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
3921
What is 'Brutalism'?
Answer:
A style characterized by massive, monolithic and 'blocky' appearance with a rigid geometric style and large-scale use of poured concrete
Brutalism is a style of architecture that emerged in the 1950s and grew out of the early-20th century modernist movement, characterized by raw concrete.
3922
What is a 'Mezzanine'?
Answer:
An intermediate floor in a building which is open to the floor below
A mezzanine is an intermediate floor in a building which is partly open to the double-height ceilinged floor below, or which does not extend over the whole floorspace of the building.
3923
What is the 'Corinthian' order?
Answer:
The most ornate of the orders, characterized by slender fluted columns and elaborate capitals decorated with acanthus leaves
The Corinthian order is the last developed of the three principal classical orders of Ancient Greek and Roman architecture.
3924
What is the 'Ionic' order?
Answer:
Characterized by volutes (scroll-like ornaments) on the capital
The Ionic order forms one of the three classical orders of classical architecture, characterized by the use of volutes (spiral scrolls).
3925
What is the 'Doric' order?
Answer:
The oldest and simplest of the three main orders of classical Greek architecture
The Doric order is characterized by a simple circular capital at the top of a heavy, fluted column and no base.
3926
What is a 'Flying Buttress'?
Answer:
An external, arched support for the wall of a church or other building
A flying buttress is a specific form of buttress composed of an arched structure that extends from the upper portion of a wall to a pier of great mass.
3927
What is an 'Atrium'?
Answer:
A large open air or skylight-covered space surrounded by a building
An atrium is a large open-air or skylight-covered space surrounding or within the center of a building.
3928
What is 'Reinforced Concrete'?
Answer:
Concrete in which steel reinforcement bars (rebar) are embedded to increase strength
Reinforced concrete is a composite material in which concrete's relatively low tensile strength and ductility are counteracted by the inclusion of reinforcement having higher tensile strength or ductility.
3929
What is a 'Truss'?
Answer:
A framework, typically consisting of rafters, posts, and struts, supporting a roof, bridge, or other structure
A truss is an assembly of beams or other elements that creates a rigid structure, usually in a triangular pattern.
3930
What is a 'Section' in architectural drawings?
Answer:
A view cutting through the building to show interior structure
A section is a cut through the body of a building, perpendicular to the horizon line, showing the vertical relationships of spaces and construction details.