QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 12 March 2019

Solution: c)

IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries. The Bank Group has set two goals for the world to achieve by 2030: end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity in every country.

• The IFC is owned and governed by its member countries, but has its own executive leadership and staff that conduct its normal business operations.
• It is a corporation whose shareholders are member governments that provide paid-in capital and which have the right to vote on its matters.

Functions:

• It offers an array of debt and equity financing services and helps companies face their risk exposures, while refraining from participating in a management capacity.
• The corporation also offers advice to companies on making decisions, evaluating their impact on the environment and society, and being responsible.
• It advises governments on building infrastructure and partnerships to further support private sector development.

Since 2009, the IFC has focused on a set of development goals that its projects are expected to target. Its goals are to increase sustainable agriculture opportunities, improve healthcare and education, increase access to financing for microfinance and business clients, advance infrastructure, help small businesses grow revenues, and invest in climate health.

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Solution: b)

Ethanol, an anhydrous ethyl alcohol having chemical formula of C₂H₅OH, can be produced from sugarcane, maize, wheat, etc which are having high starch content. In India, ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane molasses by fermentation process. Ethanol can be mixed with gasoline to form different blends. As the ethanol molecule contains oxygen, it allows the engine to more completely combust the fuel, resulting in fewer emissions and thereby reducing the occurrence of environmental pollution. Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, ethanol is also considered as renewable fuel.

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            Solution: b)

A species of wood snake that wasn’t seen for 140 years has resurfaced in a survey conducted by scientists in the Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. “The snake is a ‘point endemic’ (found only in Meghamalai).

Meghamalai is a mountain range situated in the Western Ghats in Theni district, Tamil Nadu.

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Solution: a)

Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever endemic to South India. The disease is caused by a virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae, which also includes yellow fever and dengue fever.

Viruses related to KFDV have been identified in China and Saudi Arabia.

Transmission to humans may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal, most importantly a sick or recently dead monkey. No person-to-person transmission has been described.

A vaccine does exist for KFD and is used in endemic areas of India. Additional preventative measures include insect repellents and wearing protective clothing in areas where ticks are endemic.

Solution: a)

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation. It provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. The teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff – most of them hired locally. The actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality.

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