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Past Questions
Which book by George Saunders won the Man Booker Prize for 2017?
A)
Lincoln in the Bardo
B)
The Sellout
C)
The Luminaries
D)
The Finkler question
The Man Booker Prize for 2017 was awarded to George Saunders for his novel 'Lincoln in the Bardo'. The novel is a historical fiction piece that explores the grief of Abraham Lincoln following the death of his son, Willie, and is noted for its experimental narrative style involving a chorus of ghosts.
Analysis of other options:
- b. 'The Sellout' is a novel by Paul Beatty (which won the Man Booker Prize in 2016).
- c. 'The Luminaries' is a novel by Eleanor Catton (which won the Man Booker Prize in 2013).
- d. 'The Finkler Question' is a novel by Howard Jacobson.
The mean (average) of 100 observation is 50. If one of the observations which was 50 is replaced by 150, then the resulting mean will be
A)
55
B)
53
C)
52
D)
51
Step-by-step calculation:
1. **Find the initial total sum**: The mean of 100 observations is 50.
Total Sum = Mean × Number of observations = 50 × 100 = 5,000.
2. **Calculate the change in the sum**: One observation (50) is replaced by another (150).
Increase in sum = New value - Old value = 150 - 50 = 100.
3. **Find the new total sum**:
New Total Sum = Initial Sum + Increase = 5,000 + 100 = 5,100.
4. **Calculate the new mean**: The number of observations remains 100.
New Mean = New Total Sum / Number of observations = 5,100 / 100 = 51.
Alternative Shortcut Method:
Increase in mean = (Increase in total sum) / (Number of observations) = 100 / 100 = 1.
New Mean = Old Mean + Increase = 50 + 1 = 51.
Therefore, option (d) is correct. Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect as they do not match the calculated result.
Which of the following is called ‘Pillars of Hercules’?
A)
Gibraltar
B)
China
C)
Egypt
D)
Bangladesh
The 'Pillars of Hercules' is an ancient name given to the promontories that flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. In Greek mythology, these pillars were said to have been created by Hercules during his ten labors. Geographically, the 'pillars' refer to the Rock of Gibraltar in Europe and Jebel Musa (Mount Musa) in Africa.
Analysis of options:
- a. Gibraltar: Correct. The Strait of Gibraltar is the location of the Pillars of Hercules.
- b. China: Incorrect. China is located in East Asia and has no geographical association with this term.
- c. Egypt: Incorrect. While Egypt is in North Africa, the Pillars of Hercules are located much further west at the entrance of the Mediterranean.
- d. Bangladesh: Incorrect. Bangladesh is located in South Asia and has no geographical association with this term.
Mawii covers 10.5 km in 3 hours, then the distance covered by her in 8 hrs is
A)
28 Km
B)
124 Km
C)
53Km
D)
35 Km
Step 1: Find the speed of Mawii. Speed is defined as Distance divided by Time.
Speed = 10.5 km / 3 hours = 3.5 km/hr.
Step 2: Calculate the distance covered in 8 hours using the formula Distance = Speed × Time.
Distance = 3.5 km/hr × 8 hours = 28 km.
Verification of options:
- Option (a) 28 Km: Matches our calculation.
- Option (b) 124 Km: Incorrect calculation.
- Option (c) 53 Km: Incorrect calculation.
- Option (d) 35 Km: Incorrect calculation.
In which of the following fields Nobel Prize is not given?
A)
Physics
B)
Mathematics
C)
Medicine
D)
Chemistry
The Nobel Prizes were established by the will of Alfred Nobel and are awarded annually in specific categories. The original five categories established in 1901 are Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. Later, the Sveriges Riksbank prize in Economic Sciences was added.
Evaluating the options:
- Option (a) Physics: A Nobel Prize is awarded in this field.
- Option (b) Mathematics: There is no Nobel Prize for Mathematics. (The Fields Medal and the Abel Prize are often considered the 'Nobel equivalents' for mathematics, but they are not Nobel Prizes).
- Option (c) Medicine: A Nobel Prize is awarded in this field (Physiology or Medicine).
- Option (d) Chemistry: A Nobel Prize is awarded in this field.
Therefore, Mathematics is the field among the choices for which no Nobel Prize is given.
The amount on Rs 5000 for 2 years at 8 % per annum compounded annually is
A)
Rs 5400
B)
Rs 5435
C)
Rs 5832
D)
Rs 5932
To find the amount compounded annually, we use the formula: A = P(1 + R/100)^n
Given:
Principal (P) = Rs 5000
Rate of Interest (R) = 8% per annum
Time (n) = 2 years
Step-by-step calculation:
1. Substitute the values into the formula: A = 5000(1 + 8/100)^2
2. Simplify the fraction: A = 5000(1 + 0.08)^2
3. A = 5000(1.08)^2
4. Calculate the square of 1.08: 1.08 * 1.08 = 1.1664
5. Multiply by the principal: A = 5000 * 1.1664
6. A = 5832
Alternatively, using the step-by-step interest method:
Year 1 Interest: 8% of 5000 = (8/100) * 5000 = Rs 400. Amount after Year 1 = 5000 + 400 = Rs 5400.
