SSC CHSL Previous Paper 36 (Held On: 26 Oct 2020 Shift 3) (Previous Year Paper)

The correct answer is CBDA.

Key Points

• While arranging the parts of the passage, we should find some grammatical or contextual connections between them-
• Of the given options, only Sentence C can be the opening statement as it tells us about the film 'A boy and Sungreen'.
• The next statement must be B as it mentions the plot around which the movie revolves.
• Hence it will be the 2nd sentence.
• The given formation is followed only in the 2nd option.
  
• Thus, the correct order is- ‘A Boy and Sungreen’ is a film by the Chinese filmmaker, Ahn-Ju-Young. It narrates the story of a young and sensitive boy in a tough world. When he finds that his supposedly dead father is alive he decides to act. He decides to leave home and sets out to find him with the help of his best friend called Sungreen.

The correct answer is Liason.

Key Points

• Let's look at the correct spelling and meaning of the marked option:
• Liaison- communication between people or groups who work with each other
  
• Example: 
• He blamed the lack of liaison between the various government departments.
  

Let's look at the meanings of the other given options:

• Magisterial- having or seeming to have complete authority
  
• Maintain- to continue to have; to keep in existence, or not allow to become less
• Jurist- an expert in law, especially a judge

The correct answer is Secretive.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meanings of the given word and marked option:

• Outspoken- Speaking, or spoken, freely, openly, or boldly

• Secretive- Having an inclination to secrecy

• ​​Let's look at the meanings of the other given options: 

• Ambivalent- Simultaneously experiencing or expressing opposing or contradictory feelings, beliefs, or motivations

• Candid- Impartial and free from prejudice

• Equivocal- A word or expression capable of different meanings

• Hence from the given meanings, we find that Outspoken and Secretive are antonyms.

• आइए दिए गए शब्द और चिह्नित विकल्प के अर्थ देखें:

• Outspoken - बोलना, या बोलना, स्वतंत्र रूप से, खुलकर या साहसपूर्वक

• Secretive - गुप्तता का झुकाव होना

• अन्य दिए गए विकल्पों के अर्थ में आइए नज़र:

• Ambivalent - विरोध या विरोधाभासी भावनाओं, विश्वासों या प्रेरणाओं का सहज रूप से अनुभव या व्यक्त करना

• Candid - निष्पक्ष और पूर्वाग्रह से मुक्त

• Equivocal - विभिन्न अर्थों में सक्षम एक शब्द या अभिव्यक्ति

• इसलिए दिए गए अर्थों से, हम पाते हैं कि Outspoken और Secretive शब्द विलोम हैं।

The correct answer is Was he informed about the ticket cancellation by you?

Key Points

• The given sentence is in an active voice form, hence we need to convert it into a passive voice form.
• We need to follow these instructions while changing the voice of an interrogative sentence.
• Find the subject (you) and object (him) of the sentence and exchange their places.
• The given sentence is in the simple past tense.
• The passive voice form for the simple past interrogative sentence: Helping verb (Was/were) + subject + V3 + by + object?
• The inverted form of the verb i.e. Was he informed, will commence the sentence.
• At last line up the remaining part.
  

Following these steps, we finally get- Was he informed about the ticket cancellation by you?

The correct answer is personality.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meanings of the given options: 
• personal (adjective)- belonging to or affecting a particular person rather than anyone else
• personnel (common noun)- people employed in an organization or engaged in an organized undertaking such as military service
• personality (abstract noun)- individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving
• personalise (verb)- design or produce (something) to meet someone's individual requirements
• ​In the given sentence, we need an abstract noun just like the one used just before the conjunction 'and'.
• Of the given options, we find that the 3rd option i.e. personality is the correct choice in the 5th blank.

The correct answer is an.

Key Points​

• ​Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific.
• The definite article 'the' is used with the name of things that are unique or already mentioned before.
• The article 'a' is used with the name of things that are not specific.
• The article 'an' is used with the words starting with the sound of a vowel.
• A/An are used before indefinite singular countable nouns.
• In the 4th blank part of the cloze test, the article 'an' will be used as the noun 'individual' starts with the sound of a vowel.

The correct answer is of.

Key Points ​

• There are some verbs/nouns/adjectives which are followed by fixed preposition given below:
• ​Exonerate from, dependent on, way to do something/of doing something, interested in, inured to, accused of, a predilection for, a respite from, vexed at, etc.
• Examples:
• Sherley found a way to avoid the chaos in the market.
• I hated their way of cooking food​.
• Since the given blank is succeeded by the present participle form of the verb i.e. bringing, the 2nd option i.e. of will be the correct choice in the 3rd blank.

The correct answer is be provided. 

Key Points

• Let's look at the structures given below in active and passive forms:
• Active- Subject + modal verb + V1 + Object.
• Passive- Object + modal verb + be + V3 + by + Subject.
• Example:
• She might her task. (active)
• Her task might be finished by her. (passive)
  

Following the passive voice structure, we finally get the 2nd option i.e. be provided as the right choice in the 2nd blank.

The correct answer is give​.

Key Points

• ​An auxiliary verb is a verb that adds functional or grammatical meaning to the clause in which it occurs, so as to express tense, aspect, modality, voice, emphasis, etc.
• A modal or a modal auxiliary is a word such as 'can' or 'would' which is used with the main verb (1st form of the verb) to express ideas such as possibility, intention, or necessity.
• Example:
• I have taken my breakfast. (have- auxiliary verb)
• One should obey one's elders. (should- modal)
• Since the blank part is preceded by the modal verb 'can', the 1st form of the verb i.e. give will be used in the 1st blank.
  

​

Additional Information

• If should is used after lest, it indicates a negative purpose.
• Example:
• Hurry up lest you should miss the bus.

The correct answer is The minister said that it was tragic that the Australian bush fires had claimed the lives of so many helpless animals.

Key Points

• Let's look at the steps to change the sentence from direct to indirect speech:
• When the direct speech is in an assertive form, we follow the steps given below:
• Convert the sentence in the direct speech into assertive.
• The tense of reported speech is changed only when the reporting verb is in the past tense.
• The reporting verb said will remain the same.
• The connector 'that' will follow the removal of comma and inverted commas.
• The present simple tense i.e. is will be changed to the past simple tense i.e. was.
• Similarly, the present perfect tense i.e. have claimed will be changed to the past perfect tense i.e. had claimed.
• ​​At last line up the remaining part.
  

Following these steps, we get- The minister said that it was tragic that the Australian bush fires had claimed the lives of so many helpless animals.

