English & General Awareness - 3 - SSC CGL MCQ

The correct answer: Idol, idle

Key Points

• In the given sentence, we need a noun for the first blank as the adjective "favourite" is modifying the noun.
• For the second blank, we need an adjective
• "Idol" and "idle" are easy to confuse because they sound identical (i.e., they are perfect homonyms).
• Homonyms are words that sound alike or are spelt alike but have different meanings.
  • Idol: a person (such as a film star or pop musician) who is admired or loved. (समादृत, प्रशंसित या चहेता व्‍यक्ति (जैसे फ़िल्‍म स्‍टार या पॉप गायक) आराध्य)
  • Idle: not wanting to work hard; lazy. (मेहनत से जी चुराने वाला, कामचोर; आलसी)
• For the first blank, the word "idol" is the appropriate answer as we are talking about a favourite admirable person.
• For the second blank, the word "idle" as we are talking about sitting without any work.
• ​Considering all these rules, the correct answer is Option 1.

​​Correct sentence: Lata loved to watch her favourite idol play music instead of sitting idle.

The correct answer is 'Medellín cartel'.

Key Points

• The Medellin Cartel is not a Mexican drug cartel; it was based in Colombia. It was a well-known drug cartel active primarily in the 1970s and 1980s.
• The Medellin Cartel is distinct from the Juarez, Sonora, and Tijuana cartels mentioned in the options, which are all Mexican cartels, as evidenced by the provided passage.
• According to the passage, the Medellin Cartel, along with the Cali Cartel, were responsible for manufacturing drug products. Meanwhile, the Guadalajara Cartel, a Mexican cartel, would oversee distribution.
• The Central figure of the Medellin Cartel was Colombia's Pablo Escobar, who is globally recognized as one of the most infamous drug lords of his time.

Therefore, the correct answer is- 'Option 4' i.e. 'Medellín cartel'.

Additional Information

• Juarez Cartel: This is a Mexican drug cartel which has been involved in violent conflict with other cartels to secure territories and drug trafficking routes.
• Sonora Cartel: While not as internationally infamous as the others mentioned, this is also a Mexican cartel involved in the drug trade.
• Tijuana Cartel: Another Mexican drug cartel engaged in the drug trafficking business. Often these cartels have been involved in violent struggles over territories.
• Medellín cartel: As mentioned before, this is a Colombian cartel which was once led by Pablo Escobar. It was heavily involved in the distribution of cocaine during the late 20th century.

The correct answer is 'Mexican drug cartels now dominate the country’s government'.

Key Points

• The statement that "Mexican drug cartels now dominate the country’s government" is not supported by the passage.
• The passage explains how the Mexican government has been in conflict with drug cartels and has received US support in these efforts, but it does not suggest that cartels now dominate the government.
• The U.S. Congress passed legislation to provide Mexico with both financial aid and technical advice, which contradicts the assertion that Mexican drug cartels dominate the government.
• Mexican drug trafficking organizations have indeed existed for several decades, according to the passage.

Therefore, the correct answer is- 'Option 2' i.e. 'Mexican drug cartels now dominate the country’s government'.

Additional Information

• The U.S. Congress passed legislation to provide Mexico with technical advice to strengthen the national justice systems: This statement is correct as per the passage. The US sought to strengthen Mexico's national justice systems under the Mérida Initiative.
• Mexican drug cartels now dominate the country’s government: As explained, this statement is not supported by the passage.
• The U.S. Congress passed legislation to provide Mexico with financial aid: This is confirmed in the passage. The Mérida Initiative included providing Mexico with US$1.6 billion in aid.
• Mexican drug trafficking organizations have existed for several decades: The passage confirms this, noting the longstanding nature of Mexican drug trafficking organizations.

The correct answer is 'Folding paper'.

Key Points

• The passage mentions that "origami" comes from the Japanese words "ori," which means folding, and "kami," meaning paper.
• It's an ancient Japanese art form practiced for centuries known for its intricacy and beauty.
• The art is performed only with a flat surface, a piece of paper, and the skill of the artist.
• No use of scissors, glue, or markings is allowed in origami.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

The correct answer is 'Scissors'.

