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
1
The names of the days of the week in English (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) are derived from:
Answer:
Norse/Germanic Gods
They are named after Tyr, Woden (Odin), Thor, and Frigg (Freya), corresponding to the Roman Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus.
2
In the Hindu calendar, 'Diwali' (Festival of Lights) always falls on:
Answer:
A New Moon (Amavasya)
Diwali is celebrated on the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar month Kartik, which is the New Moon (Amavasya).
3
The Gregorian calendar was not immediately adopted by everyone. Which country adopted it as late as 1918?
Answer:
Russia
Russia continued using the Julian calendar until the Bolsheviks adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918.
4
Which of these is NOT an animal in the Chinese Zodiac?
Answer:
Cat
The Cat is not part of the standard Chinese Zodiac (though it appears in the Vietnamese Zodiac, replacing the Rabbit).
5
The 'Julian Date' (JD) used by astronomers is different from the Julian Calendar because:
Answer:
It counts days continuously from a distant past epoch without years or months.
The Julian Day count is a continuous count of days since the beginning of the Julian Period (4713 BC), used for easy calculation of elapsed time.
6
What determines the start of a month in the Islamic calendar?
Answer:
The sighting of the new crescent moon (Hilal)
Traditionally, Islamic months begin with the physical sighting of the new crescent moon, though some regions now use astronomical calculations.
7
In the Chinese Lunisolar calendar, the New Year usually falls between:
Answer:
January 21 and February 20
Chinese New Year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, placing it between Jan 21 and Feb 20.
8
What is the standard length of a week in the vast majority of world calendars?
Answer:
7 days
The 7-day week is a near-universal standard, likely originating from the Babylonians and the phases of the moon/seven visible celestial bodies.
9
Before 1582, the New Year in many European countries (using the Julian system) began on:
Answer:
March 25 (Lady Day)
Before the Gregorian reform and the subsequent administrative shifts, March 25 (Feast of the Annunciation) was a common New Year start date in Europe (e.g., England).
10
Which month is the fasting month in the Islamic calendar?
Answer:
Ramadan
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting.