ENGLISH QUIZ 28.01.2020

1. India’s First War Memorial for Service Animals to come up in ______.

A. Meerut

B. Bhopal

C. Surat

D. Ranchi

2. Which of the following states has launched ‘Shiv Bhojan’ scheme to provide a meal to the poor for just 10 rupees?

A. Bihar

B. Maharashtra

C. Uttar Pradesh

D. Punjab

3. The Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra has signed a ………….loan agreement with the World Bank.

A. USD 250 million

B. USD 240 million

C. USD 210 million

D. USD 200 million

4. Who was elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the lower house of Parliament in Nepal?

A. Subhash Chandra Nembang

B. Mahantha Thakur

C. Bidhya Devi Bhandari

D. Agni Sapkota

5. Sher Singh Kukkal passed away recently, he was a ______.

A. Artist and sculptor

B. Basketball Player

C. American Songwriter

D. Writer

6. Which state is at the top in vegetable production?

A. Uttar Pradesh

B. West Bengal

C. Telangana

D. Bihar

7. Who inaugurated the All India Members’ Conference?

A. Ramesh

B. Ramanath

C. S.A. Bobde

D. None of these

8. In which state the country’s first super fab lab was inaugurated?

A. Telangana

B. Kochi

C. Bihar

D. Kerala

9. Approximately how many million did global unemployment increase in 2020?

A. 2.5 million

B. 3.5 million

C. 4.5 million

D. 5.5 million

10. The Union Government has offered to sell its 100 percent stake in which airlines?

A. Vistara

B. Air India

C. Air Asia

D. Indigo

11. Consider the following statements related to various universities:

1. Govt announces to set up ten chairs in various universities in different fields to encourage women.

2. The initiative called Establishment of Chairs in the Universities in the name of eminent women administrators, artists, scientists and social reformers is being launched with the assistance of University Grants Commission (UGC).

3. The financial implications of the proposal is Rs. 40 lakh per Chair per year and the total expenditure for establishing ten Chairs will be approximately Rs. 5 crore per annum.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 are correct

B. 1 and 3 are correct

C. 2 and 3 are correct

D. All of the above

12. Consider the following statements:

1. New Graphene supercapacitor will boost energy in politically applications.

2. Supercapacitors, also known as ultra-capacitors are electrochemical devices used for the storage of electrical energy, whose popularity is growing rapidly.

Which of the above statement/statements are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

13. Consider the following statements related to Corals restoration:

1. Corals restoration in Gulf of Kachchh.

2. Biorock Technology, also called mineral accretion technology is a method that applies safe, low voltage electrical currents through seawater, causing dissolved minerals to crystallize on structures, growing into a white limestone similar to that which naturally makes up coral reefs and tropical white sand beaches.

Which of the above statement/statements are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

14. Consider the following statements related to 6th Schedule Area:

1. Ministry of Tribal Affairs proposes to declare 6th Schedule Area status to Ladakh.

2. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution makes separate arrangements for the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.

3. Article 244A was added to the constitution through the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1969.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 are correct

B. 1 and 3 are correct

C. 2 and 3 are correct

D. All of the above

15. Consider the following statements:

1. Switzerland Mints World’s Smallest Gold Coin Features Einst.

2. Famed physicist Einstein was granted Swiss citizenship in the year 1901.

Which of the above statement/statements are correct?

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWERS:-

Answer: 1) A 

Explanation

The Government of India (GoI) has planned to set up a first-of-its-kind war memorial for service animals in Meerut Uttar Pradesh. India’s first war memorial for animals including dogs, horses and mules will be dedicated to the contributions and heroics of animals who lost their lives in counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir and in the battlefield during the Kargil War, while helping the Army.

5 dogs honored on 2020 Army Day

• According to Army Dog Unit officials, more than 25 dogs have lost their lives in counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir and the Northeast.
• There are currently 1000 dogs, 5000 mules and around 1500 horses serving in the army.
• 5 Labradors were awarded a Commandation Card on the occasion of Army Day 2020.

Mansi name on top

• Mansi (a female dog of a Labrador species), who played a special role in counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir, was awarded the Army honor in 2016.
• His name tops the list of animals.
• Mansi handler Bashir Ahmed has also got a place.

Answer: 2) B  

Explanation

Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government , launched its much-awaited ‘ Shiv Bhojan’ scheme, which is aimed at providing a meal to the poor for just Rs 10, on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day.