The correct answer is appalling.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meanings of the given options: 
• comforting- making you feel less sad or worried
• interesting- something that is interesting keeps your attention because he, she, or it is unusual, exciting
• laudable- deserving praise, even if there is little or no success
• appalling- shocking and very bad
• As per the context of the sentence, life is shockingly different in slums as compared to that in multistorey buildings.
• Hence, from the given meanings, we find that the 4th option i.e. appalling is the correct choice.
  

​Correct Sentence: In our metro cities, the contrast between the high-rise buildings with the slums behind is appalling.

The correct answer is To pretend to be happier or richer so as to conceal the real situation​.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meaning of the given idiom:
• Keep up appearances- maintain an impression of wealth or well-being
• Example: 
• They were very unhappily married but kept up appearances for the sake of their children.
• ​Thus from the explanation given above, we find that the 1st option is the correct choice.

The correct answer is line up​.

Key Points

• ​Let's understand the difference between the phrasal verbs given below:
• line up (noun)- a group of people that has been brought together to form a team or take part in an event
• line up (phrasal verb)- to stand in a line
• Examples:
• We've got a star-studded line-up of guests on tonight's show.
• Thousands of people lined up to buy tickets on opening night.
• The usage of the adjective 'wonderful' used before the underlined part suggests that we need a noun in the underlined part of the sentence.
• Thus the noun 'line up' will be the correct choice in the underlined part.
  

​Correct Sentence: The week-long Theatre Festival has begun with a wonderful line up of plays.

The correct answer is begun his career as an actor​.

Key Points

• The simple past tense is used when we talk about things that happened or existed before now.
• The structure is given below:
• Subject + V2 + object. (Active Voice)
• Object + was/were + V3 + by + subject. (Passive Voice)
• Example:
• ​He won the car race. (active voice)
• The car race was won by him. (passive voice)
• Since the sentence follows the active voice structure, the 2nd form of the verb i.e. began will be used instead of 'begun' in part given in the 2nd option.
  

Correct Sentence: Mani Kaul began his career as an actor and a director of short films before doing his debut feature film, ‘Uski Roti.’

The correct answer is Within a very short period of time​.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meaning of the given idiom:
• In the blink of an eye- extremely quickly. (बहुत जल्दी)
• Example: 
• In the blink of an eye, she was gone.
• ​Thus from the explanation given above, we find that the 2nd option is the correct choice.
  

 ​​​​

Additional Information  

• Let's look at the origin of the idiom:
• This idiom is evolved from the original expression, in the twinkling of an eye.

The correct answer is No improvement​.

Key Points

• In a sentence, the verb is used according to person and number.
• The verb always conforms to the main subject of the sentence.
• In the given sentence, the main subject is the year '2020' which is singular.
• Hence, the auxiliary verb will also be singular i.e. 'is going' as the given sentence is in the present tense (as suggested by the verb 'believe' used in the former part of the sentence).
  

​Correct Sentence: Some people believe that 2020 is going to be a very significant year in our history.

 ​​​​

Additional Information  

• If an article is used before every subject, it denotes different people/things. Hence, a plural verb will be used.
• Example:
• ​The writer and the poet has come**. (incorrect)
• ​The writer and the poet have come. (correct)

The correct answer is inciting.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meanings of the given options: 
• inciting- encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behaviour)
  
• winning- gaining, resulting in, or relating to victory in a contest or competition
• losing- suffering, resulting in, or relating to defeat in a game or contest
• preparing- make (something) ready for use or consideration
• As per the context of the sentence, the violence in the university was fuelled by the politician.
• Hence, from the given meanings, we find that the 1st option i.e. inciting is the correct choice.
  

​Correct Sentence: The politician was responsible for inciting violence in the university.

The correct answer is Luxurient.

Key Points

• Let's look at the correct spelling and meaning of the marked option:
• Luxuriant- rich and profuse in growth
• Example: 
• This stretch of land was once covered with luxuriant forest but is now bare.
  

Let's look at the meanings of the other given options:

• Syllabi- the subjects in a course of study or teaching
  
• Aggravate- to make things worse
• Zoologist- an expert in or student of the behaviour, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals

The correct answer is Outsider.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meanings of the given word and marked option:
• Compatriot- Somebody from one's own country
• Outsider- One who is not part of a community or organization
• ​​Let's look at the meanings of the other given options: 
• Brethren- of or pertaining to any religious group that uses or formerly used the word "Brethren", capitalized, in referring to itself or its members
• Countryman- Somebody from a certain country
• Insider- A person who has special knowledge about the inner workings of a group, organization, or institution
• Hence from the given meanings, we find that Compatriot and Outsider are antonyms.

The correct answer is Deranged.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meaning of the marked option:
• Deranged- completely unable to think clearly or behave in a controlled way, especially because of mental illness
• Let's look at the meanings of the other given options: 
• Eccentric- a person with an unusual or odd personality
• Whimsical- determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
• Balanced- to bring into balance or equilibrium
• Hence, from the given meanings, we find that Deranged is the correct one-word substitute.

The correct answer is DACB.

Key Points

• While arranging the parts of the passage, we should find some grammatical or contextual connections between them:
• Sentence D introduces us to the subject 'Badshah Bahadur Shah Jafar'. It is the introductory sentence and will be put in the first place.
• Sentence A tells us about the torchbearers who accompanied the Emperor. It will be put in second place.
• Sentence C tells us the direction followed by the above-mentioned group. It will be put in third place.
• The last sentence is B as it mentions the concluding activity.
  

Thus, the correct order is- During the winter months the Badshah Bahadur Shah Jafar would set off on his horse at 3 a.m. He would be accompanied by fifty or sixty torchbearers. They would all head towards the river Jamuna. When dawn broke the Emperor would alight, say his prayers and return by 8 a.m.

The correct answer is Ratan Tata take across the reins of the company​.

Key Points

• ​Let's understand the difference between the phrasal verbs given below:
• take across- to carry, guide, or convey someone or something from one side (of a thing or place) to another
• take over- assume control of something
• Examples:
• He was arrested for taking drugs across the border.
• The firm was badly in need of restructuring when she took over.​
• As per the context of the sentence, Ratan Tata took control of the company and took an active part in it.
• Thus the preposition 'over' will be the correct choice in the part given in the 4th option.
  

​Correct Sentence: Often hailed as one of the greatest industry leaders of India, Ratan Tata took over the reins of the company, leading from the front.

The correct answer is 'Worsen'.

