April 03 2024 Prelims Practice Questions (PPQs)

Correct

Explanation

• GI Tags from Assam – Asharikandi Terracotta Craft, Pani Meteka craft Sarthebari metal craft, Jaapi, Mising handloom Products, Bihu dhol, Jotha, Gongar Dunjia, Gongona, Thorka, Gamsa, Keradapini, Sifung, Jwmgra, Serja, Dokhona, Khardwi, Eri Silk and Kham.
• GI Tags from Uttar Pradesh – Banaras Thandai, Banaras Lal Bharwamirch, Banaras Tabla, Banaras Lal Peda and Banaras Shehnai.
• GI Tags from Tripura – Pachra-Rignai and Matabari Peda.
• GI Tags from Meghalaya – Meghalaya Garo Textile, Meghalaya Chubitchi and Meghalaya Lyrnai Pottery.
• This is the first time such a large number of Geographical Indication (GI) Tags have been given at a go.

Answer: (b) Only two; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Kallakkadal is essentially coastal flooding during the pre-monsoon (April-May) season by swell waves on the southwest coast of India.
• In Malayalam, “Kallan” means thief, & “Kadal” means sea, referring to “ocean that arrives as a thief.”
• Kallakkadal occurs without precursors or any local wind activity, making it very difficult for the coastal population to get an advance warning.
• However, the Swell Surge Forecast System by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) provides a warning seven days in advance.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Kallakkadal is caused by waves that are formed by an ocean swell. Hence, the name swells surge.
• Ocean swells occur not due to local winds but rather to distant storms, such as hurricanes or even long periods of fierce gale winds.
• During such storms, huge energy transfers occur from the air into the water, leading to the formation of very high waves.
• Such waves can travel thousands of kilometres from the storm centre until they strike shore.

Statement 3 is correct

• United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) formally approved the term in 2012.

Answer: (a) Only one; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The negotiations and the orders essentially settled the maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka in 1974 by giving sovereign rights over a maritime patch called ‘Wadge Bank’ near Kanya-kumari to India.
• The Wadge Bank is located near Cape Comorin, lies to the south of Kanyakumari and west of the Palk Strait.

  

• It has been identified by the Fishery Survey of India as a 4,000-sq-mile area and considered as India’s biggest fishery resource.
• It lies within the exclusive economic zone of India and India have sovereign rights over the area and its resources.

Statement 2 is correct

• It is one of the world’s richest fishing grounds and in a much more strategic part of the sea than the island of Katchatheevu.
• The fishing vessels of Sri Lanka and persons on board these vessels shall not engage in fishing in the Wadge Bank.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• CoViNet is a network of global laboratories with expertise in human, animal and environmental coronavirus surveillance.
• The network currently includes 36 laboratories from 21 countries in all six WHO regions.
• It was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• It aids to facilitate and coordinate global expertise and capacities for early and accurate detection, monitoring and assessment of SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and novel coronaviruses of public health importance.
• In low and middle-income countries, CoViNet will support the building of more laboratories to monitor MERS-CoV and novel coronaviruses of public health importance.

Statement 2 is correct

• CoViNet comprises 36 laboratories from 21 countries in all six WHO regions, including 3 Indian laboratories.
• The 3 Indian laboratories in CoViNet includes:
  • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI),
  • Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology in Pune,
  • Translational Health Science and Technology Institute.

  

Answer: (b) 2 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has specific criteria for declaring a heat wave in different regions of the country.
• In the plains, a heat wave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40^oCelsius, while in hilly regions, it is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 30^oCelsius.
• The IMD can also declare a heat wave if the actual maximum temperature crosses 45^oC, and a ‘severe heat wave’ if it crosses 47^oC.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The wet bulb temperature is the lowest temperature to which air can be cooled by the evaporation of water into the air.
• It is a measure of the moisture levels in the atmosphere and takes into account both temperature and relative humidity, providing a more accurate representation of the actual felt temperature, especially during humid conditions.

Answer: (a) 1 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

• Venezuela, officially known as the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country located on the northern coast of South America.
• It is bordered by Brazil, Colombia, and Guyana, and it has a coastline along the Caribbean Sea to the north.

  

• The capital and largest city of Venezuela is Caracas. The official language is Spanish.
• The country is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Andes mountains, vast grasslands, and the Amazon rainforest.
• Some of its notable landmarks include Angel Falls, the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, the Caribbean islands of Margarita and Los Roques, and the diverse wildlife found in the Orinoco Delta.

Answer: (d) Brazil, Colombia, and Guyana; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Juice Jacking is a form of cyberattack where public USB charging ports are tampered with and infected to steal data or install malware on connected devices.
• Juice Jacking is a real security concern in public places such as airports, cafes, and shopping centers.
• In this attack, malicious actors manipulate USB charging ports to compromise connected devices.
• They may install malware, steal sensitive data (such as passwords and credit card information), or gain unauthorized access to the device.
• The unsuspecting user, seeking a quick charge, unknowingly connects their phone or other electronic device to a compromised USB port, allowing the attacker to exploit vulnerabilities.