Main point

• Under the scheme, thalis or lunch plates comprising of two chapattis, one vegetable, dal, and rice would be available to the people at designated centers in all districts between 12 noon to 2 PM.
• Nearly 50 ‘Shiv-Bhojan’ outlets were set up on a pilot basis, which will be extended to other parts of the state.
• All the outlets are going to serve a minimum of 500 thalis per day.
• The remaining fund needed for providing food will be given as a grant to the district collectorate by the state government.

Answer: 3) C 

Explanation

The government has signed a $200 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and to “upgrade” rural roads to all-weather standards in 34 districts of Maharashtra. The loan amount from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a grace period of six years and a maturity period of 13.5 years.

Agreement:

• The agreement will support to build the resilience of crops to recurrent floods or droughts in Maharashtra.
• The project will be implemented in all 36 districts of Maharashtra.It is ex
• pected that around 1 million farming households will directly benefit from the project.
• At least 43% of farmers and farm-workers participating in project activities are expected to be women.
• Specific focus will be given to women-led enterprises and the participation of women in the decision-making processes of farmer producer organizations.
• It focuses on enhancing the capacity of the state to effectively manage and deliver agricultural technical support and services and increase credit linkages to formal financing institutions
• It will improve Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards and investing in business development services which will help small holder farmers in the state.

Answer: 4) D 

Explanation

The ruling Nepal Communist Party’s Agni Sapkota has been elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the lower house of Parliament in Nepal. A meeting of the House of Representatives was held in Kathmandu  to elect the Speaker.

Agni Sapkota’s win:

• His name was proposed by Subhash Chandra Nembang of the Nepal Communist Party. The election to choose the speaker was held in a meeting of the House of Representatives in Kathmandu on 26 January.
• The meeting was chaired by the Rashtriya Janata Party Nepal leader Mahantha Thakur.
• Mr. Sapkota will take the oath of office and secrecy on 27 January 2020 from President Bidya Devi Bhandari. The post of Speaker was vacant since October 2019 after Mr. Krishna Bahadur Mahara resigned following allegations of attempted rape.

Nepal:

• President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari
• Vice President: Nanda Kishor Pun
• Prime Minister: Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
• Capital: Kathmandu
• Official language: Nepali
• Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR)

Answer: 5) A

Explanation

Noted artist and sculptor Sher Singh Kukkal (86-years) passed away after a brief illness. He was awarded Senior Fellowship in Visual Art Photography by Union Ministry Of Culture during 2008-09.  He received a gold medal in painting from Queens College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP) & Rajiv Gandhi Foundation award for his photography and painting.

Answer: 6) B

Explanation

West Bengal has overtaken Uttar Pradesh and emerged as the top State in vegetable production in 2018-19.According to the State-wise horticulture production data released at a conference organised by the Agriculture Ministry last week, West Bengal produced 29.55 million tonnes (mt) of vegetables last year.Andhra Pradesh continued to hold on to the pole position in fruits with 17.61 mt, followed by Maharashtra (10.82 mt) and UP (10.65 mt).

Answer: 7) C

Explanation

The Chief Justice of India, Justice S.A. Bobde, inaugurated the All India Members’ Conference of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in New Delhi.

Highlights:

• CJI stated that Tax Invasion is a Social Injustice to fellow citizens and arbitrary or excessive tax also results in injustice to taxpayers.
• They discussed introducing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) which can play a significant role in judicial functioning as it is very helpful in docket management and decision making.
• The two-day event held several sessions of interaction in which eminent speakers will address and variety of subjects.

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal

• India’s Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) was set up on 25 January 1941.
• ITAT functions under the Department of Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Law and Justice.
• Headquarters: India
• President: Mr. Justice P. P. Bhatt
• It functions under the Department of Legal Affairs in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Sharad Arvind Bobde

• Sharad Arvind Bobde is an Indian Judge and currently Chief Justice of India.
• He was formerly the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and a judge of the Mumbai High Court.
• Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde is the 47th Chief Justice of India.
• Sharad Arvind Bobde was born on 24 April 1956 in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
• He graduated from Nagpur University in Arts and Law.
• In the year 1978, he got his registration as a lawyer in Maharashtra Bar Council.
• He served for 21 years in the Nagpur bench of the Mumbai High Court.
• He became a senior advocate in the year 1998 and was sworn in as Additional Judge of the Mumbai High Court on 29 March 2000.
• On 16 October 2012, he became the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court.
• On 12 April 2013, he was elevated as Justice of the Supreme Court.

