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 number of people worldwide suffering from **undernourishment** (chronic hunger) is concentrated primarily in which two regions?
Answer:
South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
While food insecurity is a global issue, the largest numbers of chronically hungry people are found in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, often exacerbated by conflict and climate change.
32
Which country, already the largest consumer, has the **largest operational solar power capacity** (MWac) globally, leading by a massive margin in 2024?
Answer:
China
China dominates the solar sector, holding both the largest operational solar capacity (over $440,000$ MWac) and the largest prospective pipeline, far exceeding the combined capacity of the next few largest markets.
33
What is the global **replacement fertility rate** (TFR) required for a population to maintain its size over the long term?
Answer:
2.1 children per woman
The replacement fertility rate is slightly above $2.0$ ($2.1$ is the accepted figure) to account for natural mortality and the imbalance in the sex ratio at birth, ensuring each generation replaces itself.
34
The global trend of **deforestation** is currently highest in which major region?
Answer:
South America (Amazon Basin)
The Amazon rainforest in South America, primarily within Brazil, continues to experience the highest rates of net annual forest loss globally, driven mainly by cattle ranching and agriculture.
35
Which country is projected to become the world's **third most populous country** shortly before 2050, surpassing the United States?
Answer:
Nigeria
Due to high and sustained fertility rates, Nigeria is projected by the UN to overtake the United States as the world's third most populous country by mid-century.
36
What is the largest category of **e-waste** (discarded electronic equipment) generated globally by weight?
Answer:
Large equipment (e.g., washing machines, fridges)
Large equipment (like household appliances) makes up the largest category of e-waste by total weight, despite small items like phones being more numerous.
37
Which region currently accounts for the largest proportion of people living in **extreme poverty** (under $2.15$ per day)?
Answer:
Sub-Saharan Africa
While poverty exists globally, over two-thirds of the world's population living in extreme poverty is concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, a proportion that has been rising in recent years due to slow growth and fragility.
38
Which country currently generates the highest total volume of **renewable electricity** (TWh) in the world?
Answer:
China
China leads the world in renewable electricity generation, particularly in hydroelectric and solar power. In 2023, China produced nearly a third of all global renewable electricity.
39
The UN projects the world population will reach approximately how many billion people by the year 2050?
Answer:
9.8 billion
United Nations projections estimate the world population will rise from the current $8.1$ billion to approximately $9.8$ billion by 2050, primarily driven by growth in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
40
The World Bank's International Poverty Line is currently set at surviving on less than how much per day (in 2017 PPP dollars)?
Answer:
$2.15
The World Bank currently defines **extreme poverty** using the International Poverty Line (IPL) of living on less than $2.15$ per person per day (based on 2017 Purchasing Power Parity, or PPP). This metric is used to track SDG 1 (No Poverty).