NOV 12

1. Consider the following statements about Nadaprabhu Kempegowda:

1)     Nadaprabhu Kempegowda was a 16th century chieftain of the Vijayanagara empire.

2)     He is credited with laying the foundation of the Bengaluru city in 1537.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a)      1 only

b)     2 only

c)      Both 1 and 2

d)     Neither 1 nor 2

 

Answer: C

Explanation:

Nadaprabhu Kempegowda

·         Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, a 16th century chieftain of the Vijayanagara empire.

·         He is credited with laying the foundation of what is today known as Bengaluru city in 1537. 

o    It is said that he conceived the idea of a new city while hunting with his minister, and later marked its territory by erecting towers in four corners of the proposed city.

·         He is also known to have developed around 1,000 lakes in the city to cater to drinking and agricultural needs.

·         He is revered, especially by the Vokkaliga community that is dominant in Old Mysuru and other parts of southern Karnataka.

·         Kempegowda has been credited for abolishing the practice of cutting the fingers of the left hand of an unmarried woman during a custom known as Bandi Devaru.

 

2. Consider the following statements about Carbon Sequestration:

1)     Ocean Carbon Sequestration can be destroying the productivity of ocean biological systems.

2)     Geological sequestration where the carbon dioxide is pumped into aquifers and coal seams that are unable to be mined.

3)     Carbon Sequestration can be done by both naturally and artificially.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a)      1 and 2 only

b)     2 and 3 only

c)      1 and 3 only

d)     1, 2 and 3

 

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Carbon sequestration is the long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic formations, and the ocean.
• Carbon sequestration occurs both naturally and as a result of anthropogenic activities and typically refers to the storage of carbon.

Types:

     o Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration:

• Terrestrial carbon sequestration is the process through which CO2 from the atmosphere is absorbed by trees and plants through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in soils and biomass (tree trunks, branches, foliage, and roots)

      o Geologic Carbon Sequestration:

• CO2 can be stored, including oil reservoirs, gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, saline formations and shale formations with high organic content.

      o Ocean Carbon Sequestration:

• Oceans absorb, release and store large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. This can be done in two ways- enhancing productivity of ocean biological systems through Iron fertilization, and injecting CO2 into the deep ocean.
• The dumping of iron stimulates phytoplankton production, which in turn leads to enhanced photosynthesis from these microorganisms, helping in CO2

 

3. Consider the following statements about Pokkali rice:

1)      It is a salt water-resistant variety that grows small.

2)      Pokkali is an ancient farming practice where one season of rice farming is alternated with another season of prawn culture.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a)      1 only

b)     2 only

c)      Both 1 and 2

d)     Neither 1 nor 2

 

Answer: B

Explanation:

Pokkali rice:

·         It is a salt water-resistant variety that grows tall.

·         It is cultivated in the coastal regions of Kerala.

·         Pokkali is an ancient farming practice where one season of rice farming is alternated with another season of prawn culture. Hence, pokkali rice is a part of the ‘one fish and one rice’ annual cycle.

·         The prawn seedlings feed on the leftovers of the harvested crop, while the rice crop, which gets no other fertiliser or manure, draws nutrients from the prawns’ excrement and other remnants.

·         Rice farming and prawn farming are mutually complementary.

·         They are useful in climate- resilient agriculture as they can withstands flooding.

·         A storehouse of nutrition, they are rich in fibre and protein content, antioxidants with benefits of vitamin E, and minerals such as iron, boron and sulphur

·         Pokkali rice has a geographical indication (GI) tag since 2007.

 

4. Consider the following statements about Law Commission:

1)     The Law Commission is a statutory body.

2)     It examines the existing laws in the light of Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties.

3)     It makes recommendations to the Supreme Court of India.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

a)      1 and 2 only

b)     2 and 3 only

c)      1 and 3 only

d)     1, 2 and 3

 

Answer: D

Explanation:

Law Commission:

·         The Law Commission is a non-statutory body that is constituted by a notification of the Government of India in the Official Gazette.

·         It carries out research in the field of law and vital review of the laws in India.

·         It makes recommendations to the Government (in the form of Reports).

·         It was first constituted in 1955, and has so far submitted 277 reports.

·         The Commission would have a tenure of three years from the date of publication of the Order of Constitution.

·         Functions: The Commission shall, among other things,

·         identify laws which are no longer needed or relevant and can be immediately repealed

·         examine the existing laws in the light of Directive Principles of State Policy and suggest ways of improvement and reform and suggest such legislations as might be necessary to implement the Directive Principles and to attain the objectives set out in the Preamble of the Constitution

·         revise the Central Acts of general importance to simplify them and remove anomalies, ambiguities and inequities.

 

5. Consider the following statements about Beaver blood moon:

1)      It occurs when the moon is directly behind Earth relative to the sun.

2)      Degree of redness depends on atmospheric conditions that vary with levels of air pollution and volcanic ash.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a)      1 only

b)     2 only

c)      Both 1 and 2

d)     Neither 1 nor 2

 

Answer: C

Explanation:

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth casts its shadow completely over a full moon, blocking reflection of all direct sunlight from the lunar orb and dimming the colour of the moon to a reddish hue, hence the term “blood moon.”

·         This is only possible when the orbits of the Earth, moon and sun align so that the moon is directly behind Earth relative to the sun.

·         Moon’s orbit around Earth is usually tilted relative to Earth’s orbit about the sun. Hence, the moon passes above or below Earth’s shadow because of its orbit.

·         Outer shadow is called “penumbra,” and the darker, inner shadow is called the “umbra,” before reaching totality.

·         Reddish appearance of the lunar surface is caused by rays of sunlight around the outer edge of the eclipse shadow, or umbra, being filtered and refracted as it passes through Earth’s atmosphere, bathing the moon indirectly in a dim copper glow.

·         Degree of redness depends on atmospheric conditions that vary with levels of air pollution, dust storms, wildfire smoke and even volcanic ash.

·         Rarity: Total lunar eclipses occur, on average, about once every year and a half, but the interval varies.

·         Beaver moon: is a moniker for November’s full moon adopted by the Old Farmer’s Almanac supposedly from Algonquian languages once spoken by Native Americans in the New England territory. When combined with the phenomena of a total lunar eclipse, it is widely referred to as a “Beaver blood moon” in the United States.