VFA Mixed Practice Test #815

Question 1

Carbon-14, used in radiocarbon dating, differs from carbon-12 in:

Accepted Answer

Number of neutrons — ¹²C has 6 neutrons; ¹⁴C has 8 neutrons — both have 6 protons.

Answer

Number of protons

Answer

Number of electrons

Answer

Charge

Question 2

In Kalidasa's 'Shakuntala', King Dushyanta meets Shakuntala at:

Accepted Answer

The hermitage of sage Kanva — Dushyanta meets Shakuntala at the ashram of Sage Kanva, her foster father.

Answer

His palace

Answer

A battlefield

Answer

A temple

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a significant limitation of the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) ability to act decisively on a pressing international humanitarian crisis, as per its current structure?

Accepted Answer

C. A permanent member exercising its veto power to block a resolution authorizing a peacekeeping mission despite widespread international support. — The veto power held by the five permanent members of the UNSC allows any one of them to block a substantive resolution, even if it has broad support from other members. This structural feature can paralyze the Council's ability to respond effectively to international crises, including humanitarian interventions. Options A, B, and D describe limitations related to other UN organs or different aspects of UN operations, but not the primary structural limitation of the UNSC's decisiveness in a crisis.

Answer

A. The General Assembly's failure to achieve a two-thirds majority vote on a non-binding resolution condemning human rights violations.

Answer

B. The International Court of Justice issuing an advisory opinion that is subsequently ignored by a member state.

Answer

D. The Secretary-General's inability to deploy emergency relief without prior approval from the Economic and Social Council.

Question 4

Which initiative launched by the Kerala State Education Department aims to provide free and quality education to all children up to the higher secondary level, including those from marginalized communities?

Accepted Answer

A. Samagra Shiksha Kerala — Samagra Shiksha Kerala is an integrated scheme for school education covering pre-primary to Class 12, focusing on equity, inclusion, and quality. The KITE Victors Programme and KITE focus on ICT integration, while Vidya Samiksha Kendra is a data-driven monitoring platform.

Answer

B. KITE Victors Programme

Answer

C. Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE)

Answer

D. Vidya Samiksha Kendra

Question 5

Hypothalamus:

Accepted Answer

Homeostasis, hormones — Links nervous + endocrine systems.

Answer

Digestion

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Vision

Question 6

Sasthamkotta, Kerala's largest freshwater lake, is in:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Kollam — Sasthamkotta is a Ramsar wetland and a freshwater lake in Kollam district.‌​‍

Answer

Kottayam

Answer

Alappuzha

Answer

Ernakulam

Question 7

Seven wonders of world (new list 2007):

Accepted Answer

Taj Mahal is one — Taj Mahal included.

Answer

Only historical

Answer

Only architectural

Answer

All excluded India

Question 8

When did Marthanda Varma dedicate Travancore to Sree Padmanabhaswamy ('Thrippadi-daanam')?

Accepted Answer

January 3, 1750 — Thrippadi-daanam was made on 3 January 1750 (5 Makaram 925 ME).

Answer

October 3, 1799

Answer

June 5, 1756

Answer

March 7, 1794

Question 9

Morning/Evening Star:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Venus — Venus — brightest planet, visible as morning/evening star.‌​‍

Answer

Jupiter

Answer

Mars

Answer

Mercury

Question 10

In which year was 'Bharat Ratna', India's highest civilian award, instituted?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

1954 — Bharat Ratna was instituted on 2 January 1954.‌​‍

Answer

1956

Answer

1952

Answer

1964

VFA Mixed Practice Test #815