QUIZ – 2016: Insights Current Affairs Quiz
August 15, 2016
The following quiz will have 5-10 MCQs . The questions are mainly framed from The Hindu and PIB news articles.
This quiz is intended to introduce you to concepts and certain important facts relevant to UPSC IAS civil services preliminary exam 2016. It is not a test of your knowledge. If you score less, please do not mind. Read again sources provided and try to remember better.
Please try to enjoy questions, discuss the concepts and facts they try to test from you and suggest improvements.
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INSIGHTS CURRENT EVENTS QUIZ 2016
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The following Quiz is based on the Hindu, PIB and other news sources. It is a current events based quiz. Solving these questions will help retain both concepts and facts relevant to UPSC IAS civil services exam.
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Question 1 of 9
1. Question
2 pointsIn the context of modem scientific research, consider the following statements about ‘lceCube’, a particle detector, which was recently in the news :
- It is the world’s largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometre of ice.
- It is a powerful telescope to search for dark matter.
- It is located at North Pole.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: b.
Slightly modified form of Q80, CS(P) 2015.
“IceCube is a particle detector at the South Pole that records the interactions of a nearly massless subatomic particle called the neutrino. IceCube searches for neutrinos from the most violent astrophysical sources: events like exploding stars, gamma-ray bursts, and cataclysmic phenomena involving black holes and neutron stars.”
“The IceCube telescope is a powerful tool to search for dark matter and could reveal the physical processes associated with the enigmatic origin of the highest energy particles in nature. In addition, exploring the background of neutrinos produced in the atmosphere, IceCube studies the neutrinos themselves; their energies far exceed those produced by accelerator beams. IceCube is the world’s largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometer of ice. It is buried beneath the surface, extending to a depth of about 2,500 meters. Burying it deep in ice is important to enhance the precision of the detector.”
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/icecube-sees-no-evidence-of-sterile-neutrinos/article8986008.ece
Incorrect
Solution: b.
Slightly modified form of Q80, CS(P) 2015.
“IceCube is a particle detector at the South Pole that records the interactions of a nearly massless subatomic particle called the neutrino. IceCube searches for neutrinos from the most violent astrophysical sources: events like exploding stars, gamma-ray bursts, and cataclysmic phenomena involving black holes and neutron stars.”
“The IceCube telescope is a powerful tool to search for dark matter and could reveal the physical processes associated with the enigmatic origin of the highest energy particles in nature. In addition, exploring the background of neutrinos produced in the atmosphere, IceCube studies the neutrinos themselves; their energies far exceed those produced by accelerator beams. IceCube is the world’s largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometer of ice. It is buried beneath the surface, extending to a depth of about 2,500 meters. Burying it deep in ice is important to enhance the precision of the detector.”
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/icecube-sees-no-evidence-of-sterile-neutrinos/article8986008.ece
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Question 2 of 9
2. Question
2 pointsNeutrino Physicists at the IceCube Neutrino Detector facility recently drew a blank in their search for a “sterile” neutrino – which when discovered would be the fourth type of neutrino. In what way would its discovery NOT be helpful?
- It would explain the mismatch between quantities of matter and antimatter in the universe
- It would give a clue as to what forms dark matter
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: d.
Both statements are correct.
“Sterile neutrinos (or inert neutrinos) are hypothetical particles that interact only via gravity and do not interact via any of the other fundamental interactions of the Standard Model.”
“If discovered, this particle would have been a fourth type of neutrino and would have indicated the existence of new physics beyond the “standard model” of physics which predicts that there are only three varieties of neutrino. Also, it would have explained the mismatch between quantities of matter and antimatter in the universe, while giving a clue as to what forms dark matter.”
“It was, in fact, not just the theorists who were keen on seeing the sterile neutrino, so called because it does not interact with matter at all, except for gravity. Its presence was hinted at by experiments at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the 1990s and recently at the Daya Bay nuclear reactor facility (Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment)in Hong Kong.”
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/icecube-sees-no-evidence-of-sterile-neutrinos/article8986008.ece
Incorrect
Solution: d.
Both statements are correct.
“Sterile neutrinos (or inert neutrinos) are hypothetical particles that interact only via gravity and do not interact via any of the other fundamental interactions of the Standard Model.”
“If discovered, this particle would have been a fourth type of neutrino and would have indicated the existence of new physics beyond the “standard model” of physics which predicts that there are only three varieties of neutrino. Also, it would have explained the mismatch between quantities of matter and antimatter in the universe, while giving a clue as to what forms dark matter.”
“It was, in fact, not just the theorists who were keen on seeing the sterile neutrino, so called because it does not interact with matter at all, except for gravity. Its presence was hinted at by experiments at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the 1990s and recently at the Daya Bay nuclear reactor facility (Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment)in Hong Kong.”
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/icecube-sees-no-evidence-of-sterile-neutrinos/article8986008.ece
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Question 3 of 9
3. Question
2 pointsThe Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment is NOT
Correct
Solution: c.
