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Past Questions — 2014
Height of a tree is 1210 cm. What was its height two years ago if it increases at the rate of 10% p.a?
A)
1331 cm
B)
800 cm
C)
1000 cm
D)
900 cm
If the tree grows at 10% per year, then its height increases by a factor of 1.1 each year. Let the height two years ago be x. Then after 2 years: x × 1.1 × 1.1 = 1210. So x = 1210 / 1.21 = 1000 cm. Hence, the correct answer is 1000 cm.
(1 - 1/2)(1 - 1/3)(1 - 1/4) ... (1 - 1/n) = ?
A)
0
B)
1
C)
1/n
D)
1/(n-1)
We simplify the product:
(1 - 1/2)(1 - 1/3)(1 - 1/4) ... (1 - 1/n)
= (1/2)(2/3)(3/4) ... ((n-1)/n).
This is a telescoping product, where all intermediate factors cancel out, leaving only 1/n.
So the correct answer is 1/n.
Option (a) 0 is incorrect because the product is not zero.
Option (b) 1 is incorrect because the factors do not multiply to 1.
Option (d) 1/(n-1) is incorrect; the cancellation leaves 1/n, not 1/(n-1).
The movement of the Earth with its own axis from west to east is called
A)
Rotation
B)
Revolution
C)
Wave
D)
Current
The Earth spins on its own axis from west to east, and this spinning motion is called rotation. Revolution means the Earth’s movement around the Sun. Wave and current are unrelated to Earth’s axial motion.
“Faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth” has been the main objective of
A)
Tenth Five Year Plan
B)
Eleventh Five Year Plan
C)
Twelfth Five Year Plan
D)
Thirteenth Five Year Plan
The phrase “Faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth” is associated with the **Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007–2012)**. This plan emphasized accelerating GDP growth while making it more broad-based and environmentally sustainable. The **Tenth Plan** focused on growth with equity, the **Twelfth Plan** is known for “Faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth” in a similar but differently worded context, and there was no Thirteenth Five Year Plan at that time.
The ages of A and B are in the ratio 8 : 5. Sum of their ages is 39 years; what will be the ratio of their ages after 9 years?
A)
11 : 8
B)
3 : 2
C)
8 : 7
D)
10 : 7
Let the present ages of A and B be 8x and 5x. Their sum is 39, so 8x + 5x = 39 => 13x = 39 => x = 3. Thus, A = 24 years and B = 15 years. After 9 years, their ages will be 33 and 24. The ratio is 33 : 24 = 11 : 8. Hence, option (a) is correct.
The first Chief Minister of the state of Telangana
A)
Jagan Mohan Reddy
B)
Chandrababu Naidu
C)
M.Karunanidhi
D)
K.Chandrasekhar Rao
Telangana became the 29th state of India on 2 June 2014, and K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) became its first Chief Minister. The other options are incorrect because Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chandrababu Naidu, and M. Karunanidhi were Chief Ministers of other states, not Telangana.
If 2A = 3B = 4C, then A : B : C = ?
A)
6 : 4 : 3
B)
3 : 4 : 5
C)
4 : 3 : 2
D)
2 : 3 : 4
Let 2A = 3B = 4C = k. Then A = k/2, B = k/3, and C = k/4. Taking the LCM of 2, 3, and 4 as 12, we get A : B : C = 12/2 : 12/3 : 12/4 = 6 : 4 : 3. Hence, the correct option is (a).
Which of the following Planets is nearest to the Earth?
A)
Mercury
B)
Venus
C)
Mars
D)
Jupiter
Venus is generally the nearest planet to Earth. Although the exact distance between planets changes as they orbit the Sun, Venus comes closest to Earth more often than the other planets listed. Mercury is closer to the Sun, but not usually closest to Earth. Mars and Jupiter are farther away.
Who won Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 26, 2014?
A)
Rafael Nadal
B)
Christiano Ronaldo
C)
Sebastian Vettel
D)
Usain Bolt
The Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award presented in Kuala Lumpur on March 26, 2014 was won by Usain Bolt. He was recognized for his outstanding achievements in athletics. The other options are incorrect because Rafael Nadal and Cristiano Ronaldo were not the 2014 winner, and Sebastian Vettel won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in earlier years, not in 2014.
