PYST 5: IB Security Assistant & MTS Official Paper - General Awareness (Held On: 24 March, 2023 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)

The correct answer is Methanoic acid.

Key Points

• Methanoic acid is also known as formic acid and is not commonly found in fruits or vegetables.
• It is primarily used in the production of leather, textiles, and rubber.
• In animal feed, it is frequently utilized as an antimicrobial and preservative.

Additional Information

• Citric acid is found in citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and oranges.
• It is commonly used as a flavoring agent in food and beverages.
• Oxalic acid is found in certain vegetables such as spinach, rhubarb, and beet greens.
• It can also be found in cocoa, nuts, and tea.
• High levels of oxalic acid consumption can lead to kidney stones.
• Tartaric acid is found in grapes.
• It is commonly used as a flavoring agent in wines and other food and beverage products.

The correct answer is Suwa Dance.

Key Points

• Suwa Dance is a popular folk dance of Chhattisgarh, which is also known as "Parrot Dance" because of the way dancers imitate the movements of parrots.
• This dance is performed by the tribal communities of Chhattisgarh during the festival of Hareli, which marks the beginning of the agricultural season.
• The dancers wear colorful costumes and headgear that resemble the feathers of parrots, and they move in a circular formation while flapping their arms and making chirping sounds.

Additional Information

• Kaksar Dance is another folk dance of Chhattisgarh, which is performed by the Yadava community during the festival of Diwali.
• The dancers wear colorful costumes and carry sticks, which they use to create rhythmic beats while dancing.
• Raut Nacha is a folk dance of Chhattisgarh that is performed by the Yadava and Gond communities during the festival of Kartik Poornima.
• The dancers wear elaborate costumes and headgear, and they perform acrobatic feats while dancing.
• Karma Dance is a tribal dance of Chhattisgarh, which is performed by the Oraon and Gond communities during the festival of Karma.
• The dancers wear colorful costumes and carry decorated sticks, which they use to create rhythmic beats while dancing.

The correct answer is NaHCO3.

Key Points

• The chemical formula of baking soda is NaHCO₃, which means that it is composed of sodium (Na), hydrogen (H), carbon (C), and oxygen (O).
• Baking soda is commonly used in cooking and baking as a leavening agent, which means that it helps doughs and batters rise by releasing carbon dioxide gas when it reacts with an acid.
• When it comes to cleaning and odor neutralization, this everyday essential excels.
• It can be used to remove stubborn stains, get rid of unpleasant smells, and clean hard-to-reach places like tile grout and the oven.

Additional Information

• Na₂SO₄ is the chemical formula for sodium sulfate, which is a white, crystalline compound.
• It is used in detergents, textiles, and paper production.
• Na₂CO₃ is the chemical formula for sodium carbonate.
• It is used in the production of glass, soaps, and detergents.

The correct answer is Akbar.

Key Points

• Buland Darwaza is a monumental gateway located at the entrance of the Jama Masjid mosque in Fatehpur Sikri, a city built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16^th century.
• The name Buland Darwaza means "high gateway" in Persian, and it was built to commemorate Akbar's victory over the kingdom of Gujarat in 1573.
• The gateway is made of red sandstone and decorated with intricate carvings and inscriptions from the Quran.

Additional Information

• Aurangzeb was the sixth Mughal emperor and ruled from 1658 to 1707.
• He is known for his conservative policies and his conflicts with the Hindu majority population.
• Jahangir was the fourth Mughal emperor and ruled from 1605 to 1627.
• He is known for his patronage of the arts and his love for his wife Nur Jahan.
• Humayun was the second Mughal emperor and ruled from 1530 to 1540 and from 1555 to 1556.
• He is known for his military campaigns and his eventual restoration to the throne by his Persian allies.

The correct answer is Arctic Ocean.

Key Points

• Arctic Ocean is where an international team of researchers found that acidity levels in the western region are raising 3 to 4 times faster than any other oceans across the world as of 2022.
• The acidity level in the Arctic Ocean has increased by around 30% since the beginning of the industrial era, which is faster than any other ocean in the world.
• This increase in acidity is due to the absorption of carbon dioxide emitted by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid.
• The increasing acidity level in the Arctic Ocean is a major concern for marine life as it can harm the growth and development of shell-forming creatures like corals, oysters, and clams.