Answer: 8) D

Explanation

The country’s first Super Fab Lab was launched at the Integrated Startup Complex of the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).The Super Fab Lab is being installed in collaboration with KSUM (Kerala Startup Mission). The laboratory will break down barriers between physical world and digital world.

What is a Fab Lab?

• A Fab Lab is a laboratory that offers digital fabrication.
• It is colloquially defined as, “How to make almost anything”. It is an array of computers that covers almost all materials.
• It is used in businesses to develop prototypes and also in education. It includes CNC cutting, plasma metal cutting, laser cutting, electronics and microprocessors and 3D printing and scanning.

KSUM

• The Kerala Start up Mission is an entrepreneurship development programme that creates environment and infrastructure to support high-technologies.

Answer: 9) A

Explanation

The International Labour Organization has released a report titled “World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2020”. It predicts that unemployment is like to increase by around 2.5 million in 2020. The report also revealed that after nine years in decline, the rate of global unemployment remained unchanged in 2019, at 5.4%. It is expected to stay the same for the next two years, due to fluctuations in the population seeking work.

Answer: 10) B

Explanation

The government issued the preliminary information memorandum for 100% stake sale in national carrier Air India. As part of the strategic disinvestment, Air India would also sell 100 per cent stake in low-cost airline Air India Express and 50% shareholding in joint venture AISATS. The government has set 17th March as the deadline for submitting the Expression of Interest (EoI).

Answer: 11) A

Explanation

On the occasion of National Girl Child Day the Ministry of Women and Child Development is going to set up 10 Chairs in different fields with an aim to carry out research activities to encourage women. The initiative called Establishment of Chairs in the Universities in the name of eminent women administrators, artists, scientists and social reformers is being launched with the assistance of University Grants Commission (UGC).The main objective is to inspire women to pursue higher education and to achieve excellence in their area of work. This initiative of highlighting and celebrating women achievers of the country will motivate young girls and women towards higher studies.

The chairs proposed by UGC and approved by the Ministry are as under:

S. No	Subject	Proposed name of chair
1.	Administration	Devi Ahilyabai Holkar
2.	Literature	Mahadevi Varma
3.	Freedom Fighter (North East)	Rani Gaidinliu
4.	Medicine & Health	Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi
5.	Performing Art	Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi
6.	Forest/Wildlife Conservation	Amrita Devi (Beniwal)
7.	Mathematics	Lilavati
8.	Science	Kamala Sohonie
9.	Poetry & Mysticism	Lal Ded
10.	Educational Reforms	Hansa Mehta

Work:

• The main function of the Chairs is to involve research in academic activities and strengthen the role of universities / academic institutions in public policy making.
• Preparation and implementation of short-term capacity building program for teachers in higher education.

Fact

• The financial implications of the proposal is Rs. 50 lakh per Chair per year and the total expenditure for establishing ten Chairs will be approximately Rs. 5 crore per annum.
• The Chairs are to be established for a period of 5 years initially as per the guidelines.
• Research has been incorporated into the academic activities of the Chairs, to promote knowledge in the field of study, strengthen the role of universities / academic institutions in public policy making and to prepare short term capacity building programs for teachers in higher education. Up and running.
• All these have been placed as a subject under the bench.

Answer: 12) B

Explanation

Efforts are being made to look for economical and more effective options for storing electrical energy. Indian researchers are now developing an economical Graphene-based supercapacitor that can emerge as an effective alternative to providing energy to various applications, including state-of-the-art military equipment, mobile devices and modern vehicles.

Supercapacitors

• Supercapacitors, also known as ultra-capacitors are electrochemical devices used for the storage of electrical energy, whose popularity is growing rapidly.
• The activated carbon is an expensive material commonly used to produce such ultra-capacitors. Graphene has been used in the newly developed ultra-capacitors, which has reduced its weight as well as cost by ten times.

