PYST 6: IB Security Assistant & MTS Official Paper - General Awareness (Held On: 24 March, 2023 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)

The correct answer is 373K.

Key Points

• The normal boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure.
• For water, this temperature is 100 degrees Celsius or 373 Kelvin (K).
• The boiling point of water can vary with changes in atmospheric pressure, but the normal boiling point is a constant value.

Additional Information Boiling points of some compounds at atmospheric pressure 1 atm :

The correct answer is Shondol dance.

Key Points

• Shondol dance, which got its place in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest Ladakhi dance performance, with 4087 participants dancing together in 2016.

Important Points Shondol dance

• Shondol dance is a traditional dance form of the Brokpa tribe, which is one of the indigenous communities living in the Zanskar region of Ladakh.
• This dance is performed by both men and women, and it is characterized by its slow and graceful movements.
• It is usually performed during the Losar festival, which is the Tibetan New Year, and it is believed to bring good luck and happiness to the community.

Additional Information

 Kathok Chenmo

• Kathok Chenmo is a popular Ladakhi dance that is performed during the Ladakh Festival, which is held every year in September.
• This dance is performed by both men and women, and it is characterized by its slow and graceful movements.
• It is a tribute to the region's rich cultural heritage and is a symbol of the people's pride in their traditions and customs.

Shon dance

• Shon dance is a traditional dance form of the Monpa tribe, which is one of the ethnic groups living in the Himalayan region.
• This dance is performed by both men and women, and it is usually accompanied by the sound of cymbals and drums.
• It is performed during various festivals and ceremonies, and it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the community.

Spao dance:

• Spao dance is a traditional dance form of the Changpa tribe, which is one of the nomadic communities living in the high altitude regions of Ladakh.
• This dance is performed by both men and women, and it is usually accompanied by the sound of drums and trumpets.
• It is performed during various occasions such as weddings, births, and other celebrations, and it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the community.

 Ladakhi dance:

• Ladakh is a region in the northernmost part of India, bordering with Tibet.
• Ladakhi dance is a traditional form of dance that is performed by the people of Ladakh on various occasions such as festivals, weddings, and other celebrations.
• This dance is known for its colorful costumes, intricate footwork, and rhythmic music.
• There are many types of Ladakhi dances, each with its own unique style and significance.

The correct answer is Saraswati Veena.

Key Points 

• Saraswati Veena is a classical Indian musical instrument that belongs to the family of plucked string instruments.
• It is one of the most popular instruments used in Carnatic classical music.
• The instrument is made from the Jackwood Tree, which is known for its durability and strength. The wood is carved into a hollow body with a long neck and seven strings.
• It has a unique sound that is rich, resonant, and soothing.
• It is played by plucking the strings with the fingers of the right hand while the left hand presses the strings against the frets to produce different notes and melodies.

Additional Information

• Ghatam is another classical Indian musical instrument that belongs to the family of percussion instruments
• It is a clay pot that is played by striking it with the fingers of both hands.
• It is commonly used in Carnatic classical music.
• Violin is a Western musical instrument that belongs to the family of string instruments.
• It is played by drawing a bow across the strings to produce different notes and melodies.
• It is not commonly used in Carnatic classical music.
• Banjo is a musical instrument that belongs to the family of plucked string instruments.
• It is commonly used in Western folk music.
• It is not used in Carnatic classical music.

 Important Points

 Carnatic Music

• It is a form of Indian classical music with origins in Southern India.
• It owes its name to the Sanskrit term Karnâtaka Sangîtam which means 'traditional or codified' music.
• Lyrics in Carnatic music are largely devotional; most of the songs are addressed to the Hindu deities.
• Many songs emphasize love and other social issues or rest on the concept of sublimation of human emotions for union with the divine.
• Some important singers of this style are :  Aruna Sairam, K.J. Yesudas, Musiri Subramania Iyer, M.S. Subbulakshmi, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Lalgudi Jayaraman.

The correct answer is Baking Soda.

Key Points

• Sodium hydrogen carbonate is a chemical compound with the molecular formula NaHCO3, which is commonly known as Baking Soda.
• It is also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda.
• It is widely used in cooking as a leavening agent to make cakes, bread, and other baked goods rise.
• It is also used as an antacid to neutralize stomach acid and relieve heartburn and indigestion.
• It has various other uses, such as cleaning, deodorizing, and as a natural toothpaste.