Additional Information

• While the Atlantic Ocean is also affected by ocean acidification, the rate of change is not as high as the Arctic Ocean.
• The Indian Ocean has a lower rate of ocean acidification compared to the Arctic Ocean, although the exact rate of change is still being studied.
• The Pacific Ocean is also affected by ocean acidification, but the rate of change varies across different regions of the ocean.

The correct answer is Neeraj Chopra.

Key Points

• Neeraj Chopra is a javelin thrower from India who won the gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
• He won the prestigious Zurich Diamond League Final 2022 with a throw of 88.07m, which is his personal best and also the best throw of the year.

Additional Information

• Sakshi Malik is a wrestler who won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
• Bajrang Punia is a wrestler who has won medals at the World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
• P V Sindhu is a badminton player who won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
• After winning the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships, Neeraj Chopra placed second in the Zurich Diamond League 2023, trailing only Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic with a best attempt of 85.71 meters.

The correct answer is uracil.

Key Points

• Adenine pairs with Uracil in RNA of humans.
• Adenine is one of the four nitrogenous bases found in RNA and DNA.
• Uracil is a nitrogenous base found in RNA, which replaces thymine found in DNA.

Additional Information

• Guanine is another nitrogenous base found in RNA and DNA, which pairs with cytosine.
• Thymine is a nitrogenous base found only in DNA, which pairs with adenine.
• As one of the nitrogenous bases that codes for the genetic information these molecules carry, cysteine plays a significant role in the synthesis of DNA and RNA.
• RNA (Ribonucleic acid) is a type of nucleic acid that carries genetic information from DNA and participates in protein synthesis.
• The molecule that contains the genetic information necessary for an organism's growth and operation is called deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA.

The correct answer is Charumathi Ramachandran.

Key Points

• The trinity of Carnatic music refers to three legendary composers who contributed significantly to the development of the genre.
• They are considered as the pillars of Carnatic music.
• Muthuswami Dikshitar, Tyagaraja, and Shyama Shastri are the three composers who are usually referred to as the trinity of Carnatic music.
• Charumathi Ramachandran is not considered as the trinity of Carnatic music.
• Singer Charumathi Ramachandran performs Carnatic music.
• She was among the first vocalists to use Hindustani forms in their carnatic repertoire.

Additional Information

• Muthuswami Dikshitar was a Tamil composer who lived during the 18^th century.
• He is known for his compositions in Sanskrit and his use of complex talas.
• Tyagaraja was a Telugu composer who lived during the 18^th century.
• He is known for his compositions in Telugu and his emphasis on bhakti or devotion.
• Shyama Shastri was also a Telugu composer who lived during the 18^th century.
• He is known for his compositions in Telugu and his focus on raga and improvisation.

The correct answer is Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi.

Key Points

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme provides a benefit of Rs. 6,000 per annum per family to landholder farmer families with total cultivable holding up to 2 hectares.
• The benefit is payable in three equal instalments of Rs. 2,000 every four months.
• The scheme aims to provide income support to small and marginal farmers.
• The scheme is implemented by the **Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.**​

Additional Information

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana is a pension scheme for small and marginal farmers.
• Under this scheme, an assured pension of Rs. 3,000 per month is provided.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana is a scheme for promoting irrigation and water conservation.
• Its objective is to create protective irrigation by micro-harvesting rainwater through "Jal Sanchay" and "Jal Sinchan".
• Subsidies are another way to encourage microirrigation and guarantee "Per drop-More crop".
• Pradhan Mantri Agriculture Fund is a fund for supporting agriculture and allied sectors.

The correct answer is Bharatanatyam.

Key Points

• Bharatanatyam has a direct reference in Silappatikaram, where it is mentioned as one of the dance forms performed by the courtesans in the court of the Pandya king.
• The epic also describes the various elements of Bharatanatyam, such as the mudras (hand gestures) and abhinaya (facial expressions).
• Silappatikaram is one of the five great epics of Tamil Literature, which was written in the 2^nd century CE by a Jain monk named Ilango Adigal.

Additional Information

• Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form that originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu and has been practiced for centuries.
• It is known for its graceful movements, intricate footwork, and expressive gestures.
• Kuchipudi is another classical dance form that originated in Andhra Pradesh and is known for its fast-paced footwork and dramatic storytelling.
• Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form of Kerala that is known for its fluid movements and graceful expressions.
• Kathak is a classical dance form of North India that is known for its complex footwork and intricate hand gestures.

The correct answer is Aashwasan.

