IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Dec 19 & 20, 2015

1)   Project Loon will launch balloons for remote connectivity.These ballons will be released in -

a. Troposphere
b. Stratosphere
c. Mesosphere
d. Thermosphere
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Stratosphere

Explanation:
Putting Ballon in stratosphere has many advantageous
Stratosphere has relatively low wind speeds and minimal turbulence.
Google also claims that it can model, with reasonable accuracy, the seasonal, longitudinal, and latitudinal variations in wind speeds within the 18–25 km stratospheric layer.


2)   Fazilka town is in discussion in relation to TAPI pipeline project. Fazilka town is in -

a. Turkmenistan
b. Afghanistan
c. Pakistan
d. India
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: India

Explanation:
- TAPI is the 1,814-kilometre pipeline will run from gas fields in Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India.
- It start from the Galkynysh gas field.
- In Afghanistan, TAPI pipeline will be constructed alongside the Kandahar–Herat Highway in western Afghanistan
- Then it pass via Quetta and Multan in Pakistan.
- The final destination of the pipeline will be the Indian town of Fazilka, near the border between Pakistan and India.


3)   According to WHO, what is the permissible level of  PM concentration of micrograms per cubic metre?

a. 20 micrograms per cubic metre
b. 25 micrograms per cubic metre
c. 50 micrograms per cubic metre
d. 100 micrograms per cubic metre
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 25 micrograms per cubic metre

Explanation:
- The World Health Organization recommends 25 micrograms per cubic metre as the maximum safe level.
- Major components of PM: sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water.
- It consists of a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles of organic and inorganic substances suspended in the air.
- The most health-damaging particles are those with a diameter of 10 microns or less, (= PM10), which can penetrate and lodge deep inside the lungs.
- Chronic exposure to particles contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as of lung cancer.


4)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about Annual Human Development Index 2015?

1. Among the BRICS nations, India was ranked lowest.
2. Australia ranked second in HDI index


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- Annual Human Development Index ranks 188 countries according to life expectancy, education and income or standard of living.
- Norway ranked top, followed by Australia, Switzerland and Denmark
- Niger, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea are placed at very bottom of the list.
- In the Central African Republic, life expectancy is as low at 50.7 years, and Niger reported a mean schooling time of just 1.5 years.


5)   Which of the following is a mammal?

1. Human
2. Blue whale
3. Sea lion


a. 1 and 2
b. 2 and 3
c. Only 1
d. All
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: All

Explanation:
- Mammals are warm blooded animals.
- They also posess hair, three middle ear bones, mammary glands, and a neocortex (a region of the brain).
- Sea lions are sea mammals found in subarctic to tropical waters of the global ocean in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres


6)   Center for Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) of DRDO is located in -

a. Antarctica
b. Norwegian artic area
c. Mount Everst base camp
d. Manali
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Manali

Explanation:
- Center for Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) is a laboratory of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO).
- It is located near Manali, Himachal Pradesh its primary function is research in the field of snow and avalanches to provide avalanche control measures and forecasting support to Armed forces.
- SASE is also actively participating in Indian Antarctic Programme with ongoing research activities in the areas of Antarctic Surface Energy Balance and monitoring of Glaciers.


7)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about Antarctica?

1. Antarctica is a dessert and is greater in than Australia in size
2. India built a freshwater lake around Maitri known as Lake Priyadharshini.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- Maitri is second permanent settlement on Antarctica by India set up in 1989.
- Maitri accomplished the mission of geomorphologic mapping of Schirmacher Oasis.
- Bharati is the third Antarctic research station commissioned by India after Dakshin Gangotri and Maitri.


8)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about Jainism?

1. Right Speech is not one of the tri-ratnas of Jainism.
2. Brahmcharya was added by Mahavira to existing principles of Jainism


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
Tri – Ratnas:

1. Right Faith
2. Right Knowledge
3. Right Conduct

Principles of Jainism:

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence)
2. Satya (Truthfulness)
3. Achaurya (Non-stealing)
4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy)
5. Aparigraha (Non-possession, Non-materialism)