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
31
What was the formal date of CENTO's dissolution?
Answer:
March 16, 1979
Following the withdrawal of Iran and Pakistan, the organization was formally dissolved in March 1979.
32
Which country's invasion of Cyprus in 1974 weakened the cohesion of CENTO?
Answer:
Turkey
Turkey's invasion of Cyprus caused friction with the US (which imposed an arms embargo) and the UK (which withdrew some forces committed to CENTO), weakening the alliance.
33
What specific type of intelligence operation did the US conduct from Pakistan using CENTO cooperation?
Answer:
U-2 Spy Plane flights over the USSR
The US used the Badaber base near Peshawar, Pakistan, for U-2 reconnaissance flights over the Soviet Union, a benefit of the alliance relationships.
34
Who was the US Secretary of State largely responsible for orchestrating the alliances that led to CENTO?
Answer:
John Foster Dulles
John Foster Dulles was the architect of the 'Northern Tier' strategy, promoting a chain of alliances to contain the Soviet Union.
35
The Iranian Revolution of 1979 led to the withdrawal of which country, effectively ending CENTO?
Answer:
Iran
The overthrow of the Shah established an anti-Western Islamic Republic in Iran, leading to its immediate withdrawal and the subsequent dissolution of the alliance.
36
What was the status of the United Kingdom within CENTO?
Answer:
Full Member
The UK was a founding full member, seeking to maintain its influence in the Middle East following the decline of its empire.
37
Which major infrastructure project was completed under CENTO sponsorship to link Turkey and Iran?
Answer:
The Van-Sufian Railway
CENTO sponsored significant infrastructure to connect member states, including the railway linking Lake Van in Turkey to Sharafkhaneh (near Sufian) in Iran.
38
Which member state felt betrayed by CENTO during its 1965 and 1971 wars with India?
Answer:
Pakistan
Pakistan expected CENTO to provide military support against India. However, the US and UK maintained that the pact was solely for communist containment, not regional bilateral conflicts.
39
Which two alliance systems did CENTO geographically connect?
Answer:
NATO and SEATO
Pakistan was a member of SEATO, and Turkey was a member of NATO. CENTO filled the geographic gap between these two Western-aligned alliances.
40
Which event in 1958 precipitated the transformation of the Baghdad Pact into CENTO?
Answer:
The 14 July Revolution in Iraq
The 14 July Revolution overthrew the Iraqi Hashemite monarchy. The new republican government withdrew from the pact, forcing the organization to rename and relocate.