Fact

• Researchers say that the cost of activated carbon used in other supercapacitors available in the market is up to Rs 1 lakh per kg. Scientists at the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur, have developed a new technique for making graphene oxide, which is being used to produce new ultra-capacitors.
• CMERI scientist Dr Naresh Chandra Murmu told India Science Wire that “Scientists have developed a technique for producing graphene oxide.
• The production cost of one kilogram of graphene oxide using this technique comes to around ten thousand rupees, which is much lesser than the cost of activated carbon used in supercapacitors.
• We have modified the surface of graphene oxide in our research, due to which it has also succeeded in reducing its weight.
• We have now reached at the advanced stage of making ultra-capacitors by using this graphene oxide which can be useful in various sectors.”
• Former Senior Defense Development Research Organization (DRDO) official M.H. Rahman said that such devices not only cater civilian applications but can be applicable in strategic and defence applications as well.          

Answer: 13) C

Explanation

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), with help from Gujarat’s forest department, is attempting for the first time a process to restore coral reefs using biorock or mineral accretion technology in the Gulf of Kachchh. A biorock structure was installed one nautical mile off the Mithapur coast in the Gulf of Kutch on January. In 2015, the ZSI scientists with the support of the Gujarat Forest Department had successfully restored branching coral species (staghorn corals) belonging to the family Acroporidae (Acropora formosa, Acropora humilis, Montipora digitata) that had gone extinct about 10,000 years ago to the Gulf of Kutch.

What is Biorock?

• Biorock Technology, also called mineral accretion technology is a method that applies safe, low voltage electrical currents through seawater, causing dissolved minerals to crystallize on structures, growing into a white limestone similar to that which naturally makes up coral reefs and tropical white sand beaches.
• This material has a strength similar to concrete. It can be used to make robust artificial reefs on which corals grow at very rapid rates.
• The change in the environment produced by electrical currents accelerates formation and growth of both chemical limestone rock and the skeletons of corals and other shell-bearing organisms.

Coral bleaching

• Coral bleaching occurs when coral polyps expel algae that live inside their tissues. Normally, coral polyps live in an endosymbiotic relationship with these algae, which are crucial for the health of the coral and the reef.
• The algae provides up to 90 percent of the coral’s energy. Bleached corals continue to live but begin to starve after bleaching.
• Some corals recover.
• The leading cause of coral bleaching is rising water temperatures.
• Temperatures 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) above average can cause bleaching.
• According to the United Nations Environment Programme, between 2014 and 2016 the longest recorded global bleaching events killed coral on an unprecedented scale.
• In 2016, bleaching of coral on the Great Barrier Reef killed between 29 and 50 percent of the reef’s coral.

About Zoological Survey of India

• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), founded in 1916 by Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• It is a premier Indian organisation in zoological research and studies to promote the survey, exploration and research of the fauna in the country.
• Its headquarters in Kolkata.

Answer: 14) D

Explanation

Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has proposed 6th Schedule Area status to Union Territory of Ladakh. Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said that his ministry has sent the proposal to the Union Home Ministry to declare the 6th Schedule status to Ladakh.Four states of North East India got tribal status under the sixth schedule. They come under the Ministry of State Home Affairs. However, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram have been declared as tribal areas under the Fifth Schedule. These states come under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

What is the 6th Schedule of Indian Constitution?

• The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution makes separate arrangements for the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
• Article 244A was added to the constitution through the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1969.
• It empowers Parliament to establish an autonomous State comprising certain tribal areas of Assam and for local Legislature or Council of Ministers or both can create.
• It was passed by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. It provides the power of the enactment of autonomous district councils (ADCs) to protect the rights of tribal populations.
• ADCs are those bodies representing the district.
• These bodies have been given autonomy within the state assembly.

Benefits of Sixth Schedule

• The people of Ladakh want to get tribal status so that people from other parts of the country do not come and settle there.
• It will also protect their demographic recognition.
• The sixth schedule will also protect the natives’ privilege on the land.
• The Sixth Schedule grants considerable autonomy to tribal communities.
• The District Council and the Regional Council gets the real power to make laws.
• These bodies can sanction funds from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet the costs of schemes for development, health care, education, roads and regulatory powers in the area.

Answer: 15) A

Explanation

In Switzerland, State-owned Swissmint has minted world’s smallest gold coin measuring 2.96-millimetre (0.12-inches). The coin features the image of Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue. Swiss mint has minted just 999 such coins. Famed physicist Einstein was granted Swiss citizenship in the year 1901.He was also a recipient of the 1921 Noble Prize for physics.