“The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment is a China-based multinational particle physics project studying neutrinos. The multinational collaboration includes researchers from China, Chile, the United States, Taiwan, Russia, and the Czech Republic. The US side of the project is funded by the US Department of Energy’s Office of High Energy Physics. It is situated at Daya Bay, approximately 52 kilometers northeast of Hong Kong and 45 kilometers east of Shenzhen.”
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/icecube-sees-no-evidence-of-sterile-neutrinos/article8986008.ece
Incorrect
Solution: c.
“The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment is a China-based multinational particle physics project studying neutrinos. The multinational collaboration includes researchers from China, Chile, the United States, Taiwan, Russia, and the Czech Republic. The US side of the project is funded by the US Department of Energy’s Office of High Energy Physics. It is situated at Daya Bay, approximately 52 kilometers northeast of Hong Kong and 45 kilometers east of Shenzhen.”
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/icecube-sees-no-evidence-of-sterile-neutrinos/article8986008.ece
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Question 4 of 9
4. Question
2 pointsConsider the following statements:
- How fast a planet spins on its axis affects whether it has a habitable climate
- For a planet which contains water on its surface, more dry land in its tropical region would limit greenhouse gas effect
- ‘Magellan Mission’ as well as the ‘Pioneer Mission’ were missions by NASA to Venus
Which of the statements above is/are correct?
Correct
Solution: b.
“Previous studies have shown that how fast a planet spins on its axis affects whether it has a habitable climate. A day on Venus is 117 Earth days. Until recently, it was assumed that a thick atmosphere like that of modern Venus was required for the planet to have today’s slow rotation rate. However, newer research has shown that a thin atmosphere like that of modern Earth could have produced the same result. That means an ancient Venus with an Earth-like atmosphere could have had the same rotation rate it has today.”
“Another factor that impacts a planet’s climate is topography. The GISS team postulated ancient Venus had more dry land overall than Earth, especially in the tropics. That limits the amount of water evaporated from the oceans and, as a result, the greenhouse effect by water vapor. This type of surface appears ideal for making a planet habitable; there seems to have been enough water to support abundant life, with sufficient land to reduce the planet’s sensitivity to changes from incoming sunlight.”
—
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/venus-may-have-once-been-habitable-nasa/article8984875.ece
Incorrect
Solution: b.
“Previous studies have shown that how fast a planet spins on its axis affects whether it has a habitable climate. A day on Venus is 117 Earth days. Until recently, it was assumed that a thick atmosphere like that of modern Venus was required for the planet to have today’s slow rotation rate. However, newer research has shown that a thin atmosphere like that of modern Earth could have produced the same result. That means an ancient Venus with an Earth-like atmosphere could have had the same rotation rate it has today.”
“Another factor that impacts a planet’s climate is topography. The GISS team postulated ancient Venus had more dry land overall than Earth, especially in the tropics. That limits the amount of water evaporated from the oceans and, as a result, the greenhouse effect by water vapor. This type of surface appears ideal for making a planet habitable; there seems to have been enough water to support abundant life, with sufficient land to reduce the planet’s sensitivity to changes from incoming sunlight.”
—
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/venus-may-have-once-been-habitable-nasa/article8984875.ece
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Question 5 of 9
5. Question
2 pointsNExSS’ is a NASA research coordination network which seeks to
- develop tools and technologies needed in the search for life beyond Earth
- study the diversity of exoplanets and help classify the diversity of worlds being discovered
- understand where habitable niches are most likely to occur
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: d.
“The research was done as part of NASA’s Planetary Science Astrobiology program through the Nexus for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS) program, which seeks to accelerate the search for life on planets orbiting other stars, or exoplanets, by combining insights from the fields of astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics, and Earth science. The findings have direct implications for future NASA missions, such as the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and James Webb Space Telescope, which will try to detect possible habitable planets and characterize their atmospheres.”
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/venus-may-have-once-been-habitable-nasa/article8984875.ece
Incorrect
Solution: d.
“The research was done as part of NASA’s Planetary Science Astrobiology program through the Nexus for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS) program, which seeks to accelerate the search for life on planets orbiting other stars, or exoplanets, by combining insights from the fields of astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics, and Earth science. The findings have direct implications for future NASA missions, such as the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and James Webb Space Telescope, which will try to detect possible habitable planets and characterize their atmospheres.”
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/venus-may-have-once-been-habitable-nasa/article8984875.ece
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Question 6 of 9
6. Question
2 pointsPolished rice is widely consumed today as opposed to the earlier practice of consumption of hand pound rice. Which of the following is the most appropriate reason for this present-day practice?
Correct
Solution: d.
“Mahatma Gandhi was always advocating us to eat hand pound rice and hand ground wheat rather than eating polished rice. Yet we continue using machine-polished cereals because they can be stored longer. But machine-polishing removes the bran (surrounding the seed) containing the pericarp and the ‘aleurone layer’ which have small amounts of essential nutrients such as some vitamins, iron, zinc and other inorganic components. So, Gandhiji was right! Machine-polished grains are thus poorer in such “micronutrients.”…”
“This leads to what is today termed as “hidden hunger.” You may a eat stomach full of food everyday and yet miss out on these micro-nutrients essential for the growth and health of the body. UN agencies estimate that hidden hunger affects one in every three children across the world, leading to deficiency in physical growth and development of the brain.”
