PROVINCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE, ETC. (PMS) / COMBINED COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION (BS-17) 2008

• (B) Babylon

Alexander the Great died in Babylon, within the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, in what is now Iraq, in June 323 BCE. Alexander was 32 years old, having suffered through a 12 to 14-day illness that included a high fever and abdominal pain. The exact cause of his death is still in question, but malaria or typhoid fever are two of the most likely diagnoses.

• (A) Britain

The American War of Independence (1775-1783) was a conflict between the thirteen American colonies and the Kingdom of Great Britain. It was a result of protests against taxation, the lack of representation in the British Parliament, and oppressive policies that sought to maintain British domination.

• (A) Assam

“Black Widow” (BW) was a splinter group of the Dima Halim Daogah (DHD), a militant group, which was active in the North Cachar Hills district of Assam. The group, led by Jewel Garlossa, was active in the late 2000s and was known for its violent activities, extortion, and kidnappings in the region.

• (B) 1996

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) received General Assembly approval on September 10, 1996, and shortly thereafter, on September 24, 1996, it was opened for signature in New York.

• (C) Citric acid

Citric acid is a weak organic acid that occurs naturally in citrus fruits. The citric acid that is used as a food additive, known as manufactured citric acid (MCA), is produced on a large scale by the fermentation of sugars using the fungus Aspergillus niger.

• (C) Erosion

Erosion is the primary geological force that breaks down the earth’s surface and transports it along due to the action of natural elements such as water, wind, ice, and gravity. Erosion entails the action of lifting soil and rock from one location to another.

• (A) India

The inaugural Asian Games was held in New Delhi, India, from March 4 to 11, 1951. Sometimes referred to as the first Asiad, this event saw the participation of 11 countries competing in various sporting events. This was a historic event for a newly liberated Asia, with India being the host nation for the first Asian Games.

• (C) Pancreas

The pancreas is the gland that produces insulin. More specifically, insulin is produced by the beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Insulin has a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels in the body.

(A) Woodland

• The question asks for the area that is “dominated by trees and shrubs.” This description fits woodland best because it encompasses both trees and shrubs. A forest may also have shrubs, but a forest is dominated by tall trees. In most cases, woodland is described as having trees and shrubs in the understory; therefore, it is the easiest to match.
• Woodland: Similar to a forest but less dense in terms of tree growth, with an open canopy that allows more sunlight to filter through to the ground, often transitioning to shrubland or grassland.
• Swamp: A swamp is a type of wetland that is mainly marked by the presence of standing water and trees and shrubs. While trees and shrubs are present, the focus is on the water-saturated environment.
• Marshland: A marsh is a type of wetland that is dominated by non-woody, emergent vegetation such as grasses, rushes, and sedges, rather than trees.

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For which disease no vaccine is yet available?

• (A) Typhoid
• (B) Smallpox
• (C) Malaria
• (D) Hepatitis

Check Answer

• (C) Malaria

The correct answer is (C) Malaria. Vaccines are available for Typhoid, Smallpox (eradicated due to vaccination), and Hepatitis A and B. In the traditional general knowledge type of questions, Malaria has always been the disease that lacks a completely effective vaccine. Although some vaccines for Malaria have recently been developed and are in use in a few countries, the answer remains Malaria.