The second largest desert of the world is:
- (A) Arabian
- (B) Sahara
- (C) Gobi
- (D) Great Sandy
- (A) Arabian
The Arabian Desert is generally considered to be the second-largest hot subtropical desert in the world, covering an area of approximately 900,000 to 1,000,000 square miles (2.3 to 2.6 million square kilometers) in the Arabian Peninsula. However, if one takes into account the polar deserts, then it becomes the fifth largest desert in the world because the Arctic and Antarctic deserts are much larger.
How many official languages are recognized by UNO?
- (A) 8
- (B) 6
- (C) 5
- (D) 4
- (B) 6
The United Nations functions with six recognized official languages, which include Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. The languages are used in official documents, meetings, and all forms of communication to ensure inclusivity and equal participation in international discussions. English and French are also the key working languages of the UN Secretariat.
“Arab Spring” movement in Middle East started from:
- (A) Tunis
- (B) Egypt
- (C) Syria
- (D) Sudan
- (A) Tunis
The Arab Spring began in Tunisia in December 2010, inspired by a street vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi, who immolated himself in Sidi Bouzid on December 17 after being harassed by the police. This incident triggered mass protests throughout the country, known as the Jasmine Revolution, and brought down President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on January 14, 2011.
Sindh was separated from Bombay in:
- (A) 1929
- (B) 1936
- (C) 1937
- (D) 1947
- (B) 1936
The province of Sindh was given its own provincial status on April 1, 1936, when it was separated from the Bombay Presidency. This was done through the Government of India Act 1935, which made Sindh a separate province. This was the result of a long struggle by the Sindhi people, and it was finally achieved on this day.
Which of the following country has no boundary with Syria?
- (A) Israel
- (B) Iran
- (C) Turkey
- (D) Iraq
- (B) Iran
Syria is located in Western Asia and borders five countries. It does not share a border with Iran, as it is separated by Iraq. Here are the borders of Syria:
To the north and northwest, Turkey;
To the east and southeast, Iraq;
To the south, Jordan;
To the southwest, Lebanon;
To the southwest, Israel, along the Golan Heights.
Vasco da Gama was the native of:
- (A) Portugal
- (B) Italy
- (C) Spain
- (D) France
- (A) Portugal
Vasco da Gama was born in the year 1460 in Sines, Portugal. He was a noble and one of the most renowned explorers of Portugal, known for leading the first ships to sail directly from Europe to India in the year 1497-1499.
_______ makes up 14 to 17 percent of the human skeleton.
- (A) Iron
- (B) Magnesium
- (C) Sodium
- (D) Phosphorus
- (D) Phosphorus
The human skeleton is composed largely of a mineralized matrix called hydroxyapatite, which imparts bones their hard, rigid properties. On a weight basis, phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the human body. About 85% of the total phosphorus in the body is found in bones and teeth. If we consider bone minerals as a whole, phosphorus is usually about 14% to 17% of bone minerals.
Calcium takes the lead as the most abundant mineral in the bone, contributing about 39% to bone minerals. However, there are other minerals as well, although in much smaller proportions. Magnesium, sodium, and iron are present only in trace amounts. For example, magnesium contributes less than 1% to bone ash.
The largest earth filled dam of the world is:
- (A) Tarbela
- (B) Aswan
- (C) Mangla
- (D) Warsak
- (A) Tarbela
The Tarbela Dam is located on the Indus River in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and it is the world’s largest earth-filled dam in terms of volume. Completed in 1976, the dam is 143 meters (470 feet) high and 2,743 meters (9,000 feet) long. The Tarbela Dam is an important part of the Indus Basin project, constructed for irrigation, flood control, and power production.
Which of the following can be recycled many times?
- (A) Plastic
- (B) Wood
- (C) Organic materials
- (D) Aluminium
- (D) Aluminium
Aluminium is one of the few materials that can be recycled repeatedly, almost forever, without losing its quality and properties. Unlike paper and plastics, which tend to deteriorate and are downcycled, aluminium can be melted and reused repeatedly without losing its essence. Moreover, recycling aluminium requires 95% less energy than producing aluminium from raw materials.
“Timbuktu” is the famous city of:
- (A) Spain
- (B) Mali
- (C) Iraq
- (D) Egypt
- (B) Mali
Timbuktu, an ancient city in Mali, West Africa, is famous for its rich history as a center of trade, Islamic learning, and culture. Located along the banks of the Niger River, it flourished during the 13th to 16th centuries as an important trading center for gold, salt, and manuscripts. It is currently a UNESCO World Heritage site.