1.
With reference to the Global Crop Diversity Trust, consider the following statements.1. It was established through a partnership between the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization andCGIAR acting through Biodiversity International.2. It has entered into an agreement with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food andAgriculture which recognises the Trust as an "essential element" of the treaty's funding strategy in regards tothe ex situ conservation.Which of the above is/are correct?
Justification; The Crop Trust, officially known as the Global Crop Diversity Trust, is an international nonprofit organization which works to preserve crop diversity in order to protect global food security. In 1996,after long negotiations, 150 countries adopted the first Global Plan of Action (GPA) for conserving and usingcrop diversity. The GPA called for a rational global conservation system, based on the principles ofeffectiveness, efficiency and transparency. In 2011, the Second Global Plan of Action reiterated that call. InIjbetween, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which came intoforce in 2004, placed an effective, efficient global system at the core of its efforts to conserve and use cropdiversity for food security. In 2006, the Crop Trust entered into an agreement with the governing body of theInternational Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The agreement recognises theCrop Trust as' an "essential element" of the treaty's funding strategy in regards to the ex situ conservationn and availability of plant genetics resources for food and agriculture. It also confirms the autonomy of the CropTrust as a scientific organization in raising and disbursing funds. The Crop Trust was established byBioversity International on behalf of the CGIAR and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization to helpsupport this global system in a sustainable way, through a Crop Diversity Endowment Fund. This provideslong-term grants to safeguard collections of unique and valuable crop diversity held in genebanks around theworld. Prioritylis given to 25 crops among those listed in Annex 1 of the International Treaty, of particularimportance to the food security of least developed countries.
2.
The Western Coasts of India predominantly show which of these features?1. Highly indented 2. Formation of wave-cut platforms in front of the sea cliffWhich of the above is/are correct?
Justification: The Western coast of India is a rocky coast, unlike the Eastern coast which is a low lyingsedimentary coast. This is due to their slopes, rock structure and river flow patterns. You will the followingfeatures in these Western rocky coasts - Highly indented and formation of wave-cut platforms in front of thesea cliff due to constant water Erosional action. Moreover, material along coast is eroded in such manner,that it deposits along the off-shore forming wave terraces. Several depositions like this results in theformation of barrier bars and spits that break block the sea water forming a lagoon.
3.
Which of the following are the salient features of fold Mountains?1. They are least likely to have conical peaks.2. They are created when large areas are broken and displaced vertically3. They must be associated with volcanism either from the mountain core or its vicinity.Select the correct answer using the codes below.
Justification: Statement 1: The Himalayan Mountains and the Alps are young fold mountains with ruggedrelief and high conical peaks. The Appalachians in North America and the Ural mountains in Russia haverounded features and low elevation. They are very old fold mountains. Therefore, statement 1 does not havegeneral validity. Statement 2: Block Mountains are created when large areas are broken and displacedvertically. The uplifted blocks are termed as horsts and the lowered blocks are called graben. The Rhinevalley and the Vosges mountain in Europe are examples of such mountain systems. So, 2 is incorrect.Statement 3: It is not necessary. The Aravali range in India is one of the oldest fold mountain systems in theworld yet not associated with volcanic activity.
4.
Which of the following chemicals Is NOT associated with the depletion of Ozone layer?
Learning: In 1980s atmospheric scientists working in Antarctica reported about depletion of ozone layercommonly known as ozone hole over the South Pole. It was found that a unique set of conditions wasresponsible for the ozone hole. In summer season, nitrogen dioxide and methane react with chlorinemonoxide and chlorine atoms forming chlorine sinks, preventing much ozone depletion, whereas in winter,special type of clouds called polar stratospheric clouds are formed over Antarctica. These polar stratosphericclouds provide surface on which chlorine nitrate formed gets hydrolysed to form hypochlorous acid. It alsoreacts with hydrogen chloride produced as per reaction to give molecular chlorine. The chlorine radicalsformed after some other reactions, initiate the chain reaction for ozone depletion.
