HSA Mixed Practice Test #341

Question 1

Gautama Buddha was born at:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Lumbini (Nepal), c. 563 BCE — Buddha born ~563 BCE to Queen Mayadevi at Lumbini (UNESCO). ‌​‍Name Siddhartha Gautama, Shakya clan.

Answer

Sarnath

Answer

Bodh Gaya

Answer

Kushinagar

Question 2

The Indus Valley Civilization was discovered at Harappa in 1921 by:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Daya Ram Sahni — Daya Ram Sahni excavated Harappa in 1921; Mohenjo-Daro was found by R. ‌​‍D. Banerjee in 1922.

Answer

R. D. Banerjee

Answer

John Marshall

Answer

Mortimer Wheeler

Question 3

The Beaufort Scale measures:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Wind speed — Beaufort Scale measures wind speed/force from 0 (calm) to 12 (hurricane force).‌​‍

Answer

Earthquake intensity

Answer

Rainfall

Answer

Temperature

Question 4

Soil profile layers:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

O, A, B, C, R horizons — 5 standard layers.‌​‍

Answer

Only 1

Answer

Only 3

Answer

Only 2

Question 5

Kerala Women Police Battalion:

Accepted Answer

Exists — Women police battalion constituted.

Answer

Not yet

Answer

Central

Answer

Private

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, which plays a key role in Centre-State fiscal relations?

Accepted Answer

D. States have no voting rights in the GST Council; decisions are purely based on the Union Government's discretion — The GST Council operates under Article 279A, with the Union Finance Minister as Chairperson and equal representation of states. Decisions are taken by a majority of 3/4th of the weighted votes, where the Centre has 1/3rd weightage and states collectively have 2/3rd. States do have voting rights, making option D incorrect.

Answer

A. It is a constitutional body under Article 279A

Answer

B. The Union Finance Minister is the Chairperson of the GST Council

Answer

C. The decisions of the GST Council require a three-fourths majority of the weighted votes of the members present and voting

Question 7

The last Hindu emperor of Delhi was:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Prithviraj Chauhan (defeated 1192 at Second Tarain) — Prithviraj III defeated Muhammad Ghori at 1st Tarain (1191). ‌​‍Lost 2nd Tarain (1192) and was killed. Opened north India to Delhi Sultanate.

Answer

Chandragupta

Answer

Rajaraja Chola

Answer

Harshavardhana

Question 8

Valley of Flowers in:

Accepted Answer

Uttarakhand — Uttarakhand — UNESCO.

Answer

HP

Answer

Sikkim

Answer

Ladakh

Question 9

Kerala's climate is significantly shaped by the monsoon systems. Considering the Southwest Monsoon, which of the following geographical factors is primarily responsible for the exceptionally high rainfall received along the western slopes of the Western Ghats in Kerala?

Accepted Answer

B. The orographic effect caused by the Western Ghats obstructing moisture-laden winds. — The Western Ghats run perpendicular to the Southwest Monsoon winds. This geographical feature forces the moisture-laden winds to rise, cool, condense, and precipitate heavily on the windward western slopes, leading to significant orographic rainfall. Options A, C, and D describe other atmospheric or geographical phenomena that are either incorrect in context, less primary, or influence different aspects of the monsoon.

Answer

A. The parallel alignment of the Western Ghats with the monsoon winds, enhancing their flow.

Answer

C. The influence of the Tibetan high-pressure system creating strong onshore winds.

Answer

D. Frequent cyclonic depressions forming over the Arabian Sea and moving towards the coast.

Question 10

Which Kerala-based educational institution received the 'Champions of Change' award from the Government of India in 2018 for its innovative learning methods?

Accepted Answer

A. Government Higher Secondary School, Attappady — Government Higher Secondary School, Attappady was recognized for its innovative tribal education initiatives under the 'Champions of Change' award. The other options are well-known institutions but did not receive this specific award in 2018.

Answer

B. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Thiruvananthapuram

Answer

C. Government Model Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode

Answer

D. Sri Sankara Vidyapeetam, Ernakulam

HSA Mixed Practice Test #341