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
141
Which country was once known as Dahomey?
Answer:
Benin
Benin is the modern name of Dahomey, a West African kingdom and later French colony, renamed in 1975 to distance itself from colonial associations.
142
What is the current name of the country formerly called Ceylon?
Answer:
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is the modern name of Ceylon, a name used during British colonial rule, changed in 1972 to reflect its Sinhala and Tamil cultural identity.
143
Which country was previously known as Burma?
Answer:
Bhutan
Myanmar is the modern name of Burma, changed in 1989 by the military government to reflect the country’s multi-ethnic identity, though 'Burma' is still used by some.
144
What is the modern name of the country once called British Honduras?
Answer:
Belize
Belize is the current name of British Honduras, a former British colony in Central America, renamed in 1973 and fully independent by 1981, reflecting its Mayan heritage.
145
Which country was formerly known as Bechuanaland?
Answer:
Botswana
Botswana was previously called Bechuanaland under British colonial rule, adopting its current name upon independence in 1966, derived from the Tswana people.
146
What is the current name of the country once known as Basutoland?
Answer:
Botswana
Lesotho is the modern name of Basutoland, a former British colony in Southern Africa, renamed upon gaining independence in 1966 to reflect its Sotho heritage.
147
Which country was previously called Angora?
Answer:
Algeria
Turkey was historically referred to as Angora, derived from the city of Ankara (formerly Angora), known for its breed of goats and wool, before adopting its modern name.
148
What is the modern name of the country formerly known as Abyssinia?
Answer:
Eritrea
Ethiopia is the modern name of the country historically known as Abyssinia, a name used for centuries to describe the region in the Horn of Africa, reflecting its ancient kingdoms and empires.
149
Which country was historically known as Serendib?
Answer:
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was called Serendib in ancient Arabic and Persian texts, a name linked to ‘serendipity.’ Unlike Maldives, India, or Bangladesh, Serendib was a historical name for Sri Lanka.
150
Which city was formerly known as Christiania?
Answer:
Oslo
Oslo was called Christiania (or Kristiania) from 1624 to 1925, named after King Christian IV. Unlike Bergen, Stavanger, or Trondheim, Christiania was Oslo’s historical name.