Q1. Which of the following statements about gene-drive technology is correct?
(a) Gene-drive technology is a method for cloning genes in a laboratory setting.
(b) Gene-drive technology is primarily used for genetically modifying crops.
(c) Gene-drive technology is a genetic engineering technique that can promote the rapid spread of specific genes within a population.
(d) Gene-drive technology is only applicable to humans and cannot be used in other species.
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- Gene-drive technology is a genetic engineering approach that can force a particular gene or trait to spread quickly within a population of organisms. This can have applications in areas such as controlling disease vectors (e.g., mosquitoes carrying diseases like malaria) or invasive species.
- Context: Genetic engineering is being used to upgrade mosquito control efforts due to the ongoing threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
Q2. Consider the following statements about the Paris Agreement:
- It is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.
- Its primary goal is to limit the increase in the global average temperature to well below 20°C above pre-industrial levels.
- It includes a mechanism known as the Global Stocktake (GST), which aims to assess the global response to the climate crisis every five years.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- It is a legally binding international treaty on climate change that was adopted by 196 countries. Its primary goal is to limit the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. It includes a mechanism known as the Global Stocktake (GST), which aims to assess the global response to the climate crisis every five years.
Q3. A parliamentary system of government is one which:
(a) All political parties in the parliament are represented in the government
(b) The government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it
(c) The government is elected by the people and can be removed by them
(d) The government is chosen by the parliament but can not be removed by it before completion of a fixed term
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- In a parliamentary system of government, such as the one in the United Kingdom and many other countries, the government is responsible to the Parliament (or legislature). The government is typically formed by the political party or coalition of parties that has the majority of seats in the Parliament. This government can be removed from power by a vote of no confidence in the Parliament. The key feature is that the executive branch (the government) is accountable to the legislative branch (the Parliament) and can be dismissed by it. This distinguishes parliamentary systems from systems where the government’s term is fixed and cannot be easily removed by the legislature.
Q4. The preamble to the constitution of India is:
(a) A part of the constitution but has no legal effect
(b) Not a part of the constitution and has no legal effect either
(c) A part of the constitution and has the same legal effect as any other part
(d) A part of the constitution but has no legal effect independently of other part.
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- It is a part of the Constitution as declared by the SC. It certaintly does not have a legal effect independently since it cannot be enforced in a court of law.
- Although not enforceable in court on its own (option C is wrong), the Preamble states the objects of the Constitution, and acts as an aid during the interpretation of Articles when language is found ambiguous. Therefore, it begets some kind of legal effect when read alongwith the constitution, not independent from it. Option D is more appropriate.
Q5. Gold tranche (Reserve tranche) refers to
(a) A loan system of World bank
(b) One of the operations of a central bank
(c) A credit system of WTO granted to its members
(d) A credit system granted by IMF to its members
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- A reserve tranche is a portion of the required quota of currency each member country must provide to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that can be utilized for its own purposes—without a service fee or economic reform conditions.
