← Assistant & UDC
Past Questions — 2020
Which is called the flower garden of Europe?
A)
Switzerland
B)
The Netherlands
C)
USA
D)
UK
The Netherlands is popularly called the "flower garden of Europe" because of its world-famous flower cultivation, especially tulips, and its large flower export industry. Switzerland is known for mountains and scenic beauty, while USA and UK are not referred to by this title.
The ratio between two numbers is 5 : 6. If 5 is subtracted from each number, the ratio becomes 4 : 5. The numbers are:
A)
9, 10
B)
50, 60
C)
25, 30
D)
30, 36
Let the two numbers be 5x and 6x, since their ratio is 5:6. After subtracting 5 from each, the ratio becomes 4:5:
(5x - 5) / (6x - 5) = 4/5
Cross-multiplying:
5(5x - 5) = 4(6x - 5)
25x - 25 = 24x - 20
x = 5
So the numbers are 5x = 25 and 6x = 30.
Check: (25 - 5) : (30 - 5) = 20 : 25 = 4 : 5.
Hence, the correct answer is 25, 30.
If ( x101 + 101) is divided by (x + 1), the remainder is:
A)
101
B)
100
C)
99
D)
0
Let f(x) = x^101 + 101. By the Remainder Theorem, when f(x) is divided by (x + 1), the remainder is f(-1). So, f(-1) = (-1)^101 + 101 = -1 + 101 = 100. However, the expression in the question is commonly intended as x^101 + 101 being divided by (x + 1), which gives remainder 100. Since 100 is option (b), that is the correct choice.
What is the reason behind the violent unrest in Iran since November 2019 in which more than 180 people have died?
A)
Increase in personal Income tax rate
B)
Raising the price of gasoline by the government
C)
Giving women entry into stadium defying tradition
D)
Privatization of government undertakings
The violent unrest in Iran that began in November 2019 was triggered by the government’s sudden increase in gasoline prices. This led to widespread protests and clashes, with reports of more than 180 deaths. The other options are unrelated to the 2019 unrest.
What does ‘E’ represent in NESO?
A)
East
B)
Eastern
C)
Education
D)
Employment
NESO stands for North East Students' Organization. Here, ‘E’ represents ‘Eastern’, referring to the North Eastern region of India. So the correct expansion is North East Students' Organization, and among the given options, ‘Eastern’ is the correct choice. The other options do not match the standard abbreviation.
Every year, International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated on:
A)
7th December
B)
9th December
C)
26th November
D)
1st December
International Anti-Corruption Day is observed every year on 9th December, as designated by the United Nations. It aims to raise awareness about corruption and promote measures to prevent and combat it. The other dates correspond to different observances, not Anti-Corruption Day.
Who is the Author of the book, ’My experiment with Truth’?
A)
Mahatma Gandhi
B)
Nehru
C)
Hitler
D)
Napolean
‘My Experiments with Truth’ is the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi. The other options are incorrect because Nehru wrote 'An Autobiography', Hitler wrote 'Mein Kampf', and Napoleon is not the author of this book.
Human Rights Day is observed on which of the following day?
A)
5th December
B)
6th December
C)
12th December
D)
10th December
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10th December, commemorating the day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations in 1948. The other dates are associated with different observances, not Human Rights Day.
In a cylinder, if radius is halved and height is doubled, the volume will be:
A)
same
B)
halved
C)
doubled
D)
four times
Volume of a cylinder is V = πr²h. If the radius is halved, r becomes r/2, so r² becomes r²/4. If the height is doubled, h becomes 2h. New volume = π × (r²/4) × 2h = (1/2)πr²h. So the volume becomes half of the original, i.e. halved. Therefore, option (b) is correct.
A speed of 15 m/s is equal to:
A)
75 km/h
B)
54 km/h
C)
45 km/h
D)
60 km/h
To convert m/s to km/h, multiply by 18/5. So, 15 × 18/5 = 54 km/h. Therefore, the correct answer is 54 km/h. The other options are incorrect because they do not match the standard conversion.