Statement 2 is correct

• Mitigating the risk of Juice Jacking involves adopting several precautions:
  • Avoid Public USB Ports: Refrain from using public charging stations, especially those found in public transportation hubs, airports, or other high-traffic areas. These ports are more susceptible to tampering.
  • USB Data Blockers (USB Condoms): Consider using USB data blockers (also known as USB condoms). These small devices allow only power transfer while blocking data transfer through the USB cable. They act as a protective barrier between your device and the charging port.
  • Use Power Outlets: Whenever possible, charge your devices directly from power outlets rather than relying on USB ports.
  • Enable Data Transfer Prompt: On your device, disable automatic data transfer when connected via USB. Some devices prompt you to choose between “charging only” and “data transfer” modes when connected to a USB port. Always select “charging only” to prevent data exchange.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Easy

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Tax evasion and tax avoidance are not distinguished by the type of tax they focus on.
• Tax evasion refers to illegal practices where individuals or entities deliberately misrepresent their income or financial information to reduce their tax liability.
• On the other hand, tax avoidance involves exploiting legal loopholes or using creative accounting methods to minimize the amount of tax owed.
• Both tax evasion and tax avoidance can apply to various types of taxes, including income tax, sales tax, or property tax.

Statement 2 is correct

• As of now, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) does not cover electricity and petroleum products.
• While GST has consolidated multiple indirect taxes, some items are still outside its purview.
• Alcohol for human consumption, as well as petroleum products such as diesel, petrol, natural gas, and aviation turbine fuel, are kept out of GST.
• Additionally, electricity is also not covered under GST, as these items have significant revenue implications for both the central and state governments.

Answer: (a) 1 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Tamil Nadu State Forest Department, in collaboration with WWF-India, successfully radio-collared a fully-grown saddleback (grown-up male) Nilgiri Tahr in Mukurthi National Park.
• This operation marked the first time a mountain ungulate was collared without tranquilizing it.
• Nilgiri Tahr, locally known as Varaiaadu, is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.

  

• It is the only mountain ungulate in southern India among the 12 species found in India.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Conservation Status:
• IUCN Status: Endangered
• WPA, 1972: Schedule-I
• Distribution: It is endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats, which falls in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  • Eravikulam National Park has the highest density and largest surviving population of Nilgiri tahr.
• Habitat: Tropical montane grasslands, sholas forests and rocky areas at high elevations.
• Adaptation: It is adapted to a cold and wet tropical environment. The species is diurnal.

Answer: (a) 1 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

• Venomous jellyfish blooms spotted along Visakhapatnam coast in Andhra Pradesh.
• The Mauve Stinger (scientifically known as Pelagia noctiluca) is a fascinating jellyfish found in warm and temperate waters around the world.
• It has several common names, including the purple-striped jelly, purple stinger, purple people eater, luminous jellyfish, and night-light jellyfish.
• Appearance: The Mauve Stinger is typically pink to purple in color. Unlike most jellyfish, both its tentacles and bell are covered in stinging cells.
• Bioluminescence: The name “noctiluca” comes from Latin, combining “nox” (night) and “lux” (light). This aptly describes the Mauve Stinger’s ability to glow in the dark due to bioluminescence.
• Distribution: It is found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas, including the Mediterranean, Gulf of Mexico, and the North Atlantic region. Records outside the North Atlantic may represent closely related but currently unrecognized species.
• Stinging Incidents: Stings from the Mauve Stinger are common and painful. Symptoms may persist for some time after the encounter, but they are generally not dangerous.
• Impact on Local Economy: When large numbers of Mauve Stingers are washed ashore, it can affect the local economy.
  • Tourists avoid beaches, and fishers may be stung while retrieving their nets, which can become clogged by these jellyfish. Swarms have even wiped out entire fish farms.

  

Answer: (d) Mauve Stinger; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Haemophilia is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to form blood clots.
• It is a rare disorder in which the blood doesn’t clot in the typical way because it doesn’t have enough blood-clotting proteins.
• Signs and symptoms of hemophilia vary, depending on the level of clotting factors.
• Males are much more likely to have hemophilia than are females.

Statement 2 is correct

• It is a sex linked disorder.
• The gene for hemophilia is carried on the X chromosome.
• It is caused by a mutation or change, in one of the genes, that provides instructions for making the clotting factor proteins needed to form a blood clot.
• This type is caused by a lack or decrease of clotting factor VIII.
• Treatment:
  • It involves replacement therapy, which involves infusing clotting factor concentrates into the bloodstream to help the blood clot.
  • Other treatments may include medications to promote clotting or surgery to repair damage caused by bleeding.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Medium