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Additional Information

• Plaster of Paris, also known as calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO4·1/2H2O), is a white powder that is used for making casts and molds in the construction and medical industries.
• Gypsum, also known as calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O), is a soft sulfate mineral that is used in making plaster and fertilizers.
• Washing Soda, also known as sodium carbonate decahydrate (Na2CO3.10H2O), is a white powder that is used as a cleaning agent and in the manufacturing of glass, paper, and soaps.

The correct answer is Malaysia.

Key Points 

• Hockey India announced the 18-member Indian junior men’s team for the Sultan Johar Cup 2022 going to be held in Malaysia.
• This is the 10^th edition of the tounament.

Additional Information

• The Sultan of Johor Cup is an annual international under-21 men's field hockey tournament held in Malaysia.
• The first edition held in 2011.
• 5 teams have emerged victorious till now.
• India and Great Britain are the most successful teams having won the tournament three times.
• Australia have won the tournament twice, followed by Germany and Malaysia who have all won the tournament once.

Important Points  

• India won the 2022 edition of the tournament bybeating Australia in the shoot out 5-4 after drawing the scores 1-1.
• The 2023 edition of the tournament was won by Gernmany beating Australia in shoot out. India stood third in this tounament.

The correct answer is Una.

Key Points 

• Una is a town in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh.
• The Bulk Drug Park is a project initiated by the Indian government to make India self-reliant in the production of bulk drugs.
• The Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) is a premier institute of higher education in India that offers courses in the field of Information Technology.

The correct answer is Sakhya Sagar.

Key Points

• Sakhya Sagar, on the other hand, is not a designated Ramsar site. It is a reservoir located in Madhya Pradesh.

Important Points 

• Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
• The convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
• It provides a framework for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

 Additional Information

• Karikili Bird Sanctuary is located in Tamil Nadu and was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002. It is an important breeding ground for waterbirds and supports a diverse range of flora and fauna.
• Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh and was designated as a Ramsar site in 2021. It is home to the critically endangered gharial, as well as other aquatic species.
• Pala Wetlands is located in Kerala and was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002. It is an important habitat for migratory birds and supports a variety of wetland ecosystems.

The correct answer is an American.

Key Points

• Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor who was born in Ohio in 1847.
• He is credited with inventing many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb.
• He is considered as one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding 1,093 US patents in his name, as well as many patents in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
• His most famous invention is the electric light bulb, for which he received the historic patent in 1879.

Important Points 

• Edition never won a Nobel prize despite these contributions to science andd technology.

The correct answer is Kevadiya.

Key Points 

• The UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres visited Kevadiya in October 2022 to attend the launch of a Special Environmental Programme along with Prime Minister Narender Modi.
• Kevadiya is a small town in the Narmada district of Gujarat, India, known for the world's tallest statue, the Statue of Unity.
• The Special Environmental Programme aims to promote sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation in the region.
• The UN General Secretary's visit to Kevadiya highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges.

Additional Information

• The Secretary General of United Nations serves as the Chief Administrative officer of United Nations.
• He/She is elected by the General Assembly's 193 member states.
• Common responsibilities include making appointments to UN posts, overseeing peacekeeping missions, and mediating conflict.
• The incumbet Secretary general is Antonio Guterres ( Portuguese) since 1^st January 2017.

The correct answer is Table Salt.

Key Points

• Table salt is a compound made up of sodium and chlorine ions.
• It is commonly used in food preparation and as a preservative.
• It is not used as an indicator to detect acid or base.
• It is a neutral compound and does not show any color change when it comes in contact with an acid or a base.

Important Points

• An indicator is a substance that changes its color when it comes in contact with an acid or a base.
• It helps in detecting whether a solution is acidic or basic.
• Two common types of indicators are :
• pH Indicators: examples are Litmus paper, phenolphthalein.
• Redox Indicators: examples are Potassium permanganate.

Additional Information

• Red cabbage is a natural indicator that changes its color from red to blue or green when it comes in contact with an acid or a base.

• It is commonly used in science experiments to detect the presence of acid or base in a solution.

• It contains a pigment called anthocyanin that changes its color based on the pH of the solution it is in contact with.

• Turmeric is also a natural indicator that changes its color from yellow to red when it comes in contact with an acid or a base. .

• It is commonly used in food industry to detect the presence of acid or base in food products

• It is a spice commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.

• It is also known for its medicinal properties.

• Litmus is a synthetic indicator that changes its color from blue to red in the presence of an acid and from red to blue in the presence of a base. 

