Q1. The primary reason astronauts wear pressurised suits in space is to:
a) Protect against micrometeoroid impacts
b) Compensate for the absence of atmospheric pressure
c) Prevent radiation exposure from the Sun
d) Maintain body temperature in cold environments
(Correct answer: b)
Explanation:
Pressurised suits maintain internal body pressure in vacuum conditions, preventing ebullism (boiling of body fluids), hypoxia, and tissue expansion. They also supply oxygen, remove CO₂, and regulate thermal balance.
Q2. The primary scientific objective of NASA’s Kepler Mission was to—
a) Study solar flares and magnetic storms on the Sun
b) Observe black hole mergers in nearby galaxies
c) Discover Earth-sized planets orbiting other stars
d) Map the cosmic microwave background radiation
(Correct answer: c)
Explanation:
Launched in 2009, Kepler used the transit photometry method to detect exoplanets by measuring tiny dips in starlight. It confirmed thousands of exoplanets and showed that Earth-sized planets in habitable zones are common.
Q3. The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), recently sighted in Rajasthan, is listed under which category of the IUCN Red List?
a) Near Threatened
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Vulnerable
(Correct answer: c)
Explanation:
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered (2023).
Endemic to the Indian subcontinent, breeding in monsoon grasslands of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Population decline due to habitat loss and agricultural expansion.
Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Q4. Which of the following types of plastic packaging is least likely to be recycled through conventional mechanical methods?
a) Multi-layered chip packets
b) HDPE containers
c) LDPE carry bags
d) PET bottles
(Correct answer: a)
Explanation:
Multi-layered packaging (MLP) combines PET, polyethylene, and aluminium foil — making it hard to separate and recycle.
Hence, it is usually incinerated or landfilled, worsening microplastic pollution.
Q5. Baryte, recently in news, is classified in India as which of the following?
a) Major mineral
b) Minor mineral
c) Atomic mineral
d) Rare earth element
(Correct answer: a)
Explanation:
Baryte (BaSO₄) is a major mineral under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
Reclassified by the Ministry of Mines (2024) for uniform policy and better revenue sharing.
Used in oil drilling, paints, and rubber industries.
Largest deposit: Mangampet mine, Andhra Pradesh.