Key Points

• The passage states that the artist must transform a flat sheet of paper into a sculpture through folding and shaping, without the use of scissors, glue, or markings.
• The main rule of origami emphasizes the restriction on the usage of any external tools or materials apart from the paper itself.
• Despite these constraints, a vast range of designs can be created just with the act of folding paper.
• The hands and imagination of the artist are key tools used in creating origami.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

The correct answer is 'Medicine and Space technology'.

Key Points

• The passage identifies that origami extends beyond being a simple art form and has practical applications in numerous fields.
• Specifically, the applications of origami are noted in science and technology, including fields such as medical devices and space structures.
• Due to origami's implications in understanding complex geometry and structure creation, its applications can be found in varied, mostly technical, areas.
• This highlights the functionality and adaptability of this ancient art.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

The correct answer is 'pain'

Key Points

• Let's look at the given words and their meaning.
• Agony: extreme physical or mental suffering.
• Pain: A state of suffering of the body or mind.
• Help: making it easier for someone to do something by offering one's services or resources
• Risk: exposure to danger, harm, or loss
• Blame: responsibility for a fault or wrong
• Hence, the correct synonym of agony is pain
• Example: The war veteran after getting injured on the battlefield exclaimed "Every moment I breathe is an agony"

Additional Information

• The synonyms of agony are: anguish, misery, torture, woe, and distress.

The correct answer is option 3)

Key Points

We need to follow these instructions while changing the voice of an assertive sentence.

• Find the subject and object of the sentence and exchange their places; make changes in their cases as well if subject and object are pronouns.
• Now the modal verb 'should be' will be converted into 'should'.
• The main verb in past participle will be converted into present participle.
• At last line up the remaining part.
• For the above sentence, the following syntax is given-

Passive voice- subject + should + be + V3 + by + object

Active voice- new subject + should + V1 + new object

Following these steps, we finally get - "All students should follow the instructions."

The given sentence is in the past continuous tense.
The tense of the sentence should remain unchanged even after changing the voice of the sentence.
Among the given options, only option B contains a sentence that is in the past continuous tense.
Hence, all other options get eliminated.
And, option B becomes the correct answer.

“Under the new programme, the government will raise awareness, hold universal screening of seven crore citizens aged between 0-40 years in tribal areas as well as conduct counselling of diagnosed cases. The current sickle cell programme is marred by an acute shortage of diagnostic kits leading to low rates of new case detection and poor treatment support to diagnosed patients.”
Here, “programme” refers to the one launched by the government, aimed at eliminating the disease by 2047. Raising awareness and counselling already diagnosed cases is a part of this programme.
Option B is hence the correct answer.

The given words can be defined as follows:
Marred: impair the quality or appearance of; spoil.
Impotent: unable to take effective action; helpless or powerless.
Impair: weaken or damage (something, especially a faculty or function).
Improve: make or become better.
Inept: having or showing no skill; clumsy.
Option B is hence the correct answer.

“Though a healthy water table would replenish ponds like the one in the village, he explained that “there is no initiative from any department to nurture this groundwater”” and “A board in the middle of the dried pond announces that it is situated on “gaon sabha” land.”
Since the pond is on “gaon sabha” land, it is the responsibility of the gaon sabha to maintain it. One way to do it is to maintain the water table of the area. So, in order to maintain the pond, the gaon sabha needs to maintain the water table.
Thus, option A is true about gaon sabha.
Option B.
Refer to : “This is a category of land that, under the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, is jointly owned by a village, and comprises areas used by the community, including for the digging of wells, collecting forest produce or as burial grounds.”
The gaon sabha owns the lands that is to be used for digging of wells, collecting forest produce or as burial grounds. These activities, however, are done by the workers skilled in them.
Thus, option B is not true about gaon sabha.
Option C.
Refer to : “…the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954…”
The Delhi Land Reforms Act was formed in 1954, not 1990.
Thus, option C is not true about gaon sabha.
Option D.
Refer to : “The act vests the rights of usage of such common lands with the gaon sabha – the representative body that governs a village or a group of villages, whose executive arm is the gaon panchayat.
Gaon panchayats are a part of the gaon sabha, not their replacement.
Thus, option D is not true about gaon sabha.
Option A is hence the correct answer.

