UPSC 2005 General Knowledge Questions with Answers

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrectly matched: Seikan Rail Tunnel is located in Japan and not China. It is one of the longest railway tunnels in the world, connecting the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. The world’s longest railway tunnel is the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland. Options (b), (c) and (d) are correctly matched:

The Petronas Towers are iconic skyscrapers located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Appalachian Trail is a long-distance hiking trail in the eastern United States. The Rogun Dam is a hydroelectric dam under construction in Tajikistan.

Explanation

The official language of the Republic of Congo is French. It has four national languages: Swahili, Tshiluba (Kiluba), Lingala, and Kongo. French is the official language and the language of instruction, business, administration, and international communications. The Republic of Congo, like many countries in Africa, was colonized by European powers. Specifically, it was a French colony, and as a result, French became the official language. Thus, Spanish is not an official language in the Republic of Congo due to its colonial history with France.

Explanation

The Komagata Maru was a Japanese steamship that gained historical significance due to an incident in 1914 involving Indian immigrants attempting to immigrate to Canada. The ship carried 376 passengers, mostly Sikhs, Punjabis, and other Indians, who were seeking a new life in Canada. Upon arrival in Vancouver, the passengers were denied entry due to Canada’s discriminatory Continuous Journey Regulation, which aimed to restrict immigration. After being stranded for two months, the ship was forced to return to India. Upon arrival in Calcutta, the passengers faced arrest and violence from British colonial authorities.

Explanation

Harold Wilson served as the Prime Minister of the UK (1964-1970 and 1974-1976) and was a member of the Labour Party. John Major served as the Prime Minister of the UK from 1990 to 1997 and was a member of the Conservative Party. James Callaghan served as the Prime Minister of the UK from 1976 to 1979 and was a member of the Labour Party. Margaret Thatcher served as the Prime Minister of the UK from 1979 to 1990 and was a member of the Conservative Party.

Explanation

The Parliament of South Africa is located in Cape Town. While South Africa has three capital cities, each serving a different purpose, Cape Town is the legislative capital and houses the Parliament. Pretoria is the Administrative capital (seat of the executive branch). Cape Town is the Legislative capital (seat of the Parliament). Bloemfontein is the Judicial capital (seat of the Supreme Court of Appeal).

Explanation

The 15th International AIDS Conference, the largest-ever HIV/AIDS gathering, was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in July 2004 to unite experts, researchers, and activists in advancing HIV/ AIDS research and treatment. Thailand’s leadership in HIV/ AIDS prevention and treatment, along with its strategic location in Southeast Asia, made it an ideal host for global collaboration.

Explanation

In 2005, during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India, both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to construct an Indian-style Buddhist temple in Luoyang, Henan Province, China. This initiative aimed to strengthen cultural ties and highlight the shared Buddhist heritage between the two countries.

Explanation

In September 2004, Tropical Storm Jeanne unleashed torrential rains over Haiti, triggering catastrophic flooding and mudslides that devastated the nation. The storm’s impact was particularly severe in Gonaïves, Haiti’s third-largest city, where a 9-foot wall of water inundated the area, leading to widespread destruction.

Explanation

The Sahariya tribe, recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), primarily inhabits the Baran district of Rajasthan, especially in the Shahabad and Kishanganj tehsils. They also reside in parts of Madhya Pradesh, including Morena, Sheopur, Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri, Vidisha, and Guna districts.

Explanation

A. Guenter Grass - 2. Nobel Prize Winner for Literature (1999) for his exceptional literary contributions. B. Trevor Huddleston - 3. Anti-apartheid activist, dedicated to opposing apartheid in South Africa. C. Dicky Dolma - 4. Youngest woman to climb Mount Everest at 19 years old. D. Kim Campbell - 1. First female Prime Minister of Canada (June-November 1993).