Key Points

• ​The word Deteriorate(verb) means- "to become worse". (बदतर हो जाना)  
• E.g: My eyesight began to deteriorate quite rapidly.​
• ​The synonyms of the given word Deteriorate are-  'Worsen', 'decline', 'decay', 'fall', 'decompose', etc.
• From the synonyms of the given word, we can say that the word 'Worsen' is similar in meaning.
• The word Worsen(verb) means- "to become worse or to make something become worse". (बदतर होना या कुछ खराब करना)
• E.g: The continued supply of arms to the region will only worsen the situation.​
• ​Hence, the correct option is Option 2).
• Let's have a look at the meaning of other given options:
• Enliven(verb)- "to make something more interesting". (कुछ और दिलचस्प बनाने के लिए)
• Fasten(verb)- "to make or become firmly attached or closed". (मजबूती से जुड़ा या बंद होना या बनना)
• Improve(verb)- "to get better, or to make something better". (बेहतर करने के लिए, या कुछ बेहतर करने के लिए)

Additional Information

• The antonyms of the given word Deteriorate are- 'Improve', 'better', 'upgrade', 'develop', etc.
• Example of 'Deteriorate' in a sentence: 
• The political situation in the region has deteriorated rapidly.
  

The correct answer is Depressed.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meanings of the given word and marked option:
• Despondent- In low spirits from loss of hope or courage
• Depressed- unhappy, and blaming oneself rather than others
• ​​​Let's look at the meanings of the other given options: 
• Energetic- Possessing, exerting, or displaying energy
• Neutral- Not taking sides in a conflict such as war
• Cheerful- Noticeably happy and optimistic
• Hence from the given meanings, we find that Despondent and Depressed are synonyms.

The correct answer is Probationer.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meaning of the marked option:
• Probationer- a person who is serving a probationary or trial period in a job or position to which they are newly appointed
  
• Let's look at the meanings of the other given options: 
• Petitioner- a person who presents a petition to authority in respect of a particular cause
  
• Practitioner- a person actively engaged in an art, discipline, or profession, especially medicine
• Professional- relating to or belonging to a profession
• Hence, from the given meanings, we find that Probationer is the correct one-word substitute.

The paper, when opened will look like:

Hence, Option 1 is correct.

Given codes:

'PERNMETER' → '152785352'

'AREA' → '4254'

'METAL' → '85349'

Similarly,

Code for the word 'LANE' will be: 9475

Hence, '9475' will be correct.

Given: Movie - Actor

Actor works for a movie.

Similarly,

Writer works for a magazine.

Hence, Writer is correct.

Given:

'QUESTION' → 'PTDRSHNM'

Similarly, 

Hence, ZMRVDQ is correct.

Let us check through option.

1. GIK → G + 2 = I, I + 2 = K

2. TUV → T + 2 = V (not U), V + 2 = X (not V)

3. BDF → B + 2 = D, D + 2 = F

4. NPR → N + 2 = P, P + 2 = R

Hence, TUV is correct.

The 'star' and 'triangle' symbols are rotating in clockwise direction.

The 'colored circle' and 'uncolored circle' are rotating in anti clockwise direction.

The next figure will be:

Hence, Option 1 is correct.

Given conditions:

1. The second number is the square of the first number.
2. The third number is the cube of the first number.

Let us check through options:

1) (11, 121, 1341)

(11)² = 121, (11)³ = 1331 ≠ 1341

2) (17, 289, 4913)

(17)2 = 289, (17)3 = 4913

3. (13, 169, 2197)

(13)2 = 169, (13)3 = 2197

4. (12, 144, 1728)

(12)2 = 144, (12)3 = 1728

Hence, (11, 121, 1341) is correct.

According to the statement given by Seema,

Her (seema's mother-in-law's) son is the father (seema's husband) of my (seema's) daughter.

Therefore, lady in the portrait is seema's mother-in-law.

The below given diagram represents the relationship.

Hence, Seema's mother-in-law is correct.

Given: LB : KJ : : ND : ?

LB : KJ

K is diagonally down to L on the left side.

J is diagonally up to B on the right side.

Similarly, 

ND : ?

I is diagonally down to N on the left side.

H is diagonally up to D on the right side.

Hence, IH is correct.

Given:

23 : 110

23 → (23 × 5) - 5 = 110

Similarly,

17 → (17 × 5) - 5 = 80

Hence, 80 is correct.

Given:

World Environment  Day : 5 June

5 June is celebrated as world environment day.

Similarly,

20 August is celebrated as renewable energy day.

Hence, Renewable Energy Day is correct.

Let us check through options.

1) (192, 384, 576)

Sum of 1st, 2nd and 3rd digit is 12, 15 and 18 respectively.

2) (352, 436, 646)

Sum of 1st, 2nd and 3rd digit is 10, 13 and 16 respectively.

3) (219, 438, 657)

Sum of 1st, 2nd and 3rd digit is 12, 15 and 18 respectively.

4) (327, 654, 981)

Sum of 1st, 2nd and 3rd digit is 12, 15 and 18 respectively.

Hence, (352, 436, 646) is correct.

Alternate Method 

The pattern followed here is:

Option 1 → (192, 384, 576)

192 × 2 = 384

192 × 3 = 576

Option 3 → (219, 438, 657)

219 × 2 = 438

219 × 3 = 657

Option 4 → (327, 654, 981)

327 × 2 = 654

327 × 3 = 981

Option 2 → (352, 436, 646)

352 × 2  ≠ 436

352 × 3  ≠ 646

But option 2 doesn't follow the pattern.

Hence, option 2 i.e  (352, 436, 646) is correct.

Hence, Option 1 is correct.

TRICK:

In first and second dice, we have common element i.e. C

We will rotate the elements either in clockwise or anticlockwise direction to get the opposite paired elements.

On rotating the elements in clockwise direction, we get,

First dice - C, B, A

Second dice - C, D, E

Thus, we can say that A is opposite to E.

Hence, E is correct.

Given: ab _ _ bb _ _ aa _ ba _ _ ab _

Let us check through options.

1. ababbaab

a b a / b b b / a b a / a b b / a a a / a b b → It doesn't follow any pattern.

2. aaabbbab

a b a / a b b / a b a / a b b / a b a / a b b → It follows a certain pattern.

3. babaabaa

a b b / a b b / b a a / a a b / a b a / a b a → It doesn't follow any pattern.

4. bbaabbaa

a b b / b b b / a a a / a b b / a b a / a b a → It doesn't follow any pattern.

Hence, aaabbbab is correct.

Except April, all other months have 31 days.

Hence, April is correct.

Below given diagram shows the relationship between the variables.

Maharashtra, Mumbai, Delhi

Hence, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Delhi is correct.

Given equation: 8 × 3/4 + 5 - 9 = 10

Let us check through options.