Key Points

• Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mainly affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has the highest burden of TB globally, with an estimated 2.6 million cases in 2020.
• The campaign Aashwasan was launched to address the issue of TB in tribal areas of India, where the disease is more prevalent due to various factors such as poverty, malnutrition, and poor living conditions.
• The campaign aims to reach out to the tribal population and encourage them to get screened for TB, as well as provide them with access to free treatment and care.

Additional Information

• Compared to the national average of 256 cases per 100,000, the projected TB prevalence in tribal areas is 703 cases per 100,000.
• In spite of this, just 10.4% of all TB patients who were notified are from indigenous communities.
• Aashwasan is a 100-day collaborative effort to address TB across all of India's tribal districts and COVID-19 and ACF.

The correct answer is Montreal Protocol.

Key Points

• The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty signed in 1987 to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
• Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compounds are one of the most common ODS and were widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and aerosol sprays.
• The treaty was successful in reducing the production and consumption of ODS, and as a result, the ozone layer is gradually recovering.

Additional Information

• The Vienna Convention is an international treaty signed in 1985 to protect the ozone layer.
• An international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions is known as the Kyoto Protocol.
• The six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol are sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, methane, and carbon dioxide.
• An worldwide agreement on climate change is known as the Paris Agreement.
• The agreement, which was adopted in 2015, addresses financing, adaptation, and mitigation of climate change.

The correct answer is 2021.

Key Points

• The National Vehicle Scrappage Policy was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15^th March 2021.
• The policy aims to phase out old and polluting vehicles and encourage the adoption of newer and more environment-friendly vehicles.
• Under the policy, commercial vehicles older than 15 years and private vehicles older than 20 years will be required to undergo a fitness test. Vehicles that fail the test will be scrapped.
• The policy also offers incentives for scrapping old vehicles and purchasing new ones.
• These incentives include waivers on road tax and registration fees, discounts on purchase of new vehicles, and reduced interest rates on loans for new vehicles.

Additional Information

• Some of the key takeaways of the vehicle scrappage scheme:
• Eliminate pollution by discarding automobiles that lack proper registration and fitness.
• Boost traffic, passenger, and vehicle safety.
• Provide jobs in the automotive sector.
• formally establish the current unregulated car scrappage market.
• Boost fuel economy and save car owners' maintenance expenses.
• Boost the supply of affordable raw materials for the steel, electronics, and automobile industries.

The correct answer is Sodium hydroxide.

Key Points

• A base is a substance that can accept hydrogen ions (H+) and has a pH value greater than 7.
• The strength of a base is determined by its ability to accept H+ ions.
• The stronger the base, the more readily it accepts H+ ions.
• Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base because it completely dissociates in water to form sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
• The hydroxide ions readily accept H+ ions from the solution, making the solution more basic.

Additional Information

• Barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)₂) is also a strong base, but it is not as strong as sodium hydroxide.
• It dissociates partially in water, forming barium ions (Ba2+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
• Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) is a weak base because it does not completely dissociate in water.
• It forms a small amount of ammonium ions (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
• Aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) is also a weak base and is often used in antacids as it reacts with stomach acid to neutralize it.
• It forms a small amount of aluminum ions (Al3+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).

The correct answer is CO.

Key Points

• Greenhouse gases are those gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to global warming.
• CO₂ (carbon dioxide), CH₄ (methane), and NO₂ (nitrous oxide) are all greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
• CO (carbon monoxide) is not considered a greenhouse gas because it does not trap heat in the atmosphere.CO is a colorless and odorless gas.
• CO is a toxic gas that is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass.
• It is toxic to humans and animals because it binds to hemoglobin in the blood, preventing oxygen from being transported to the body's tissues.
• Exposure to high levels of CO can be fatal, and even low levels of exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

Additional Information

• CH₄(methane) is a potent greenhouse gas that is produced by natural sources like wetlands and by human activities like livestock farming and oil and gas extraction.
• NO₂ (nitrous oxide) is a greenhouse gas that is produced by natural sources like soil and by human activities like agriculture and transportation.
• It is also a potent contributor to the depletion of the ozone layer.
• CO₂ (carbon dioxide) is the most well-known greenhouse gas and is produced by natural sources like respiration and by human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
• It is the largest contributor to global warming and climate change.

The correct answer is 4.

