HSA Mixed Practice Test #401

Question 1

One astronomical unit (AU) is defined as:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Distance from Earth to Sun — 1 AU ≈ 149.6 million km.‌​‍

Answer

Distance to the nearest star

Answer

Distance of light in one year

Answer

Distance from Earth to Moon

Question 2

What is the primary role of cholesterol in the human body, apart from being a component of cell membranes?

Accepted Answer

B. Synthesis of steroid hormones and bile acids — Cholesterol is a vital lipid in the human body that serves as a precursor for the synthesis of all steroid hormones (like estrogen, testosterone, cortisol) and bile acids, which are essential for fat digestion and absorption. While it is a component of cell membranes, its role in hormone and bile acid synthesis is a crucial metabolic function. Energy storage is primarily handled by triglycerides and glycogen, oxygen transport by hemoglobin, and muscle contraction by proteins like actin and myosin.

Answer

A. Energy storage

Answer

C. Oxygen transport

Answer

D. Muscle contraction

Question 3

Right to Information Act passed in:

Accepted Answer

2005 — RTI Act 2005 — came into force 12 October 2005.

Answer

2003

Answer

2004

Answer

2006

Question 4

'Seven Ages of Man' is a monologue delivered by which character?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Jaques — In As You Like It, Jaques delivers the 'All the world's a stage' speech.‌​‍

Answer

Rosalind

Answer

Macbeth

Answer

Hamlet

Question 5

The principal and manager ___ absent today.

Accepted Answer

are — Two subjects joined by 'and' — plural verb 'are'.

Answer

is

Answer

was

Answer

were

Question 6

Kerala produces ___ % of India's coconut:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

30% — About 30% of India's coconut.‌​‍

Answer

45%

Answer

20%

Answer

60%

Question 7

Eco-friendly lighting like LED differs from CFL in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

LEDs don't contain mercury; CFLs do — CFLs contain small amount of mercury vapour — disposal issue. ‌​‍LEDs use semiconductors, no mercury.

Answer

CFLs use LEDs

Answer

No difference

Answer

LEDs are cheaper

Question 8

The major soil type of the Deccan Plateau, derived from basalt, is:

Accepted Answer

Black (Regur) — Deccan's basaltic rock weathers into black cotton (Regur) soil, ideal for cotton cultivation.

Answer

Alluvial

Answer

Laterite

Answer

Red

Question 9

Pamba River originates from:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Pulachimalai — The Pamba River originates from Pulachimalai hill in the Peermedu taluk of Idukki district.‌​‍

Answer

Devikulam

Answer

Anamudi

Answer

Western Ghats near Peer Medu

Question 10

A prism splits white light into its constituent colours by:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Refraction combined with dispersion — Different wavelengths refract by different amounts — violet most, red least.‌​‍

Answer

Reflection

Answer

Absorption

Answer

Polarisation

HSA Mixed Practice Test #401