• It is one of the most commonly used indicators in chemistry experiments.

• It is a mixture of dyes extracted from lichens.

• It is available in the form of strips or solution and is widely used in laboratories for detecting the pH of a solution.

The correct answer is Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points 

• The 6^th National Women's Marathon was organized in Madhya Pradesh to promote women empowerment and save the girl child.
• It was held on 30^th January 2022 and was organized by the Madhya Pradesh Athletics Association.
• It saw the participation of around 2,000 women runners from all over the country, including Olympians and international athletes.
• The event aimed to create awareness about the importance of empowering women and promoting gender equality in the society.

The correct answer is Modhera.

Key Points 

• Modhera is a small village located in the Mehsana district of Gujarat, India.
• In October 2022, Prime Minister Narender Modi declared Modhera as the first 24x7 solar powered village in India.
• The village has been completely powered by solar energy, which means that all its electricity needs are met through solar panels.
• This initiative is a part of the government's efforts to promote clean and renewable energy in the country and to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
• The solar-powered village has not only helped in reducing the carbon footprint but has also provided a sustainable and cost-effective solution to the electricity needs of the village.

The correct answer is Harp.

Key Points

• "Harp" is a string instrument and not a percussion instrument.
• Percussion instruments are those that produce sound when they are struck, shaken, or scraped. They are commonly used in various genres of music, including classical, rock, jazz, and pop.
• Cymbals are a type of percussion instrument that consist of two round metal plates that are struck together to produce a ringing sound.
• Timpani, also known as kettledrums, are large bowl-shaped drums that are tuned to specific pitches. They are commonly used in orchestral music.
• Maracas are a type of percussion instrument that consist of two hollow balls filled with beads or seeds. They are shaken to produce a rattling sound.

Additional Information

• Harp is a string instrument that has a series of strings stretched between a frame and a sounding board. It is played by plucking the strings with fingers or a pick.
• Other examples of percussion instruments include drums, tambourines, xylophones, and gongs.
• Percussion instruments can be further classified into tuned percussion instruments and untuned percussion instruments. Tuned percussion instruments produce a specific pitch, while untuned percussion instruments do not.
• They are essential in many forms of music, providing rhythm, texture, and energy to a piece of music.

 Important Points

• Percussion instruments are those that produce sound when they are struck, shaken, or scraped.
• Examples: Timpani, xylophone, cymbals, triangle, snare drum, bass drum, tambourine, maracas, gongs, chimes.
• String instruments are musical instruments that produce sound by vibrating strings. 
• .Examples: Guitar, electric bass, violin, viola, cello, double bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, harp.

The correct answer is Marchantia.

Key Points

• Marchantia is a type of liverwort with a distinctive umbrella-like structure called a gametophore.

Important Points

• Liverworts are a group of non-vascular plants that belong to the division Marchantiophyta.
• They are characterized by their flattened, leaf-like structures called thalli, which lack true roots, stems, and leaves.

Additional Information

• Mosses belong to the division Bryophyta and are also non-vascular plants.
• They have leaf-like structures called phyllids and grow in dense mats or cushions.
• Algae are a diverse group of aquatic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular.
• They belong to the plant division Thallophytes.
• They lack specialized tissues and organs.
• Horsetails belong to the division Equisetophyta and are vascular plants.
• They have jointed stems and small, scale-like leaves arranged in whorls.

The correct answer is Citadels.

Key Points

• The citadels were built on elevated platforms made of mud bricks, which provided a strong foundation for the structures and protected them from floods and other natural calamities.
• They were usually located in the western part of the cities, and were surrounded by walls and gates for additional protection.
• The largest citadel in the Indus Valley Civilization was located in Mohenjo-daro and covered an area of around 12 hectares.
• They were also used as centers of trade and commerce, and many of them had marketplaces and workshops where goods were produced and sold.

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Additional Information

• Lower towns refers to the residential areas that were located outside the citadels and were not constructed on mud brick platforms.
• Lower courtyard refers to the open spaces that were located within the residential areas and were used for various activities such as social gatherings and religious ceremonies.

 Important Points 

Indus Valley civilisation:

• The Indus Valley Civilization (also known as the Harappan Civilization) was one of the world's oldest and most advanced civilizations, flourishing in the Indian subcontinent around 2500 BCE to 1750 BCE(most accepted period).
• It was contemporaneous with other ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China.
• It is named after the Indus River, where the majority of its archaeological sites have been discovered.
• John Marshall was the first scholar to use the term Indus Civilization.

