General Science Questions (MCQs) for Competitive Examinations
General Science Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations. These questions are part of GKToday’s 35000+ MCQs Bank Course in GKToday Android App
1. As per the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which of the following are soft metals?
- Gold
- Copper
- Diamond
- Thorium
Select the correct option from codes given below:
[A] 1 & 4 Only
[B] 1, 2 & 4 Only
[C] 2 & 4 Only
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ 1, 2 & 4 Only]
Notes:
As per the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, the soft metals are: Lead, gold, silver, tin, zinc, aluminium, thorium, copper, brass and bronze. Diamond is one of the hardest known metals on earth.
2. Which of the following antiseptic compounds is present in Dettol?
[A] Iodine
[B] Cresol
[C] Chloroxylenol
[D] Biothional
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Chloroxylenol ]
Notes:
Chloroxylenol, also known as para-chloro-meta-xylenol, is an antiseptic and disinfectant which is used for skin disinfection and cleaning surgical instruments. It is also used within a number of household disinfectants and wound cleaners.
3. Identify the process from the options below, which is a physical change?
[A] Oxidation
[B] Reduction
[C] Sublimation
[D] Decomposition
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sublimation]
Notes:
Sublimation describes a phase transition where a substance changes from a solid directly to a gas, bypassing the liquid state. This physical transformation is distinct from chemical changes like oxidation or reduction. Sublimation happens under certain combinations of pressure and temperature. Examples include dry ice (solid CO2), which sublimates at room temperature, and solid water, or ice, which sublimates under low pressure conditions.
4. The second Green Revolution aims at increasing agricultural output to promote ____:
[A] Development of rural sector
[B] Availability of easy credit to big farmers
[C] Co-operative farming
[D] Inclusive growth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Inclusive growth]
Notes:
According to 11th Fiver Year Plan, the Second Green Revolution aims to meet the problems of small and marginal farmers for providing income security to a large section of rural households and treating them as partners of development instead of a mere beneficiary of some government schemes or programme.
5. Jellyfish are an example of which type of phylum?
[A] Phylum -Protozoa
[B] Phylum -Porifera
[C] Phylum – Cnidaria
[D] Phylum -Ctenophora
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Phylum – Cnidaria]
Notes:
Cnidarian, also called coelenterate, any member of the phylum Cnidaria (Coelenterata), a group made up of more than 9,000 living species. ? Mostly marine animals, the cnidarians include the corals, hydras, jellyfish, Portuguese men-of-war, sea anemones, sea pens, sea whips, and sea fans.
6. Which of the following micro-organism causes diseases like polio and chicken pox?
[A] Protozoa
[B] Bacteria
[C] Virus
[D] Algae
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Virus]
Notes:
Both polio and chicken pox are caused by virus. Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus; while, Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV).
7. The pigment that gives human skin, hair and eyes their colour is called ____:
[A] Quinacridone
[B] Alizarin
[C] Melanin
[D] Phthalocyanine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Melanin ]
Notes:
The pigment that gives human skin, hair, and eyes their color. Dark-skinned people have more melanin in their skin than light-skinned people have. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes. Everyone has the same number of melanocytes, but some people make more melanin than others.
8. Cuscuta is a ____:
[A] Complete stem parasite
[B] Partial root parasite
[C] Partial stem parasite
[D] Complete root parasite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Complete stem parasite]
Notes:
Cuscuta (Dodder) is a genus of about 100-170 species of yellow, orange or red (rarely green) parasitic plants. Dodders are supremely adapted for a life of plunder and pillage. Reduced in form to scrambling and twining threads, they appear to be completely leafless, although closer inspection reveals tiny scale leaves pressed close to the stems. So, it is a stem parasite.
9. Fat present below the skin surface in our body acts as a barrier against ____:
[A] Loss of heat from the body
[B] Loss of salt from the body
[C] Loss of essential body fluids
[D] Entry of harmful micro-organisms from the environment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Loss of heat from the body]
Notes:
A layer of body fat acts as an insulator and traps heat. The subcutis is the deepest layer of skin. The subcutis, consisting of a network of collagen and fat cells, helps conserve the body’s heat and protects the body from injury by acting as a “shock absorber.
10. A spore producing plant is ____:
[A] Rose
[B] Potato
[C] Ginger
[D] Bread mould
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bread mould]
Notes:
Mould is a member of the fungi kingdom. Fungi can be defined as a plant without chlorophyll, so it cannot get energy directly from the sun. This means that fungi must use other plants and animals as its food source. This is why bread mould is so common because of the ingredients in bread, it is an excellent source of nutrition for many moulds to grow and thrive.