5.
The Brahmaputra, one of the largest rivers of the world, has its origin In which of the followingglaciers of the Kailash range?
Learning: It originates in the Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash range near the Mansarovar lake. Fromhere, it traverses eastward longitudinally for a distance of nearly 1,200 km in a dry and flat region of southernTibet, where it is known as the Tsangpo, which means 'the purifier.' The Rango Tsangpo is the major rightbank tributary of this river in Tibet. It emerges as a turbulent and dynamic river after carving out a deep gorgein the Central Himalayas near Namcha Barwa (7,755 m). The river emerges from the foothills under thename of Siang or Dihang. It enters India west of Sadiya town in Arunachal Pradesh. Flowing southwest, itreceives its main left bank tributaries, viz., Dibang or Sikang and Lohit; thereafter, it is known as theBrahmaputra.
6.
Consider the following plant diseases and their causal microorganisms.1. Citrus Canker: Bacteria 2. Rust of Wheat: Virus 3. Yellow Vein mosaic ; FungiSelect the correct answer using the codes below.
Justification: Statement 1: Citrus canker can be a serious disease where rainfall and warm temperaturesare frequent during periods of shoot emergence and early fruit development. It is caused by the bacteriumXanthomonas axonopodis. Transmission mode is air. Statement 2: Wheat leaf rust is a fungal disease thataffects wheat, barley and rye stems, leaves and grains. In temperate zones it is destructive on winter wheatbecause the pathogen overwinters (wait out the winter season). Infections can lead up to 20% yield lossexacerbated by dying leaves which fertilize the fungus. Statement 3: Bhendi yellow vein mosaic was firstreported in okra plants in 1924 in India and Sri Lanka. The symptoms include alternate green and yellowpatches. It is caused by a VIRUS and mode of transmission is via insects.
7.
The right conditions for growing Cotton are
Learning: Cotton is grown between latitudes of 37" north and 30" south in temperate, subtropical andtropical regions and on every continent. Ideal conditions for the cotton plant are:
8.
Confidence Building measures (CBMs), as agreed between two nations refer to
Learning: Confidence-building measures (CBMs) are actions taken to reduce fear of attack by both (ormore) parties in a situation of tension with or without physical conflict. CBMs emerged from attempts by theCold War superpowers and their military alliances (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the WarsawPact) to avoid nuclear war by accident or miscalculation. For e.g. India and China have agreed for someCBMs across the borders. It Includes sharing information on the location of troops; military modernizationdrives; information exchange in case of violation of ceasefire; strengthening the communication between themajor generals of both the armies etc.
9.
Which of these are usual geographical features created by Himalayan rivers?1. V-Shaped valleys 2. No gorges 3. Ox-bow lakes 4. Braided channelsSelect the correct answer using the codes below.
Justification: These rivers pass through the giant gorges carved out by the erosional activity carried onsimultaneously with the uplift of the Himalayas. Besides deep gorges, these rivers also form V-shapedvalleys, rapids and waterfalls in their mountainous course. While entering the plains, they form depositionalfeatures like flat valleys, ox-bow lakes, flood plains, braided channels, and deltas near the river mouth. In theHimalayan reaches, the course of these rivers is highly tortous, but over the plains they display a strongmeandering tendency and shift their courses frequently. The Himalayan drainage system has evolvedthrough a long geological history. It mainly includes the Ganga, the Indus and the Brahmaputra river basins.Since these are fed both by melting of snow and precipitation, rivers of this system are perennial.
10.
In the ancient Sangam literature the sport has been called as 'Yeru thazhuvuthal'. It was also seenin news some time before due to several animal rights controversies. It Is
Learning: Jallikattu is a bull taming or bull vaulting sport played in Tamil Nadu on Mattu Pongal day as a partof Pongal celebrations i.e. harvest festival.. It is one of the oldest living ancient traditions practiced in the modern era.
