IMP: Civilsdaily IAS Prelims 2017 Test Series Module Launched – Click here

• Twelve Questions from science
• Eleven from current affairs
• Ten very doable
• Three questions from space <NASA, MOM, Astrosat>
• One from defence <Astradharini>
• MOM question from way back in 2013

1. With reference to ‘LiFi’, recently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It uses light as the medium for high-speed data transmission.
2. It is a wireless technology and is several time faster than ‘WiFi.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

• Been in news for last 3 years
• CD newscards
• Common sense
• Wifi wireless fidelity lifi light fidelity
• So light as medium
• Wireless, obviously faster, that’s why developing it

2. In the context of the developments in bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refer to

(a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing

(b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism

(c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression

(d)A mechanism of genetic mutation taking place in cells

• Simple biology – transcription is formation of M-RNA from DNA
• Transcript is that m-RNA molecule
• Transcriptome – easily option b

3. ‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains to

(a) Immunization of children and pregnant women

(b) Construction of smart cities across the country

(c) India’ own search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

(d) New Educational policy

• Simple/ newscards/ explains
• Vaccine against 7 dealt diseases

4. ‘Project Loon’, sometimes seen in the news, is related to

a) Waste management technology

b) Wireless communication technology

c) Solar power production technology

d) Water conservation technology

• News card/ explains
• Balloons will reflect broadband signals

5. What is/are unique about ‘Kharai camel’ a breed found in India?

1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometers in seawater.
2. It survives by grazing on mangrows.
3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.

Selected the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Difficult
• Was in news not so prominently

6. Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?

(a) Anadaman Islands

(b) Anamalai Forests

(c ) Maikala Hills

(d)Tropical rain forest of northeast

• Difficult
• Andaman

7. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?

(a) Amphibious warfare ship

(b) Nuclear-powered submarine

(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel

(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

Was in news plus common sense

• Astra dharan karne wali
• Ship holding weapons
• Torpedoes

8. What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?

(a) Electric plane tested by NASA

(b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan

(c) Space observatory launched by China

(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO

• In news
• Electric plane by NASA

9. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

Viruses can infect

1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Plants

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Obvious. Can infect every organism
• Bacteriophage, plant and fungus everyone knows

10. India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

(a)    It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation

(b)    It can attain a global role in satellite navigation

(c)    It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation

(d)    It can build fusion reactors for power generation

• Thermonuclear bomb – hydrogen bomb (think north korea)
• Hydrogen bomb fusion
• Answer fusion reactors

11. With reference to ‘Astrosat’, the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.    Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space.
2.    Astrosat is a 2000 kg satellite placed in an orbit at 1650 km above the surface of the Earth.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

1. a)    1 only
2. b)    2 Only
3. c)    Both 1 and 2
4. d)    Neither 1 nor 2

• Apart from USA and Russia, India only country
• What about EU??
• False
• 2000 kg
• PSLV can’t launch very heavy satellites <can launch only upto 1650 kg>

12  Consider the following statements:

The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

1.    is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
2.    Made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
3.    Made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbits the Mars in its very first attempt.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)    1 only

(b)    2 and 3 only

(c)    1 and 3 only

(d)    1, 2 and 3

• 2nd only red flag# incorrect
• 3rd also has red flag but it’s true. Was so much in news