DART 17-06-26 - Questlink IAS

#International Relations

Q1. Consider the following countries:

Canada
Australia
Germany
Italy
South Korea
Japan

Which of the above are members of the Group of Seven (G7)?

(a) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only

(b) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal grouping of advanced economies comprising:

Canada
France
Germany
Italy
Japan
United Kingdom
United States
Australia and South Korea are often invited as outreach partners but are not members. Hence, Statements 2 and 5 are not correct.
Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan are G7 members. Hence, Statements 1, 3, 4 and 6 are correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#Miscellaneous

Q2. With reference to some humanitarian and outreach operations undertaken by India, consider the following information:

Operation	Objective	Lead Agency
I. Operation DRISHTI	Advanced ophthalmic care and free eye surgeries in remote and underserved areas	Armed Forces Medical Services
II. Mission SAGAR	Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to countries in the Indian Ocean Region	Indian Navy
III. Operation Nargis Relief	Relief assistance following Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar	Indian Armed Forces
IV. Operation Maitri	Evacuation of Indian nationals from Yemen	Indian Air Force

In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Operation DRISHTI is a humanitarian outreach programme of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) providing advanced eye care and surgical interventions in remote regions. Hence, Row I is correctly matched.
Mission SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) is led primarily by the Indian Navy to provide humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and medical aid to Indian Ocean countries. Hence, Row II is correctly matched.
Operation Nargis Relief (2008) was launched by India to provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis. Hence, Row III is correctly matched.
Operation Maitri (2015) was India's earthquake relief mission to Nepal, not an evacuation from Yemen. Evacuation from Yemen was conducted under Operation Rahat. Hence, Row IV is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#Geography

Q3. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: The Arabian Sea branch of the Southwest Monsoon causes heavy rainfall on the windward side of the Western Ghats.

Statement II: The Western Ghats obstruct the moisture-laden monsoon winds, forcing them to rise and cool.

Which one of the following is correct?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I.

(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I.

(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct.

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Orographic rainfall is a major feature of the Indian monsoon.
The Arabian Sea branch causes heavy rainfall along the Western Ghats. Hence, Statement I is correct.
The Western Ghats force moist air to ascend, leading to cooling and condensation. Hence, Statement II is correct.
This process directly explains the heavy rainfall on the windward slopes. Hence, Statement II correctly explains Statement I.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#Polity

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution:

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly is the authority to decide questions relating to disqualification on grounds of defection.
A split by one-third of the members of a legislature party is a valid exception to disqualification under the Tenth Schedule.
A merger is protected from disqualification if at least two-thirds of the members of the legislature party agree to such merger.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

The Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) was added by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985 and later amended by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
The Speaker/Chairman is the adjudicating authority in defection cases. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The provision relating to split by one-third members was deleted by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
A merger enjoys protection if not less than two-thirds of the members agree to it. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

#Geography

Q5. Consider the following water bodies:

Mediterranean Sea
Dead Sea
Gulf of Aqaba
Caspian Sea

Which of the above are directly associated with Israel?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Israel borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Hence, 1 is correct.
Israel shares the Dead Sea with Jordan and the West Bank. Hence, 2 is correct.
Israel has access to the Gulf of Aqaba through the port city of Eilat. Hence, 3 is correct.
Israel has no coastline on the Caspian Sea. Hence, 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#International Relations

Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the H-1B visa programme of the United States:

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
H-1B petitions are generally filed by employers and not directly by prospective employees.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The H-1B visa is a United States non-immigrant work visa designed for foreign professionals employed in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and educational qualifications.
The visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers temporarily in fields such as information technology, engineering, medicine, finance and research. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
An H-1B application is generally employer-sponsored, and the petition is filed by the U.S. employer on behalf of the foreign worker. Individuals cannot ordinarily self-petition for an H-1B visa. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#Polity

Q7. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: A merger under the Tenth Schedule may protect legislators from disqualification.

Statement II: Such protection is available when not less than two-thirds of the members of the legislature party agree to the merger.

Which one of the following is correct?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I.

(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I.

(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct.

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

The Tenth Schedule provides an exception to disqualification in cases of merger.
Legislators can avoid disqualification if the merger satisfies constitutional requirements. Hence, Statement I is correct.
One such requirement is that at least two-thirds of the members of the legislature party support the merger. Hence, Statement II is correct.
Statement II explains the condition under which the protection mentioned in Statement I becomes available.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#Geography

Q8. Consider the following countries:

Türkiye
Lebanon
Jordan
Kuwait
Iraq

Which of the above share a land border with Syria?

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

(b) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Syria shares land borders with:

Türkiye to the north,
Iraq to the east,
Jordan to the south,
Lebanon and Israel to the southwest.
Kuwait does not share a border with Syria. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#Environment

Q9. Which of the following conditions are generally favourable for the growth of coral reefs?

Water temperature between 20°C and 30°C
Salinity around 27–40 ppt
Abundant sunlight
Deep ocean floor exceeding 200 metres

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Coral reefs are large underwater structures composed of the skeletons of colonial marine invertebrates called coral polyps. Often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea," they cover less than 1% of the ocean floor but support over 25% of all marine species, making them among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.
Warm tropical waters are ideal for coral growth. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Moderate salinity is necessary for reef-building corals. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
Sunlight is essential because zooxanthellae perform photosynthesis. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
Reef-building corals generally do not thrive in deep waters due to lack of sunlight. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#Geography

Q10. An astronomical event in which the second full moon occurs within a single calendar month and the full moon simultaneously occurs near the Moon's apogee, making it appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual, is known as:

(a) Supermoon

(b) Blue Micromoon

(d) Harvest Moon

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

A Blue Micromoon is a rare combination of two lunar phenomena:
A Blue Moon refers to the second full moon occurring within a single calendar month.
A Micromoon occurs when the full moon is near the Moon's apogee (farthest point from Earth), causing it to appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual.
A Supermoon occurs near perigee and appears larger and brighter.
A Blood Moon refers to the reddish appearance of the Moon during a total lunar eclipse.
A Harvest Moon is the full moon occurring closest to the autumnal equinox.

Hence, option (b) is correct.