“In 1990, the Delhi government issued a notification that dissolved all the gaon panchayats constituted under the 1954 act, and transferred the ownership of the gaon sabha lands to the revenue department of the Delhi government.”
Since it was the revenue department of Delhi government that was supposed to maintain the pond, it’s mismanagement should be blamed on them.
Option B is hence the correct answer.

The given words can be defined as follows:
Mindful : conscious or aware of something
Neglect : fail to care for properly
Despair : the complete loss or absence of hope
Exasperated : having or showing strong feelings of irritation or annoyance
Accusatory : indicating or suggesting that one believes a person has done something wrong
Regressive : returning to a former or less developed state
Nostalgic : longing for or thinking fondly of a past time or condition
Sad : causing or characterized by sorrow or regret; unfortunate and regrettable.
The paragraph begins with a nostalgic memory, then shows the current state of affair which is quite abysmal.
Option D is hence the correct answer.

We do not use ‘reflexive pronouns’ with ‘keep.’
Hence, option D is the correct answer.

The correct answer is option C. The correct word to fill in the blank is ‘leverage.’
Abscond: depart secretly
Bombast: pompous language with little meaning
Leverage: use (something) to maximum advantage
Concede: admit to be true
The sentence here would mean that the transition to green alternatives is an urgent imperative and an opportunity to use this move to maximum advantage in order to catalyse new industries, generate jobs on a sizeable scale, and add to overall economic output.
Hence, option C is the correct answer.

The correct answer is Iodine.

Key Points

• Iodine
  • It was first discovered by Courtois in 1811 from the ashes of seaweeds.
  • Its atomic number is 53 and its mass number is 126.9.
  • It is found in compound form in seawater and seaweeds as iodides.
  • It is a non-metallic shining solid (possesses metallic lustre).
  • In the human body, it exists in the form of Thyroxin, an organic compound secreted by the thyroid gland.
  • Its deficiency in the Human body disturbs the working of the thyroid gland and leads to a goitre.

Additional Information

• Sodium
  • Sodium is a highly reactive alkali metal with the atomic number 11.
  • It has a silvery-white appearance and is soft enough to be easily cut with a knife.
  • Sodium is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat.
  • It has a low melting point and reacts violently with water, releasing hydrogen gas.
  • Sodium is widely used in various applications, such as the production of chemicals, soaps, and detergents, as well as in the field of medicine.
• Phosphorus
  • Phosphorus is a non-metal element with the atomic number 15.
  • It exists in several different forms, known as allotropes.
  • White phosphorus is the most reactive and dangerous form. It is a translucent, waxy solid that appears yellowish or slightly off-white.
  • White phosphorus is highly toxic and flammable.
  • Red phosphorus is more stable and appears as a dark red powder. It is used in matches, fireworks, and as a flame retardant.
  • Black phosphorus is the most stable allotrope and has a layered structure. It appears as a brittle solid with a dark gray to black color.
• Sulphur
  • Sulphur is a non-metal element with the atomic number 16.
  • It is known for its yellow color in its most common form.
  • Sulphur occurs naturally as a brittle solid and can be found in various shades of yellow.
  • It has a low melting point and can easily be vaporized.
  • Sulphur is widely used in the production of sulfuric acid, fertilizers, and rubber products.
  • It is also an essential element in the formation of proteins and is found in amino acids.

The correct answer is 1, 2, and 3.

Key Points

Ramosi Revolt

• The Ramosis served in the lower ranks of the Maratha army and police.
• They revolted in Satara in 1822 under the leadership of Chittur Singh. Hence pair 1 is correctly matched.
• Reason: heavy assessment of land revenue and the harsh methods of its collection.
• The British Government followed a pacifying policy overlooking the violent acts of the Ramosis by granting them land and recruiting them as hill police.

