31. A 419-million-year-old Chinese Fossil recently proved the evolution of Human Middle Ear from which creature?
[A] Chimpanzee
[B] Fish
[C] Gecko
[D] Turtle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fish]
Notes:
A 419-million-year-old Chinese Fossil recently proved the evolution of Human Middle Ear from fish gills. Embryonic and fossil evidence proved that the human middle ear evolved from the spiracle of fishes.
As per the study, many important structures of human beings can be traced back to our fish ancestors, such as our teeth, jaws, middle ears.
32. ‘Whoever, Whatever, Whenever. Everyone has a right to seek safety’ is the theme of which international day observed in June?
[A] World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
[B] World Refugee Day
[C] World UN Peacekeepers Day
[D] World Child Labour Awareness Day
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Refugee Day]
Notes:
Every year, World Refugee Day is observed on June 20, to highlight the difficulties faced by refugees who have been displaced from their homes.
The United Nations has celebrated this day since 2001 and the day marks the 50th anniversary of the 1951 refugee convention. The theme for this year’s World Refugee Day is ‘Whoever, Whatever, Whenever. Everyone has a right to seek safety.
33. Sierra de Culebra mountain range, which was hit by massive wild fires, is located in which country?
[A] Argentina
[B] Australia
[C] Spain
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Spain]
Notes:
Spain has been facing wildfires amid an unusual heat wave in the Western Europe region. In Spain’s northwest province of Zamora, over 30,000 hectares have been consumed. The fire in the north-western Sierra de Culebra mountain range has caused significant damage.
Germany has also been hit by wild fires and heat wave due to climate change.
34. When is the ‘International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice’ observed?
[A] January 1
[B] June 1
[C] June 21
[D] July 21
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [June 21]
Notes:
The General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice.
It aims to celebrate the unity of cultural heritage and traditions, as well as to strengthen ties among people. The seasonal movement of the Sun’s daily path appears to stand still at a northern or southern limit before reversing direction. There are two solstices that occur annually namely the Summer Solstice around June 21 and Winter Solstice around December 21.
35. Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat, that was recently making news, was built during the reign of which dynasty?
[A] Chaulukya dynasty
[B] Rashtrakuta dynasty
[C] Prathihara dynasty
[D] Kushan dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chaulukya dynasty]
Notes:
The Sun Temple at Gujarat’s Modhera village was built under the administration of the Chaulukya king Bhima I in the early 11th century. It is located on the bank of River Pushpavati. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
36. Where was the new species of crab named Lamarckdromia beagle discovered?
[A] Brazil
[B] Palau
[C] Australia
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
Lamarckdromia beagle is a new species of crab discovered off Western Australia’s south coast. It was named in honour of HMS Beagle – the ship on which Charles Darwin explored the world while undertaking his research.
37. Where was the Indian Coast Guard’s 840 Squadron created?
[A] Visakhapatnam
[B] Chennai
[C] Mumbai
[D] Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chennai]
Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard’s new air squadron named 840 Squadron was created in Chennai on June 20, 2022. The squadron was initially created with an indigenous ALH Mark-III aircraft. This is the first such aircraft to be stationed in the eastern region.
38. Russian enclave Kaliningrad, that was in news recently, is located in which sea?
[A] North Sea
[B] Labrador Sea
[C] Baltic Sea
[D] Beaufort Sea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Baltic Sea]
Notes:
The Russian enclave Kaliningrad is located on the Baltic Sea. It is sandwiched between Lithuania and Poland. It was captured by the USSR from Nazi Germany in April 1945. It became part of the USSR territory as the result of the Potsdam Agreement. It was recently in news because of a row after Lithuania decided to ban goods part of EU sanctions from moving through its territory to reach Kaliningrad.
39. Swadesh Darshan scheme is the initiative of which union ministry?
[A] Ministry of Culture
[B] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[C] Ministry of Tourism
[D] Ministry of Railways
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Tourism]
Notes:
Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in India. Under this central sector scheme, central financial assistance will be provided to states and union territories for the infrastructural development of the tourist circuits.
40. Gotland, which made news recently, is an island belonging to which country?
[A] Denmark
[B] Sweden
[C] Norway
[D] Iceland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sweden]
Notes:
Gotland is an island belonging to Sweden in the Baltic Sea. A new ‘smart road’ capable of charging big electric vehicles has been constructed in this island. The threat of electrical shocks from these wires is eliminated as they are buried under the road.