Which scientist’s 200th birth anniversary was celebrated worldwide in 2009?
- (A) Charles Darwin
- (B) Albert Einstein
- (C) Marie Curie
- (D) Isaac Newton
- (A) Charles Darwin
His 200th birthday (and 150th year of the publication of On the Origin of Species) was commemorated worldwide in 2009. It was on February 12, 1809, when Charles Darwin was born. To celebrate Darwin’s bicentennial, the whole world was held exhibitions, lectures, and statues unveiled for him.
‘BIN’ is the intelligence agency of which country?
- (A) Iraq
- (B) Indonesia
- (C) Iran
- (D) Afghanistan
- (B) Indonesia
BIN (Badan Intelijen Negara) is Indonesia’s main state intelligence agency. It was set up to manage both the domestic and foreign intelligence; therefore, it is directly accountable to the president. Previously called BAKIN, BIN is the body that coordinates the intelligence operations of various Indonesian, military, and police agencies.
Science of human race is known as:
- (A) Demography
- (B) Choreography
- (C) Ethnology
- (D) Anthropology
- (D) Anthropology
The science of the human race, focusing on its physical character, evolutionary history, and cultural development, is known as anthropology. Specifically, the study of human races, their characteristics, and classification is often referred to as ethnology.
The current American President’s envoy to the Middle East is:
- (A) David Satterfield
- (B) Sherard Cowper Coles
- (C) Richard Holbrook
- (D) None of the above
- (D) None of the above
Steven Charles “Steve” Witkoff (born March 15, 1957) is an American real estate developer and investor. He is primarily recognized as the founder of the Witkoff Group, which is a significant real estate investment and development company. Witkoff initially made a name for himself in the New York real estate market. Later on, he ventured into public service. From 2025, he has been a U.S. special envoy to the Middle East and also a special envoy for peace missions. Thus, he has become a leading figure in the U.S. diplomatic work.
“Aramco” is the oil company of which country?
- (A) Kuwait
- (B) Iran
- (C) Russia
- (D) Saudi Arabia
- (D) Saudi Arabia
Aramco, or the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, is Saudi Arabia’s national oil company. It’s based in Dhahran and is a huge company when you look at how much money it makes. It also has the second biggest supply of oil that we know about.
‘Tenge’ is the currency of:
- (A) Russia
- (B) Kyrgyzstan
- (C) Cuba
- (D) Kazakhstan
- (D) Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s money is called the Tenge (KZT). They started using it on November 15, 1993, after they broke away from the Soviet Union. Before that, they used the Russian ruble. The National Bank of Kazakhstan puts out the tenge, and each one is made up of 100 smaller units called tiyn.
Chennai is the new name of which Indian state?
- (A) Madras
- (B) Chandigarh
- (C) Haryana
- (D) Calcutta
- (A) Madras
Chennai isn’t a new Indian state. It’s actually the capital of Tamil Nadu. Before 1996, it was called Madras. And Tamil Nadu used to be Madras State way back in 1969 when they changed the name.
Who is the Managing Director of International Monitoring Fund (IMF)?
- (A) Robert Zoellick
- (B) Christine Lagarde
- (C) Strauss-Kahn
- (D) Kristalina Georgia
- (D) Kristalina Georgia
Kristalina Georgieva has been the main boss / M.D at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since October 1, 2019. On October 1, 2024, she started another five years in charge, steering the IMF’s work on keeping the world economy steady, helping countries with their debts, and getting back on track after the pandemic.
“Asiana Airline” is the airline of which country?
- (A) Japan
- (B) South Korea
- (C) Thailand
- (D) Malaysia
- (B) South Korea
Asiana Airlines is a big South Korean airline based in Seoul. It’s one of the two biggest airlines over there—the other being Korean Air—and it flies all over the place: Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America.
‘Silicon Valley’ of California is called thus because of:
- (A) Film industry
- (B) Government offices
- (C) Stock exchange
- (D) Computer industry
- (D) Computer industry
Silicon Valley got its name from all the companies there that make silicon microchips. Back in 1971, a journalist named Don Hoefler started calling it Silicon Valley U.S.A. in his articles, and the name just stuck. Before all the tech stuff, that area, Santa Clara Valley, was mostly orchards. But then electronics took over and turned it into the tech center we know today. That’s why silicon is now linked to the area’s tech scene and computer industry.