General Knowledge Quiz for Competitive Exams

Marble is a metamorphic rock formed from limestone under heat and pressure. It is widely used in sculpture and architecture. Petroleum and natural gas are found in sedimentary rocks, while granite is an igneous rock.

Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, with over 200 million Muslims. While Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Saudi Arabia have significant Muslim populations, Indonesia has the highest absolute number.

Hamas is a Palestinian militant and political organization that is primarily active in the Palestinian territories, particularly the Gaza Strip and West Bank. The group is involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its activities are centered in this region.

Ghiyasuddin Balban, the Sultan of Delhi from 1266 to 1287, was known for his 'Blood and Iron Policy' - using strict and ruthless methods to maintain control and suppress rebellions. He emphasized absolute royal authority and used harsh measures against nobles and commoners alike.

The Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) is located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of India's premier research institutions under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The institute specializes in drug research and development.

The Uri Hydroelectric Project is located in Jammu & Kashmir, on the Jhelum River near Baramulla district. It is one of the important power projects in the region. Uri is strategically located in the Kashmir valley.

Congress Grass, locally known as Chatak Chandni, is technically called Parthenium hysterophorus. It is an invasive weed species that has become a major agricultural and environmental problem in India. The other options are different plant genera.

Customs Duty is NOT a direct tax - it is an indirect tax levied on imported and exported goods. Direct taxes (like Income Tax, Wealth Tax, and Capital Gains Tax) are paid directly by individuals or entities to the government. Indirect taxes are collected through intermediaries.

The iris is the colored part of the eye, responsible for eye color (brown, blue, green, etc.). It contains pigmented cells and muscles that control the size of the pupil. The pupil is the black opening, cornea is the clear front surface, and choroid is the vascular layer behind the retina.

The results of Lok Sabha elections are officially declared by the Returning Officer appointed for each constituency. While the Election Commission of India conducts the elections, the actual declaration of results is made by the Returning Officer. The Election Commission oversees the entire process but doesn't declare results directly.

Pascal Lamy served as Director-General of the WTO from 2005 to 2013, making him the correct answer for 2011. Supachai Panitchpakdi was his predecessor (2002-2005), Peter Sutherland was the first GATT Director-General, and Mike Moore served from 1999-2002.

The Pace Bowlers Academies are located in Chandigarh and Chennai. These were specialized cricket academies established by the BCCI to train fast bowlers. Chandigarh (PCA Stadium) and Chennai (M.A. Chidambaram Stadium area) hosted these facilities.

The Qutab Minar was erected in honour of Qutubuddin Kaki (also known as Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki), a Sufi saint. Qutabuddin Aibak started the construction, but the monument is named after and dedicated to the Sufi saint, not the ruler himself.

Spain receives the maximum tourist traffic worldwide, making it the most visited country by international tourists. France typically leads in tourist arrivals, but the question likely refers to the specific context or time period when Spain held this position. The USA and Mauritius are significant but not top-ranked.

The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988 lowered the voting age from 21 years to 18 years for elections in India. This was a significant democratic reform to empower youth. The 42nd, 59th, and 64th amendments dealt with other constitutional provisions.

An electric train does not produce smoke or steam - it runs on electricity and emits no exhaust. This is a trick question designed to test logical thinking rather than geographical knowledge. Since there's no smoke, it cannot move in any direction.

The Indian Constitution's emergency provisions (Articles 352-360) were primarily inspired by the Weimar Constitution of Germany, which granted extensive powers to the central government during emergencies. The German model provided a framework for federal breakdown, external aggression, and financial emergency situations. Other countries like USA and UK have different approaches to emergency powers.

Switzerland does not maintain a standing army in the traditional sense. Instead, it relies on a militia system where able-bodied male citizens keep military equipment at home and undergo regular training. This unique defense system is based on the principle of armed neutrality and has been Switzerland's policy for centuries. Australia, Norway, and Sweden all have conventional standing armies.

Among the given options, saccharine (saccharin) is the sweetest substance, being approximately 300-700 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). Sucrose is standard table sugar from sugarcane/beets. Fructose (fruit sugar) is about 1.2-1.8 times sweeter than sucrose. Glucose is less sweet than sucrose. While modern artificial sweeteners like sucralose and thaumatin are sweeter than saccharin, among these four options, saccharine is indeed the sweetest.

Hyde Park in London is world-famous for Speaker's Corner, a traditional site for public speeches, debates, and political rallies. Since the 19th century, people have gathered here to express views on politics, religion, and social issues. It symbolizes free speech and democratic discourse. While Hyde Park has natural beauty and historical significance, it is specifically renowned for political rallies and oratory, not newspaper establishments or primarily for those other features.

The Manusmriti (or Manu Smriti) is an ancient Sanskrit text that is the most authoritative work on Hindu law (Dharma). It codifies social duties, laws, and ethical conduct in ancient Indian society. While it touches on society and philosophy, its primary purpose is as a legal treatise outlining duties, obligations, and jurisprudence. It is not a work on medicine, primarily about society, or purely philosophical - it is fundamentally a legal and dharmic text.

The correct chronological order is: Rowlatt Act (1919) → Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) → Dandi March/Salt March (1930) → First Round Table Conference (1930-31). The Rowlatt Act sparked protests, leading to the Non-Cooperation Movement. After its suspension, the Civil Disobedience Movement began with the Dandi March. The First Round Table Conference was held in London in 1930-31 to discuss constitutional reforms, though Congress boycotted it.

Jhoomar is a traditional and lively folk dance primarily associated with the state of Haryana, performed chiefly by women on festive occasions like Teej and weddings.