IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Oct 26, 2015

1)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about the provisional government of India during world war I?

1. The provisional government was composed of Mahendra Pratap as President
2. Maulana Barkatullah was Prime Minister of provisional government.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- It was government-in-exile established in Kabul, Afghanistan on December 1, 1915 by Indian nationalists with help of central powers.
- Deobandi Maulavi Ubaidullah Sindhi was Home Minister,
- Deobandi Maulavi Bashir was War Minister and Champakraman Pillai was Foreign Affairs Minister.


2)   The Silk Letter Movement is related to -

a. Deobandi movement
b. Ghadar Party
c. Christmas Day plot
d. War of 1857
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Deobandi movement

Explanation:
- The Silk Letter Movement (Tehreek-e-Reshmi Rumal) refers to a movement organised by the Deobandi leaders between 1913 to 1920
- It was aimed at freeing India from the British rule by allying with Ottoman Turkey, Imperial Germany, and Afghanistan.
- The letters were written in silk cloth, hence the name


3)   Match the following pairs of deserts with respective regions

1. Negev -------------------- i. Spain
2. Simpson -----------------ii.  Colombia
3. Tabernas --------------- iii. Israel
4. Tatacoa ----------------- iv. New Zeland
5. Rangipo ----------------- v. Australia


a. 1- ii, 2- v, 3-i, 4- iii ,5-iv
b. 1- v, 2- i, 3-iv, 4- iii ,5-ii
c. 1- iii, 2- v, 3-i, 4- ii , 5-iv
d. 1- ii, 2- i, 3-iv, 4- iii ,5-v
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 1- iii, 2- v, 3-i, 4- ii , 5-iv

Explanation:
- Simpson Desert is the world's largest sand dune desert.
- Tabernas Desert is located within Spain's southeastern province of Almería. Almeria is the driest region of Europe, with the continent's only true desert climate where annual rainfall reaches levels as low as 156 mm in coastal areas.
- The Tatacoa Desert is the second largest arid zone in Colombia after the Guajira Peninsula.
- Rangipo Desert is a barren desert-like environment in New Zealand


4)   International Coffee Day is observed on -

a. 1 October
b. 4 October
c. 6 October
d. 10 October
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1 October

Explanation:
- International Coffee Day is an occasion that is used to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events now occurring in places across the world.
- The first official date will be 1 October 2015, as agreed by the International Coffee Organization and will be launched in Milan.


5)   The birthday of Mahatma Gandhi is observed as:

a. Religious harmony day
b. Martyrs' Day
c. Sarvodaya day
d. International Day of Non-Violence
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: International Day of Non-Violence

Explanation:
- The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
- 30 January is observed as Martyrs' Day and Sarvodaya day at the national level. The date was chosen as it marks the assassination of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1948.


6)   National Integration Day is celebrated on 23 June to mark the occasion of -

a. Signing of instrument of accession by Jammu & Kashmir
b. Signing of instrument of accession by Hyderabad state
c. Accession of Sikkim
d. Death of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee in Kashmir
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Death of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee in Kashmir

Explanation:
- This date marks the death of Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee in Kashmir in 1953. also observed as “National Integration Day”.
- He opposed the Indian National Congress's decision to grant Kashmir a special status with its own flag and Prime Minister.
- According to that decision no one, including the President of India could enter Kashmir without the permission of Kashmir's Prime Minister.
- To oppose special status, Dr. Mukherjee went to visit Kashmir in 1953 and was arrested on 11 May and was jailed in a dilapidated house, where he suffered from serious health problems.


7)   GIPL is a proposed natural gas pipeline interconnecting -

a. Germany and Poland
b. Lithuania and Poland
c. Georgia and Portugal
d. Lithuania and Germany
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Lithuania and Poland

Explanation:
- Gas Interconnection Poland–Lithuania (GIPL), also known as Lithuania–Poland pipeline, is a proposed natural gas pipeline interconnection between Lithuania and Poland that is expected to be finished by 2019.
- The pipeline is a part of the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan