HSA Mixed Practice Test #1032

Question 1

Which river was called 'Churni' in ancient times?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Periyar — Periyar was known as Churni in ancient Sangam literature.‌​‍

Answer

Chaliyar

Answer

Pampa

Answer

Bharathapuzha

Question 2

Art 253:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

International treaties — Parliament can legislate to implement international treaties.‌​‍

Answer

States

Answer

Emergency

Answer

UT

Question 3

'A white elephant' means:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

A costly but useless possession — White elephant = expensive possession that is a burden and hard to maintain.‌​‍

Answer

A rare animal

Answer

Good luck

Answer

A government scheme

Question 4

While both the Mauryan and Gupta empires established vast administrative structures, a key difference in their approach to governance and eventual decline can be attributed to:

Accepted Answer

A. The Mauryas' reliance on a highly centralized, bureaucratic administration versus the Guptas' emphasis on decentralized feudal elements and 'samantas'. — The Mauryan Empire was characterized by an extremely centralized administration, with direct control over vast territories and a detailed bureaucracy. In contrast, the Gupta Empire, while powerful, relied more on a decentralized model, incorporating local rulers or 'samantas' who paid tribute and provided military support, leading to a more feudal structure. This difference in governance contributed to their respective strengths and vulnerabilities, with the decentralized nature of the Guptas eventually making them more susceptible to disintegration. Options B, C, and D present inaccuracies re

Answer

B. The Guptas' aggressive expansionist policies across the subcontinent compared to the Mauryas' primary focus on internal consolidation.

Answer

C. The Mauryas' promotion of Sanskrit as the official language and patronization of Brahmanism, unlike the Guptas' support for Prakrit and Buddhism.

Answer

D. The Guptas' lack of a strong standing army and dependence on regional militias, in contrast to the Mauryas' professional military.

Question 5

Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism) was systematised by:

Accepted Answer

Adi Shankaracharya (8th CE) — Brahman = Atman (unity). World is Maya. Ramanuja (12th CE) — Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism). Madhva — Dvaita (dualism).

Answer

Buddha

Answer

Ramanuja

Answer

Madhva

Question 6

The antonym of 'HUMBLE' is:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Arrogant — Humble = modest. Arrogant = proud, haughty. They are antonyms.‌​‍

Answer

Modest

Answer

Meek

Answer

Simple

Question 7

A farmer family in Kerala consists of a husband, wife, and two minor children. The husband is a retired state government employee receiving a pension of ₹25,000 per month, and the wife owns 2 acres of agricultural land. They are not income tax payees. Considering the guidelines of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, which of the following statements regarding their eligibility is correct?

Accepted Answer

C. The entire family is ineligible for the scheme because the husband is a retired government employee receiving a pension above the specified threshold. — The PM-KISAN scheme explicitly excludes farmer families where one or more members are retired government employees receiving a monthly pension of ₹10,000 or more (excluding Multi Tasking Staff / Class IV/Group D employees). Since the husband's pension exceeds this threshold, the entire family is ineligible for the scheme's benefits, irrespective of land ownership or income tax status. Other options incorrectly assume partial or full eligibility.

Answer

A. Both the husband and wife are eligible to receive separate benefits as they are a farmer family and own land.

Answer

B. Only the wife is eligible for the benefits since she owns the agricultural land and the husband is a retired government employee.

Answer

D. The family is eligible, but the benefit will be disbursed to the husband as the head of the household.

Question 8

Sundarbans delta is formed by which rivers?

Accepted Answer

Ganga and Brahmaputra — The Sundarbans delta is formed by the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems in West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Answer

Ganga and Yamuna

Answer

Mahanadi and Godavari

Answer

Krishna and Cauvery

Question 9

Which of the following Constitutional Amendments introduced the Anti-Defection provisions in the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

B. 52nd Amendment Act, 1985 — The 52nd Amendment Act, 1985 introduced the Anti-Defection provisions in the Tenth Schedule to address the menace of political defections. The 44th Amendment Act, 1978 dealt with fundamental rights and the judiciary, the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 focused on Panchayati Raj institutions, and the 91st Amendment Act, 2003 strengthened provisions against defection by increasing the disqualification threshold.

Answer

A. 44th Amendment Act, 1978

Answer

C. 73rd Amendment Act, 1992

Answer

D. 91st Amendment Act, 2003

Question 10

Where did Velakali, Kerala's spectacular martial ritual folk art, take shape?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Ambalapuzha — Velakali originated at the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna temple, Alappuzha.‌​‍

Answer

Edappally

Answer

Kodungallur

Answer

Vadakara

HSA Mixed Practice Test #1032