Key Points

• Maharashtra won a total of 140 medals at the 36^th National Games 2022.
• After placing second in the medal count with the most medals among States and UTs, Maharashtra was awarded the Indian Olympic Association's Best State trophy.
• For the fourth time in a row, the hybrid contingent of Services has been awarded the Raja Bhalindra Singh Trophy.
• The National Games is a multi-sport event held every two years in India, with athletes from all states and union territories participating.

Additional Information

• From September 29, 2022, to October 12, 2022, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Bhavnagar in the state of Gujarat hosted the 36^th edition of the National Games of India.
• During these games, the recently formed union territories of Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu participated in their first-ever National Games.
• "Celebrating unity through sports" wass the official motto for the games.
• Savaj the Asian Lion was the game's mascot.

The correct answer is 2014.

Key Points

• Namami Gange Programme was launched in 2014 as an Integrated Conservation Mission to clean and rejuvenate the River Ganga and its tributaries.
• The programme was approved as a Flagship Programme by the Union Government of India with a budget of Rs 20,000 crore for a period of five years.
• The main objectives of the programme include improving the water quality of River Ganga, conserving and rejuvenating its aquatic life, and providing sustainable sanitation and waste management practices.
• The programme also aims to promote eco-tourism and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local communities living along the river.

Additional Information

• All of the drains in the holy and historic city of Ayodhya that flow into the Saryu River are being tapped as part of the Namami Gange Programme, and tainted water is being sent to a sewage treatment facility.
• CGanga is in charge of Namami Gange's research branch.
• It was founded under the sponsorship of IIT Kanpur.

The correct answer is Baking soda.

Key Points

• Sodium hydrogencarbonate is also known as baking soda.
• Baking soda is a white crystalline powder that is commonly used as a leavening agent in baking.
• It is also used for cleaning and as a natural deodorizer.

Additional Information

• Washing soda is also known as sodium carbonate.
• It is a white powder that is used for laundry and cleaning.
• Plaster of Paris is a white powder that hardens when mixed with water.
• It is commonly used for casting and molding.
• Bleaching powder is also known as calcium hypochlorite.
• It is a white powder that is used for disinfecting and bleaching.

The correct answer is father of Carnatic Music.

Key Points

• Purandara Dasa is popularly known as the father of Carnatic Music.
• Purandara Dasa was a composer and musician who lived in the 16^th century in present-day Karnataka, India.
• He is believed to have composed over 4,75,000 songs in Kannada and Sanskrit, many of which are still popular today.
• Purandara Dasa is credited with creating the basic structure of Carnatic music as we know it today.
• He is said to have systematized the teaching of music by introducing a set of fundamental exercises (alankaras) and compositions (geetas).
• Purandara Dasa's contributions to Carnatic music go beyond just its technical aspects.
• He is known for incorporating devotional themes and social messages in his compositions, making them accessible to people from all walks of life.
• Purandara Dasa's legacy continues to live on in the form of the annual Purandara Dasa Aradhana, a music festival held in his honor in Bangalore.
• The festival attracts musicians and music lovers from all over the world.

Additional Information

• Father of Hindustani Music:
• ​This title is often attributed to Amir Khusro, a musician and poet who lived in the 13^th century.
• Khusro is credited with fusing Persian and Indian musical traditions to create a new style of music that came to be known as Hindustani music.
• Father of Kuchipudi: 
• This title is often attributed to Tirtha Narayanayati, a 17^th-century Telugu poet and scholar who is said to have codified the dance form of Kuchipudi.
• Father of theatre art:
• ​This title is often attributed to Bharata Muni, an ancient Indian sage who is believed to have written the Natyashastra, a treatise on the performing arts that covers everything from dance to music to stagecraft.

The correct answer is 2022.

Key Points

• The National Air Sports Policy was launched in 2022.
• National Air Sports Policy is a policy framework developed by the government to promote and regulate air sports activities in the country.
• The policy aims to provide a conducive environment for the growth of air sports in India and to make it accessible to a wider audience.

Additional Information

• The new National Air Sports Policy calls for a four-tiered governance system for air sports in India, which is as follows:
• The highest regulating organization is the Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI).
• National organizations for a particular air sport or group of related activities, as applicable.
• Units of the national air sports associations at the regional (West, South, North East, etc.) or state and union territory level, where applicable.
• air sports associations at the district level, when applicable.
• 2019 is the year when the Ministry of Civil Aviation released the Draft National Air Transport Policy, which is a different policy altogether.
• 2020 is the year when the Ministry of Civil Aviation released the Drone Rules, 2020, which is also a different policy from the National Air Sports Policy.