Daily Prelims Practise Questions (PPQs) – October 31 2023

Questions

• The questions below are based on PMF IAS Daily Current Affairs – October 2023.

Q1. {Envi-species} Consider the following statements about mushrooms:

1. All mushrooms are a type of fungi.
2. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine.
3. Some mushrooms are highly toxic and unsafe for consumption.
4. All mushrooms reproduce through spore formation.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 2, 3, and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. {MoD – Initiatives} Regarding the Goa Maritime Conclave, consider the following statements:

1. The Goa Maritime Conclave, an Indian Navy initiative, facilitates the exchange of knowledge and ideas among maritime security experts.
2. The theme for the latest fourth edition of Goa Maritime Conclave is “Charting Horizons and Building Alliances”.
3. It has financial and secretarial support from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Q3. {Polity – IC – FRs} Consider the following statements regarding the Right to freedom of expression:

1. It is a fundamental right guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
2. This Right is available exclusively to Indian citizens, not foreign nationals.
3. The Government of India can impose reasonable restrictions on the Right to freedom of expression only in cases related to national security.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. None

Q4. {Envi – Plastic Pollution} With reference to plastic pellets (or nurdles), which are essential raw materials for the plastic industry, consider the following statements:

1. Plastic pellets are tiny beads that petrochemical companies use and can be produced from various materials, including polypropylene and polystyrene.
2. Pollution caused by them is primarily because of littering by citizens.
3. Other sources of plastic pellet pollution include leakages from production facilities, transportation, storage, and recycling activities.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q5 {IE – Banking} With reference to ‘Non-callable deposits,’ consider the following statements:

1. Non-callable deposits are always subject to a fixed interest rate until maturity.
2. Account holders can request a premature withdrawal of non-callable deposits in the case of financial emergencies without any penalties.
3. The lack of flexibility with non-callable deposits can be compensated by offering a higher-than-average interest rate.
4. Non-callable deposits are primarily designed for short-term financial goals and unsuitable for long-term investments.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Q6. {IE – Exports} With reference to the Minimum Export Price (MEP) in India, consider the following statements:

1. MEP is a price floor set by the Indian government to ensure that exports coming under the scheme meet a certain minimum price.
2. Basmati is the only rice variety that does not have an MEP in India.
3. The main objective of MEP is to promote exports.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 3 only

Q7. {S&T – AI} Which of the following best describes the concept of a “Digital Twin” in modern technology and industry?

1. A technology used to create holographic duplicates of physical objects for entertainment purposes.
2. A digital representation of a physical object or system that allows real-time monitoring and analysis.
3. A virtual reality environment for training astronauts for space missions.
4. A software program for designing 3D models for video games and simulations.

Q8. {Geo – PG – Geomorphology} With reference to earthquakes, consider the following statements:

1. Earthquakes occur due to the interaction between fault lines where tectonic plates collide, pull apart, or slide past each other.
2. The stress interaction of the East and South Anatolian Faults exacerbated the intensity of the Turkey-Syria earthquakes (2023).
3. Fault bends and step-overs reduce stress during earthquakes, making them less destructive.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Questions With Solution and Explanation

Q1. {Envi-species} Consider the following statements about mushrooms:

1. All mushrooms are a type of fungi.
2. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine.
3. Some mushrooms are highly toxic and unsafe for consumption.
4. All mushrooms reproduce through spore formation.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 2, 3, and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• All mushrooms are a type of fungi.

Statement 2 is correct

• Some mushrooms have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine.

Statement 3 is correct

• Some mushrooms are highly toxic and unsafe for consumption

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Mushrooms are typically known for their reproduction method through spores, but there is a notable exception to this general rule.
• Some mushrooms, such as the puffball mushroom, reproduce by fragmentation. This means that the mushroom breaks into smaller pieces, which grow into new mushrooms.
• Other mushrooms, such as the shiitake mushroom, reproduce through budding. This means that a small copy of the mushroom grows out of the parent mushroom.

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Q2. {MoD – Initiatives} Regarding the Goa Maritime Conclave, consider the following statements:

1. The Goa Maritime Conclave, an Indian Navy initiative, facilitates the exchange of knowledge and ideas among maritime security experts.
2. The theme for the latest fourth edition of Goa Maritime Conclave is “Charting Horizons and Building Alliances”.
3. It has financial and secretarial support from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Goa Maritime Conclave is an Indian Navy initiative that allows maritime security experts to share their knowledge and ideas. Delegates from twelve Indian Ocean nations attended the conclave.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The theme for the fourth edition is ‘Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region: Converting Common Maritime Priorities into Collaborative Mitigating Frameworks.’

