[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 30 June 2023

Ans: (c)

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/2023/06/30/will-the-indian-ocean-dipole-save-the-monsoon/

Ans: (b)

Explanation

• Most cyclones are forced to weaken post landfall as they detach from the sea.
• Cyclones are formed between the tropics while western disturbances are formed in the mid-latitudes. When the two interact, they influence each other. When cyclones come under the influence of western disturbances, it can retain its intensity even after entering land.
• Cyclone Tauktae in 2021 came under the influence of western disturbances, it slowed down as it was crossing over to land. This slow progress over the coast ensured that the cyclone continued to get sufficient moisture supply from the sea. Hence it did not weaken, but rather retained its intensity even 24 hours after coming over land.
• The Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea generate only 7 per cent of the world’s cyclones. However, their impact are huge as some of the most densely populated regions of the world, including some mega-cities, are susceptible.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/30/will-the-indian-ocean-dipole-save-the-monsoon/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• A phenomenon associated with the monsoon is its tendency to have ‘breaks’ in rainfall. Thus, it has wet and dry spells. In other words, the monsoon rains take place only for a few days at a time. They are interspersed with rainless intervals.
• These breaks in monsoon are related to the movement of the monsoon trough. For various reasons, the trough and its axis keep on moving northward or southward, which determines the spatial distribution of rainfall.
• Withdrawal or the retreat of the monsoon is a more gradual process.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/30/will-the-indian-ocean-dipole-save-the-monsoon/

Ans: (c)

Explanation

• The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), also known as the Indian Niño, is an irregular oscillation of sea-surface temperatures in which the western Indian Ocean becomes alternately warmer and then colder than the eastern part of the ocean.
• A 2009 study has demonstrated a significant correlation between the IOD and drought in the southern half of Australia, in particular the south-east.
• During the Positive IOD, the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean off Sumatra in Indonesia becomes colder than normal while the western tropical part of the Indian Ocean near the African coast becomes unusually warm. This is beneficial for the monsoon.
• During the Negative IOD the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean off Sumatra in Indonesia becomes abnormally warm while the western tropical part of the ocean near the African coast becomes relatively colder. This effect obstructs the progression of monsoon over India.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/30/will-the-indian-ocean-dipole-save-the-monsoon/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: The government of India recently passed an amendment to the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules (2023) that permits researchers to utilize non-animal and human-relevant methods for testing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs.
• The correct answer is (A). Animal testing is necessary to ensure the safety and efficacy of new drugs before they are tested on humans. This is because animal models are often used to predict how drugs will affect humans. Without animal testing, it would be much more difficult to develop safe and effective drugs.
• The other options are incorrect. Option (B) is incorrect because animal testing can be very cruel and can cause animals a great deal of pain and suffering. Option (C) is incorrect because there are no other methods that are as reliable as animal testing for predicting how drugs will affect humans. Option (D) is incorrect because animal testing is not always justified. For example, if there is a safe and effective alternative to animal testing, then animal testing should not be used.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/30/new-drugs-and-clinical-trial-rules-2023/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Affirmative Action refers to policies and practices designed to provide equal opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups, such as women, racial or ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities. While the intention behind Affirmative Action is to promote inclusivity and address systemic inequalities, it has generated ethical debates.
• Option A) Reverse discrimination is the correct answer because it highlights one of the main ethical concerns related to Affirmative Action. Critics argue that Affirmative Action can lead to discrimination against individuals from non-targeted groups, particularly if they are more qualified for a position or opportunity. This perception of reverse discrimination is based on the belief that Affirmative Action can prioritize factors such as race or gender over individual merit.

• Context: India has been ranked 40th on the latest world competitiveness ranking released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
• Although India has slipped three spots from the previous year, it has improved from its 43rd rank in 2019-2021.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/29/2023-global-competitiveness-index/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: The United Nations (UN) has removed India from its annual list of countries affected by armed conflict with children, citing measures taken by the Indian government to better protect children.
• The two ILO Conventions on child labour are Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age and Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/30/children-impacted-by-armed-conflict/

Ans: (b)

Explanation

• The following statements about halogens are true:
  • S1: They are located in Group 17 of the periodic table.
  • S2: They have a high electronegativity.
  • S3: They exist as diatomic molecules in their elemental form.
• Statements S4 and S5 are not true. Halogens are not good conductors of electricity, and they are not typically found in their pure form in nature.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/30/short-lived-halogens/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The cancer research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is reportedly set to list the artificial sweetener aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
• Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is widely used as a sugar substitute in various food and beverage products. Option A is incorrect because aspartame is not naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables. Option C is incorrect because aspartame is not derived from animal sources or classified as a protein. Option D is incorrect because aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener and is typically used in sugar-free or reduced-calorie products, rather than in high-calorie baked goods or confectioneries. Therefore, option B is the correct statement about Aspartame.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/30/aspartame/

Ans: (c)

• Statement 1: Algal blooms are caused by the excessive growth of algae in water. This is true. Algae are simple organisms that live in water. They reproduce quickly when there is an abundance of nutrients in the water. This can lead to an algal bloom, which is a rapid increase in the number of algae in a water body.
• Statement 2: Algal blooms can occur in freshwater and marine ecosystems. This is also true. Algal blooms can occur in any body of water, including lakes, rivers, ponds, and oceans. They are more common in freshwater ecosystems, but they can also occur in marine ecosystems.
• Statement 3: Algal blooms can produce toxins that can harm human health and the environment. This is also true. Some algae produce toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals. These toxins can cause a variety of health problems, including skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, algal blooms can be fatal.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/06/30/sea-lions-and-algae-bloom/

• Deposits are a liability on a commercial bank, since it must return its lenders the amount it owes them. Answer is B.
• Loans and Advances form assets of the bank. Also, Investments form the second largest component in the assets side of banks’ balance sheets after loans and advances as per a recent RBI report, see https://rbi.org.in/scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?Id=18743 (sec 2.4)
• So, the assets of the commercial bank in India are Cash in hand, Investments, Loans, Advances, Bills discounted and purchased, while the liabilities are Capital and Reserves, Deposits, Borrowings, and other liabilities.

Refer: UPSC CSE-2019