A starts business with Rs.3500 and after 5 months; B joins A as his partner. After a year the profit is divided in the ratio 2 : 3. What was B’s contribution in the capital?
A)
Rs.7500
B)
Rs.9000
C)
Rs.85000
D)
Rs.8000
Profit is divided in the ratio of capital × time.
A invests Rs.3500 for 12 months, so A's share = 3500 × 12 = 42000.
B joins after 5 months, so B invests for 7 months. Let B's capital be x, so B's share = x × 7.
Given profit ratio A : B = 2 : 3,
so 42000 : 7x = 2 : 3.
Cross-multiplying:
42000 × 3 = 2 × 7x
126000 = 14x
x = 9000.
So B’s contribution in capital is Rs.9000.
Note: Among the given options, this corresponds to option (b), not (d).
Which country was suspended by the G-8 nations from the exclusive Club of World Powers over its incursion in Ukraine?
A)
Poland
B)
Germany
C)
France
D)
Russia
The G-8 nations suspended Russia in 2014 following its actions in Ukraine, especially the annexation of Crimea and military incursion. The G-8 became the G-7 after Russia was excluded. The other options—Poland, Germany, and France—were not suspended over the Ukraine issue.
Choose the prime number
A)
9
B)
2
C)
15
D)
63
A prime number has exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and itself. Among the options, 2 is divisible only by 1 and 2, so it is prime. The others are composite: 9 = 3 × 3, 15 = 3 × 5, and 63 = 3 × 3 × 7.
Who became the first Indian to receive the prestigious Harvard Medal on 29th May, 2014?
A)
Ratan Tata
B)
Anand G Mahindra
C)
Bobi Jindal
D)
Aamir Khan
Ratan Tata became the first Indian to receive the Harvard Medal on 29 May 2014. The Harvard Medal is awarded by Harvard University for extraordinary service to the University. The other options are incorrect because Anand G Mahindra, Bobby Jindal, and Aamir Khan were not the recipients of this award on that date.
The institution that signed a loan agreement worth $1006.20 Million with the Government of India for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan III (SSA-III)?
A)
World Bank
B)
Asian Development Bank
C)
IMF
D)
BRICS Bank
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan III (SSA-III) was supported by a loan agreement of US$ 1006.20 million signed with the World Bank. Among the given options, the World Bank is the only institution associated with such a large education-sector lending program to the Government of India. The IMF does not finance this kind of project loan, BRICS Bank did not exist at that time, and the Asian Development Bank was not the lender for SSA-III.
According to the list compiled by Fortune Magazine on March 20, 2014, who among the following tops the list of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders?
A)
Dalai Lama
B)
Warren Buffet
C)
Pope Francis
D)
Barak Obama
Fortune magazine’s March 20, 2014 list of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders was topped by Pope Francis. Dalai Lama, Warren Buffett, and Barack Obama were also prominent global figures, but they did not top that specific list.
Penicillin was invented by
A)
Christian Bernard
B)
Alexander Fleming
C)
Mc Collum
D)
William Harvey
Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. He observed that a mold called Penicillium notatum inhibited the growth of bacteria. The other options are incorrect: Christian Bernard was a surgeon, Mc Collum was a biochemist known for vitamin research, and William Harvey discovered blood circulation.
By selling 45 lemons for Rs.40, a man loses 20%. How many should he sell for Rs.24 to gain 20% in the transaction?
A)
16
B)
18
C)
20
D)
22
Selling 45 lemons for Rs.40 at a 20% loss means Rs.40 is 80% of the cost price. So, cost price of 45 lemons = 40 ÷ 0.8 = Rs.50. Therefore, cost price per lemon = 50 ÷ 45 = Rs.10/9.
For a 20% gain, selling price should be 120% of cost price. If Rs.24 is the selling price, then cost price = 24 ÷ 1.2 = Rs.20.
Now, number of lemons whose cost price is Rs.20 = 20 ÷ (10/9) = 20 × 9/10 = 18.
So, he should sell 18 lemons for Rs.24 to gain 20%.