1. 4 and 8

4 × 3/8 + 5 - 9 = 10

3/2 + 5 - 9

3/2 - 4 

-5/2 ≠ 10

2. 5 and 9

8 × 3/4 + 9 - 5 = 10

2 × 3 + 9 - 5

6 + 9 - 5

15 - 5

10 = 10

Hence, 5 and 9 is correct.

Given series: 1, 4, 3, 9, 5, ?, 7, 25

It composed of two series.

1, 3, 5, 7, ..

4, 9, ?, 25

The second series follows the pattern of squares of natural numbers.

(2)² = 4, 

(3)² = 9,

(4)² = 16,

(5)² = 25 

Hence, 16 is correct.

The possible venn diagram is as shown below:

Given conclusions:

I. All players are honest → False (All players are honest is a possibility but not definite)

II. Some players are honest → True (Some players are singers and all singers are honest. Therefore, some players, which are singers are honest)

Hence, Only conclusion II follows is correct.

Additional Information

’Some’ is a subset of ‘All’. If in statements it is given that ‘All A are B’ then the conclusion ‘Some A are B’ would always be True.

Given figure:

If the rows and columns in the given square are equal.

We take the sum of the squares of the number of rows or columns.

(1)² + (2)² + (3)² + (4)²

1 + 4 + 9 + 16

= 30

Hence, 30 is correct.

Mother's age before three years = 30 years

Mother's present age = 30 + 3 = 33 years

Mother's age after three years = 33 + 3 = 36 years

Total age of a mother and son, after three years = 50

Son's age after three years = 50 - 36 = 14 years

Son's present age = 14 - 3 = 11 years.

Hence, 11 years is correct.

The below  figure shows the correct mirror image of the given figure.

Hence, Option 2 is correct.

Given series: AA, BD, GK, ?

A + 0 = A,

A + 1 = B,

B + 2 = D, 

D + 3 = G, 

G + 4 = K,

K + 5 = P,

P + 6 = V

Hence, PV is correct.

Given series: 2, 4, 8, 14, 20, 32

2 + 2 = 4

4 + 4 = 8

8 + 6 = 14

14 + 8 = 22 (not 20)

22 + 10 = 32

Hence, 20 is correct.

Given:

x = 3 + 2√2

We have to find the value of √x - 1/√x

Calculation:

x = 3 + 2√2

⇒ x = 1 + 2 + 2(√2)(1)

⇒ x = (√2 + 1)²

⇒ √x = √2 + 1

Again, 1/√ x = 1/(√2 + 1)

⇒ 1/√ x = (√2 – 1)/(√2 + 1)(√2 – 1)

⇒ 1/√x = √2 – 1

According to question:

⇒ √x – 1/√x = (√2 + 1) – (√2 – 1)

⇒ √x - 1/√x = 1 + 1

⇒ √x – 1/√x = 2

∴ (√x - 1/√x) = 2

Given:

The total number of students who use different modes of transport for to and from travel = 900

Calculation:

The number of students who use the Institute bus = (212°/360°) × 900 = 530

The number of student who do not use the institute bus = (900 – 530) = 370

∴ The number of students who do not use the institute bus is 370.

Given:

Divisor = 24 × Quotient

Divisor = 8 × Remainder

Quotient = 18

Formula Used:

Dividend = Divisor × Quotient + Reminder

Calculation:

Divisor = 24 × Quotient

⇒ Divisor = 24 × 18

⇒ Divisor = 432

Again, Divisor = 8 × Remainder

⇒ 432 = 8 × Remainder

⇒ 8 × Remainder = 432

⇒ Remainder = 432/8

⇒ Remainder = 54

Dividend = Divisor × Quotient + Reminder

⇒ Dividend = 432 × 18 + 54

⇒ Dividend = 7776 + 54

∴ Dividend = 7830

Given:

cos27° = x

tan63° = ?

Formula Used:

cosθ = Base/Hypotenuse

tanθ = Perpendicular/Base

Perpendicular² + Base² = Hypotenus²

Calculation:

cos27° = x

⇒ AB/BC = x/1

Perpendicular² = Hypotenus² – Base²

⇒ AC² = BC² – AB²

⇒ AC² = 1 – x²

⇒ AC = √(1 – x²)

Therefore, tan63° = AB/AC

⇒ tan63° = x/√(1 – x²)

Given:

Diagonal of Cube  = √27

Formula Used:

Diagonal of cube = √3 × Side of cube

Volume of Cube = Side³

Calculation:

Diagonal of cube = √3 × Side of cube

⇒ √3 × Side of Cube = √27

⇒ Side of Cube = 3√3/√3

⇒ Side of Cube = 3 cm

∴ Volume of Cube = 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cm³

Given:

SP₁ = Rs. 13,400

SP₂ = Rs. 11,600

Formula Used:

Profit = SP – CP

Loss = CP – SP

Calculation:

Suppose the cost price of the article is CP.

According to question –

⇒ 13,400 – CP = CP – 11,600

⇒ 2CP = 25,000

⇒ CP = 12,500

If the SP is Rs. 14,750, then, the profit will be = Rs. (14,750 – 12,500) = Rs. 2,250

Given:

a = (2 + √3)/(2 - √3)

b = (2 - √3)/(2 + √3)

a² + b² + ab = ?

Calculation:

⇒ a = (2 + √3)/(2 - √3)  

{multiply by up or down (2 + √3)}

⇒ a = [(2 + √3)/(2 - √3) ][(2 + √3)/(2 + √3)] 

⇒ a = (2 + √3)²/(4 – 3)

⇒ a = (4 + 3 + 4√3)

⇒ a = (7 + 4√3)

∴ b = (2 - √3)/(2 + √3)

Similarly,

⇒ b = (7 – 4√3)

So, ab = (7 + 4√3)(7 – 4√3) = (49 – 48) = 1

Again, (a + b) = 14

Squaring both side, we have -

⇒ a² + b² + 2ab = 196

⇒ a² +b² + ab + ab = 196

⇒ a² + b² + ab + 1 = 196

⇒ a² + b² + ab = 195

Given:

The ages of Fatima and Ahmed are in the ratio 3 : 8.

The sum of their present ages is 44 years.

Calculation:

Suppose the ages of Fatima and Ahmed is 3x and 8x, respectively.