Khond Uprising

• The Khonds lived in vast hill tracts stretching from Tamilnadu to Bengal, covering central provinces.
• The movement continued from 1837 to 1856 and was led by Chakra Bisoi. Hence pair 2 is correctly matched.
• Reason: an attempt by the government to suppress human sacrifice (Mariah), the introduction of new taxes by the British, and the influx of Zamindars and sahookars (money-lenders).
• After 1855 the movement faded out.

Sawantwadi Revolt

• The revolt took place in the Sawantwadi region in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra state in 1844.
• It was led by Phond Sawant. Hence pair 3 is correctly matched.
• Reason: discontentment against British rule.
• Several Sawantwadi rebels were tried for treason and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. After the introduction of martial law, the movement was quashed.

Hence all the personalities are correctly matched with their movement.

The correct answer is Himachal Pradesh.

Key Points

• Nati is a popular folk dance in India.
• It is performed in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
• The dance is usually performed during celebrations and festivals.
• Both men and women participate in the dance.
• Traditional musical instruments like dhol, nagara, and shehnai are used in Nati.
• Nati is known for its lively movements and colourful attire worn by the performers.​

Additional Information

The correct answer is Rudradaman I.

Key Points

• Rudradaman I:-
  • The most famous Shaka ruler who got the Sudarshana Lake in Kathiawar renovated was Rudradaman I.
  • He was the ruler of the Western Kshatrapas dynasty and ruled from 130 CE to 150 CE
  • He​ was known for his military conquests, patronage of arts and literature, and his contribution to the development of trade and commerce.
  • The Sudarshana Lake was a significant water resource for the people of Kathiawar and Rudradaman I's renovation of the lake earned him the title of "Sudarshana Kaviraja" or "King of Sudarshana".

Additional Information

• Maues:-
  • He was a ruler of the Indo-Scythian Kingdom who ruled from around 85 BCE to 60 BCE.
  • He was known for his military conquests and his coins are found in large numbers in the regions of modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• Rudrasimha III:-
  • He was a ruler of the Western Kshatrapas dynasty who ruled from 388 CE to 395 CE.
  • He was known for his patronage of Buddhism and his coins have been found in large numbers in the regions of modern-day Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• Chashtana:-
  • He​ was a ruler of the Indo-Scythian Kingdom who ruled from around 78 BCE to 60 BCE.
  • He was known for his military conquests and his coins have been found in large numbers in the regions of modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The correct answer is 35.5 u.
Key Points

• The isotopes of chlorine, found in nature are in the ratio 3 : 1.

Average atomic mass of chlorine

= (35 x 75/100) + (37 x 25/100)

= 105/4 + 37/4

= 142/4

= 35.5 u

• The average atomic mass of chlorine is equal to 35.5 u.

Important Points

• The average atomic mass is the weighted average of the atomic masses of the naturally occurring isotopes of an element.
• To find the average atomic mass of an atom, we take into account all of the isotopes that exist and the percentage of each type.
• Average atomic mass = (Mass of isotope × Relative abundance).

Additional Information

• The atomic number of an atom is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom or the number of electrons in an electrically neutral atom.
• Atomic number = Number of protons.
• It is represented with the letter ‘Z'.
• The mass number is defined as the sum of the numbers of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom.
• It is represented using the letter ‘A'.
• Elements with the same atomic number but a different mass number are defined as Isotopes.
• The mass number is commonly cited in distinguishing among the isotopes of an element.
• The atomic mass of an element can be described as the total mass of one atom of the given element.
• Its unit is called the unified atomic mass unit and is denoted by the symbol ‘u’.

The Correct Answer is Sangeetha G.

In News

• Drop of The Last Cloud: Book takes close look at Kerala’s erstwhile matrilineal system.

Key Points

• A new book revisits Kerala's matrilineal past where women were more empowered in terms of exercising their right to decision-making and ownership of property.
• "Drop of The Last Cloud" by Sangeetha G is set in Travancore at a time when Kerala's old matrilineal system was changing.
• It explores the life of a woman named Gomathi.
• In Drop of The Last Cloud, protagonist Gomathi’s character evolved out of author Sangeetha G’s observation of women who belong to the generation that was in a state of flux after the abolition of matriliny.

