer: A. Coimbatore

The Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) is situated in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. It is named after the famous Indian ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, also known as the 'Birdman of India'. The center focuses on the conservation of birds and their habitats.

Correct Answer: C. Buckminsterfullerene

Buckminsterfullerene is an allotrope of carbon consisting of 60 atoms arranged in a sphere. It is often called a 'buckyball' because its structure resembles a soccer ball. It was named after the architect Buckminster Fuller due to its geodesic dome shape.

Correct Answer: B. Horse Racing

The Derby Trophy is a prestigious award primarily associated with Horse Racing events. The term originated from the Epsom Derby in England, established in 1780. Many countries now host their own 'Derby' races for top-tier thoroughbred horses.

Correct Answer: B. Part II

Part II of the Indian Constitution covers Articles 5 to 11 relating to Citizenship. It defines who was considered a citizen at the commencement of the Constitution. The Parliament has the power to regulate the right of citizenship by law.

Correct Answer: A. Assam

Sattriya is a traditional classical dance form that originated in the monasteries of Assam. It was introduced by the great saint Srimanta Sankardev in the 15th century. It was officially recognized as a classical dance of India in the year 2000.

Correct Answer: C. Seventh

India is the seventh-largest country in the world by total land area. It covers approximately 2.4% of the total land surface area of the globe. Russia is the largest country, followed by Canada and China.

Correct Answer: B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy established Vedanta College to offer courses in both Indian learning and Western sciences. He was a pioneer of modern education and social reform in India. The college aimed to synthesize traditional philosophical teachings with modern rationalism.

Correct Answer: B. Mercury

Mercury is the only metal that remains in a liquid state at standard room temperature. Its chemical symbol is Hg and it is commonly used in thermometers. While Gallium can melt in the hand, it is solid at room temperature.

Correct Answer: A. Goa

The Gaur, also known as the Indian Bison, is the official state animal of Goa. It is the largest species among wild cattle and is found in South and Southeast Asia. It is also the state animal of the state of Bihar.

Correct Answer: C. Annie Besant

Annie Besant became the first woman President of the Indian National Congress in 1917. She presided over the Calcutta session of the party. Sarojini Naidu was the first 'Indian' woman to hold this position in 1925.

Correct Answer: C. 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 flow into the Arabian Sea. The Tapti River also flows through a rift valley.

Correct Answer: B. Oilseeds

The Yellow Revolution refers to the sudden increase in the production of edible oilseeds in India. It was launched in 1986 to make India self-sufficient in oil production. Sam Pitroda is often credited as the father of this revolution.

Correct Answer: B. Hertz

The Hertz (Hz) is the SI unit used to measure the frequency of periodic events. It is defined as the number of cycles per second. The unit is named after Heinrich Hertz, a famous German physicist.

Correct Answer: C. Article 108

Article 108 of the Indian Constitution allows the President to call a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This is done to resolve a deadlock between the two houses over a bill. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over such sittings.

Correct Answer: B. Delhi

HSRA was founded in 1928 at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi. It was a revolutionary organization led by Chandrashekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh. It was an evolution of the earlier Hindustan Republican Association (HRA).

Correct Answer: B. Thalamus

The edible part of an apple is the fleshy thalamus, which makes it a 'false fruit'. In botany, a false fruit is one where the edible part is not derived from the ovary. The actual core of the apple contains the true seeds.

Correct Answer: B. 1539

The Battle of Chausa was fought in 1539 between the Mughal Emperor Humayun and Sher Shah Suri. Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun in this significant conflict. This victory helped Sher Shah establish the Suri Empire in North India.

Correct Answer: C. Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, covering much of North Africa. It spans over 9 million square kilometers across several countries. The Antarctic and Arctic deserts are larger but are classified as cold deserts.

Correct Answer: B. Climate Change

The Kyoto Protocol is a treaty that commits countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change. It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997. It is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Correct Answer: A. Banabhatta

Banabhatta was the Asthana Kavi (court poet) of King Harshavardhana in the 7th century. He wrote the famous biography of the king titled 'Harshacharita'. He is also the author of 'Kadambari', one of the world's earliest novels.

Correct Answer: B. Lysosome

Lysosomes are called suicide bags because they contain digestive enzymes that can destroy the cell if it is damaged. When a cell becomes old or injured, the lysosome bursts and digests the entire cell. This process helps in cleaning up cellular debris.

Correct Answer: D. Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is the only region in India that produces saffron on a commercial scale. The Pampore region is particularly famous for high-quality saffron cultivation. Saffron is known as 'Kesar' in Hindi and is the world's most expensive spice.

Correct Answer: C. Sri Lanka

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

Correct Answer: A. Kalhana

Kalhana wrote 'Rajatarangini', which is a historical chronicle of the kings of Kashmir. It was composed in the 12th century and is considered a masterpiece of Sanskrit literature. The title literally means 'The River of Kings'.

Correct Answer: C. 550

The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is fixed at 550 members following recent constitutional changes. Previously it was 552, but the provision for 2 nominated Anglo-Indians has been removed. Currently, the house has 543 elected members.

Correct Answer: D. Butane

Butane is the primary component found in LPG cylinders used for domestic cooking. It is a highly flammable hydrocarbon gas that is liquefied under pressure. A small amount of Ethyl Mercaptan is added to it to detect gas leaks by its smell.

Correct Answer: C. 1982

NABARD was established on July 12, 1982, to promote rural prosperity through credit support. It was created based on the recommendations of the B. Sivaraman Committee. Its headquarters is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Correct Answer: A. Vitamin A

Retinol is the chemical name for Vitamin A, which is essential for good vision and skin health. It is found in abundance in carrots, leafy vegetables, and animal liver. A deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to Night Blindness.

Correct Answer: B. Ashapurna Devi

Ashapurna Devi, a Bengali novelist, became the first woman to receive the Jnanpith Award in 1976. She was honored for her famous novel titled 'Prathama Pratishruti'. The Jnanpith Award is India's highest literary honor.

Correct Answer: C. Barasingha

Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is famous for saving the Barasingha (Swamp Deer) from extinction. It is the only place in the world where the 'Hard-ground Barasingha' is found. The park also served as the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book'.

Correct Answer: B. 2015

NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was established on January 1, 2015. It serves as a policy think tank for the Government of India. The Prime Minister of India serves as the Chairperson of NITI Aayog.

Correct Answer: B. Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Bicarbonate is the chemical name for baking soda, used commonly in baking and cleaning. Its chemical formula is NaHCO3. When heated, it releases carbon dioxide gas, which helps dough to rise.

Correct Answer: C. Gujarat

Rani ki Vav is an ancient stepwell located in Patan, Gujarat. It was built by Queen Udayamati in memory of her husband King Bhimdev I. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its intricate carvings.

Correct Answer: C. Bahlul Lodi

Bahlul Lodi founded the Lodi Dynasty in 1451, which was the last dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. He was the first Afghan ruler to sit on the throne of Delhi. His dynasty was later overthrown by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat.

Correct Answer: D. Yangtze

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world. It flows entirely within the borders of China. It is a vital source for agriculture, industry, and transportation in the region.

Correct Answer: C. 61st Amendment

The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988 reduced the voting age for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. It was implemented to increase the participation of youth in the democratic process. This change came into effect in 1989.