According to question –

⇒ 3x + 8x = 44

⇒ 11x = 44

⇒ x = 44/11

⇒ x = 4

Fatima’s age = 3x = 12 years

Ahmed’s age = 8x = 32 years

Therefore, difference of their ages = (32 – 12) = 20 years

The total number of students who use different modes of transport for to and from travel = 900

The number of students who travel on the Foot = 70°/360° × 900

⇒ 70°/360° × 900

⇒ 175

Given:

sin(3x - 40°) = cos (3y + 40°)

Formula Used:

sinA = cosB

Then, A + B = 90°

Calculation:

sin(3x - 40°) = cos (3y + 40°)

⇒ 3x – 40° + 3y + 40° = 90°

⇒ 3x + 3y = 90°

⇒ x + y = 30°

Therefore, tan(x + y) = tan30° = 1/√3

Confusion Points 

In the 2nd tabulation, it is written that the percentage of Vivek's investment is out of the total investment. If I want to find Shalini's investment. I will subtract Vivek's investment from the total investment.  we can say that  

Shalini's investment.= 100% - vivek investment

Detailed solution:-

Total amount invested by Vivek and Shalini in scheme A = 80,000

Total amount invested by Vivek and Shalini in scheme C = 30,000

The total amount invested by Vivek in schemes A and C together = 50% of 80,000 + 40% of 30,000

⇒ 40,000 + 12,000

⇒ 52,000 

Shalini's investment.= 100% - vivek investment

The total amount invested by Shalini in schemes A and C together = (100 - 50)% of 80,000 + (100 - 40)% of 30,000

⇒ 40,000 + 18,000

⇒ 58,000

Therefore, required ratio = 52,000: 58,000 = 26:29

If a + b + c = 0

Then, a³ + b³ + c³ = 3abc

(2a²/3bc + 2b²/3ca + 2c²/3ab)

⇒ (2a³ + 2b³ + 2c³)/3abc

⇒ 2(a³ + b³ + c³)/3abc

⇒ 2(3abc)/3abc

⇒ 2

Given:

∠APB = 120° and AP = 12.5 cm

Calculation:

We know that ∠PAO = 90°

∴ ∠AOP = 30°

Thus, sin ∠AOP = AP/OP

⇒ sin30° = 12.5/OP

⇒ ½ = 12.5/OP

⇒ OP= 12.5 × 2

⇒ OP = 25 cm

Given:

Amount after 3 years =  Rs. 4,630.08

Rate of interest for 1, 2 and 3 rd year = 4%, 5% and 6% resp

Concept used:

Amount = Prinicpal × (1 + r/100)ⁿ

Calculation:

Amount = Principal × (1 + 4/100) × (1 + 5/100) × (1 + 6/100)

Rs. 4,630.08 = Principal × 26/25 × 21/20 × 106/100

Then, Principal = 4,630.08 × 25 × 20 × 100/(26 × 21 × 106) = Rs. 4000

∴ Principal is Rs. 4000.

Calculation:

Total investment of Vivek and Shalini in schemes A = Rs 80,000

Total investment of Vivek and Shalini in schemes B =Rs 70,000

Total investment of Vivek and Shalini in schemes C  = Rs 30,000

Total investment of Vivek and Shalini in schemes D =  Rs 50,000

Percentage of Vivek's investment in schemes A, B , C and D = 50%, 60%, 40% and 30%

Amount invested in A by Vivek A = 50% of  80,000 = Rs 40,000

Amount invested in A by Vivek B = 60% of 70,000 = Rs 42,000

Amount invested in A by Vivek C = 40% of 30,000 = Rs 12,000

Amount invested in A by Vivek D =30% of 50,000 = Rs 15,000

Average amount invested in A, B , C and D by Vivek = Rs 27,250

∴ Required average is Rs 27,250.

Alternate Method

Calculations:

Total investment by Vivek = 40000 + 42000 + 12000 + 15000 = 109000

Average amount invested in A, B, C and D by Vivek = 109000/4 = 27250

∴ Required average is Rs. 27,250

Given:

The difference between the two positive numbers is equal to 30% of the greater number.

If the smaller number is 28

Calculation:

Let the greater number be X.

X - 28 = 30% of X

70% of X = 28

Or, X = 40

Then, sum of both numbers = X + 28 = 40 + 28

∴ Sum = 68

Given:

$3 \frac{1}{3} - [ \frac{9}{4} + { \frac{5}{4} - \frac{1}{13} \times ( \frac{5}{2} - \frac{1}{3})}]$

Concept used

Calculation:

3(1/3) – [9/4 + 5/4 – 1/13 × (5/2 – 1/3)]

⇒ 10/3 – [9/4 + 5/4 – 1/13 × 13/6]

⇒ 10/3 – [9/4 + 5/4 – 1/6]

⇒ 10/3 – [(27 + 15 – 2)/12]

⇒ 10/3 – 40/12

⇒ 10/3 – 10/3

⇒ 0

Given:

AB = 18 cm, BC = 15 cm and AC = 13 cm,

Calculation:

We know, AD = AF, DB = BE, CE = FC

The perimeter of the triangle = AB + BC + AC = 18 + 15 + 13 = 46

That is, AD + AF + BD + BE + CE + CF = 46

Or, 2 × (AD + BE + CF) = 46

∴ AD + BE + CF = 23

Given:

tan θ = $\frac{2}{\sqrt{11}}$

Calculation:

(2cosec²θ - 3sec²θ)/(3cosec²θ + 4sec² θ)

Converting them to sin and cos format, and taking LCM we get,

(2 cos²θ - 3 sin²θ)/(3cos2θ + 4 sin2θ)

Diving throughout by cos² θ, we get,

(2 - 3 tan2θ)/(3 + 4 tan2θ)

From the question we know, tan²θ = 4/11,

So, (2 - 3 tan2θ)/(3 + 4 tan2θ) = (2 - 3 × 4/11)/(3 + 4 × 4/11)

⇒ (22 - 12)/(33 + 16) = 10/49

Given 

Δ ABC is an isosceles triangle , AB = AC 

Perimeter = 64 cm

AD = 8 cm 

Formula used

Area of triangle = 1/2 × base × height 

Figure:

Calculation

AD perpendicular to BC ,so ΔADB is right angle triangle

Let, AB = AC = x and BD = y

BD = DC (AD will bisect BC)

Accordingly,

x + x + y + y = 64 = Perimeter

⇒ x + y = 32

⇒ x = 32 - y

From ΔABD,

x2 = y2 + 82

⇒ (32 - y)2 = y2 + 82

⇒ 322 - 64y + y2 = y2 + 64

⇒ 64y = 1024 - 64

⇒ y = 960/64

⇒ y = 15

⇒ BD = 15

Now,

BC = 2 × BD   (In isosceles triangle, altitude and median are same)

BC = 2 × 15 = 30 cm 

Area of triangle ABC  = 1/2 × 30 × 8 = 120 cm2

∴ Area of triangle ABC is 120 cm2

Given:

A = 30 days

A + B = 45% of work in 9 days

Calculation:

A + B = 45% of work in 9 days

A + B = 100% of work will be completed in (9/45) × 100 = 20 days

So, (A + B) together can complete the work in 20 days

A alone can do the work in 30 days.