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points

• Kuchipudi is a classical dance form that originated in the village of Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh, India.
• It is one of the eight major classical dance forms of India.
• It is known for its graceful movements, intricate footwork, and expressive facial expressions.
• It is often performed as a solo dance, but can also be performed in groups.
• It has a rich history and is believed to have originated in the 17^th century.
• It was initially performed by male dancers, but later women also started performing the dance form.
• It is often accompanied by classical Carnatic music and the dancers wear colorful costumes and jewelry. The dance form is known for its elaborate makeup and costumes.

Additional Information 

The correct answer is Ramdeo Misra. 

Key Points

• Ramdeo Misra is considered as the Father of Ecology in India for his pioneering research work in the field of ecology and environmental conservation.
• He was the person who laid the strong foundation of Ecology in India & not only he just laid it but also, he contributed a lot to strengthen the development of Ecology further & thus aided it to flourish progressively over the upcoming decades.
• The first MAB Research Programme in India was launched by Ramdeo Misra ji at Varanasi in 1975.
• He published a book titled “Indian Manual of Plant Ecology” Co-authored by GS Puri which became the first text available in the country in 1950 related to the subject.

Additional Information

• Meghnad Saha was a renowned astrophysicist and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of astrophysics, particularly in the area of thermal ionization.
• Har Gobind Khorana was a biochemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1968 for his work on the interpretation of the genetic code and its function in protein synthesis.
• Subrahmanyan Chandrashekhar was a physicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1983 for his work on the structure and evolution of stars.

The correct answer is Tamarind-Methanoic acid.

Key Points

• Tamarind contains tartaric acid and not methanoic acid.
• Citric acid is also found in lemons, limes, and grapefruits.
• Oxalic acid is also found in spinach, rhubarb, and cocoa.
• Methanoic acid is also known as formic acid and is found in ants, bees, and stinging nettles.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Pooja Patel.

Key Points

• Pooja Patel is a yoga instructor from Gujarat who won the gold medal in the women's individual all-round event at the 36^th National Games held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in 2022.
• Shivangi Sharma is a national-level yoga champion from Haryana who has won several medals in national and international competitions.
• Mridul Bora is a yoga instructor from Assam who has won multiple gold medals in national-level Yogasana championships.
• Astha Choudhury is a yoga practitioner from Odisha who has represented India in international Yogasana competitions.

Additional Information

• The 36^th National Games is organised in six cities of Gujarat.
• The event held from September 29 to October 12.
• The mascot of the event is named 'Savaj' which means cub in Gujarati.
• Motto of the event is  Celebrating Unity Through Sports.

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Important Points

National Games in India :

• The duration and the regulations of the National Games are entirely within the jurisdiction of the Indian Olympic Association.
• The 1^st edition of the Indian Olympic Games held at Lahore in an undivided Punjab in 1924.
• The first three editions were all held in the city of Lahore.
• After the eighth edition in 1938 in Calcutta, the event was christened as the National Games.
• The city of Lucknow hosted the National Games in its first post-independence avatar.
• The first National Games on the lines of the Olympics were held in 1985 in New Delhi.
• The 37^th edition was held in Goa from 25 october to 9^th november 2023.
• The official mascot for the 2023 National Games of India was Moga, an Indian bison.
• The motto of the 37^th National Games was "Get Set Goa".

The correct answer is Lakshay Sen.

Key Points

• Lakshya Sen won the gold medal in men's singles badminton at the Commonwealth Games 2022.
• He defeated his opponent, Felix Burestedt from Sweden, in the final match with a score of 21-19, 21-15.
• Lakshya Sen is a young Indian badminton player who has been making waves in the international circuit. He has won several junior tournaments and has also been a runner-up in the 2021 Swiss Open..

Additional Information

• Srikanth Kidambi is a well-known Indian badminton player who has won several major tournaments in the past, including the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2018. However, he did not participate in the 2022 Commonwealth Games due to personal reasons.
• Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy are Indian badminton players who specialize in men's doubles. They won the bronze medal in men's doubles at the Commonwealth Games 2022

 Important Points Commonwealth Games 2022:

• On July 28, 2022, the Commonwealth Games got underway in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
• The games were held in venues across London, Birmingham and the West Midlands from 28 July to 8 August 2022.
• Athletes from 72 nations and territories competed in 19 different sports at the Games.
• India won 22 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze medals to record its fifth-best medal haul in CWG history.

 Medal tally of Commonwealth games 2022: