DAY 12 (28-09-23)
Q1. Which one of the following ancient towns is well known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelising water into connected reservoirs?
(a) Dholavira
(b) Kalibangan
(c) Rakhigarhi
(d) Ropar
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Dholavira, the southern center of the Harappan Civilization, is located on the arid island of Khadir in Gujarat, India. Water, a scarce resource in the region, was supplied by two seasonal streams to the walled city. A sophisticated water management system demonstrates the Dholavira people’s ingenuity in their struggle to survive and thrive in harsh conditions.It has a complex system for collecting and storing rain water within several reservoirs. Planners in the ancient city of Dholavira had conceptualised an amazing system of drains, dams and tanks to manage water.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding microplastics:
- Microplasticsare tiny plastic particles,usually less than five millimetersthat occur in the environment as a consequence of plastic pollution.
- Polypropylene and polyethylene are the only two common microplastics found in the human blood.
- Microplastics are not biodegradable.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Microplastics are tiny bits of various types of plastic found in the environment.The U.S. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the European Chemical Agency define microplastics as less than 5mm in length.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The commonly used plastic polymers include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (used in making plastic carry bags), polymers of styrene (used in food packaging), poly (methyl acrylate), and polypropylene. The traces of the first four types were found in the human blood.
Statement 3 is correct: Microplastics are not biodegradable. Thus, once in the environment, primary and secondary microplastics accumulate and persist.
Q3.Consider the following statements :
- Early palaeolithic tools were fairly large core tools made of quartzite or other hard rocks.
- Palaeolithic people lived in shelters made of rock, branches, grass, leaves, or reeds.
Choose the correct statement(s) using the code given below
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:Early palaeolithic tools were fairly large core tools made of quartzite or other hard rocks. They include chopping tools, handaxes, and cleavers.
Statement 2 is correct:Palaeolithic people lived in shelters made of rock, branches, grass, leaves, or reeds. More and less permanent settlements can be identified and some sites represent specific kinds of activities. Habitation sites such as Bhimbetka and Hunsgi give evidence of continuous occupation over centuries. Other sites indicate temporary camp sites, where people came, lived for some part of the year, and then moved on. Still others were connected with specific activities—e.g., kill or butchery sites and factory sites.
Q4. Consider the following statements
- Sovereignty refers to the power of any state to manage its affairs on its own and without being controlled or influenced by any external force.
- After independence, India became the member of Commonwealth of British Nations.
- Globalisation has weakened the concept of sovereignty.
Which of the following given above is/are correct
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:Sovereignty refers to the power of any state to manage its affairs on its own and without being controlled or influenced by any external force. Preamble declares the resolve of the people of India to establish India as a sovereign country not subjected to the paramountcy of any power.
Statement 2 is correct:After independence, India became the member of Commonwealth of British Nations. The Commonwealth membership indicates that the member countries accept the suzerainty of the British Crown and the people of such countries to be subjects of the Crown. This created a debate that India being a member of Commonwealth was incompatible with the constitutional values.
Statement 3 is correct: It is often debated that the concept of sovereignty has become irrelevant and therefore indefensible in the present globalization era. Globalization has increased the mutual dependency among the nations that no nation can be truly independent.
Q5. Which of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution is related to the appointment of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India?
(a) Article 152
(b) Article 148
(c) Article 165
(d) Article 143
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is a constitutional authority established under Article 148 of the Indian Constitution. Hence, option (b) is the right answer choice. According to Article 148 “there shall be a Comptroller and Auditor-General of India who shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal and shall only be removed from office in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court”.