Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Air Quality Index (AQI):
- AQI is a number that helps the public and the government understand the condition of the air and what subsequent measures are to be taken to combat the situation.
- The lower the AQI, the worse the quality of the air.
- There are different categories of AQI, ranging from ‘Good’ to ‘Severe’.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Statement 2 is incorrect.
- AQI is a number, which is a measure of air quality. The higher the AQI, the worse the air.
- The colour-coded AQI index was launched in India in 2014, and it helps the public and the government understand the condition of the air and what subsequent measures are to be taken to combat the situation, based on its severity. There are six categories of AQI, namely ‘Good’ (0-50), ‘Satisfactory’ (50-100), ‘Moderately polluted’ (100-200), ‘Poor’ (200-300), ‘Very Poor’ (300-400), and ‘Severe’ (400-500).
Q2. Which of the following statements about graphite is true?
(a) Graphite is a form of pure carbon, just like diamonds.
(b) Graphite conducts electricity because it has a three-dimensional crystal structure.
(c) Graphite is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors.
(d) Graphite is transparent and is often used in making optical lenses.
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- About Graphite:
- Graphite is a form of pure carbon, and it is one of the two naturally occurring crystalline forms of carbon; the other is diamond. While both are made of carbon atoms, they have very different structures and properties.
- Graphite is a naturally occurring crystalline form of carbon. It’s made up of stacked layers of graphene. Graphite is the most stable form of carbon under standard conditions.
- Graphite is a mineral that’s found in metamorphic and igneous rocks. It’s extremely soft, cleaves with very light pressure, and has a very low specific gravity.
- Graphite is a good conductor of electricity and heat. It’s also lighter than diamond, smooth and slippery to touch.
- Graphite, a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, has seen a surge in demand due to the growth of the EV industry. The battery end-use market for graphite has grown by 250% globally since 2018.
Q3. Which of the following statements about primary applications of graphite is true?
(a) Graphite is primarily used in the manufacturing of aluminum beverage cans.
(b) Graphite is employed as a lubricant and in the production of pencil “leads.”
(c) Graphite serves as a key material in the construction of steel bridges.
(d) Graphite is a primary ingredient in the production of silicon computer chips.
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Graphite is widely used as a lubricant due to its unique properties, including its ability to reduce friction and wear. Additionally, graphite is a key component in the production of pencil “leads” (the core of a pencil) because of its ability to leave marks on paper.
Q4. The ‘Vienna Convention’ sometimes mentioned in the news, is:
(a) an international treaty that outlines the rules and regulations for conducting business and trade between nations.
(b) an agreement that established the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
(c) a treaty that sets the framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries.
(d) a convention that governs the relationship between a nation’s government and its indigenous peoples.
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is a United Nations treaty that defines the rules and regulations of diplomatic relations between countries. The treaty was adopted in 1961 by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities in Vienna, Austria.
- The treaty sets common principles and terms on how countries must treat each other’s diplomatic representatives.
- It also defines the privileges that diplomats enjoy in other countries.
Q5. What is “visa shopping”?
(a) A practice where travelers buy multiple visas to increase the duration of their stay in a foreign country.
(b) A method of obtaining a visa by shopping online and paying a fee for expedited processing.
(c) A practice where individuals obtain visas for countries they may not visit during the visa’s validity period.
(d) A form of currency exchange at international airports for travelers.
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- Context: The practice of ‘visa shopping’ has been gaining popularity in several Indian states.
- “Visa shopping” is a practice where individuals obtain visas for countries, they may not visit during the visa’s validity period.
- Reasons for Visa Shopping:
- The objective is to use these visas as a means to enter their preferred countries, particularly in Europe, even if they already have a visa for another European nation.
- People also buy visas for countries they don’t intend to visit immediately to increase their chances of getting visas for their preferred destinations in the future. This practice is prevalent in India, particularly in Punjab, and it has raised legal implications.
