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
11
Who commanded the United States Exploring Expedition (1838–1842) that confirmed Antarctica as a continent?
Answer:
Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes surveyed the coast of Antarctica (Wilkes Land) and proved it was a continent, not just ice fields.
12
Who led the first expedition to overwinter on the Antarctic mainland?
Answer:
Carsten Borchgrevink
Borchgrevink's Southern Cross Expedition (1898–1900) was the first to spend a winter on the Antarctic continent.
13
Who was the Russian merchant who traveled to India in the 15th century and documented his journey?
Answer:
Afanasy Nikitin
Nikitin authored 'The Journey Beyond Three Seas', describing his travels in India before the Portuguese arrived.
14
Who was the medieval Jewish traveler whose journals provide a detailed description of the world in the 12th century?
Answer:
Benjamin of Tudela
Benjamin of Tudela traveled from Spain to the Middle East, predating Marco Polo, and described Jewish communities across the known world.
15
Which Chinese diplomat and explorer is credited with opening the Silk Road?
Answer:
Zhang Qian
Zhang Qian's missions to Central Asia in the 2nd century BC opened up China to trade and contact with the West.
16
Who was the Carthaginian navigator who explored the west coast of Africa as far as modern Gabon?
Answer:
Hanno the Navigator
Hanno led a fleet of 60 ships to colonize and explore the West African coast around 500 BC.
17
Which ancient Greek explorer is credited with being the first to circumnavigate Britain and describe the Arctic?
Answer:
Pytheas
Pytheas of Massalia traveled to Britain and described a frozen land to the north called 'Thule'.
18
Who was the Swedish explorer who mapped much of Central Asia and Tibet in the late 19th century?
Answer:
Sven Hedin
Sven Hedin produced the first detailed maps of vast areas of the Pamirs, Taklamakan Desert, and Tibet.
19
Who led the expeditions to the Gobi Desert that discovered the first fossilized dinosaur eggs?
Answer:
Roy Chapman Andrews
Roy Chapman Andrews, a possible inspiration for Indiana Jones, led the Central Asiatic Expeditions for the American Museum of Natural History.
20
Which British explorer disappeared in the Amazon while searching for the 'Lost City of Z'?
Answer:
Percy Fawcett
Colonel Percy Fawcett vanished in 1925 along with his son while seeking an ancient civilization in Brazil.