Question 21: Consider the following statements:

1. Powering past coal alliance is spearheaded by India and Canada.
2. Under it, nations, local governments and companies have pledged faster transitions to clean energy.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: B

Explanation

• POWERING PAST COAL ALLIANCE: Spearheaded by Britain and Canada, 41 nations and dozens more local governments and companies have pledged faster transitions to clean energy.
• The group this year criticized plans to burn more coal in response to the energy crisis triggered by the Ukraine war.

Question 22: Consider the following statements:

1. Gujarat is the sole home of Indian wild asses.
2. Gujarat is the world’s only abode of Asiatic lions.
3. Mangala Jodi area is located on the banks of Chilaka Lake.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 1 and 3

D) 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

• Gujarat, the world’s only abode of Asiatic lions, is also the sole home of Indian wild asses.
• Mangala Jodi area is located on the banks of Chilaka Lake — an important bird area (IBA).
• Mangala Jodi is recognized as globally important for the conservation of bird The area is used for roosting and nesting by migratory birds.

Question 23: Consider the following statements:

1. The SKA project is an international effort to build the world’s largest telescope.
2. The construction of the largest radio astronomy facility in the world began in Australia and South Africa.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

• The construction of the largest radio astronomy facility in the world began in Australia and South Africa.
• The Square Kilometer Array will consist of 131,072 low-frequency antennae in Australia (SKA-Low), combined with a sister facility (SKA Mid) in South Africa with 133 dish antennas.

SKA Project:

• The SKA project is an international effort to build the world’s largest telescope. As the name suggests, the telescope will eventually have a collecting area of over a square kilometer.
• The pre-construction development for the project initially began in 2013. Even though construction for the project has already begun, it is only expected to begin science observations in the late 2020s.

Question 24: Consider the following statements:

1. The Climate Transparency Report provides a concise overview of the key facts and figures on the state of climate performance of the G20 countries.
2. The Climate Transparency Report provides a concise overview of the key facts and figures on the state of climate performance of the WTO countries.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: A

Explanation

• The Climate Transparency Report provides a concise overview of the key facts and figures on the state of climate performance of the G20 in a comparative stock take.
• In 2022, the report especially highlights the link between the climate emergency and energy crisis.

Question 25: Consider the following statements:

1. Unakoti is famously known as the ‘Angkor Wat of the North-East’.
2. Unakoti is a Saivite pilgrimage site with marvelous rock cravings.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 2 only

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

• Unakoti, famously known as the ‘Angkor Wat of the North-East’, is vying for a UNESCO world heritage tag with both the government and ASI working to preserve the lakhs of Shaivite rock carvings figures and images of gods and goddesses.
• Dating back to the 7th-9th centuries, Unakoti is a ‘Shaiba’ (Saivite) pilgrimage site with marvelous rock carvings, murals with their primitive beauty and waterfalls.