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
26691
Which Grand Slam singles title eluded Monica Seles in both 1991 and 1992?
Answer:
Seles dominated the early ’90s, winning multiple Australian, French, and U.S. titles. Wimbledon’s grass event remained the gap in those peak seasons. She reached the 1992 final but lost.
26692
When was the first International Peace Congress held in London?
Answer:
Reformers and pacifists convened in London in 1843 to promote arbitration and disarmament. Subsequent congresses followed in European cities. The movement influenced later international law efforts.
26693
Who first sailed around Africa’s southern tip (Cape of Good Hope) in 1488?
Answer:
Dias rounded the cape in 1488, proving the Atlantic–Indian Ocean route. Magellan’s voyage circumnavigated the globe later (1519–22). Cook explored the Pacific centuries afterward.
26694
Where are the headquarters of the United Nations?
Answer:
The UN’s main Secretariat is in New York City. Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi host important UN offices, but not the primary HQ. The ICJ, not the UN HQ, is in The Hague.
26695
What was the first U.S. city to host the Winter Olympics?
Answer:
Lake Placid, New York hosted the 1932 Winter Games (and again in 1980). Squaw Valley hosted in 1960; Salt Lake City in 2002. Denver was awarded 1976 but withdrew.
26696
Which playwright wrote *The Glass Menagerie*, later adapted into multiple films?
Answer:
Premiering in 1944–45, *The Glass Menagerie* launched Williams to prominence. Its “memory play” structure and poetic realism influenced American drama. Miller and Mamet are major dramatists but wrote different classics.
26697
The Durand Cup is associated with which sport?
Answer:
The Durand Cup, started in 1888, is among the oldest football tournaments in Asia. It has historically featured clubs from across India. “Durand” often tempts test-takers toward hockey—resist it.
26698
In which year was Hamid Karzai chosen president of Afghanistan (by Loya Jirga process)?
Answer:
After the Bonn Agreement and interim rule, the 2002 Loya Jirga selected Karzai as head of state. He later won Afghanistan’s first presidential election in 2004. Dates can confuse, so the selection year is key.
26699
What is the highest peak in the contiguous (lower 48) United States?
Answer:
Mount Whitney in California’s Sierra Nevada rises to 14,505 ft (4,421 m). Elbert (Colorado) is the highest in the Rockies but still lower than Whitney. Rainier is Washington’s highest, not the nation’s in the lower 48.
26700
In which year did Germany fight at Verdun and Romania enter WWI against the Central Powers?
Answer:
The Battle of Verdun raged through most of 1916 on the Western Front. Romania declared war on Austria-Hungary in August 1916, joining the Allies. These events mark a pivotal mid-war phase.