Year 2 Interest: 8% of 5400 = (8/100) * 5400 = Rs 432. Amount after Year 2 = 5400 + 432 = Rs 5832.
Comparing with options:
(a) Rs 5400 is only the amount after the first year.
(b) Rs 5435 is incorrect.
(c) Rs 5832 matches our calculation.
(d) Rs 5932 is incorrect.
When is the International Day for the abolition of slavery celebrated across the world?
A)
December 1
B)
December 2
C)
December 3
D)
December 4
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed annually on December 2nd. This day was established by the United Nations to remind the global community that slavery still exists in various forms (such as forced labor, debt bondage, and human trafficking) and to promote the goal of completely eradicating these practices worldwide. Options a (December 1), c (December 3), and d (December 4) are incorrect as they do not correspond to this specific UN-recognized observance.
Which of the following country is known as ‘Island of Cloves’?
A)
Hawai
B)
Lakshadweep
C)
Tristan da Cunha
D)
Zanzibar
Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, is famously known as the 'Island of Cloves'. This title is derived from its historical and economic significance as one of the world's leading producers of cloves, which were introduced to the islands in the 19th century and became the backbone of its economy.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Hawai: Known for its volcanic landscapes and diverse agriculture (like pineapples and coffee), but not specifically known as the 'Island of Cloves'.
- b. Lakshadweep: An Indian archipelago known for coconut cultivation and tuna fishing.
- c. Tristan da Cunha: The most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, known for its isolation rather than spice production.
Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) scheme to be implemented in the districts of-
A)
Lunglei, Serchhip and Mamit
B)
Lunglei, Saiha and Mamit
C)
Lawngtlai, Serchhip and Saiha
D)
Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Mamit
Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) is a health initiative by the Government of India aimed at ensuring full immunization for children and pregnant women, specifically targeting areas with low immunization coverage. In the context of Mizoram, the program was strategically implemented in the districts that historically showed lower coverage or faced geographical challenges in vaccine delivery. These districts are Lunglei, Lawngtlai, and Mamit. Therefore, option (d) is the correct choice as it lists these three specific districts.
What is the rate of simple interest at which a sum of money doubles itself in 5 years?
A)
15 %
B)
18 %
C)
20 %
D)
22 %
To solve this problem, we use the Simple Interest (SI) formula: SI = (P × R × T) / 100, where P is the Principal, R is the Rate of interest, and T is the Time.
1. **Understand the condition**: The sum of money 'doubles itself'. This means the Amount (A) becomes 2P.
2. **Calculate the Interest**: Since Amount = Principal + Interest, the Simple Interest earned must be: SI = A - P = 2P - P = P. (The interest earned is equal to the original principal).
3. **Plug values into the formula**:
- SI = P
- T = 5 years
- R = ?
P = (P × R × 5) / 100
4. **Solve for R**:
Divide both sides by P:
1 = (R × 5) / 100
100 = 5R
R = 100 / 5
R = 20%
Therefore, the rate of simple interest is 20%. Options a, b, and d are incorrect because they would result in the sum doubling in a different timeframe (e.g., at 15%, it would take 6.67 years; at 18%, 5.55 years; at 22%, 4.54 years).
Which famous Indian sportsperson is the author of ‘Straight from the heart’?
A)
Kapil Dev
B)
Mary Kom
C)
Mikha Singh
D)
Virat Kohli
The book 'Straight from the Heart' is the autobiography of Kapil Dev, the legendary Indian cricketer and captain who led India to its first World Cup victory in 1983. In this book, he shares his personal journey, his struggles, and his experiences on and off the field.
Evaluating other options:
- Mary Kom's autobiography is titled 'Unbreakable'.
- Milkha Singh's autobiography is titled 'The Race of My Life'.
- Virat Kohli has not authored a book by this title.
Which of the following Company introduced Floppy disk?
A)
IBM
B)
Microsoft
C)
Apple
D)
Samsung
The floppy disk was introduced by IBM (International Business Machines) in 1971. The first commercial floppy disk was the 8-inch diskette, designed primarily for loading microcode into IBM mainframe computers. Later, versions like the 5.25-inch and the widely popular 3.5-inch disks were developed.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Microsoft: Microsoft is primarily a software company known for operating systems (Windows) and applications, not for inventing the floppy disk hardware.
