Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – September 25-26, 2022 [Mock Test]
September 27, 2022 September 27, 2022
1. Which of the following landforms is/are formed by the process of chemical weathering?
- Stalagmite
- Stalactite
- Icicle
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 3
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 & 2]
Notes:- A stalagmite is a type of rock formation that rises from the floor of a cave due to the accumulation of material deposited on the floor from ceiling drippings. Stalagmites are typically composed of calcium carbonate, but may consist of lava, mud, peat, pitch, sand, sinter, and amberat.
- A stalactite is a mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of caves, hot springs, or man-made structures such as bridges and mines. Any material that is soluble and that can be deposited as a colloid, or is in suspension, or is capable of being melted, may form a stalactite.
- Stalactites and stalagmites form when rainwater drips through limestone rock. Along the way, it picks up carbon dioxide, from the air and from any organic matter it passes as it dribbles down. These are formed by chemical weathering. Water dissolves the calcites in the rock of a cave roof, and the calcite is deposited as strange and wonderful structures below.
- An icicle is a spike of ice formed when water dripping or falling from an object freezes. It is a physical change. Icicles can form during bright, sunny, but subfreezing weather, when ice or snow melted by sunlight or some other heat source (such as a poorly insulated building), refreezes as it drips off under exposed conditions.
2. With respect to the Intergovernmental Science-policy platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service (IPBES), which of the following statements is not correct?
[A] It is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to biodiversity and ecosystem.
[B] Its secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany.
[C] It is an independent intergovernmental body, established in 2012.
[D] Its objective is to strengthen the research, evidence-based policy making for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [It is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to biodiversity and ecosystem. ]
Notes:- Intergovernmental Science-policy platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service (IPBES) released its report on the sustainable use of wild species of plants, animals, fungi and algae around the world.
- It is an independent intergovernmental body, established by member States in 2012, with the objective to strengthen the research, evidence-based policy making for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Its secretariat is in Bonn, Germany.
- According to the report, about 70% of the world’s poor population is directly dependent on wild species. 20% source their food from wild plants, algae and fungi.
- Wild tree species account for two thirds of global industrial roundwood, trade in wild plants, algae and fungi is a billion-dollar industry, and even non-extractive uses of wild species are big business.
- About 34% of marine wild fish stocks are overfished and 66% are fished within biologically sustainable levels.
- The survival of an estimated 12% of wild tree species is threatened by unsustainable logging.
- Unsustainable gathering is one of the main threats for several plant groups, notably cacti, cycads and orchids.
- Unsustainable hunting has been identified as a threat for 1,341 wild mammal species.
- Certain species have cultural importance such as Wild rice (Zizania palustris L.) is a cultural keystone species, providing physical, spiritual and cultural sustenance for many indigenous peoples in the Great Lakes region of North America.
3. Consider the following statements about G-20:
- Italy, Indonesia, and India are the Troika countries right now.
- The first G20 Summit took place in London.
- Italy, France, Spain, Germany are its member countries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- The G20 was formed in 1999 in the backdrop of the financial crisis of the late 1990s that hit East Asia and Southeast Asia in particular. Its aim was to secure global financial stability by involving middle-income countries. Together, the G20 countries include 60 per cent of the world’s population, 80 per cent of global GDP, and 75 per cent of global trade.
- Its members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Spain is invited as a permanent guest.
- The presidency of the G20 rotates every year among members, and the country holding the presidency, together with the previous and next presidency-holder, forms the ‘Troika’ to ensure continuity of the G20 agenda. Italy, Indonesia, and India are the Troika countries right now.
- The G20 has no permanent secretariat. The agenda and work are coordinated by representatives of the G20 countries, known as ‘Sherpas’, who work together with the finance ministers and governors of the central banks. India recently said ex-NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant would be the G20 Sherpa after Piyush Goyal.
- The first G20 Summit took place in 2008 in Washington DC, US.
- The 17th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit will happen in November in Bali. After Indonesia, India will assume the presidency of G20 from December 2022.