The correct answer is All of the above.

Key Points

• The constitution provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advice the Governor in the exercise of his functions.
• The governor appoints the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers on the advice of the Chief Minister.
• The Council of Ministers constitutes the real executive in the state.
• The functions of the Council of Ministers are:
  • To lay down the policy of governance of the state.
  • Make proposals for making new laws.
  • Formulation and modulation of the conditions of state service.
  • Control over the State Exchequer.

Thus, we can say that the functions of the Council of Ministers are mentioned above.

The correct answer is Qutub-Din Aibak.

Key Points

• Qutb ud-din is another name for Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
• He was the founder of the Slave dynasty.
• He was also known as Lakh Baksh because of his generosity.
• He served as a commander in Muhammad Ghori's army.​
• He died in the year 1210 AD while playing Chaugan or Polo.
• He served as the Slave dynasty's first emperor.
• Another name for the Slave dynasty is the Mamluk dynasty.
• Dynasty was succeeded by the Khilji (or Khalji) dynasty.

Additional Information

• Iltutmish (Reign: 1211 – 1236):
  • Aram Shah was a weak ruler. He was conspired against by a group of nobles who invited Shamsuddin Iltutmish to be the ruler.
  • Iltutmish was a son-in-law of Aibak.
  • He ruled the Ghurid regions of northern India.
  • He was a Turkic slave born in Central Asia.
  • Iltutmish was the greatest of the slave rulers of Delhi.
  • He shifted his capital from Lahore to Delhi.
  • He died in 1236 and was succeeded by his daughter Razia Sultana as he did not consider his sons equal to the task.
• Balban:
  • He ruled from 1266 AD-1287 AD.
  • He was a member of Chahalgani Chalisa.
  • He broke the power of Chahalgani and restored the prestige of the crown.
  • He created a strong centralized army and established the military department Diwan-i-Arz.
  • He took up the title of Zil-i-Ilahi (a shadow of God) and impressed upon the people that the king was the deputy of God (Niyabat-i-Khudai).
  • He insisted on the Iranian ceremonies of sijda and paibos.​​

Pandit Anokhe Lal Mishra was a renowned Tabla player

Key Points

• The tabla is actually two drums played by the same performer.
• Both drums have compound skins onto which a tuning paste, or siyahi, is added to help generate the wide variety of tones these drums can produce.
• It was invented by Amir khusru in 1738.
• The right side is called the Tabla and the left, the Bayan or Dagga.
• It is type of Avanaddha vadya or Membranophones
• The bayan is the larger of the two drums and is generally made of metal or pottery.
• The smaller drum is called the dahini or sometimes referred to as the tabla.
• Dahini is usually made of heavy lathe-turned rosewood and provides much higher pitch sounds than does the bayan.
• The siyahi on the bayan is off-center, which allows the performer to add variable pressure on the skin, changing the pitch of the instrument with the palm of his or her hand while striking it with the fingertips.

Doha is the capital and most populous city of the State of Qatar.
Hence, Option D is correct.

Equs Assinus is the scientific name of Donkey. Donkey is the domesticated animal which is used for various working purpose.
Deer –Cervidae
Cow- Bos taurus Kangaroo- Macropus rufus
Hence option A is correct.

Salinization of soil results from a combination of evaporation, salt precipitation and dissolution, salt transport, and ion exchange (Shimojima et al., 1996).

Hence option C is correct.

Onam is an annual Hindu festival celebrated in southern Indian state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival celebrated by Malayalis whose date is based on the Panchangam and falls on the 22nd nakshatra Thiruvonam in the month Chingam of Malayalam calendar, which in Gregorian calendar overlaps with August–September.
Hence, option A is correct.

Dadabhai Naoroji was a politician and a writer. Naoroji published ‘Poverty and un-British Rule in India’ in 1901. The book was written to explain a theory as to how British drained India’s wealth.
Hence, option B is correct.