- Apple: While Apple used floppy disks extensively in early Macintosh computers, they did not invent the technology.
- Samsung: Samsung is a modern electronics giant that entered the storage market much later, focusing on flash memory and hard drives rather than the invention of the floppy disk.
Speed of Laser Printer is measured in:
A)
PPM
B)
LPM
C)
DPM
D)
None of these
The speed of a laser printer is measured in PPM, which stands for 'Pages Per Minute'. Laser printers are page printers, meaning they process and print an entire page at once rather than line-by-line. Therefore, the most accurate metric for their performance is how many full pages they can produce in one minute.
Analysis of other options:
- LPM (Lines Per Minute): This was commonly used for older impact printers (like daisy-wheel or dot-matrix printers) that printed text one line at a time.
- DPM (Dots Per Minute): This is not a standard industry measurement for overall printer speed, although DPI (Dots Per Inch) is used to measure print resolution/quality.
- None of these: Incorrect, as PPM is the standard industry measurement.
Which of the following is the unit to express the memory of a computer?
A)
Bus
B)
Byte
C)
CAD
D)
Compiler
Computer memory is measured in binary digits (bits). A 'Byte' is a fundamental unit of data measurement, typically consisting of 8 bits. Larger memory capacities are expressed as multiples of bytes (e.g., Kilobytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes, Terabytes).
Analysis of other options:
- a. Bus: A communication system that transfers data between components inside a computer (e.g., between the CPU and RAM).
- c. CAD: Stands for Computer-Aided Design, which is a type of software used by engineers and architects.
- d. Compiler: A special program that translates high-level programming language (source code) into machine code that the computer's processor can execute.
An example of data management system application software is
A)
Microsoft Word
B)
Microsoft Power Point
C)
Microsoft Excel
D)
Microsoft SQL Server
A data management system (specifically a Database Management System or DBMS) is software designed to store, retrieve, and manage data in a structured way.
1. **Microsoft SQL Server (Option d)** is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. It is specifically designed to manage large volumes of structured data using Structured Query Language (SQL), making it a textbook example of data management software.
2. **Microsoft Word (Option a)** is a word processing software used for creating and formatting text documents.
3. **Microsoft PowerPoint (Option b)** is presentation software used for creating slide decks.
4. **Microsoft Excel (Option c)** is a spreadsheet application. While it can store data in tables, it is primarily used for calculations, data analysis, and basic organization, rather than being a full-scale data management system (DBMS) capable of handling complex relationships, concurrency, and large-scale data integrity required by enterprise applications.
What is the full form of OMR?
A)
Optical Mark Reader
B)
Online Mark Reader
C)
Object Mark Reader
D)
Optic Mark Reader
OMR stands for Optical Mark Reader (or Optical Mark Recognition). It is a technology used to capture human-marked data from document forms such as surveys and tests. The process involves a scanner that shines a beam of light onto the paper; the areas marked with a pencil or pen reflect less light than the unmarked areas, allowing the device to detect and record the marks.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 'Optical Mark Reader' is the correct technical term.
- Option (b) 'Online Mark Reader' is incorrect as the process is a physical scanning process, not inherently an 'online' process.
- Option (c) 'Object Mark Reader' is incorrect as it does not refer to objects, but to marks on a page.
- Option (d) 'Optic Mark Reader' is grammatically incorrect in a technical context; 'Optical' is the standard adjective used to describe the light-based sensing technology.
Who is also known as ‘Father of Computer’?
A)
Charles Babbage
B)
Martin Cooper
C)
Steve Jobs
D)
Denis Riche
Charles Babbage is widely recognized as the 'Father of Computer' because he originated the concept of a programmable computer. He designed the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine; the latter was a general-purpose computer that incorporated an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), control flow in the form of conditional branching and loops, and integrated memory, which are the fundamental building blocks of modern computers.
Other options are incorrect because:
- Martin Cooper is known as the 'Father of the handheld mobile phone' for inventing the first handheld cellular phone.
- Steve Jobs was a co-founder of Apple Inc. and a pioneer of the personal computer revolution, but not the inventor of the computer concept.
- Denis Ritchie created the C programming language and co-developed the Unix operating system.
What does NRSC stands for?
