Q1. THAAD, Iron Dome and Cheongung II, recently seen in the news in the context of West Asia, are best described as:
A) Missile defence systems
B) Nuclear-powered submarines
C) Fifth-generation fighter jets
D) Long-range cruise missiles
Answer: (A)
Explanation:
- THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) is a U.S. system designed to intercept ballistic missiles in their terminal phase.
- Iron Dome is Israel’s short-range rocket and drone interception system.
- Cheongung II is a South Korean surface-to-air missile defence system deployed by the UAE.
All three are defensive air and missile interception systems, not offensive cruise missiles, aircraft, or submarines.
Q2. The “blunt body theory” in spacecraft design helps to:
A) Increase aerodynamic speed
B) Reduce heat transfer to the spacecraft
C) Improve communication signals
D) Eliminate need for parachutes
Answer: (B)
Explanation:
Blunt body theory states that a rounded forebody creates a detached shock wave during atmospheric re-entry, deflecting superheated plasma away from the capsule.
This significantly reduces heat transfer to the spacecraft structure, enabling survival at temperatures exceeding 1500°C.
Q3. Root wilt disease, often seen in news, affects mainly:
A) Sugarcane
B) Banana
C) Coconut
D) Coffee
Answer: (C)
Explanation:
Root wilt is a major coconut disease, especially prevalent in Kerala.
It weakens palms, reduces nut yield, and threatens long-term plantation sustainability.
Q4. Why is the Atacama Desert considered a Mars analogue?
- Extremely low rainfall
- High ultraviolet radiation
- Presence of evaporite minerals
- Thick ozone layer
Which of the above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 2 and 4 only
D) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (B)
Explanation:
- The Atacama Desert exhibits hyper-aridity, mimicking Martian desiccation.
- High altitude results in intense UV radiation, similar to Mars’ thin atmosphere.
- Presence of evaporite minerals (e.g., gypsum) resembles Martian mineralogy.
- Mars does not have a thick ozone layer, and neither does Atacama — hence Statement 4 is incorrect.
Q5. With reference to Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI), consider the following statements:
- It is among the leading causes of acute liver failure globally.
- It commonly results from reactive intermediates formed during drug metabolism in hepatocytes.
- It is exclusively dose-dependent in nature.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct — DILI is a major global cause of acute liver failure.
- Statement 2 is correct — The liver metabolises drugs via cytochrome enzymes, producing reactive intermediates that may damage hepatocytes.
- Statement 3 is incorrect — Toxicity is not purely dose-dependent; molecular-level interactions (e.g., membrane embedding) also influence liver injury.
