General Knowledge

 Numismatics is the study or collection of coins, banknotes, and medals.

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States, dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, with the metal framework built by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (who also designed the Eiffel Tower). The statue was conceived as a symbol of friendship between the two nations and of the shared ideals of liberty and democracy, celebrating the centennial of American independence and the Franco-American alliance during the Revolutionary War.

The United Nations flag features a world map surrounded by two olive branches. The olive branch is a universal symbol of peace, dating back to ancient Greek traditions. The UN emblem was designed in 1945 and the olive branches were chosen to represent the UN's mission of maintaining international peace and security. The olive branches appear on both sides of the world map, symbolizing the goal of achieving peace through international cooperation.

Rahul Dravid earned the nickname 'The Wall' for his exceptionally solid defensive batting technique and ability to play long innings. He was known for his concentration, patience, and ability to anchor the Indian batting lineup. His technique was so reliable that he became extremely difficult to dismiss, resembling a solid wall that bowlers couldn't break through. Dravid scored over 13,000 runs in Test cricket and was part of many famous Indian victories.

Sarnath is one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, where Gautama Buddha taught his first sermon after attaining enlightenment (the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta or 'Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dharma'). It is located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The other major Buddhist pilgrimage sites are Lumbini (birthplace), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), and Kushinara (death). Sarnath has the Dhamek Stupa and the Ashoka Pillar with the lion capital.

The Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) found only in Cuba is the smallest bird in the world, weighing less than 2 grams and measuring about 5-6 centimeters in length. Hummingbirds in general are the smallest birds. The name 'hummingbird' comes from the humming sound created by their rapidly beating wings. They are unique in their ability to fly backwards and hover in place. Sparrows, doves, and crows are all significantly larger birds.

Mahmud of Ghazni (not Mohammed Ghazni) invaded and looted the Somnath Temple in Gujarat 17 times between 1000 and 1025 CE. These invasions were primarily motivated by the temple's legendary wealth. The first invasion was in 1025 CE (actually 1026 CE according to some sources) and the temple was rebuilt multiple times after destruction. The 17 invasions represent Mahmud's systematic campaign against wealthy Hindu temples in northwestern India during his rule of the Ghaznavid Empire.

Vincent van Gogh painted his famous Sunflowers series in Arles, France, between 1888-1889. These still-life paintings are among his most recognizable works, known for their vibrant yellow hues and expressive brushwork. Ravi Varma was an Indian painter, Rembrandt was a Dutch Baroque artist, and Ali is not a known painter associated with this masterpiece.

The United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, known as 'Seward's Folly' after Secretary of State William Seward. This transaction added 586,412 square miles to the US. Norway, Sweden, and Hungary never owned Alaska - Russia controlled it from the mid-1700s until the sale.

Macaroni is pasta shaped in hollow tubes, while shell-shaped pasta is called conchiglie or shells. However, among the given options, macaroni is the only correct pasta variety. Fudge is a chocolate candy, noodles are typically Asian wheat or rice strands, and burger is a sandwich, none of which are pasta shapes.

Tortoises are renowned for their exceptional longevity, with some species like the Galapagos giant tortoise living over 150-200 years. Whales and crocodiles are long-lived but not as exceptional as tortoises. Camels typically live 40-50 years. The slow metabolism and protective shell contribute to tortoise longevity.

The chrysanthemum (kiku in Japanese) is Japan's national emblem and symbol of the imperial family, featured on the imperial seal and passport. The flower represents longevity and rejuvenation in Japanese culture. Rose, lily, and violet are not associated with Japanese national symbols.

Coffee is Brazil's chief crop and the country has been the world's largest coffee producer for over 150 years. Brazil produces approximately one-third of the world's coffee supply. Cotton is more significant in the US and India, jute is primarily grown in Bangladesh and India, and tea production is centered in China, India, and Kenya.

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, during a motorcade through Dealey Plaza. The shooter was Lee Harvey Oswald from the Texas School Book Depository. California, New Jersey, and Memphis are incorrect - Memphis is where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968.

Spark plugs are used in petrol (gasoline) engines to ignite the air-fuel mixture. Diesel engines use compression ignition, where fuel ignites solely from the heat of compressed air, requiring no spark plugs. The 'Both' option is incorrect because diesel engines fundamentally do not use spark ignition systems.

Isaac Newton formulated the Law of Universal Gravitation, published in his Principia Mathematica in 1687. Galileo contributed to physics and astronomy but didn't formulate gravitation laws. Hubble was an astronomer (Hubble's Law), and Hooke was a contemporary who claimed priority but Newton's formulation prevailed.

GDP stands for Gross Domestic Product, which measures the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period. It is a key indicator of economic health. The other options mix unrelated terms - 'Development' and 'Project' are not standard economic acronyms.

Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke was an Indian producer-director-screenwriter, known as the father of Indian cinema.

Rome has been called the Eternal City (Latin: Roma Aeterna) since ancient times, referring to its lasting power and influence through the Roman Empire. Roman poets like Tibullus and Virgil popularized this epithet. Paris, London, and Geneva are all historic cities but none bear this specific ancient title.