The HCF of 12/17 and 60/17 is
A)
12/17
B)
60/17
C)
5/17
D)
6/17
For fractions, HCF = HCF of numerators / LCM of denominators. Here, HCF(12, 60) = 12 and LCM(17, 17) = 17. So the HCF of 12/17 and 60/17 is 12/17? Wait, that would be the larger fraction, but the correct rule for HCF of fractions is actually HCF of numerators divided by LCM of denominators, giving 12/17. However, since 12/17 does not divide 60/17 as an integer multiple in the usual sense, the standard exam convention for HCF of fractions is still HCF(numerators)/LCM(denominators). Therefore the correct answer is 12/17.
The daily maximum temperature recorded in ºC at Aizawl during a week was as below: Monday 25.5, Tuesday 28.8, Wednesday 27.3, Thursday 26.1, Friday 23.8, Saturday 24.5. The Mean temperature is
A)
24.5ºC
B)
28.8ºC
C)
26.1ºC
D)
26ºC
To find the mean temperature, add all the given temperatures and divide by the number of days.
Sum = 25.5 + 28.8 + 27.3 + 26.1 + 23.8 + 24.5 = 156.0
Number of days = 6
Mean = 156.0 ÷ 6 = 26.0ºC
So, the correct answer is 26ºC.
Why others are incorrect:
- 24.5ºC is just one of the daily temperatures, not the mean.
- 28.8ºC is the highest temperature, not the average.
- 26.1ºC is another daily value, not the mean.
Winner of the seventh edition of Indian Premier League 2014.
A)
Kolkatta Knight Riders
B)
Mumbai Indians
C)
Delhi Dare devils
D)
Chennai Super Kings
The winner of the 7th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2014) was Kolkata Knight Riders. They defeated Kings XI Punjab in the final. Among the given options, this corresponds to option (a). The other teams listed—Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, and Chennai Super Kings—were not the 2014 champions.
The second highest Civilian Award in India is
A)
Bharat Ratna
B)
Padma Bhushan
C)
Vir Chakra
D)
Padma Vibhushan
India’s civilian awards are ranked in descending order as: Bharat Ratna (highest), Padma Vibhushan (second highest), Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. Vir Chakra is a military gallantry award, not a civilian award. Therefore, the second highest civilian award is Padma Vibhushan.
After successive discounts of 12% and 5%, an article was sold for Rs.209, what was the original price?
A)
Rs.250
B)
Rs.226
C)
Rs.252
D)
Rs.269
Let the original price be x. After a 12% discount, price becomes 88% of x = 0.88x. After a further 5% discount, it becomes 95% of that price = 0.95 × 0.88x = 0.836x. Given final selling price = Rs.209, so 0.836x = 209. Therefore x = 209 / 0.836 = 250. But this does not match the options, so we must check the interpretation of successive discounts: the combined discount factor is 0.88 × 0.95 = 0.836, and 209 / 0.836 = 250 exactly. Since Rs.250 is not listed, the closest and intended exam option is likely a misprint. However, among the given options, none is mathematically correct.
Who is the speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha?
A)
Sumitra Mahajan
B)
V.D.Mahajan
C)
Sushma Swaraj
D)
Meira Kumar
The Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha was Sumitra Mahajan. She was elected Speaker in 2014 after the formation of the 16th Lok Sabha. The other options are incorrect: Meira Kumar was the Speaker of the 15th Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj was a Union Minister, and V.D. Mahajan is not a Lok Sabha Speaker.
The winners of French Open 2014 are
A)
Rafael Nadal & Maria Sharapova
B)
Rafael Nadal & Serena Williams
C)
Novak Djokovic & Sam Stosur
D)
Novak Djokovic & Li Na
At the 2014 French Open, Rafael Nadal won the men's singles title and Maria Sharapova won the women's singles title. Therefore, option (a) is correct. The other options are incorrect because Novak Djokovic did not win the 2014 French Open, and Serena Williams and Li Na were not the champions that year.
How many States are there in India Union after the birth of Telangana State?
A)
29
B)
28
C)
27
D)
26
Telangana became the 29th state of India on 2 June 2014, after its formation from Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, after the birth of Telangana, the total number of States in the Indian Union became 29. Hence, option (a) is correct. The other options are incorrect because India had 28 states before Telangana, not after it.