HSA Mixed Practice Test #297

Question 1

Pollen grain wall — outer layer:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Exine (sporopollenin — most resistant biological material) — Sporopollenin resists enzymes, acids, bases, high temperature. ‌​‍Pollen fossils preserved for millions of years.

Answer

Cellulose

Answer

Intine

Answer

Endosperm

Question 2

A new educational policy in Kerala emphasizes a competency-based learning approach for elementary education. Which state-level body is primarily responsible for translating this policy into a revised curriculum, developing new textbooks, and conducting in-service training for teachers on the new pedagogical methods?

Accepted Answer

B. State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) — SCERT is the apex academic body at the state level, responsible for curriculum development, syllabus design, textbook preparation, and conducting teacher training programs (both pre-service and in-service) to implement educational policies. DPI focuses on administrative control, SSA on elementary education universalization and infrastructure, while KSHEC deals with higher education.

Answer

A. Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI)

Answer

C. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

Answer

D. Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC)

Question 3

The Portuguese colonial policy's primary aim in Asia was to:

Accepted Answer

Break the Arab spice-trade monopoly and control it — Portugal sought to monopolise the pepper and spice trade previously controlled by Arab intermediaries.

Answer

Spread Christianity alone

Answer

Establish agricultural colonies

Answer

Secure gold mines

Question 4

A balanced diet includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and:

Accepted Answer

Water and dietary fibre — Six components: carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water (+ fibre/roughage).

Answer

Only spices

Answer

Only sugar

Answer

Medicines

Question 5

Din-i-Ilahi was founded by:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Akbar — Akbar founded Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith) in 1582, attempting to synthesise elements from Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Jainism.‌​‍

Answer

Babur

Answer

Shah Jahan

Answer

Aurangzeb

Question 6

Cro-Magnon was:

Accepted Answer

Early H. sapiens with cave art — ~40,000 ya in Europe. Anatomically modern. Lascaux, Altamira cave paintings. Coexisted with Neanderthals briefly.

Answer

Ape

Answer

Different species

Answer

Reptile

Question 7

Duns are valleys between:

Accepted Answer

Himachal and Shiwalik — E.g., Dehradun.

Answer

Himadri and Himachal

Answer

Shiwalik and plains

Answer

Eastern and Western Ghats

Question 8

Arthashastra deals with:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Statecraft/economics — Treatise on statecraft and economics by Kautilya.‌​‍

Answer

Medicine

Answer

Astronomy

Answer

Religion

Question 9

Synonym of LOQUACIOUS:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Talkative — Talkative.‌​‍

Answer

Silent

Answer

Quiet

Answer

Shy

Question 10

ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education):

Accepted Answer

Age 0-6 years critical period — ICDS, anganwadis, NEP 2020 framework — Integrated Child Development Services (1975). 14 lakh+ anganwadi centres. NEP 2020 made ECCE Foundational Stage (3-8 years).

Answer

Only school

Answer

Only feeding

Answer

Not important

HSA Mixed Practice Test #297