Gandhara Civilization was situated between the rivers:
- (A) Sindh and Kabul
- (B) Jhelum and Chenab
- (C) Ravi and Sutlej
- (D) Kabul and Jhelum
- (A) Sindh and Kabul
The Gandhara civilization was mainly located in the Peshawar basin, which is in modern-day northwest Pakistan and northeast Afghanistan. It was specifically along the banks of the Kabul River, also known as the river Kubha or Kabol, down to where it meets the Indus River. It also included the lower valleys of the Swat River.
“Etymology” is the scientific study of:
- (A) World
- (B) Birds
- (C) Insects
- (D) Words
- (D) Words
Etymology studies the historical development and origins of words in different languages. The study examines how words have evolved their pronunciation and semantic meaning throughout history. The term should not be confused with entomology which studies insects or with ornithology which studies birds.
Which country has the oldest national anthem?
- (A) Denmark
- (B) Japan
- (C) Sweden
- (D) Netherlands
- (B) Japan
Japan’s “Kimigayo” is the national anthem which has the oldest lyrics because its words originate from a Heian period waka poem that dates between the 9th and 10th centuries. The lyrics existed from ancient times but the music was created in 1880 and the official adoption took place in 1999. The song stands as one of the shortest national anthems in the world.
When is International Family Day observed every year?
- (A) January 8th
- (B) May 15th
- (C) June 21st
- (D) October 11th
- (B) May 15th
The United Nations established International Day of Families to recognize family importance and raise global awareness about family-related issues. The observance takes place on May 15 every year.
Who was the first Viceroy of India?
- (A) Lord Hastings
- (B) Lord Canning
- (C) Lord Bentick
- (D) Lord Dalhousie
- (B) Lord Canning
Lord Canning (Charles John Canning, 1st Earl Canning) became the first Viceroy of India when he took office in 1858 and held the position until 1862. The Government of India Act 1858 established his Viceroyalty because it transferred control of India from the East India Company to the British Crown after the 1857 revolt.
Where is the world’s largest road tunnel located?
- (A) Belgium
- (B) Switzerland
- (C) Norway
- (D) United Kingdom
- (C) Norway
The Lærdal Tunnel in Norway stands as the longest road tunnel in the world. The tunnel which opened in 2000 extends 24.5 kilometers between the two towns of Lærdal and Aurland. The tunnel serves as a transportation link between Oslo and Bergen while its design includes special lighting and rest areas which help drivers stay alert during their extended trips.
How many quintals are there in one ton?
- (A) 10
- (B) 100
- (C) 1,000
- (D) 10,000
- (A) 10
The metric system defines one ton as equal to ten quintals. The metric system defines a quintal as 100 kilograms and a metric ton as 1,000 kilograms. The calculation shows that 1,000 divided by 100 equals 10 quintals.
World Wide Web (WWW) was invented in 1989 by:
- (A) Leonard Clark
- (B) James Watt
- (C) Tim Berners-Lee
- (D) Martin Cooper
- (C) Tim Berners-Lee
Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist created the World Wide Web in 1989 while working at CERN. He developed the first web browser and server and HTML code because he wanted to create a system that would allow scientists to share information automatically across the globe.
The Durand Line Agreement was signed in 1893 by King of Afghanistan:
- (A) Aman Ullah
- (B) Abdur Rahman Khan
- (C) Habib Ullah
- (D) Dawood Khan
- (B) Abdur Rahman Khan
The Durand Line Agreement was signed on November 12, 1893, by the King (Amir) of Afghanistan, Abdur Rahman Khan, and Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, the Foreign Secretary of British India. The agreement established a 2,610-kilometer boundary which confirmed their territorial boundaries as a permanent solution to their border disputes.
Pakistan Day is observed every year on which date?
- (A) August 14th
- (B) May 1st
- (C) March 23rd
- (D) May 28th
- (C) March 23rd
Pakistan Day occurs every year on March 23. The public holiday honors the Lahore Resolution which Pakistan passed on March 23, 1940, to establish Pakistan as a nation. The day also commemorates Pakistan’s first constitution which the country adopted on March 23, 1956, to become the first Islamic Republic.