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
21731
The 'Second Industrial Revolution' (late 19th century) is characterized by the use of:
Answer:
Electricity, Steel, and Chemicals
While the First Industrial Revolution focused on steam and textiles, the Second (c. 1870-1914) focused on steel, electricity, chemicals, and petroleum.
21732
Who invented the seed drill, which improved agricultural efficiency?
Answer:
Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull invented the seed drill in 1701, allowing seeds to be planted in rows at specific depths rather than being scattered by hand.
21733
What is a 'Tenement'?
Answer:
A crowded, run-down apartment building
Tenements were low-rise apartment buildings in industrial cities where the working class lived in cramped, unsanitary conditions.
21734
The 'Spinning Mule' combined features of the Spinning Jenny and the Water Frame. Who invented it?
Answer:
Samuel Crompton
Samuel Crompton invented the Spinning Mule in 1779, which produced finer and stronger thread than earlier machines.
21735
Who invented the first practical steamboat, the 'Clermont'?
Answer:
Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton's 'Clermont' successfully navigated the Hudson River in 1807, demonstrating the commercial viability of steamboats.
21736
Which French chemist discovered the process of pasteurization?
Answer:
Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur discovered that heat could kill bacteria in liquids (pasteurization) and developed the germ theory of disease.
21737
The 'Factory Act of 1833' in Britain was passed to:
Answer:
Restrict child labor
The Act prohibited the employment of children under 9 in textile mills and limited the working hours for older children.
21738
Who invented the telegraph?
Answer:
Samuel Morse
Samuel Morse developed the electrical telegraph and the Morse code, revolutionizing long-distance communication in the mid-19th century.
21739
Which disease was a major problem in overcrowded industrial cities due to contaminated water?
Answer:
Cholera
Cholera outbreaks were common and deadly in rapidly growing industrial cities due to poor sewage systems and contaminated drinking water (e.g., the Broad Street outbreak in London).
21740
The first major railway line in England connected which two cities in 1830?
Answer:
Liverpool and Manchester
The Liverpool and Manchester Railway was the world's first inter-city passenger railway, operated exclusively by steam locomotives.