Suppose the total work is 60 units.

A’s one day work = 60/30 = 2 units

(A+ B)’s one day work = 60/20 = 3 units

∴ B’s one day work = (3 – 2) = 1 unit

So, B alone can do the work in 60/1 = 60 days

Given:

Average weight of P, Q and R = 62 kg

P = R – 12

Q = R – 9

S = R – 15

Calculation:

Average weight of P, Q and R = 62 kg

Total weight of P, Q and R = 62 × 3 = 186 kg

∴ P + Q + R = 186

⇒ R – 12 + R – 9 + R = 186

⇒ 3R – 21 = 186

⇒ 3R = 207

⇒ R = 207/3

⇒ R = 69 kg

∴ S = 69 – 15 = 54 kg

P = R – 12 = 69 – 12 = 57 kg

Q = R – 9 = 60 kg

Therefore, total weight of P, Q, R and S = (57 + 60 + 69 + 54) = 240

∴ Average weight of P, Q, R and S = 240/4 = 60 kg

Given:

The number of hours taken for the journey is 2/3 of the speed

Distance = 600 km

Formula Used:

Distance = Time × Speed

Calculation:

Suppose the number of hours for the journey is 2x and the speed is 3x.

⇒ Distance = Time × Speed

⇒ 600 = 2x × 3x

⇒ x² = 600/6

⇒ x² = 100

⇒ x = √100

⇒ x = 10

∴ Time taken to cover distance = 2x = 20 hours

Shortcut Trick

According to the Exterior Angle Theorem, the sum of two interior opposite angles equals the exterior angle.

Ratio of interior opposite angles = 2 : 3 ⇒ Sum = 5 units.

5 units = 115° ⇒ 1 unit = 23°.

Interior opposite angles are: 2 × 23° = 46° and 3 × 23° = 69°.

The third interior angle = 180° − 115° = 65° (Linear pair).

Comparing 46°, 69°, and 65°, the greatest angle is 69°.

∴ The correct answer is 69°.

Alternate Method

Given: Exterior angle of triangle = 115°, Ratio of interior opposite angles = 2 : 3.

Formula Used:

1. Exterior Angle Property: Exterior Angle = Sum of two Interior Opposite Angles.
2. Linear Pair Property: Exterior angle + Interior adjacent angle = 180°.

Calculations:

⇒ Let the two interior opposite angles be 2x and 3x.

⇒ 2x + 3x = 115°

⇒ 5x = 115°

⇒ x = 23°

⇒ First interior opposite angle = 2 × 23° = 46°

⇒ Second interior opposite angle = 3 × 23° = 69°

⇒ Third interior angle = 180° − 115° = 65°

⇒ Comparing all angles: 46°, 69°, and 65°.

⇒ Greatest angle = 69°.

∴ The correct answer is 69°.

Additional Information

Exterior Angle Theorem

The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the measures of its two remote interior angles.

Angle Sum Property

The sum of all three interior angles of a triangle is always 180°.

Linear Pair of Angles

An exterior angle and its adjacent interior angle always form a linear pair, meaning they are supplementary (sum = 180°).

Given:

MP = Rs. 12,000

Case I: Discount = 45%

Case II: Successive Discount = 30% and 15%

Formula Used:

SP = MP - Discount

Calculation:

MP = 12,000

Case I: When discount = 45%

∴ SP = (100 - 45) % of 12,000

⇒ SP = 55% of 12,000

⇒ SP = 6,600

Case II: When successive discount = 30% and 15%

∴ SP = 70% of 85% of MP

⇒ SP = 70% of 85% of 12,000

⇒ SP = 7 × 85 × 12

⇒ SP = 7,140

∴, the difference between SPs = (7,140 - 6,600) = Rs. 540

The correct answer is John McCarthy.

Key Points

• John McCarthy has created LISP, the Programming Language for Artificial Intelligence.
• LISP, an acronym for list processing, is a programming language that was designed for easy manipulation of data strings.
• Developed in 1959 by John McCarthy, it is a commonly used language for artificial intelligence (AI) programming.
• It is one of the oldest programming languages still in relatively wide use.
• LISP can build any abstraction at all if you can define syntax and semantics for it.
• LISP is good because it has a very minimal, simple, regular syntax.
• LISP was founded on the mathematical theory of recursive functions (in which a function appears in its own definition).
• Hence, option 2 is correct.

Additional Information

• Lisp is used for AI because it supports the implementation of software that computes with symbols very well.
• Symbols, symbolic expressions and computing with those is at the core of Lisp.
• CYC, one of the largest software systems written.
• Representation and reasoning in the domain of human common sense knowledge.
• Python is the ideal coding language used for machine learning, NLP, and neural network connections.
• Python can be used even if you are new to AI development since it is flexible and comes with pre-existing libraries like Pandas, SciPy, and nltk.
• Python language is lauded for its simple syntax and minimal codes.

The correct answer is Rohit Sharma.

Key Points

• Rohit Sharma is the first Indian male cricketer to play 100 matches of T-20 format.
• Stand-in captain Rohit Sharma became the first Indian cricketer and second in world cricket to complete 100 T20 Internationals.
• Rohit is currently the top-scorer in this format with 2452 runs with a regular skipper.
• Rohit has scored the runs at a strike-rate of 136.67 with four hundred and 17 half-centuries.
• He reached the milestone when he led the team in the second match against Bangladesh at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
• Virat Kohli second on the list with an aggregate of 2450 runs.
• Shoaib Malik (111 games) from Pakistan is the only player to have played more than 100 T20 Internationals.

Additional Information

• Rohit Sharma Holds the record of Most Centuries In T20 International Cricket.
• He Has Scored 4 Centuries in 96 Matches (88 Innings) During His T20 International Career.
• Which Remains The Most Centuries Scored By Batsman In T20Is.
• West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard became the first player in the history of T20 cricket to feature in 500 matches when he took the field against Sri Lanka for the first T20 International in Pallekele.

The correct answer is 1896.

• In the 1896 year were the first modern Summer Olympic games held.

Key Points

• The 1896 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the Olympiad, was the first international Olympic Games held in modern history.
• Organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had been created by French aristocrat Pierre de Coubertin.
• it was held in Athens, Greece, from 6 to 15 April 1896.
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a non-governmental international organization that came into existence in 1894.
• China will host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Additional Information

• The IOC is the final authority on all questions concerning the Olympic games and the Olympic movement.
• It was for the first time that 204 National Olympic Committees represented their countries at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
• The Olympic Charter is the codification of the fundamental principles, rules, and bye-laws adopted by the IOC.
• The Olympic Summer Games take place during the first year of the Olympiad (period of four years) which they are to celebrate. 
• It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the athletes of the world at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games.
• They are the exclusive property of the IOC, which entrusts their organisation to a host city seven years in advance.

