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
211
What was the colonial name of Ghana?
Answer:
Gold Coast
Ghana was known as the Gold Coast during British colonial rule, named for its gold resources, until independence in 1957. Unlike Ivory Coast, Slave Coast, or Grain Coast, Gold Coast was specific to Ghana.
212
Which place was historically known as Formosa?
Answer:
Taiwan
Taiwan was called Formosa by Portuguese explorers, meaning ‘beautiful island,’ until the 20th century. Unlike Hong Kong, Macau, or Singapore, Formosa was the historical Western name for Taiwan.
213
What is the new name of Loro Sae?
Answer:
Timor-Leste
Loro Sae, meaning ‘rising sun’ in Tetum, was a proposed name during East Timor’s independence movement, officially becoming Timor-Leste in 2002. Unlike Papua New Guinea, Fiji, or Vanuatu, Loro Sae was linked to Timor-Leste.
214
Which place is now called Kalaallit Nunaat in its native language?
Answer:
Greenland
Greenland is called Kalaallit Nunaat in the Inuit language, reflecting its indigenous identity. Unlike Iceland, the Faroe Islands, or Svalbard, Kalaallit Nunaat is the modern native name for Greenland.
215
What was the former name of Suriname?
Answer:
Dutch Guiana
Suriname was known as Dutch Guiana during Dutch colonial rule until independence in 1975. Unlike French Guiana, British Guiana (Guyana), or the fictional Portuguese Guiana, Dutch Guiana was Suriname’s colonial name.
216
Which country was once named Congo?
Answer:
Zaire
Zaire was the name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1971 to 1997 under Mobutu’s regime. Unlike Angola, Gabon, or Rwanda, Congo was renamed Zaire before reverting to its current name.
217
What was the previous name of Oslo, Norway’s capital?
Answer:
Christiania
Oslo was known as Christiania (or Kristiania) from 1624 to 1925, named after King Christian IV. Unlike Bergen, Trondheim, or Stavanger, Christiania was the historical name for Oslo.
218
Which country was formerly known as Ceylon?
Answer:
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was called Ceylon under British colonial rule until 1972, when it adopted its current name. Unlike Maldives, Nepal, or Bhutan, Ceylon was the colonial name for Sri Lanka.
219
What was the old name of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital?
Answer:
Lykomoma
Colombo was historically called Lykomoma, though this is less commonly known, with Kolamba also used in ancient times. Unlike Jaffna, Galle, or Kotte, Lykomoma is cited as an old name in historical contexts for Colombo.
220
Which country was previously called British Guiana?
Answer:
Guyana
Guyana was known as British Guiana during British colonial rule until independence in 1966. Unlike Belize, Suriname, or Barbados, which had different colonial names, British Guiana was specific to Guyana.