Secretariat Assistant Mixed Practice Test #518

Question 1

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

1941 — Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, bringing the USA into WWII.‌​‍

Answer

1939

Answer

1940

Answer

1942

Question 2

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad served as the first Education Minister of independent India. His tenure saw the initiation of several key educational reforms and institutions. Which of the following initiatives is most closely associated with his vision for a robust national education system?

Accepted Answer

B. Formation of the University Grants Commission (UGC) — Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was instrumental in the establishment of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1953, which was tasked with coordinating and maintaining standards of university education. While Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, NEP 2020, and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme are crucial educational initiatives, they were introduced much later than his tenure.

Answer

A. Establishment of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

Answer

C. Introduction of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020

Answer

D. Implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Question 3

Kerala Old Age Pension eligibility:

Accepted Answer

60+ — 60+ years.

Answer

65+

Answer

55+

Answer

All retired

Question 4

A primary school teacher in Kerala is preparing for the upcoming academic year, considering the recent educational reforms. Which of the following accurately represents the new pedagogical and curricular structure for school education as proposed by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020?

Accepted Answer

A. Foundational Stage (3-8 years), Preparatory Stage (8-11 years), Middle Stage (11-14 years), Secondary Stage (14-18 years) — The NEP 2020 replaces the previous 10+2 system with a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure. This corresponds to the Foundational (3-8 years), Preparatory (8-11 years), Middle (11-14 years), and Secondary (14-18 years) stages, designed for holistic development and age-appropriate learning.

Answer

B. 10+2 system with vocational streams from Grade 9

Answer

C. Early Childhood Care (0-6 years) followed by 12 years of integrated schooling

Answer

D. A flexible 3-year foundational stage followed by a 9-year secondary stage for all students

Question 5

Price floor (minimum price) above equilibrium causes:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Surplus — Price floor (e.g., minimum wage above market rate, agricultural MSP above market): supply > demand. ‌​‍MSP procurement by FCI creates food grain surplus/storage.

Answer

Shortage

Answer

No effect

Answer

Equilibrium

Question 6

Takazhi Sivasankara Pillai — Jnanpith:

Accepted Answer

1984 — Won 1984.

Answer

1990

Answer

2001

Answer

1978

Question 7

Under the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which of the following is a mandatory requirement for a family to be eligible for the scheme?

Accepted Answer

B. Annual family income below ₹5 lakh — AB-PMJAY eligibility is primarily based on socio-economic criteria, and a key requirement is that the family's annual income should be below ₹5 lakh. While ration cards and caste certificates may be used for identification, they are not mandatory eligibility criteria. The scheme does not mandate unorganized sector employment.

Answer

A. Possession of a ration card

Answer

C. SC/ST caste certificate

Answer

D. At least one member working in the unorganized sector

Question 8

Adolescent risk-taking behavior, such as experimenting with substances or reckless driving, is often attributed to a developmental mismatch in the brain. Which of the following best describes this mismatch?

Accepted Answer

B. Rapid development of the limbic system (reward center) preceding the full maturation of the prefrontal cortex (judgment center). — The limbic system, responsible for emotions and reward processing, develops rapidly during adolescence, leading to increased sensation-seeking. However, the prefrontal cortex, crucial for judgment, impulse control, and long-term planning, matures later, creating a temporary imbalance that can contribute to risk-taking behaviors. The prefrontal cortex is not fully developed, and the cerebellum and brainstem play different roles.

Answer

A. Fully developed prefrontal cortex but underdeveloped limbic system.

Answer

C. Complete maturation of the cerebellum leading to impulsive actions.

Answer

D. Underdevelopment of the brainstem affecting emotional regulation.

Question 9

India's first bullet train route:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Mumbai-Ahmedabad — Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (under construction).‌​‍

Answer

Chennai-Bangalore

Answer

Delhi-Mumbai

Answer

Delhi-Kolkata

Question 10

'Red herring' means:

Accepted Answer

Something misleading — Distracts from the main issue.

Answer

A type of fish

Answer

Danger signal

Answer

Fresh idea

Secretariat Assistant Mixed Practice Test #518