11. Consider the following statements:
- The Amazon Rainforest is known as the “lungs of the Earth” due to its role in absorbing carbon dioxide.
- The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth and is visible from space.
- The Mojave Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, covering over 9 million square kilometers.
- The Himalayan mountain range is home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, which stands at 8,848 meters above sea level.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only Three
[D] All Four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only Three]
Notes:
- The Amazon Rainforest is known as the “lungs of the Earth”: It produces approximately 20% of the world’s oxygen and is critical for global climate regulation.
- The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth: It spans over 2,300 kilometers and is home to thousands of marine species, making it a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world: It is known for its extreme temperatures and diverse ecosystems, including dunes, mountains, and oases.
- The Himalayan mountain range is home to Mount Everest: It is not only the highest peak but also an area for biodiversity, housing unique flora and fauna.
12. Consider the following:
- Amazon River
- Nile River
- Yangtze River
Which of the following is the correct order of the above rivers from longest to shortest?
[A] 1 2 3
[B] 2 1 3
[C] 3 2 1
[D] 2 3 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 1 3]
Notes:
The Nile River is traditionally considered the longest river in the world, measuring about 6,650 kilometers. The Amazon River follows closely, with a length of approximately 6,400 kilometers, though some studies suggest it could be longer than the Nile depending on measurement methods. The Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia, is about 6,300 kilometers long. Thus, the correct order from longest to shortest is: Nile, Amazon, Yangtze. Thus, the correct order is 2 1 3.
13. Which organization has recently launched the Amazon Future Engineer Program in 50 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)?
[A] National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS)
[B] Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS)]
Notes:
The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) and Amazon launched the third phase of the Amazon Future Engineer Program in 50 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). The program was implemented in schools across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Tripura. It focused on training in emerging technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, block programming, and coding. Students in classes 6-9 learned computer science fundamentals, while Class 10 students engaged in project-based virtual sessions. The objective was to prepare tribal students for STEM careers through modern technological literacy.
14. Recently, which organization issued world’s first carbon removal bond to fund Amazon reforestation?
[A] World Bank
[B] UNDP
[C] UNEP
[D] UNESCO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [World Bank]
Notes:
The World Bank has issued the world’s first carbon removal bond to support Amazon reforestation. The bond is worth $225 million and has a nine-year term. Investors’ returns are tied to the amount of carbon removed by new trees, not just emission reductions from preventing deforestation. This bond aims to protect the Amazon by financially incentivizing reforestation efforts.
15. Which technology company partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch GenAI-focussed innovation lab in India?
[A] Google
[B] Nokia
[C] Samsung
[D] IBM
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [IBM]
Notes:
IBM has expanded its partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch an innovation lab in Bengaluru to help mutual clients derive value from the latest technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).
The first of its kind innovation lab, is open to clients from around the world to explore joint IBM-AWS solutions and test prototypes and proof-of-concepts relevant across industries such as banking and financial services, automotive, manufacturing and healthcare, among others.
16. Which Union Ministry announced the launch of ‘Amazon Future Engineer Programme’?
[A] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[D] Ministry of Education
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Tribal Affairs]
Notes:
NESTS (Ministry of Tribal Affairs), in partnership with Amazon India and Learning Links Foundation, introduces the second phase of the ‘Amazon Future Engineer Programme’ for EMRSs (Eklavya Model Residential Schools).
This endeavor holds the promise of narrowing the educational disparity within tribal communities and paving the way for their prosperous careers in emerging technologies.
17. Where was the Amazon Summit 2023 held?
[A] Brazil
[B] Chile
[C] Argentina
[D] Mexico
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brazil]
Notes:
This year’s Amazon Summit was held in the Brazilian city of Belém, in which the Amazon nations discussed how the rainforest is managed.
On the final day of the summit, 12 countries have called on wealthy nations to meet their climate funding obligations. A joint statement issued during the summit, called for the development of a financing mechanism which the international community could pay for the critical services provided by forests.
18. Which is the world’s second-largest rainforest after the Amazon?
[A] Congo
[B] Western Ghats
[C] Australiasia
[D] Sundland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Congo]
Notes:
The Congo, which is the world’s second-largest rainforest after Amazon, continues to retreat according to recent report.
The forest is spread across six African countries, the largest of which is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has lost half a million hectares (mha) of forest last year, according to the report.
19. The Amazon Fund is maintained by which financial institution?
[A] World Bank
[B] IMF
[C] New Development Bank
[D] Brazilian Development Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Brazilian Development Bank]
Notes:
The Amazon Fund was created to raise donations for investments in efforts to prevent deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. The Fund is managed by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), which performs raising and investing funds.
The UK government recently announced the contribution of more than 101 million USD to this initiative.
20. Consider the following statements regarding the Amazon Fund:
- The Amazon Fund was established under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
- It is a public fund managed by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES).
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Neither 1 nor 2
[D] Both 1 and 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
The Amazon Fund was not established under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) but is a Brazilian initiative for REDD+ efforts. While the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) manages the fund, statement 2 is misleading as it implies sole public funding and ignores other actors. Thus, neither statement is entirely correct as per official sources.