A)
National Remote Sensing Centre
B)
National Remote Sensing Clusters
C)
Nation Remote Sensing Centre
D)
National Remote Satellite Centre
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Analyze the context of the exam: The exam is conducted by the Mizoram Public Service Commission (MPSC) for the Agriculture & Husbandry Department. In the context of Indian government exams and agriculture/science, 'NRSC' refers to a scientific organization. 2. Identify the organization: The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) is the primary center of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) responsible for the acquisition, processing, and dissemination of remote sensing data. This is highly relevant to agriculture (crop monitoring, soil mapping, etc.). 3. Evaluate the options: Option (a) 'National Remote Sensing Centre' is the correct official name. Option (b) 'Clusters' and (d) 'Satellite Centre' are incorrect terminology. Option (c) 'Nation' is grammatically incorrect. 4. Address the web search context: The provided search snippets refer to the 'National Republican Senatorial Committee' (a US political organization), which is irrelevant to an Indian civil service exam for an Agriculture department.
Mark the wrong combination:
A)
MAL: Mizo Academy of letters
B)
MPF: Mizoram People’s Forum
C)
MUP: Mizo Upa Pawl
D)
ZPM: Zoram People’s Movement
The selected option matches the established historical, constitutional, economic, geographical, or Mizoram-specific fact.
Which country has launched the first ever all-electric ship?
A)
India
B)
Japan
C)
Kuwait
D)
China
China launched the world's first all-electric intelligent connected ship, named 'Neo-Eco', in 2023. This vessel is designed to operate entirely on electric power, significantly reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution compared to traditional diesel-powered ships. While other countries like Norway and India have launched electric ferries or hybrid vessels, China's launch of a fully electric, intelligent connected ship represents a major milestone in maritime technology. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. Options (a) India, (b) Japan, and (c) Kuwait have not launched the first-ever all-electric ship of this scale and specification.
A Mizo boxer who won gold medal (81 Kg Category) in International Senior & Youth Women Boxing Championship 2017 held in Bulgaria is-
A)
Lalfakmawii Ralte
B)
Vanlalduati
C)
Lalbuatsaihi
D)
Jenny R. Lalremliani
Lalfakmawii Ralte is a prominent Mizo boxer who achieved significant international success in 2017. She won the gold medal in the 81 kg category at the International Senior & Youth Women Boxing Championship held in Bulgaria. Her victory brought substantial recognition to the state of Mizoram in the field of combat sports. The other options listed (Vanlalduati, Lalbuatsaihi, and Jenny R. Lalremliani) are not associated with this specific gold medal achievement in the 81 kg category at the 2017 Bulgaria championship.
Name the author of the book ‘Asian Drama’?
A)
Jawaharlal Nehru
B)
Gunner Myrdal
C)
A.Huxley
D)
E.M.Foster
The book 'Asian Drama: An Inquiry into the Poverty of Nations' was written by Gunnar Myrdal, a Swedish economist and sociologist who was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1974. The book is a comprehensive study of the economic development and challenges faced by various Asian countries.
Analysis of other options:
- Jawaharlal Nehru: Known for 'The Discovery of India' and 'Glimpses of World History'.
- A. Huxley: Known for 'Brave New World' and 'The Doors of Perception'.
- E.M. Forster: Known for 'A Passage to India' and 'Howards End'.
‘2017 Global Paragliding Contest’ held during 17-21 December 2017 in the state of-
A)
Himachal Pradesh
B)
Arunachal Pradesh
C)
Jammu & Kashmir
D)
Sikkim
The '2017 Global Paragliding Contest' (often associated with the Bir-Billing events) was held in Himachal Pradesh. Bir-Billing is globally recognized as one of the premier paragliding sites in the world due to its ideal takeoff and landing conditions. The state of Himachal Pradesh frequently hosts international paragliding competitions and championships to promote adventure tourism. Options b (Arunachal Pradesh), c (Jammu & Kashmir), and d (Sikkim) are not the primary hubs for this specific global contest held during the mentioned dates in December 2017.
Which country’s team has clinched the 2017 Women’s Hockey Asia Cup Tournament?
A)
China
B)
India
C)
England
D)
Japan
The 2017 Women's Hockey Asia Cup was held in Kakamigahara, Japan. In the final match, China faced India. China won the match 2-1, thereby clinching the tournament title.
Breakdown of options:
- a. China: Correct. They won the final against India.
- b. India: Incorrect. India reached the final but finished as the runner-up.
- c. England: Incorrect. England is a European nation and does not compete in the Asia Cup.
- d. Japan: Incorrect. While Japan was the host nation, they did not win the tournament.
The person who invented flashlight is-
A)
Graham Bell
B)
Richard Rhodes
C)
David Misell
D)
Runic Games
The flashlight (or electric torch) was invented by David Misell in 1899. Misell, an American inventor, developed a portable electric lamp that combined a battery, a light bulb, and a reflector into a handheld device.
Analysis of other options:
- Graham Bell: Famous for inventing the first practical telephone.
- Richard Rhodes: Not a recognized inventor of the flashlight; he is primarily known as a historian of science.
- Runic Games: This is a video game development studio, not a person or an inventor.