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
1511
What is the specific math formula for a Gregorian leap year?
Answer:
Divisible by 4, unless divisible by 100 but not 400
A year is a leap year if it is divisible by 4. However, if it is divisible by 100, it is NOT a leap year, unless it is also divisible by 400.
1512
Which two consecutive months have 31 days?
Answer:
July and August
July and August both have 31 days. December and January also have 31 days, but they are in different calendar years.
1513
The World Calendar, a proposed reform, suggests what structure?
Answer:
Quarters of 91 days (31, 30, 30)
The World Calendar proposal divides the year into four identical quarters of 91 days (31, 30, 30 days), with one or two 'Worlds Days' added to reach 365/366.
1514
What legal age issue arises for Leaplings (born Feb 29) in non-leap years?
Answer:
Different jurisdictions recognize March 1 or Feb 28 as their birthday
Legally, jurisdictions vary. For example, in the UK, a leapling legally becomes 18 on March 1st, while in other places it might be Feb 28th.
1515
Which country did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1918?
Answer:
Russia
Russia stuck to the Julian calendar for religious and political reasons until the Bolsheviks adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918.
1516
The ISO 8601 standard defines the first week of the year as?
Answer:
The week containing the first Thursday of the year
ISO 8601 defines Week 01 as the week with the year's first Thursday (or the week containing Jan 4th).
1517
Why is February the shortest month?
Answer:
It was the last month added and used up remaining days
When January and February were added to the Roman calendar, they were the last months. To fit the lunar cycle, February was given the fewer remaining days (28), and it was considered an unlucky month used for purification rituals.
1518
What is a 'Blue Moon' in modern popular definition?
Answer:
The second full moon in a calendar month
While originally defined as the third full moon in a season of four, the modern popular definition is the second full moon occurring within a single calendar month.
1519
Which ancient civilization had a calendar with 5 'nameless' unlucky days at the end of the year?
Answer:
Both A and B
Both the Ancient Egyptians (Epagomenal days) and the Mayans (Wayeb) had 5 extra days at the end of their 360-day cycles which were considered unlucky or transition days.
1520
In the standard 52-week year, how many days are left over?
Answer:
1
52 weeks x 7 days = 364 days. A standard year has 365 days, so there is 1 day left over. In a leap year, there are 2 days left over.