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Day 31- 17 Dec - UPSC Prelim English Quiz Solution

Based on UPSC Syllabus and Current Affairs
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  • Q 1. Consider the following statements regarding Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS):
      1. BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 1986.
      2. BIS is involved in standards formulation only.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • a) 1 Only
    b) 2 Only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Solution:   a Explaination   

      Statement 1 is correct: BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 1986 for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
      BIS has its Headquarters at New Delhi and its 05 Regional Offices (ROs) are at Kolkata (Eastern), Chennai (Southern), Mumbai (Western), Chandigarh (Northern) and Delhi (Central).
      Statement 2 is incorrect: Keeping in view, the interest of consumers as well as the industry, BIS is involved in various activities like Standards Formulation, Laboratory Recognition Scheme, Product Certification Scheme, Sale of Indian Standards, Compulsory Registration Scheme, Consumer Affairs Activities etc.




  • Q 2. With reference to "hyperinflation", consider the following statements:
      1. Countries like China, Argentina and Venezuela have never faced hyperinflation.
      2. It occurs as a result of a steep re-valuation of a country’s currency that causes its citizens to lose confidence in it.
      3. Since people do not deposit their money during hyperinflation, financial institutions and lenders may go out of business.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • a) 1 only
    b) 1 and 2 only
    c) 3 only
    d) 1, 2 and 3
    Solution:   c Explaination   

      Statement 1 is incorrect: Although hyperinflation is considered to be rare, it occurred as many as 55 times in the 20th century in countries such as China, Germany, Russia, Hungary and Argentina.
      Venezuela is currently facing hyperinflation. IMF economists are predicting that Venezuela’s inflation rate could exceed 1,000,000% this year.
      Statement 2 is incorrect: Hyperinflation is a macro-economic event that occurs as a result of a steep devaluation of a country’s currency that causes its citizens to lose confidence in it. When the currency is perceived as having little or no value, people begin to hoard commodities and goods that have value. As prices begin to rise, basic goods such as food and fuel become scarce, sending prices in an upward spiral. In response, the government is forced to print even more money to try to stabilize prices and provide liquidity, which only exacerbates the problem.
      Statement 3 is correct: There are a number of pitfalls to hyperinflation. People will tend to hoard goods including perishables like food because of rising prices, which in turn, can create shortages in stockpiles. Savings become worthless, affecting consumers’ bottom lines. And because people aren’t depositing their money, financial institutions and lenders may go out of business.




  • Q 3. What is ‘Horizon 2020 (H2020)’ ?

    • a) Biggest EU Research and Innovation programme.
    b) Mars exploration programs of Russia.
    c) Unmanned spacecraft developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to explore asteroid4 Vista.
    d) Differences of opinion among the Indian leaders.Spaceflight programme by NASA for commercial activities like space tourism.
    Solution:   a Explaination   

    Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) – in addition to the private investment that this money will attract.




  • Q 4. Consider the following statements:
      1. The International Labour Organisation Conventions 107 and 169 were ratified by India recently.
      2. ILO Conventions 107 and 169 are associate with gender equality.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Solution:   d    https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/protect-indigenous-people/article25616520.ece

    International policy has changed over the decades. While the Indigenous and Tribal Populations Convention, 1957, of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) insisted on an integrationist approach towards tribal communities, the 1989 convention insisted on a policy of non-intervention, “recognising the aspirations of these peoples to exercise control over their own institutions, ways of life and economic development.” India ratified the 1957 convention but has not ratified the 1989 convention. However, despite not signing it, India tried to tread the path of non-interference. Therefore it it puzzling that in August the government relaxed the restricted area permit (RAP) for 29 islands in the Andaman and Nicobar, including North Sentinel Island.




  • Q 5. Minsk Agreements, recently in the news, are related to

    • a) Digital Geneva Convention
    b) International protocol for Protection of Industrial Property.
    c) Refugees and irregular migrants must be handled by the European Union.
    d) Conflict in eastern Ukraine.
    Solution:   d Explaination   https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/dire-strait/article25616960.ece

    The protracted conflict has so far claimed about 10,000 lives and displaced millions, and no lasting resolution is in sight. The 2014-15 Minsk peace accords prohibited air strikes and heavy artillery firing. But the dispute has dragged on into a smouldering low-intensity combat.