Statement 3 is incorrect

• There is no such support from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to the program.
• It emphasises respecting international maritime laws, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Answer: (c) 1 only

Q3. {Polity – IC – FRs} Consider the following statements regarding the Right to freedom of expression:

1. It is a fundamental right guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
2. This Right is available exclusively to Indian citizens, not foreign nationals.
3. The Government of India can impose reasonable restrictions on the Right to freedom of expression only in cases related to national security.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. This Right is not absolute. It has some reasonable restrictions.

Statement 2 is correct

• It is solely available to a citizen of India, not to a foreign national.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Government of India can impose reasonable restrictions in cases which involve:
  1. Sovereignty and integrity of India
  2. Security of the state
  3. Friendly relations with foreign nations
  4. Public order, decency, and morality
  5. Contempt of court
  6. Defamation and incitement to an offence

Answer: (a) Only one

Q4. {Envi – Plastic Pollution} With reference to plastic pellets (or nurdles), which are essential raw materials for the plastic industry, consider the following statements:

1. Plastic pellets are tiny beads that petrochemical companies use and can be produced from various materials, including polypropylene and polystyrene.
2. Pollution caused by them is primarily because of littering by citizens.
3. Other sources of plastic pellet pollution include leakages from production facilities, transportation, storage, and recycling activities.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Plastic pellets are small beads used by petrochemical companies.
• They can be made from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Plastic pellets are not primarily the result of citizen littering but are being leaked from various industrial sources. Cleaning them up is more challenging due to their small size.

Statement 3 is correct

• They leak from various sources, including production facilities, transportation, storage, and recycling activities. (They are not the result of littering by citizens.)

Answer: (b) Only two

Q5 {IE – Banking} With reference to ‘Non-callable deposits,’ consider the following statements:

1. Non-callable deposits are always subject to a fixed interest rate until maturity.
2. Account holders can request a premature withdrawal of non-callable deposits in the case of financial emergencies without any penalties.
3. The lack of flexibility with non-callable deposits can be compensated by offering a higher-than-average interest rate.
4. Non-callable deposits are primarily designed for short-term financial goals and unsuitable for long-term investments.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Non-callable deposits are always subject to a fixed interest rate until their maturity date.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Non-callable deposits usually incur penalties if withdrawn before maturity, even in the case of financial emergencies.

Statement 3 is correct

• Non-callable deposits often offer higher interest rates to compensate for their lack of flexibility.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Non-callable deposits are often used for long-term investments due to their fixed interest rates.

Answer: (b) Only two

Q6. {IE – Exports} With reference to the Minimum Export Price (MEP) in India, consider the following statements:

1. MEP is a price floor set by the Indian government to ensure that exports coming under the scheme meet a certain minimum price.
2. Basmati is the only rice variety that does not have an MEP in India.
3. The main objective of MEP is to promote exports.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• MEP is a trade policy tool governments use to set a floor price for certain exportable commodities.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• One of the significant issues with MEP on rice is MEP was set only for basmati and excluded other premium-quality Indian rice.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The main objective of MEP is often to restrict exports to ensure domestic availability and curb food inflation.

Answer: (b) 1 only

Q7. {S&T – AI} Which of the following best describes the concept of a “Digital Twin” in modern technology and industry?

1. A technology used to create holographic duplicates of physical objects for entertainment purposes.
2. A digital representation of a physical object or system that allows real-time monitoring and analysis.
3. A virtual reality environment for training astronauts for space missions.
4. A software program for designing 3D models for video games and simulations.

Explanation

• A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, process, service, or environment. It is a real-time simulation of the object or system.
• It can be used to predict physical objects’ performance and identify potential problems to optimise their operation.
• Digital twins are created using sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

Answer: (b) A digital representation of a physical object or system that allows real-time monitoring and analysis.

Q8. {Geo – PG – Geomorphology} With reference to earthquakes, consider the following statements:

1. Earthquakes occur due to the interaction between fault lines where tectonic plates collide, pull apart, or slide past each other.
2. The stress interaction of the East and South Anatolian Faults exacerbated the intensity of the Turkey-Syria earthquakes (2023).
3. Fault bends and step-overs reduce stress during earthquakes, making them less destructive.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Earthquakes occur due to the interaction between fault lines where tectonic plates collide, pull apart, or slide past each other.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The stress interaction of the East and North Anatolian Fault Lines exacerbated the intensity of the Turkey-Syria earthquakes.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Fault bends and step-overs are described as contributing to increased stress, not reducing it.

Answer: (c) 1 only