KAS Prelims Mixed Practice Test #50

Question 1

In what language was Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' written?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Middle English — ~1387-1400. ‌​‍Pilgrims' tales on way to Canterbury. Father of English poetry. ‌​‍Old English: Beowulf.

Answer

Old English

Answer

Latin

Answer

Modern English

Question 2

KPSC HQ is at:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Pattom TVM — Kerala PSC headquarters is at Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram.‌​‍

Answer

Kochi

Answer

Thrissur

Answer

Kozhikode

Question 3

Methanol is also known as:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Wood spirit/wood alcohol — Methanol CH₃OH (wood alcohol) is toxic — causes blindness/death.‌​‍

Answer

Ethanol

Answer

Drinking alcohol

Answer

Glycerol

Question 4

Antonym of AGREE:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Disagree — Agree ↔ disagree.‌​‍

Answer

Consent

Answer

Accept

Answer

Confirm

Question 5

Direct democracy is practised today primarily in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Switzerland (referenda, Landsgemeinde) — Swiss citizens vote directly on many policy issues via referendums. ‌​‍Landsgemeinde (open-air assembly) still in 2 cantons.

Answer

USA

Answer

India

Answer

UK

Question 6

According to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, what is a mandatory provision for all government and government-aided higher educational institutions regarding students with benchmark disabilities?

Accepted Answer

D. Reservation of not less than 5% of the total seats in all courses. — Section 32 of the RPwD Act, 2016, mandates that all government institutions of higher education and other higher education institutions receiving aid from the government shall reserve not less than five per cent of the total seats in each course for persons with benchmark disabilities. This ensures equitable access to higher education. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they either state a wrong percentage, propose an unreasonable accommodation, or suggest a non-mandatory blanket provision.

Answer

A. Reservation of not less than 3% of the total seats in all courses.

Answer

B. Exemption from all examinations and assessments to promote inclusion.

Answer

C. Provision of free transport facility from home to institution for all students with disabilities.

Question 7

Sardar Sarovar Dam is on which river?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Narmada — Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat is one of the largest dams in India.‌​‍

Answer

Mahi

Answer

Tapi

Answer

Sabarmati

Question 8

A patient refuses to acknowledge a recent cancer diagnosis, claiming the doctor made a mistake. Which defense mechanism is being demonstrated?

Accepted Answer

A. Denial — Denial is the refusal to accept an unpleasant reality, as seen in the patient's dismissal of the diagnosis. Suppression is consciously avoiding a thought, displacement redirects feelings to another target, and identification involves modeling behavior after someone admired.

Answer

B. Suppression

Answer

C. Displacement

Answer

D. Identification

Question 9

In the context of the Council of Ministers in India, which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates collective responsibility?

Accepted Answer

B. A minister resigns after the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion against the government, even though the minister's portfolio was unrelated to the issue. — Collective responsibility means the entire Council of Ministers is accountable to Parliament for all decisions and policies. If the government loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha, all ministers must resign, regardless of individual portfolios. Option A describes individual dissent, not collective responsibility. Option C describes internal Cabinet dynamics, not collective responsibility. Option D reflects a conflict between the PM and a minister, not collective responsibility.

Answer

A. A minister publicly criticizes a policy decision of the Prime Minister but later withdraws the statement under pressure.

Answer

C. The Council of Ministers collectively decides to support a bill introduced by a junior minister, despite opposition from senior colleagues.

Answer

D. The Prime Minister asks a minister to resign due to a corruption allegation, but the minister refuses, citing lack of evidence.

Question 10

In which year was the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) formed?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

1956 — LIC of India was established on 1 September 1956 after nationalisation of private insurance.‌​‍

Answer

1964

Answer

1962

Answer

1979

KAS Prelims Mixed Practice Test #50