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
The 'Mabinogion' is a collection of prose stories from which mythology?
Answer:
Welsh
Though compiled in the medieval period, the Mabinogion contains the earliest prose stories of the literature of Britain, rooted in ancient Celtic mythology.
32
The 'Instructions of Ptahhotep' is an example of Egyptian:
Answer:
Wisdom Literature (Sebayt)
This text consists of maxims on good behavior, humility, and leadership written by a vizier for his son.
33
Who is the survivor of the Great Flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh?
Answer:
Utnapishtim
Gilgamesh seeks out Utnapishtim, who was granted immortality by the gods after surviving the deluge.
34
The 'Code of Hammurabi' is famous for:
Answer:
Its 'eye for an eye' legal statutes
While primarily a legal code, the prologue and epilogue are significant works of Babylonian literary prose.
35
The 'Voluspa' (Prophecy of the Seeress) describes what major event in Norse mythology?
Answer:
Ragnarok (The Twilight of the Gods)
It is the first and most famous poem of the Poetic Edda, detailing the creation of the world and its eventual destruction.
36
Which Biblical book addresses the problem of evil and the suffering of the righteous?
Answer:
Job
The Book of Job is a masterpiece of ancient Hebrew wisdom literature, exploring why God permits suffering.
37
The 'Man'yoshu' is the oldest existing collection of poetry from:
Answer:
Japan
Compiled in the Nara period, the 'Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves' contains over 4,500 poems, mostly in the Tanka format.
38
The 'Tain Bo Cuailnge' (Cattle Raid of Cooley) is the central epic of which literary tradition?
Answer:
Old Irish (Ulster Cycle)
It tells the story of Queen Medb of Connacht's invasion of Ulster to steal the stud bull Donn Cuailnge, opposed by the hero Cú Chulainn.
39
Which ancient Japanese text chronicles the mythological origins of the Japanese islands and the imperial line?
Answer:
Kojiki
Completed in 712 AD, the Kojiki ('Records of Ancient Matters') is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan.
40
The 'Song of Songs' (Song of Solomon) in the Hebrew Bible is best described as:
Answer:
Lyric poetry celebrating love
Unlike other biblical texts, it does not mention God explicitly and focuses on the romantic dialogue between two lovers.