1. Hydrazine is preferred as a propellant in the space industry because of:
(1) Its high performance characteristics.
(2) Its environment-friendly nature.
(3) Its safe storage, ground handling and transportation benefits.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) Explanation: Due to its high performance characteristics, hydrazine has dominated the space industry as the choice of propellant for over six decades, despite its environment and health hazards and the challenges faced in its manufacturing, storage, ground handling and transportation. Hydrazine is highly corrosive and it is also carcinogenic and toxic. To replace Hydrazine, ISRO is working on the HAN (Hydroxyl ammonium nitrate or hydroxylamine nitrate)-based monopropellant and carrying out a variety of tests to investigate its characteristics, like thermal and catalytic decomposition and compatibility with different materials. Hence, correct answer is (a).
2. Consider the following statements:
(1) Western freight corridor runs from Ghaziabad to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Mumbai.
(2) Eastern freight corridor runs from Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal.
(3) Western corridor is being fully funded by the Asian Development Bank.
(4) Eastern corridor is being partially funded by the World Bank.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c) Explanation:
• Statement 1 is incorrect. The 1500 km western freight corridor runs from Dadri near Delhi to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Mumbai.
• Statement 2 is correct. The 1800-km eastern corridor is from Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The construction of the western corridor is being fully funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, which has provided around Rs 33000 crore as soft loan.
• Statement 2 is correct. The eastern freight corridor is being partially funded by the World Bank.
3. With reference to the ‘Indus Water Treaty’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
(1) It gave India control over the Indus, the Jhelum and the Chenab rivers.
(2) It gave Pakistan exclusive right to use waters from the Beas, the Ravi and the Sutlej rivers
(3) The Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Power Project is proposed on the Marusadar river, a tributary of Chenab river, in Jammu and Kashmir.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect: The water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan known as Indus Water Treaty (IWT) was signed in on September 19, 1960, gave Pakistan the exclusive right to use waters from the Indus and its westward flowing tributaries, the Jhelum and the Chenab. However, Jammu & Kashmir was allowed to use some water from these rivers for hydropower generation, domestic use and agriculture. The IWT gave India the control over three eastern rivers— the Beas, the Ravi and the Sutlej. Since Pakistan's rivers flow through India first, the treaty allowed India to use them for irrigation, transport and power generation. Statement 3 is correct: Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Power Project is proposed on Marusadar River, a tributary of Chenab River, in Jammu and Kashmir.
4. Which of the following are basic factors controlling formation of soil?
(1) Parent Material
(2) Topography
(3) Climate
(4) Biological Activity
(5) Time
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (d) Explanation: Pedogenesis is the process of soil development. Various factors which influence this process are: Parent material is a passive control factor in soil formation whose texture and structure determine the type of soil. Topography, a passive factor determines the amount of exposure of parent material surface. Topography has a strong influence on soil development. Soils on the side of hills tend to be shallow, due to erosional losses. Soils on the tops of hills tend to be deep, but lighter in colour, due to downward leaching losses. Soils in the valleys tend to be deeper, darker, and contain more horizons. This is due to increased material deposition from hillside erosion, material accumulation from downward leaching from the tops of hills, and the collection of greater quantities of water in the low lying areas. Climate, biological activity and time are the active factors in soil formation which play role in soil development, addition of organic matter and the soil forming process respectively. Soil organisms play a vital role in the degradation of organic matter and subsequent soil humus formation. When plants die, leaves are dropped onto the soil surface where microorganisms can decay plant tissue. The organic matter is used as an energy source for microorganisms, increasing their population in the soil. These organisms utilize easily digestible materials (like simple sugars and carbohydrates) found in the plant material, leaving more resistant materials (such as fats and waxes) behind. The material left behind is not easily decomposed; it comprises the humus found in soil. Humus acts as a gluing agent, essentially holding primary soil particles (sand, silt, clay) together to form secondary aggregates. These organisms and the humus they help create aid in the soil development and the formation of soil horizons.
5. ‘Duncan passage' is located between which two islands?
(a) Little Nicobar and Great Nicobar
(b) South Andaman and Little Andaman
(c) Car Nicobar and Little Nicobar
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Explanation:
• Duncan passage is located between South Andaman and Little Andaman.
• Pryce channel exists between Little Nicobar and Great Nicobar.
• Sombrero Channel and Kimios Bay exist between Car Nicobar and Little Nicobar.
• Ten Degree Channel lies between Andaman and Nicobar.