1. Fausta, a female black rhino, believed to be the world’s oldest rhino, had recently died in Tanzanian conservation area. What is the IUCN status of the black rhinos?
[A] Least concern
[B] Endangered
[C] Critically Endangered
[D] Near threatened
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Critically Endangered]
Notes:
Also known as “hook-lipped rhinoceros”, these species, though called “black” are in varying colours of brown and grey. They are found in South and East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Its IUCN status is critically endangered, though the South-Western status of the black rhinoceros is classified under vulnerable.
2. Which state is going to conduct its maiden snow leopard survey?
[A] Uttrakhand
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Haryana
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttrakhand]
Notes:
Uttarakhand is preparing for its maiden snow leopards survey after the winter is over. Experts estimate that there are over 80 snow leopards in Uttarakhand. However, a census of this cat has not yet been conducted.
3. The recent Taiwanese anti-infiltration law is seen as a move against which country?
[A] Japan
[B] North Korea
[C] Russia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
Taiwan parliament had recently passed an anti-infiltration law to counter the perceived threats from China as the nation prepares itself for a presidential vote. This legislation is part of the Taiwanese government’s efforts to curb China’s influence in the politics and democratic process through illegal funding, media etc.
4. The US was recently praised by the UAE for its role in the Global Coalition against Daesh. What is the other name for Daesh?
[A] Al Qaeda
[B] Hezbollah
[C] ISIS
[D] Houthis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ISIS]
Notes:
The UAE had expressed its support for all the measures taken by the US to defend and protect its interests and forces in the region and also praised the US’ role in the Global Coalition against Daesh (ISIS). The term “Daesh” is an acronym for the Arabic phrase al-Dawla al-Islamiya al-Iraq al-Sham (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).
5. What is Landouria tonywhitteni that was named after Tony Whitten?
[A] Snail
[B] Grasshopper
[C] Snake
[D] Beetle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Snail]
Notes:
Tony Whitten was a British conservationist who documented biodiversity in Asia before he died due to cycling crash. A prize fund was set up in his name after his death. One of the recent winners of this prize named a snail in Indonesia after him. These species live in a limestone habitat and are threatened due to quarrying for the cement industry.
6. Miss Teen International 2019 was conferred to an individual from which of the following countries?
[A] South Africa
[B] Zimbabwe
[C] India
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [India]
Notes:
Miss Teen International is the oldest running teen pageant in the world. Aayushi Dholakia from India had bagged the title of Miss Teen International 2019, becoming the first Asian to do so in the last 27 years. She also won Best in National Costume Award and Best in Speech award.
7. The Ransthamb that was recently in the news is in which state?
[A] Bihar
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Ransthamb is a memorial to the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Maharashtra. It is also known as Jaistambh or victory pillar. It is located in Bhima Koregaon village in Pune. It was visited by many in light of the 202nd anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle that was fought in 1818.
8. Which city is host to the 107th edition of the Indian Science Congress (ISC)?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Lucknow
[C] Kolkatta
[D] Bengaluru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bengaluru]
Notes:
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 107th edition of the Indian Science Congress (ISC) at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka from January 3 to 7, 2020.The theme of the five-day event will be ‘Science and technology: rural development’. The congress would also host various programmes like Women Science Congress, Children Science Congress, Science Communicators Meet and Farmer’s Science Congress.
9. Senior Politician and former Member of Parliament, D P Tripathi who passed away recently belonged to which political party?
[A] Bharathiya Janata Party
[B] Indian National Congress
[C] Nationalist Congress Party
[D] Communist Party of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nationalist Congress Party]
Notes:
D P Tripathi (Devisree Prasad Tripathi) was a senior political leader of Nationalist Congress Party and a former Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra. He also served as the General Secretary and chief spokesman of the Nationalist Congress Party. Though he was initially associated with the Congress (INC) party during his early life, he later moved to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He was also an academic and the author of the journal titled “Think India”.
10. What is the annual financial assistance given to eligible farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme?
[A] Rs. 10000
[B] Rs. 8000
[C] Rs. 6000
[D] Rs. 5000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs. 6000]
Notes:
The 3rd installment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM- KISAN) scheme was released by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in Tumakuru, Karnataka. This latest installment is expected to benefit nearly six crore beneficiaries. The PM- KISAN scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on February 2019 to provide financial assistance of Rs.6000 per year to eligible farmers in three installments of Rs.2000 each. The payment of second installment began from April 2019.