Incorrect
Solution: d.
“Mahatma Gandhi was always advocating us to eat hand pound rice and hand ground wheat rather than eating polished rice. Yet we continue using machine-polished cereals because they can be stored longer. But machine-polishing removes the bran (surrounding the seed) containing the pericarp and the ‘aleurone layer’ which have small amounts of essential nutrients such as some vitamins, iron, zinc and other inorganic components. So, Gandhiji was right! Machine-polished grains are thus poorer in such “micronutrients.”…”
“This leads to what is today termed as “hidden hunger.” You may a eat stomach full of food everyday and yet miss out on these micro-nutrients essential for the growth and health of the body. UN agencies estimate that hidden hunger affects one in every three children across the world, leading to deficiency in physical growth and development of the brain.”
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Question 7 of 9
7. Question
2 points‘DRR Dhan 45’, also termed ‘IET 23832’, recently seen in the news is
Correct
Solution: b.
“What if, rather than supplementing these micro-nutrients separately, they become part and parcel of the rice, wheat and other cereals we eat daily? Are there rice or wheat plants which are inherently rich in some of these micronutrients? Can they be grown, cross-bred or hybridised with other conventional rice or wheat plants? This has been the dream of agricultural scientists across the country, and the group led by Dr Vemuri Ravindra Babu of the Institute of Rice Research (of the Indian council of Agricultural Research or ICAR) at Hyderabad has succeeded in doing so, after a pursuit that has lasted for over 12 years. A particular variety, termed DRR Dhan 45 (also termed IET 23832) is a zinc- rich rice plant developed by this group. It contains as much as 22.18 parts per million of zinc (the highest so far in released rice varieties) It is also moderately resistant to pests that kill rice plant by causing the leaf blast disease.”
Also, read the paragraph which discusses why zinc is important to the human body:
Incorrect
Solution: b.
“What if, rather than supplementing these micro-nutrients separately, they become part and parcel of the rice, wheat and other cereals we eat daily? Are there rice or wheat plants which are inherently rich in some of these micronutrients? Can they be grown, cross-bred or hybridised with other conventional rice or wheat plants? This has been the dream of agricultural scientists across the country, and the group led by Dr Vemuri Ravindra Babu of the Institute of Rice Research (of the Indian council of Agricultural Research or ICAR) at Hyderabad has succeeded in doing so, after a pursuit that has lasted for over 12 years. A particular variety, termed DRR Dhan 45 (also termed IET 23832) is a zinc- rich rice plant developed by this group. It contains as much as 22.18 parts per million of zinc (the highest so far in released rice varieties) It is also moderately resistant to pests that kill rice plant by causing the leaf blast disease.”
Also, read the paragraph which discusses why zinc is important to the human body:
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Question 8 of 9
8. Question
2 pointsUnder the ‘Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme’, a scheme for Left Wing Extremism affected states, funds are provided for meeting the recurring expenditure relating to
- Rehabilitation of Left Wing Extremist cadres who surrender
- Construction of fortified police stations
- Training and operational needs of the security forces
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Solution: c.
Statement 3 is a separate scheme – ‘Scheme of Fortified Police Stations’.
Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme: Under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, funds are provided for meeting the recurring expenditure relating to insurance, training and operational needs of the security forces, rehabilitation of Left Wing Extremist cadres who surrender in accordance with the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the State Government concerned, community policing, security related infrastructure for village defence committees and publicity material.
Incorrect
Solution: c.
Statement 3 is a separate scheme – ‘Scheme of Fortified Police Stations’.
Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme: Under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, funds are provided for meeting the recurring expenditure relating to insurance, training and operational needs of the security forces, rehabilitation of Left Wing Extremist cadres who surrender in accordance with the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the State Government concerned, community policing, security related infrastructure for village defence committees and publicity material.
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Question 9 of 9
9. Question
2 pointsIn India, a ban on any pesticide is based on research conducted by
Correct
Solution: d.
“However, the committee is perturbed to note that there is no provision for periodic scientific evaluation of pesticides used in the country and the Central Insecticides Board doesn’t carry out any research or study on its own, and its advice to the government is based on national and international literature or information available. The action for ban of particular pesticides is taken only after receipt of general information on the ban on, or restriction of, particular pesticides in other countries. A ban is based on the recommendation of a committee of experts constituted for the purpose,” it said.
The Central Insecticides Board has been constituted under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and it falls under Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare.
Incorrect
Solution: d.
“However, the committee is perturbed to note that there is no provision for periodic scientific evaluation of pesticides used in the country and the Central Insecticides Board doesn’t carry out any research or study on its own, and its advice to the government is based on national and international literature or information available. The action for ban of particular pesticides is taken only after receipt of general information on the ban on, or restriction of, particular pesticides in other countries. A ban is based on the recommendation of a committee of experts constituted for the purpose,” it said.
The Central Insecticides Board has been constituted under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and it falls under Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare.
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