DCOA Mixed Practice Test #823

Question 1

In situations where a safe and reliable drinking water source is unavailable, boiling water is a common recommendation for purification. What is the primary mechanism by which boiling makes water safe for consumption?

Accepted Answer

C. It kills most pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. — Boiling water to a rolling boil for at least one minute is highly effective at killing most disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites, thereby preventing waterborne illnesses. It does not remove chemical pollutants or heavy metals, nor does it primarily enhance mineral content or remove suspended solids (though it can help with some). Its main benefit is microbiological purification.

Answer

A. It effectively removes heavy metals and chemical pollutants.

Answer

B. It enhances the water's mineral content, making it healthier.

Answer

D. It improves the aesthetic qualities of water by removing suspended solids.

Question 2

According to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which of the following practices is strictly prohibited in schools for children undergoing elementary education?

Accepted Answer

B. Subjecting a child to physical punishment or mental harassment. — Section 17 of the RTE Act, 2009, explicitly prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment of children in schools. While charging capitation fees (Section 13) is also prohibited by the Act, it pertains to the admission process rather than practices within the school environment concerning student discipline and treatment. Assigning minimal homework or conducting assessments are not strictly prohibited by the Act, although CCE is promoted and detention is prohibited.

Answer

A. Assigning homework to students in Class 1 and 2.

Answer

C. Conducting annual examinations for all classes to assess learning outcomes.

Answer

D. Charging capitation fees for admission to any class.

Question 3

Convex mirror used in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Rear-view mirror — Wider field of view.‌​‍

Answer

Headlights

Answer

Solar cooker

Answer

Magnifying glass

Question 4

Mirage is caused by:

Accepted Answer

Refraction and total internal reflection of light in air layers of different densities — Hot air near the ground has lower density; light bends and undergoes TIR creating the illusion.

Answer

Reflection from the ground

Answer

Diffraction

Answer

Dispersion

Question 5

The Arab Spring uprisings began in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

2010 (Tunisia) - 2011 — Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation (Dec 2010) in Tunisia triggered Arab Spring. ‌​‍Regimes fell in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen. Syria descended into civil war.

Answer

2015

Answer

2020

Answer

2008

Question 6

The People's Planning Campaign (Janakeeya Yojana) in Kerala, initiated in 1996, is considered a landmark initiative. Which of the following statements best describes its principal contribution to sustaining and evolving the Kerala Model of Development?

Accepted Answer

C. It empowered local self-governing institutions by decentralizing planning and resource allocation, fostering participatory development. — The People's Planning Campaign was a pioneering effort in decentralization, transferring substantial planning and financial powers to local self-governing institutions (LSGIs). This aimed to make development more participatory and responsive to local needs, thereby deepening the democratic and social equity aspects of the Kerala Model. Options A, B, and D represent approaches contrary to the spirit of the campaign, which emphasized local empowerment and participatory governance.

Answer

A. It primarily focused on attracting large-scale foreign investments to industrialize the state rapidly.

Answer

B. It centralized fiscal powers and planning authority within the state government to streamline decision-making.

Answer

D. Its main objective was to privatize public sector undertakings to improve efficiency and reduce state expenditure.

Question 7

Which metal is least reactive among these?

Accepted Answer

Gold — Gold (and platinum) is among the least reactive — remains free in nature.

Answer

Potassium

Answer

Sodium

Answer

Iron

Question 8

Silent Valley Movement was in which state?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Kerala — The Silent Valley Movement in Kerala (1970s-80s) saved the tropical rainforest from a hydroelectric project.‌​‍

Answer

Tamil Nadu

Answer

Karnataka

Answer

Goa

Question 9

The mirror in a torch is:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Concave — Concave mirror produces focused beam.‌​‍

Answer

Plane

Answer

Convex

Answer

Cylindrical

Question 10

Acid rain is caused by:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

SO₂ and NO₂ — SO₂ and NO₂ from industrial emissions react with water to form sulphuric and nitric acids → acid rain (pH below 5.6).‌​‍

Answer

CO₂ only

Answer

Ozone

Answer

Methane

DCOA Mixed Practice Test #823