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
3931
What is a 'Plan' (Floor Plan)?
Answer:
A scale diagram of the arrangement of rooms in one story of a building viewed from above
A floor plan is a drawing to scale, showing a view from above, of the relationships between rooms, spaces, traffic patterns, and other physical features at one level of a structure.
3932
What is an 'Elevation' in architectural drawings?
Answer:
A view of a building seen from one side, a flat representation of one façade
An elevation is an orthographic projection of the exterior (or sometimes the interior) faces of a building, that is a two-dimensional drawing of the building's façades.
3933
What is a 'Lintel'?
Answer:
A horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window
A lintel is a structural horizontal block that spans the space or opening between two vertical supports.
3934
What is 'Bauhaus'?
Answer:
A German art school operational from 1919 to 1933 that combined crafts and the fine arts
Bauhaus was an influential art and design school in Germany that famously combined aesthetics with everyday function.
3935
What is a 'Keystone'?
Answer:
The central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole together
The keystone is the wedge-shaped stone at the apex of a masonry arch or typically round-shaped one at the apex of a vault.
3936
What distinguishes the 'Gothic' architectural style?
Answer:
Pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses
Gothic architecture is characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, allowing for taller structures and larger windows.
3937
What is a 'Cantilever'?
Answer:
A rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is supported at only one end
A cantilever is a beam anchored at only one end. The beam carries the load to the support where it is forced against by a moment and shear stress.
3938
What is a 'Blueprint'?
Answer:
A detailed technical drawing or plan of a building
A blueprint is a reproduction of a technical drawing, documenting an architecture or an engineering design.
3939
What is a 'Facade'?
Answer:
The face or front exterior of a building
A facade is generally the front part of a building. It is the most important aspect from a design standpoint as it sets the tone for the rest of the building.
3940
Who coined the phrase 'The medium is the message'?
Answer:
Marshall McLuhan
Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase 'The medium is the message' in his book 'Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man' (1964).