The correct answer is Sandstone.

• Sandstone is NOT a metamorphic rock.

Key Points

• Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have become changed by intense heat or pressure while forming.
• In the very hot and pressured conditions deep inside the Earth's crust, both sedimentary and igneous rocks can be changed into metamorphic rock.
• ​Metamorphic rock can be formed locally when rock is heated by the intrusion of hot molten rock called magma from the Earth's interior.
• Some examples of metamorphic rocks are gneiss, slate, marble, schist, and quartzite.
• Marble, Slate, and quartz are formed after metamorphism. They changed in their original form due to extreme temperatures and pressure.
• The three types of metamorphism are Contact, Regional, and Dynamic metamorphism.
• Contact Metamorphism occurs when magma comes in contact with an already existing body of rock.

Additional Information

• Sandstone :
• Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed of sand-size grains of mineral, rock, or organic material.
• It also contains a cementing material that binds the sand grains together and may contain a matrix of silt- or clay-size particles that occupy the spaces between the sand grains.
• Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mostly of quartz sand, but it can also contain significant amounts of feldspar, and sometimes silt and clay.
• Sandstone that contains more than 90% quartz is called quartzose sandstone.

The correct answer Kiren Rijiju.

Key Points

• Kiren Rijiju is the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports as of February 2020.
• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is a branch of the Government of India which administers the Department of youth affairs and the Department of Sports in India.
• Kiren Rijiju is the current Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, who is in the capacity of Minister of State (Independent Charge).
• The ministry also gives the annual National Sports awards in various categories, including the Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awards.
• The Department of Sports is a division of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the Government of India created on 30 April 2008.
• They also helped in bringing the FIFA U-17 World cup to India.

Additional Information

• The Ministry was set up as the Department of Sports at the time of the organization of 1982 Asian Games New Delhi.
• Its name was changed to the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports during the celebration of the International Youth Year, 1985.
• It became a separate Ministry on 27 May 2000.
• Subsequently, In 2008, the Ministry has been bifurcated into the Department of Youth Affairs and the Department of Sports under two separate Secretaries.

The correct answer is Sunil Arora.

• Sunil Arora is the (23rd) Chief Election Commissioner of India.

Key Points

• Sunil Arora has assumed charge as the 23rd Chief Election Commissioner of India succeeding O P Rawat.
• The 62-year-old Arora was appointed to the Election Commission on August 31, 2017.
• who demitted the office on December 1, 2018, after completing his tenure.
• He is also the chairman of the Association of World Election Bodies(A-WEB).
• He is a retired 1980 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Rajasthan cadre.
• he served as the secretary to the Chief Minister from 1993 to 1998.
• He served as the principal secretary of CM Vasundhara Raje from 2005 to 2008.
• President Ram Nath Kovind had officially announced Arora’s appointment to the post on November 26, 2018.
• The current Chief Election Commissioner of India is Rajiv Kumar. (2022)

Additional Information

• Ashok Lavasa :
• He is a retired 1980 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Haryana cadre and was one of the two Election Commissioners of India.
• He has been appointed as vice president for Private Sector Operations and Public-Private Partnerships at the Asian Development Bank.
• Sushil Chandra :
• Sushil Chandra has assumed charge as the new Election Commissioner (EC) of India on the 15th of February 2019 and joins the Commission with Chief Election Commissioner Shri Sunil Arora and Election Commissioner Shri Ashok Lavasa.
• Kalyan Sundaram :
• Kalyan Vaidyanathan Kuttur Sundaram also referred to as K. V. K. Sundaram, was an Indian civil servant, who holds the record as the first Law Secretary (1948–58) of independent India and second Chief Election Commissioner of India.

The correct answer Article 23.

• Article 23 of the Indian Constitution prohibits trafficking in human beings and forced labour.
• The Right against Exploitation is enshrined in Articles 23 and 24 of the Indian Constitution.
• These are important Fundamental Rights that guarantee every citizen protection from any kind of forced labour.
• Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work, and to protection against unemployment.
• Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
• Laws passed by the Parliament in pursuance of Article 23:
• Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956
• Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
• Article 23 protects citizens not only against the State but also from private citizens.

Additional Information

• The right to equality is guaranteed by the Constitution in Articles 14 – 18.
• It provides for the equal treatment of everyone before the law, prevents discrimination on various grounds, treats everybody as equals in matters of public employment, and abolishes untouchability, and titles.
• Article 23(1):
• ​ Traffic in human beings and the beggar and other similar forms of forced labour are prohibited and any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with the law.
• Article 23(2):
• Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from imposing compulsory service for public purposes, and in imposing such service the State shall not make any discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste or class or any of them.

The correct answer is Parallels of Latitude.

Key Points

• All parallel circles from the equator up to the poles are called parallels of latitude.
• Circles of latitude are often called parallels because they are parallel to each other; that is, planes that contain any of these circles never intersect each other.
• Hence, option 1 is correct.

Additional Information

• Countries that the Tropic of Cancer passes through
• There are 16 countries, 3 continents and 6 water bodies through which the Tropic of Cancer passes.
• Countries that the Tropic of Capricorn passes through
• There are 10 countries, 3 continents and 3 water bodies through which the Tropic of Capricorn passes.

The correct answer is Elephanta.

• Elephanta is a west coast island.
• Elephanta Island is one of a number of islands in Mumbai Harbour, east of Mumbai, India.
• This island is a popular tourist destination because of the island's cave temples, the Elephanta Caves, that have been carved out of the rock.

Key Points

• The Indian coastal plains can be sub-divided into three broad divisions:
• Gujarat Coastal Plain, Western Coastal Plain and East Coastal Plain.
• India has a total of 247 islands, of which 204 lies in the Bay of Bengal and the rest is located in the Arabian Sea.
• West Coastal Plain is located between the Sahyadri and the Arabian Sea.
• It is mainly characterised by sandy beaches, coastal sand dunes, mudflats, lagoons, alluvial tracts along rivers, estuary, laterite platforms and residual hills.

Additional Information

• Pamban Island :
• Pamban Island is located on the Rama Setu Archipelago, between peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
• The second largest island of the latter, Pamban Island belongs to India and forms the Rameswaram taluk of Ramanathapuram district in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• Pamban Island extends for around 30 kilometres in width from the township of Pamban in the west to the remains of Dhanushkodi towards the south-east.

The correct answer is Amitabh Bachchan.

