[MISSION 2023] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 22 Feb 2023

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Arctic warming and jet stream migration
  • The Arctic is warming three to four times faster than the globe as a whole, meaning there is ever less difference between northern temperatures and those closer to the equator.
  • That is resulting in swings in the North Atlantic jet stream, which in turn leads to extreme weather events like heatwaves and floods.
• Heat domes
  • Warmer oceans contribute to heat domes, which trap heat over large geographical areas. The heat dome is stretching from the southern plains of the Oklahoma/Arkansas area all the way to the eastern seaboard, according to the U.S. Weather Prediction Center.
  • Scientists have found the main cause of heat domes is a strong change in ocean temperatures from west to east in the tropical Pacific Ocean during the preceding winter.
  • As prevailing winds move the hot air east, the northern shifts of the jet stream trap the air and move it toward land, where it sinks, resulting in heatwaves.
• El Niño and La Niña
  • Every few years, the climate patterns known as El Niño and, less frequently, La Niña occur. El Niño brings warm water from the equatorial Pacific Ocean up to the western coast of North America, and La Niña brings colder water.
  • At present, La Niña is in effect. Because summer temperatures trend lower during La Niña, climate scientists are concerned about what a serious heatwave would look like during the next El Niño, when even hotter summer weather could be expected.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/02/22/why-india-is-watching-the-el-nino-forecast-with-bated-breath/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• S1: During an El Niño event, westward-blowing trade winds weaken along the Equator. These changes in air pressure and wind speed cause warm surface water to move eastward along the Equator, from the western Pacific to the coast of northern South America.
• S2: As El Niño brings rain to South America, it brings droughts to Indonesia and Australia. These droughts threaten the region’s water supplies, as reservoirs dry and rivers carry less water. Agriculture, which depends on water for irrigation, is threatened.
• S3: Stronger El Niño events also disrupt global atmospheric circulation. Global atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air that helps distribute thermal energy (heat) across the surface of the Earth. The eastward movement of oceanic and atmospheric heat sources cause unusually severe winter weather at the higher latitudes of North and South America. Regions as far north as the U.S. states of California and Washington may experience longer, colder winters because of El Niño.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/02/22/why-india-is-watching-the-el-nino-forecast-with-bated-breath/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Here the directive word is not correct!!
• S1: During El Nino, the surface winds across the entire tropical Pacific are weaker than usual. Ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean are warmer than average, and rainfall is below average over Indonesia and above average over the central or eastern Pacific.
• S2: During La Nina, it’s the opposite. The surface winds across the entire tropical Pacific are stronger than usual, and most of the tropical Pacific Ocean is cooler than average. Rainfall increases over Indonesia (where waters remain warm) and decreases over the central tropical Pacific (which is cool). Over Indonesia, there is more rising air motion and lower surface pressure. There is more sinking air motion over the cooler waters of the central and eastern Pacific.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/02/22/why-india-is-watching-the-el-nino-forecast-with-bated-breath/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• In 1999, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in response to the declining state of many languages all over the world.
• The theme of International Mother Language Day 2023: “Multilingual education — a necessity to transform education.”

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/02/22/international-mother-language-day-india-should-shed-its-colonial-legacy-by-creating-content-in-mother-languages/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: What is the New START?

• Officially, the Treaty between the USA and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, entered into force on February 5,
• It placed new verifiable limits (to be met by 2018) on intercontinental-range nuclear weapons. For example, 700 deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs (submarine-launched) and deployed heavy bombers equipped for nuclear armaments, etc.
• The US and Russian Federation subsequently agreed to extend the treaty through February 4, 2026.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/02/22/russia-suspends-new-start-what-is-its-last-remaining-nuclear-arms-control-treaty-with-the-us/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• S3: The FAO’s Regular Programme budget is funded by its members, through contributions set at the FAO Conference. This budget covers core technical work, cooperation and partnerships including the Technical Cooperation Programme, knowledge exchange, policy and advocacy, direction and administration, governance and security.
• S1: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an international organization that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
• Their headquarters is in Rome, Italy, and the FAO maintains regional and field offices worldwide, operating in over 130 countries.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/02/22/global-assessment-of-soil-carbon-in-grasslands/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Important ports of India on the western coast during ancient period were (from north to south direction) Bharukachchha, Sopara, Kalyana, Muziris, etc. Ships from these ports sailed to the Roman Empire through the Red Sea.
• Trade with southeast Asia was conducted through the sea. Prominent ports on the eastern coast of India were Tamralipti (West Bengal), Arikamedu (Tamil Nadu Coast) etc.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/02/22/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-22-february-2023/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Popularly known as ‘Land of the Dawn-lit-Mountains’, Arunachal Pradesh is India’s remotest state and the first Indian soil to greet the rising sun. Located on the northeastern tip of India with its borders touching China, Bhutan and Burma (Myanmar), this beautiful land is endowed with dazzling array of flora and fauna that is sure to allure any tourist. More than 500 rare species of Orchids are found in the dense jungles of Arunachal Pradesh.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/02/22/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-22-february-2023/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Singapore is the first country with which cross border Person to Person (P2P) payment facility has been launched.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/02/22/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-22-february-2023/

Ans: (c )

Explanation

• Somatic cell cloning is a technique in which the nucleus (DNA) of a somatic cell is transferred for the generation of a new individual, genetically identical to the somatic cell donor.
• https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/somatic_cell_nuclear_transfer.htm

Refer: UPSC CSE 2017