HSA Mixed Practice Test #347

Question 1

Speed of light:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

3×10⁸ — 3×10⁸ m/s in vacuum.‌​‍

Answer

3×10⁶

Answer

3×10¹⁰

Answer

3×10¹²

Question 2

Operation Blue Star year:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

1984 — June 1984 — Golden Temple.‌​‍

Answer

1985

Answer

1992

Answer

1990

Question 3

The most malleable and ductile metal is:

Accepted Answer

Gold — Gold is the most malleable and ductile metal — 1 g can be beaten into ~1 m² leaf.

Answer

Iron

Answer

Aluminium

Answer

Copper

Question 4

One word: Apparently self-contradictory but possibly true:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Paradox — Paradox.‌​‍

Answer

Antithesis

Answer

Irony

Answer

Oxymoron

Question 5

Neelakurinji blooms every:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

12 years — 12 years.‌​‍

Answer

5 years

Answer

8 years

Answer

15 years

Question 6

Down's syndrome is due to:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Trisomy 21 — Extra chromosome 21. ‌​‍Features: intellectual disability, characteristic facial features. Risk rises with maternal age.

Answer

XXY

Answer

Turner (XO)

Answer

X-linked

Question 7

Synonym of CURT:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Abrupt — Rudely brief.‌​‍

Answer

Gentle

Answer

Polite

Answer

Long

Question 8

Which of the following was a key objective of the People's Plan Campaign (PPC) implemented in Kerala during the 1990s, aimed at promoting decentralisation in local governance?

Accepted Answer

B. To ensure active participation of citizens in planning and decision-making at the local level through Gram Sabhas and ward committees. — The People's Plan Campaign (PPC) was launched in Kerala to decentralise planning by involving local communities in identifying and prioritising development needs through institutions like Gram Sabhas and ward committees. Option B correctly reflects this participatory approach. Options A, C, and D contradict the core principles of decentralisation and community participation promoted by the PPC.

Answer

A. To centralise all development funds under the state government for equitable distribution.

Answer

C. To restrict development activities to technocratic experts to enhance efficiency in project execution.

Answer

D. To merge multiple districts into larger administrative units to reduce governance complexity.

Question 9

Which statements about temperature inversion are correct? ‌​‍(1) Can trap pollutants near the ground (2) Typically occurs on clear, calm nights (3) Results in cooler temperatures at higher altitudes than lower

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only — Temperature inversion traps pollutants and occurs on clear calm nights. ‌​‍Its definition is WARMER air above cooler — so statement 3 is backwards.

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

All three

Question 10

Idiom 'once in a lifetime' means:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Very rare, exceptional — Indicates a unique, rare event.‌​‍

Answer

Yearly

Answer

Very often

Answer

Daily

HSA Mixed Practice Test #347