HSA Mixed Practice Test #374

Question 1

Which of the following was a significant feature of the Mauryan administration under Ashoka that distinguished it from earlier Indian kingdoms?

Accepted Answer

A. A centralized bureaucracy with provincial governors (Kumaras) directly appointed by the king — The Mauryan administration under Ashoka is notable for its centralized bureaucracy, where provincial governors called Kumaras were directly appointed by the king to oversee administration and enforce policies. Option B is incorrect as village headmen existed but were not the primary tax collectors; taxes were managed by officers like Samahartas. Option C is incorrect because legal uniformity was not enforced uniformly across all provinces. Option D is incorrect as there is no evidence of a merit-based civil service system resembling the Chinese mandarin system in Mauryan administration.

Answer

B. The practice of appointing village headmen (Gramikas) to collect taxes from peasants

Answer

C. The establishment of a uniform legal code enforced by royal judges across all provinces

Answer

D. The introduction of a merit-based civil service system similar to the Chinese mandarin system

Question 2

Which of the following soil types in Kerala is predominantly formed by the weathering of lateritic rocks and is known for its high iron oxide content, making it suitable for cashew and rubber cultivation?

Accepted Answer

B. Laterite Soil — Laterite soil, formed by the weathering of lateritic rocks, is rich in iron oxide and aluminum oxide, making it acidic and well-drained. It is ideal for plantations like cashew and rubber in Kerala, unlike alluvial soil (fertile but not iron-rich), black soil (clayey and expansive), or red soil (iron-rich but less weathered).

Answer

A. Alluvial Soil

Answer

C. Black Soil

Answer

D. Red Soil

Question 3

Kerala Life Expectancy:

Accepted Answer

Highest in India — Among highest (~75 years).

Answer

Lowest

Answer

Average

Answer

Unknown

Question 4

The partition of India was under:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Indian Independence Act 1947 — Indian Independence Act 1947 (passed 18 July 1947) created India and Pakistan as independent dominions.‌​‍

Answer

Government of India Act 1935

Answer

Indian Councils Act 1909

Answer

Mountbatten Plan only

Question 5

Which sentence is grammatically correct?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Either he or his friends are lying — With 'either/or', verb agrees with the nearer subject ('friends' → plural 'are').‌​‍

Answer

Neither of them are lying

Answer

Either he nor his friends are lying

Answer

Either he or his friends is lying

Question 6

Dockyard evidence of Harappan civilization is found at:

Accepted Answer

Lothal (Gujarat) — Lothal's tidal dockyard (~2400 BCE) is the world's earliest known. Indicates long-distance maritime trade, possibly with Mesopotamia.

Answer

Harappa

Answer

Mohenjo-Daro

Answer

Kalibangan

Question 7

Anti-incumbency broken in Kerala:

Accepted Answer

2021 LDF — 2021 — LDF broke alternating.

Answer

1977

Answer

1957

Answer

Never

Question 8

Gandhi returned to India from South Africa in:

Accepted Answer

1915 — Returned January 1915.

Answer

1912

Answer

1917

Answer

1920

Question 9

Kozhikode is also known as:

Accepted Answer

City of Spices — Kozhikode is called the 'City of Spices' due to its historical role as a major spice trading port. 'Queen of Arabian Sea' = Kochi. 'Venice of the East' = Alappuzha.

Answer

City of Seven Hills

Answer

Queen of Arabian Sea

Answer

Venice of the East

Question 10

The objectives resolution was moved by:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Jawaharlal Nehru — Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution on 13 December 1946, which formed the basis of the Preamble.‌​‍

Answer

Dr. Ambedkar

Answer

Sardar Patel

Answer

Dr. Rajendra Prasad

HSA Mixed Practice Test #374