• Amitabh Bachchan was the winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award which was presented in 2019.

Key Points

• The country’s highest film honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke award, conferred for “outstanding contribution for the growth and development of Indian cinema” was presented to Amitabh Bachchan in 2019.
• Amitabh Bachchan has been selected for the Dada Saheb Phalke award for the year 2018 for his contribution to the Indian film industry.
• Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar took to Twitter to make the big announcement.
• Mr Bachchan has been honoured with the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

Additional Information

• The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema.
• It is presented annually at the ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• The recipient is honoured for their "outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema".
• The first recipient of the award was actor Abhishek Sakkarwal, who was honoured at the 17th National Film Awards.
• As of 2018, there have been 50 awardees.
• Among those, actor Prithviraj Kapoor (1971) and actor Vinod Khanna (2017) are the only posthumous recipients.

The correct answer is Laho.

Key Points

• Laho Dance is a folk dance of Meghalaya.
• This northeastern state is famous for its festivities, jovial atmosphere, and music.
• The tribal communities gather in groups to celebrate these festivals.
• Laho dance form is very famous among the Pnar tribal community in Meghalaya.
• Pnar people are fond of colours, and music.
• This folk dance is the reflection of their rich taste and vibrant culture.
• It is also known as the Chipiah Dance.
• Laho is an important part of these festive gatherings.

Additional Information

• Laho Dance
• Both men and women take part in this Laho dance performance.
• Women usually wear gold and silver ornaments along with colourful costumes.
• It is often performed in local events, especially where indigenous cultures are represented, respected, and performed.
• This folk dance is also famous among the Harp tribe of Meghalaya with a different name.
• Behdienkhlam is one of the most important festivals of Meghalaya.
• It is held annually to invoke divine blessings and to get rid of bad spirits.
• Cheraw dance
• Cheraw dance is a traditional cultural dance performed in Mizoram, India, consisting of mostly six to eight people holding pairs of bamboo staves on another horizontally placed bamboo on the ground.
• Dalkhai is the most popular folk dance of Odisha.
• Rangma Dance of Nagaland:
• The tribes of Nagaland are mostly war tribes. Weapons and warfares tactics are an important part of their culture.
• Traditional dance is the Rangma dance performed by the Naga people.
• It is usually a part of the Ngada festival.

The correct answer is Jammu & Kashmir.

• Baglihar Dam is located in Jammu & Kashmir.

Key Points

• Baglihar Hydropower Project is located on the Chenab River in the northern Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir.
• It consists of a gravity concrete dam 143 m high and 363 m long, which has a total volume of 1.9 million m³, creating a reservoir with a capacity of 475 million m³.
• The first power project executed by the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation.
• It was conceived in 1992 and approved in 1996, with construction beginning in 1999.
• The first stage of the project was completed in 2008-09.
• It was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India.
• The second stage of the project was completed in 2015-16.
• It was subsequently dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.

Additional Information

• Pakistan claimed that the dam is a gross violation of the Indus Water Treaty.
• India reduced the water flow to fill up the Baglihar dam lake in Jammu and Kashmir, causing a loss of agriculture for farmers in Pakistan.
• India, on the other hand, has clarified that reduced flow in the Chenab river in Pakistan is a result of very little availability of water in a lean year.
• The objection had lead to the project being referred to a World Bank appointed Neutral Expert.

The correct answer is Graphite.

Key Points

• Graphite is the allotropic form of carbon.
• Graphite, archaically referred to as plumbago, is a crystalline form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a hexagonal structure.
• There are various allotropes of carbon:
• diamond, graphite, lonsdaleite, fullerene, C-540, C-70, amorphous carbon, carbon nanotube.
• Diamond and crystalline silicon are isomorphous because they both have a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure.
• Allotropy, the existence of a chemical element in two or more forms, which may differ in the arrangement of atoms in crystalline solids or in the occurrence of molecules that contain different numbers of atoms.

Additional Information

• Coal :
• Coal is a form of amorphous carbon, which is formed by pyrolysis.
• It is an impure form of carbon.
• Charcoal is also an allotrope of carbon that is formed by the process of pyrolysis.
• Diamond :
• Diamond and fullerene are pure forms of carbon.
• Diamond is a solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic.
• Lamp Black :
• Lampblack is a simple genuine pigment made of carbon black.
• The pure carbon pigment is made from the residual soot from burning oil and its name comes from the practice of making it with oil lamps.
• Older and less stable blacks made from oil also existed and were called oil black or flame black.

The correct answer is Parushni.

Key Points

• Parushni is the Rigvedic name of the river Ravi.
• The Ravi was known as Purushni or Iravati to Indians in Vedic times and as Hydraotes to the Ancient Greeks.
• The Rig-Veda civilization was centred on the River Saraswati which is now lost in the Deserts of Rajasthan.
• The Ravi River, a transboundary river of India and Pakistan, is an integral part of the Indus River Basin and forms the headwaters of the Indus basin.
• It rises in the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh state, India, and flows west-northwest past Chamba, turning southwest at the boundary of Jammu and Kashmir state.

Additional Information

• The Sapta Sindhavah play a prominent part in the hymns of the Rig Veda, and consequently in the early Hindu religion**.**
• Vedic texts have a wide geographical horizon, speaking of oceans, rivers, mountains and deserts.
• The Vedic land is a land of seven rivers flowing into the ocean.
• Central Rivers (rivers of Punjab):
• Vitasta (Jhelum)
• Asikni (Chenab)
• Parusni (Ravi)
• Vipas (Beas)
• Sutudri (Sutlej)
• Marudvrdha

The correct answer is Zozibini Tunzi.

Key Points

• Zozibini Tunzi is the Miss Universe crown winner for the year 2019.
• South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi has been crowned Miss Universe for the year 2019, beating more than 90 contestants.
• The 26-year-old Tunzi was declared the winner at a televised event, hosted by American comic-turned-TV personality Steve Harvey, held at Tyler Perry Studios.
• Indian contestant Vartika Singh crashed out of the world's biggest beauty pageant after securing a place in the top 20.
• Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, from the Philippines, presented Tunzi with the crown.
• Miss Puerto Rico Madison Anderson was named the first runner-up, followed by Mexican contestant Ashley Alvidrez as the second runner-up.

Additional Information

• Miss Universe 2019**, the 68th Miss Universe pageant, was held on December 8, 2019,** at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
• This edition also saw the crowning of the first black woman winner since Leila Lopes was crowned in 2011.
• Contestants from 90 countries and territories participated in this year's competition.
• Swe Zin Htet of Myanmar became the first openly lesbian contestant to compete for the Miss Universe title.