The World Health Organisation has decided to celebrate the year 2020 as which year?
A)
International year for malnutrition eradication
B)
International Year for campaign against obesity
C)
International Year to ensure access to life saving medicines
D)
Year of the nurse and the midwife
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2020 as the 'Year of the Nurse and the Midwife' to recognize the vital role of nurses and midwives in healthcare. The other options are not official WHO designations for 2020.
Intersection of columns and rows is called a:
A)
Cell
B)
Data
C)
Table
D)
Schema
In a table or spreadsheet, a row runs horizontally and a column runs vertically. Their intersection is called a cell. 'Data' is the content inside a cell, 'table' is the whole grid, and 'schema' refers to the structure/definition of data, not the intersection point.
A right circular cylinder of radius r cm and height h cm (h > 2r) just encloses a sphere of diameter:
A)
r cm
B)
h cm
C)
2h cm
D)
2r cm
A sphere that is just enclosed by a right circular cylinder must fit exactly inside the cylinder. Since the cylinder’s radius is r cm, its diameter is 2r cm. The largest possible sphere that can fit inside has diameter equal to the cylinder’s diameter, i.e. 2r cm. The condition h > 2r only ensures the height is enough; it does not change the sphere’s diameter. Therefore, the correct answer is 2r cm.
What is the ‘Power of Siberia’ which was in the news recently?
A)
Russia’s nuclear plant in Siberia
B)
Global Forum on the Protection of Siberia
C)
A gas Pipeline
D)
Siberia based research station to study climate change
‘Power of Siberia’ is a major natural gas pipeline project that transports gas from eastern Siberia in Russia to China. It was in the news in connection with energy and Russia-China cooperation. The other options are incorrect because it is not a nuclear plant, a forum, or a research station.
Oscar Prize is related to:
A)
Literature
B)
Films
C)
Science
D)
Music
The Oscar Prize (Academy Awards) is given for excellence in the film industry. It honors achievements in movies such as acting, directing, screenplay, editing, and cinematography. Literature is associated with the Nobel Prize in Literature, science with Nobel Prizes in Physics/Chemistry/Medicine, and music with awards like the Grammy Awards.
The weight of 12 sheets of thick paper is 40g. How many sheets of the same paper would weigh 2.5 kg?
A)
100
B)
750
C)
830
D)
480
12 sheets weigh 40 g, so 1 sheet weighs 40/12 g = 10/3 g. 2.5 kg = 2500 g. Number of sheets = 2500 ÷ (10/3) = 2500 × 3/10 = 750. Therefore the correct answer should be 750, which corresponds to option (b).
Which city is called the ‘City of Palaces’?
A)
Lahore
B)
Patna
C)
Calcutta
D)
Delhi
Lahore is famously known as the 'City of Palaces' because of its rich Mughal and colonial-era architecture, including many historic palaces and grand buildings. The other options are not known by this title: Patna is an ancient city, Calcutta is often called the 'City of Joy', and Delhi is known as the 'City of Cities' or for its historical significance.
ICU Stands for:
A)
Internal Care Unit
B)
Intensive Care Unit
C)
Infection Care Unit
D)
Individual Care Unit
ICU is the standard medical abbreviation for Intensive Care Unit, the section in a hospital that provides critical care to seriously ill patients. The other options are not the correct expansion of ICU.
Which of the following combination of Book-Author is not matched correctly?
A)
Bible thlirna- JF Laldailova
B)
Aizawlah Aizawler- Lalhruaitluanga Ralte
C)
Rihlipui- Romuanpuii Zadeng
D)
Zodinpuii- Lalchhantluanga
The mismatched pair is **Zodinpuii – Lalchhantluanga**. In Mizoram literature questions, **Zodinpuii** is not credited to Lalchhantluanga, while the other three book-author combinations are correctly matched. Hence, option **(d)** is the incorrect combination.
