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
61
What is 'Received Pronunciation' (RP)?
Answer:
The standard accent of English in England, associated with the educated class
RP, often called 'BBC English' or 'The Queen's English', became the prestige accent of British English in the 19th and 20th centuries.
62
Which of these words is a 'loan translation' or calque (e.g., 'superman' from 'Ubermensch')?
Answer:
Masterpiece
A calque is a word translated literally from another language. 'Masterpiece' is a loan translation of the German 'Meisterstück' or Dutch 'meesterstuk'.
63
The distinction between 'thou' (informal) and 'you' (formal) was lost during which period?
Answer:
Early Modern English
By the end of the 17th century, 'thou' fell out of common usage in favor of the more polite (and plural) 'you', which eventually became the standard for all contexts.
64
The word 'robot' entered English in the 1920s from which language?
Answer:
Czech
The word comes from Karel Čapek's play 'R.U.R.', derived from the Czech word 'robota' meaning forced labor.
65
Who is credited with inventing over 1,700 words and phrases in the English language?
Answer:
William Shakespeare
Shakespeare adapted, borrowed, and invented thousands of words (e.g., 'eyeball', 'swagger', 'lonely') to fit his poetic needs.
66
Which of the following is a characteristic of 'Late Modern English' (1800–Present)?
Answer:
Massive expansion of vocabulary
Late Modern English is characterized by a huge increase in vocabulary due to the Industrial Revolution, technology, and globalization.
67
Which language contributed the words 'piano', 'opera', and 'balcony'?
Answer:
Italian
Italian contributed heavily to the vocabulary of the arts, music, and architecture during the Renaissance and after.
68
In which century did the English language first reach the continent of North America?
Answer:
17th Century
English arrived with the establishment of permanent colonies like Jamestown (1607) and Plymouth (1620).
69
What does the term 'Standard English' typically refer to?
Answer:
The dialect used in government, education, and media
Standard English is the widely accepted form of the language used in formal communication, regardless of the speaker's regional accent.
70
The words 'kindergarten', 'noodle', and 'waltz' were borrowed from which language?
Answer:
German
These are relatively modern borrowings from German, reflecting cultural exchanges in education, food, and music.