General Knowledge MCQs
Topic Notes: General Knowledge
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
1491
Albert Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for which discovery?
Answer:
The Law of the Photoelectric Effect
While famous for relativity, Einstein was awarded the prize specifically for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect, a pivotal step in quantum theory.
1492
Who is the youngest ever Nobel Laureate, winning the Peace Prize at age 17?
Answer:
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at the age of 17 for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people.
1493
Who is the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry)?
Answer:
Marie Curie
Marie Curie won the Physics prize in 1903 (shared with her husband and Henri Becquerel) and the Chemistry prize in 1911 (unshared).
1494
Which Nobel Prize is the only one presented in Oslo, Norway, while the others are presented in Stockholm, Sweden?
Answer:
Peace
Per Alfred Nobel's will, the Peace Prize is awarded by a committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) in Oslo.
1495
Which of the following is NOT one of the original five Nobel Prize categories established in 1895?
Answer:
Economic Sciences
The Prize in Economic Sciences was not in Nobel's original will; it was established by Sweden's central bank in 1968 in memory of Alfred Nobel.
1496
The Nobel Prizes were established by the will of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of which explosive?
Answer:
Dynamite
Alfred Nobel invented dynamite in 1867. He bequeathed his fortune to establish the prizes after reading a premature obituary that called him the 'Merchant of Death'.
1497
Which Saint is associated with the tradition of women proposing on Leap Day?
Answer:
St. Brigid
Legend says St. Brigid complained to St. Patrick that women had to wait too long for suitors, leading to the designation of Leap Day for women to propose.
1498
What is the longest possible gap between two leap years?
Answer:
8 years
Because century years like 1900 are not leap years, the gap between 1896 and 1904 was 8 years.
1499
If you were born on Feb 29, 2000, how many 'actual' birthdays had you celebrated by Feb 29, 2016?
Answer:
4
The leap years were 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. That makes 4 actual birthdays (excluding the day of birth).
1500
Which planet has a leap year that involves skipping days in a complex cycle?
Answer:
Mars
While 'leap year' is an Earth term, scientists have devised the Darian calendar for Mars which includes leap years to account for the Martian sol (day) vs year discrepancy.