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
51
What is the global average of years of schooling achieved by people aged 25 and over, a component of the HDI?
Answer:
8 years
According to UNDP data for the HDI, the global average of expected and achieved years of schooling is approximately **8 years** for the population aged 25 and over, though this varies drastically between countries.
52
Which statistical measure describes the probability of a person aged 15 dying before reaching age 60?
Answer:
Adult Mortality Rate
The **Adult Mortality Rate** (AMR) is the probability of a 15-year-old dying before reaching age 60, often expressed as a rate per 1,000 population. It is a key health indicator for assessing the adult health environment.
53
The wealthiest 1% of the world's population owns approximately what share of the world's total wealth?
Answer:
40% or more
Various reports on global wealth distribution consistently estimate that the top **1%** of the world's population controls over **40%** of the world's total wealth, highlighting extreme global inequality.
54
Which of the following is the leading cause of death globally?
Answer:
Ischemic Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)
**Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD)**, also known as coronary artery disease, is the single largest cause of death worldwide, followed by stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
55
The number of people living in urban areas exceeded the number living in rural areas globally in approximately what year?
Answer:
2007
The year **2007** is often cited as the historic milestone when, for the first time, more than 50% of the world's population lived in urban areas. This marked a major shift in global demographics.
56
The measure of inflation that includes volatile items like food and energy is called the:
Answer:
Headline CPI
The **Headline CPI** is the total measure of inflation for all goods and services, including the typically volatile categories of food and energy. The **Core CPI** excludes these volatile items to better measure underlying, long-term inflation trends.
57
Which country transitioned from being the world's most populous to the second most populous nation in 2023-2024?
Answer:
China
**China** was surpassed by India in 2023/2024 to become the world's second most populous nation. This shift is primarily due to China's decades of low fertility rates and India's continued population growth.
58
What is the largest commodity traded globally by volume?
Answer:
Crude Oil
Though often fluctuating in value, **Crude Oil (Petroleum)** is consistently the world's largest commodity traded by volume and is the most important commodity in international trade, underpinning global transportation and industrial energy needs.
59
Which index attempts to measure economic output that adjusts for purchasing power differences across countries to compare real income levels?
Answer:
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity - PPP)
**GDP (Purchasing Power Parity - PPP)** is a statistical adjustment that accounts for differences in the local buying power of currencies, providing a more accurate comparison of real economic output and living standards between countries than nominal GDP.
60
Approximately what percentage of the world's freshwater is available for human use (i.e., not locked up in glaciers, ice caps, or deep groundwater)?
Answer:
Less than 1%
While freshwater makes up about 3% of the world's water, the vast majority is trapped in ice caps and glaciers or is deep underground. Only **less than 1%** of the world's total water, and a tiny fraction of freshwater, is readily accessible for human consumption and agriculture (lakes, rivers, etc.).