The Rajya Sabha on december 11, 2019 passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 with:
A)
115 in favor and 95 against
B)
121 in favor and 101 against
C)
125 in favor and 105 against
D)
128 in favor and 105 against
The Rajya Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on 11 December 2019 by a vote of 125 members present? Wait, the recorded division was 125 votes cast in favor? No—the commonly cited final tally was 125 in favor and 105 against in the Lok Sabha, while in the Rajya Sabha it was 125? Actually, for the Rajya Sabha on 11 December 2019, the bill was passed with 125 votes in favor and 105 against in the Lok Sabha on 4 December. Since the question specifically asks about the Rajya Sabha on 11 December 2019, the correct recorded result is 125 in favour and 105 against. However, among the provided options, the closest official Rajya Sabha result listed in many exam keys is 125 in favour and 105 against, which corresponds to option (c).
In an AP, if a1 = 1, an = 20 and Sn = 399, then n is
A)
17
B)
21
C)
42
D)
38
For an arithmetic progression (AP), the sum of first n terms is S_n = n/2 × (a_1 + a_n). Given a_1 = 1 and a_n = 20, we get S_n = n/2 × (1 + 20) = 21n/2. Since S_n = 399, 21n/2 = 399, so n = 399 × 2 / 21 = 38? Wait, that would be 38, but we must also check whether the term a_n = 20 is consistent with the same n. In an AP, if a_1 = 1 and a_n = 20, then the sum becomes 399 = n(1+20)/2 = 21n/2, giving n = 38. However, 38 is not listed with the implied AP relationship? Let's verify carefully: 21 × 19 = 399, so n/2 × 21 = 399 gives n = 38. Since 38 is one of the options, it is the correct answer. Therefore the correct option is (d) 38.
Which of the following is a temporary memory?
A)
ROM
B)
RAM
C)
Both (a) & (b)
D)
Neither (a) nor (b)
RAM (Random Access Memory) is temporary memory because it stores data only while the computer is powered on. Its contents are lost when power is turned off. ROM (Read Only Memory) is permanent/non-volatile memory, so it is not temporary. Therefore, the correct answer is RAM.
The LCM of 24(x3 – x2 – 6x) and 6(2x4 + 5x3 + 2x2) is:
A)
6x(x +2)(x – 3)
B)
24x(x +2)(x – 3)
C)
24x2(x +2)(x – 3)(2x + 1)
D)
6x2(x +2)(x – 3)(2x + 1)
Factorize both expressions first:
1) 24(x^3 - x^2 - 6x) = 24x(x^2 - x - 6) = 24x(x - 3)(x + 2)
2) 6(2x^4 + 5x^3 + 2x^2) = 6x^2(2x^2 + 5x + 2) = 6x^2(2x + 1)(x + 2)
For the LCM, take:
- the highest numerical coefficient: LCM of 24 and 6 = 24
- each factor with the greatest power appearing in either expression:
- x^2
- (x + 2)
- (x - 3)
- (2x + 1)
So the LCM should be 24x^2(x + 2)(x - 3)(2x + 1). However, this exact form is option (c), not (b).
But check carefully: the first expression is 24(x^3 - x^2 - 6x), which factors to 24x(x - 3)(x + 2), and the second is 6(2x^4 + 5x^3 + 2x^2) = 6x^2(2x + 1)(x + 2). Therefore the true LCM is indeed 24x^2(x + 2)(x - 3)(2x + 1).
Hence the correct option is (c).
OSD stands for?
A)
Officer on Special Duty
B)
Officer on Specific Duty
C)
Official on Special Duty
D)
On Special Duty
OSD is the standard administrative abbreviation for "Officer on Special Duty." It is commonly used in government and official postings. The other options are not the correct expansion of OSD.
According to the Arms (Amendment) Bill 2019 passed by the Lok Sabha, how many gun/guns can a person keep?
A)
1
B)
2
C)
3
D)
4
The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 proposed reducing the number of firearms a person can possess from 3 to 2. Therefore, according to the Bill passed by the Lok Sabha, a person can keep 2 guns. Option (b) is correct.