KAS Prelims Mixed Practice Test #189

Question 1

One word: Short poem expressing emotion:

Accepted Answer

Lyric — Lyric.

Answer

Sonnet

Answer

Epic

Answer

Ballad

Question 2

Kerala Calendar year starts (Chingam):

Accepted Answer

August-September — Chingam 1 = around mid-August.

Answer

January

Answer

April

Answer

October

Question 3

UNESCO headquarters is in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Paris — UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is headquartered in Paris, France.‌​‍

Answer

Rome

Answer

Geneva

Answer

London

Question 4

Kerala's west-flowing rivers are crucial for the state's ecology and economy. However, their characteristics make them particularly vulnerable to certain environmental challenges. Which of the following is the most significant environmental challenge faced by these rivers due to their inherent nature?

Accepted Answer

B. High susceptibility to pollution from industrial and urban waste coupled with low dilution capacity during lean seasons. — Kerala's west-flowing rivers are relatively short, have steep gradients, and are predominantly monsoon-fed, leading to significant fluctuations in water volume. During the lean seasons, their reduced flow significantly lowers their dilution capacity, making them highly susceptible to pollution from the dense urban and industrial settlements along their banks. While hydroelectric potential exists due to steep gradients and salinization occurs in lower reaches, pollution due to low dilution is the most pervasive and significant challenge.

Answer

A. Limited potential for hydroelectric power generation due to their short length and steep gradient.

Answer

C. Excessive siltation and delta formation at their mouths, causing navigation difficulties for large vessels.

Answer

D. Rapid salinization of their upper reaches due to tidal ingress from the Arabian Sea throughout the year.

Question 5

Which statement correctly differentiates NITI Aayog from the Planning Commission?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

NITI Aayog follows bottom-up approach with cooperative federalism — NITI Aayog adopts a bottom-up, cooperative-federalism model unlike the Planning Commission's top-down approach.‌​‍

Answer

NITI Aayog is a constitutional body

Answer

NITI Aayog prepares Five-Year Plans

Answer

NITI Aayog retains fund-allocation power

Question 6

Which was the first European power to lose a naval battle to an Indian ruler?

Accepted Answer

Dutch to Travancore — At Colachel (1741), Marthandavarma's Travancore navy defeated the Dutch — the first European defeat to an Indian ruler.

Answer

Portuguese to Zamorin

Answer

French to Mysore

Answer

British to Marathas

Question 7

Choose the meaning of the idiom 'to blaze a trail':

Accepted Answer

to initiate work — 'Blaze a trail' = pioneer, lead the way, initiate something new.

Answer

to set fire

Answer

to blow one's trumpet

Answer

to be annoying

Question 8

Aurangzeb's policies:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Re-imposed Jizya — Re-imposed Jizya 1679.‌​‍

Answer

Religious tolerance

Answer

Secular

Answer

Kept Din-i-Ilahi

Question 9

Kozhikode historical importance:

Accepted Answer

Vasco da Gama landing — 1498. Spice trade hub.

Answer

Capital of Kerala

Answer

British headquarters

Answer

Dutch capital

Question 10

The Gupta ruler who defeated the Huns was:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Skandagupta — Skandagupta successfully repelled the Hunas (White Huns) in mid-5th century CE.‌​‍

Answer

Chandragupta II

Answer

Harshavardhana

Answer

Samudragupta

KAS Prelims Mixed Practice Test #189