August 21-2024 Prelims Practice Questions (PPQs)

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Horseshoe crabs are marine chelicerate arthropods found in shallow coastal waters on soft, sandy, or muddy bottoms.
• They belong to the Subphylum Chelicerata, which includes animals like spiders, scorpions, harvestmen, mites, and ticks.
• Horseshoe crabs are often regarded as “living fossils” due to their ancient lineage.
• Lifespan: 20 – 100 years.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Horseshoe crabs are marine arthropods, not true crabs, but are chelicerates, closely related to arachnids like spiders, ticks, and scorpions.
• Their segmented body, segmented limbs, and thick chitinous cuticle (exoskeleton) are typical features of arthropods.
• They predominantly spawn (release eggs) on intertidal beaches during summer-spring high tides.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Status: American horseshoe crab: Vulnerable, Tri-spine horseshoe crab: Endangered
• Threats: Commercial harvest for biomedical use, habitat loss.

Statement 3 is correct

• Their blue blood properties detect bacteria, helps in testing medicines & medical equipments. The outer layer contains chitin, which aids in healing wounds and treating burns.
• Habitat loss, illegal harvesting, and destructive fishing practices endanger horseshoe crabs in India and necessitate urgent conservation efforts.

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

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Ration shops are to be renamed as ‘Jan Poshan Kendras.’
• Jan Poshan Kendras are a pilot project under Union Food Ministry aimed at increasing the income of ration dealers at 60 selected Fair Price Shops (FPS) in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, and UP.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The project allows FPS dealers to diversify their inventory beyond subsidised grains.
• It will allocate 50% of the space for nutrition products and 50% for other household items.

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

Correct

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

• The Panama Canal, an important shipping lane around the world, faces an existential threat due to fall in the level of Lake Gatun, an artificial water reservoir vital to the operation of the canal system.
• Lake Gatun was formed by damming the Chagres River and its smaller affluents at Gatun.
• The lake’s main function is to hold sufficient water in the Gaillard Cut to the south for canal passage and for use in the canal’s locks during dry spells. Guacha Island is present in the centre of the lake.
• Panama Canal is a crucial shipping route that connects Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Isthumus of Panama in Central America.

Option (a) is incorrect

• Lake Tanganyika is an African Great Lake.
• The lake is shared among four countries namely Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Zambia

Option (b) is incorrect

• Lake Titicaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest of the world’s large lakes.
• Lake Titicaca sits 3,810 m above sea level and is situated between Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east.

Option (c) is incorrect

• Bayano Lake is a reservoir in the eastern part of Panamá Province, Panama created when the Bayano River was dammed in 1976.
• In terms of surface area, Lake Bayano is the second largest lake in Panama, exceeded only by Lake Gatun.
• It has no connection with Panama Canal.

Answer: (d) Lake Gatun; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect

• The Teesta River originates from the Pahunri (or Teesta Kangse) glacier in the Eastern Himalayas in the state of Sikkim.
• The river’s source is the Teesta Khangtse Glacier, which is located above 5,400 meters (17,700 feet) west of the Pahunri (or Teesta Kangse) glacier.
• In Bangladesh, it merges with the Brahmaputra River (known locally as the Jamuna River).
• Major tributaries: Rangpo River, the Rangit River, and the Great Rangit River.
• Major Wild life Sanctuaries and National Parks: Khangchendzonga National Park, Biosphere Reserve, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Pakhi Bitan Bird Sanctuary

Statement 2 is correct

• It flows southward through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal, eventually entering Bangladesh.

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

Correct

Explanation

• Maltodextrin, a safe additive in foods, might pose risks for people with diabetes.
• Maltodextrin is a white, relatively tasteless powder that dissolves in water.
• It is made from starchy foods such as corn, potato, wheat, tapioca, or rice.
• It has no nutritional value. However, it is a very easy-to-digest carbohydrate.
• Benefits
  • It thickens foods or liquids to bind the ingredients together and improves texture, flavor and shelf life.
  • It is inexpensive and replaces sugar or fat in low-calorie, processed foods.
  • It is used additive in pasta, cooked cereals, rice, meat substitutes, baked goods, frozen meals.
  • It is also used in lotions, hair-care products, and livestock feed.
  • It is often added to sports drinks and snacks, as it can provide energy rapidly.

Answer: (b) Food Additives; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect and statement 2 is correct

• Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) founded in 1995 as a non-governmental society, its mission is to advance modern communication.
• The core members include Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Reliance Jio.
• Initiatives: Telecom Sector Skill Council and Telecom Centres of Excellence.

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