1. Which of the following countries surround the Baltic Sea?
1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Norway
4. Sweden
5. Estonia
6. England
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
d) 3, 4 and 6 only
Answer: c
Explanation: Baltic Sea is enclosed by Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Russia. The groups of countries that are currently referred to Baltic States are Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.
Therefore, the correct answer is c.
2. Consider the following statements about World Wildlife Fund for Nature:
1. It is the world’s leading conservation organization.
2. It is headquartered at Gland, Switzerland.
3. The Living Planet Report is its flagship publication and is released every two years.
Which of the above statements are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation:
World Wildlife Fund for Nature is the world’s leading conservation organization and works in more than 100 countries. So, statement 1 is correct.
It was established in 1961 and is headquartered at Gland, Switzerland. So, statement 2 is correct. Its mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth. WWF collaborates at every level with people around the world to develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and the places in which they live. The Living Planet Report, WWF’s flagship publication released every two years, is a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and the health of the planet. So, statement 3 is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is d.
3. Which of the following countries are involved in the Abraham Accord?
(a) Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain
(b) Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan
(c) Israel, Turkey and the USA
(d) Turkey, Russia and the USA
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Abraham Accord between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain is mediated by the USA. It is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years.
As per the agreements, the UAE and Bahrain will establish Embassies and exchange ambassadors. Also, it will open up the working together with Israel across a range of sectors, including tourism, trade, healthcare and security. The Abraham Accords also open the door for Muslims around the world to visit the historic sites in Israel and to peacefully pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam.
Therefore, the correct answer is a
4. Which of the following are examples of warm current?
1. Canaries Current
2. Benguela Current
3. California Current
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Ocean currents can be classified based on temperature: as cold currents and warm currents: (i) cold currents bring cold water into warm water areas. These currents are usually found on the west coast of the continents in the low and middle latitudes (true in both hemispheres) and on the east coast in the higher latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere; (ii) warm currents bring warm water into cold water areas and are usually observed on the east coast of continents in the low and middle latitudes (true in both hemispheres). In the northern hemisphere, they are found on the west coasts of continents in high latitudes. So, all three currents are examples of cold currents.
Therefore, the correct answer is d.
5. Consider the following statements with reference to pangolins:
1. They are reptiles wholly-covered in scales.
2. Their scales are used in traditional medicine and folk remedies.
3. They are one of the most trafficked animals in the world.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: b
Explanation:
Though many think of them as reptiles, pangolins are actually mammals. So, statement (1) is not correct.
They are the only mammals wholly-covered in scales and they use those scales to protect themselves from predators in the wild. If under threat, a pangolin will immediately curl into a tight ball and will use their sharp-scaled tails to defend themselves. It is one of the world’s most trafficked mammal -- with more than one million pangolins poached in the past decade. Pangolins are in high demand in countries like China and Vietnam. Their meat is considered a delicacy and pangolin scales are used in traditional medicine and folk remedies. So, statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is b.