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. The exceptionally low melting point of mercury can be explained on the basis of which of the following explanations?
1. Mercury has completely filled-up atomic orbitals
2. In mercury, the binding energy of outer electrons (towards nucleus) is highest and no electron is available to participate in metallic bond formation
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 2 is correct
[C] Both 1 & 2 are correct
[D] Neither 1 nor 2 is correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Both 1 & 2 are correct]
Notes:
Mercury belongs to the zinc group of elements in the periodic table, which comprises zinc, cadmium and mercury. They all have completely filled-up atomic orbitals. It becomes difficult to knock out these electron(s) from their orbitals and form metallic bonds. With its filled shell electron configuration it is very reluctant to form bonds even with other mercury atoms.
2. Which of the following are the limitations of Bohr’s model of atom?
[A] it cannot explain spectrum of atoms containing more than one electron
[B] it cannot explain the Zeeman effect
[C] it cannot explain the Stark effect
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
Bohr’s model of atom cannot explain spectrum of atoms containing more than one electron. Also, it cannot explain the Zeeman effect i.e. splitting of spectral line in presence of magnetic field. It also fails to explain Stark effect i.e. splitting of spectral line in presence of electric field.
3. Which of these elements do not belong to the same group?
[A] Nickel
[B] Platinum
[C] Darmstadtium
[D] Roentgenium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Roentgenium]
Notes:
Nickel, Platinum and Darmstadtium belongs to Group number 10 whereas element Roentgenium is placed in group number 11.
4. 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.
5. Which one of the following is the smallest endocrine gland in human body?
[A] Pancreas
[B] Thyroid
[C] Pituitary
[D] Adrenal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pituitary]
Notes:
Pituitary gland, called Master Gland, is the smallest endocrine gland. It controls the general growth of the body coordinating the functioning of other endo crime glands and stimulates the primary sex hormones, i.e. ovaries and testes.
6. Which of the following plant hormones are incorrectly paired?
[A] Cytokinins- senescence
[B] Abscisic acid- transpiration
[C] Auxins- apical dominance
[D] Gibberlins- bud and seed dormancy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Abscisic acid- transpiration]
Notes:
Abscisic acid also called plant stress hormone is responsible for responsible for dormancy of various types. It maintains dormancy in seeds and buds, stimulates the closing of stomata. Gibberellins are responsible for cell division and growth in cell size.
7. In which one of the following is swim bladder absent?
[A] Cartilaginous fish
[B] Silverfish
[C] Cuttlefish
[D] Bony fish
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cartilaginous fish]
Notes:
The swim bladder is an internal gas-filled organ that contributes to the ability of a fish to control its buoyancy, and thus to stay at the current water depth without having to waste energy in swimming. The cartilaginous fish (e.g. sharks and rays) split from the other fishes about 420 million years ago and lack both lungs and swim bladders, suggesting that these structures evolved after that split.
8. Consider the following hormones:
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
Which of the above is/are classified as female hormones?
[A] (i) and (iii)
[B] (i) and (ii)
[C] (ii) and (iii)
[D] Only (iii)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [(i) and (ii)]
Notes:
There are several hormones in females which are naturally produced and secreted by the glands of the endocrine system. Among them, estrogen, and progesterone are secreted for the influence on a woman’s reproductive health and are termed as female sex hormones. Estrogen and progesterone are made by the ovaries.
9. The disease which has been eradicated ____:
[A] Mumps
[B] Small pox
[C] Measles
[D] Chicken pox
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Small pox]
Notes:
Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. After vaccination campaigns throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the WHO certified the global eradication of smallpox in 1979. Smallpox is one of two infectious diseases to have been eradicated, the other being Rinderpest.
10. Where does the cabbage store food?
[A] Leaves
[B] Root
[C] Stem
[D] Fruit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Leaves]
Notes:
Cabbages have no need to store food as they are seasonal plants and die after about 4 to 6 months. They do however produce food in the leaves of the plants and would utilize short-term storage (in the leaves) for simple metabolic processes.
