HSA Mixed Practice Test #21

Question 1

The first woman PM of India was:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Indira Gandhi — Indira Gandhi was India's first (and only) woman PM (1966-77, 1980-84).‌​‍

Answer

Sarojini Naidu

Answer

Pratibha Patil

Answer

Sonia Gandhi

Question 2

Centre for Development Studies (CDS):

Accepted Answer

TVM — social sciences — TVM — premier social science research.

Answer

Kochi

Answer

Thrissur

Answer

Kottayam

Question 3

German silver contains:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Cu + Zn + Ni — German silver has no silver — it is an alloy of Cu, Zn, Ni.‌​‍

Answer

Silver + zinc

Answer

Silver only

Answer

Silver + copper

Question 4

Synonym of ROBUST:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Strong — Strong and healthy.‌​‍

Answer

Fragile

Answer

Thin

Answer

Weak

Question 5

Quit India slogan:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Do or Die — Gandhi's call: 'Do or Die' (Karo Ya Maro).‌​‍

Answer

Jai Hind

Answer

Swaraj is my birthright

Answer

Vande Mataram

Question 6

Lamarckism emphasised:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Inheritance of acquired characteristics — Use and disuse. ‌​‍Example (incorrect): giraffe neck elongated through stretching. Refuted by Weismann's germplasm theory.

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 7

The semicircular canals in the ear are responsible for:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Balance (equilibrium) — Vestibular apparatus (3 semicircular canals + otolith organs) detects rotational/linear acceleration for balance.‌​‍

Answer

Hearing

Answer

Sound amplification

Answer

Taste

Question 8

A Kerala PSC HSA observes that students often struggle with understanding the historical and cultural contexts of Malayalam literature. Which pedagogical approach would best address this issue?

Accepted Answer

B. Conducting field trips to literary landmarks and organizing author talks — Field trips and author interactions provide immersive learning experiences that connect literature to its historical and cultural roots, making the subject more relatable. Option A delays contextual learning, Option C lacks engagement, and Option D overlooks the human element of literature, reducing it to mere linguistic analysis.

Answer

A. Introducing literature only after mastering advanced grammar rules

Answer

C. Assigning additional textbook readings without contextual discussion

Answer

D. Focusing exclusively on linguistic analysis of texts

Question 9

The last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate was:

Accepted Answer

Ibrahim Lodi — Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur at Panipat 1526, ending the Delhi Sultanate.

Answer

Bahlul Lodi

Answer

Sikandar Lodi

Answer

Babur

Question 10

Starch and cellulose are both:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Polysaccharides — Both are polymers of glucose; humans digest starch but not cellulose.‌​‍

Answer

Disaccharides

Answer

Monosaccharides

Answer

Lipids

HSA Mixed Practice Test #21