May 2024 Edition
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May 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#21
Which country, already the largest consumer, has the **largest operational solar power capacity** (MWac) globally, leading by a massive margin in 2024?
(a) India
(b) United States
(c) Germany
(d) China
Explanation: 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.
#22
What is the global statistic for the **average number of women in national parliaments** (as of 2024)?
(a) Around $15\%$
(b) Around $27\%$
(c) Around $35\%$
(d) Around $50\%$
Explanation: The global average percentage of women in single or lower houses of national parliament reached approximately $27\%$ in 2024. While progress is steady, it is slow, and significant disparities remain.
#23
Which island in the Maldives faced flooding risks in 2024?
(a) Fuvahmulah
(b) Addu
(c) Gan
(d) Malé
Explanation: Malé, the capital island of the Maldives, faced increased flooding risks in 2024 due to rising sea levels, threatening its low-lying coral atoll structure and dense population.
#24
What is the term for a volcano that has not erupted recently but may do so in the future?
(a) Dormant
(b) Active
(c) Fumarole
(d) Extinct
Explanation: A dormant volcano has not erupted in recent history but retains the potential for future activity, distinguishing it from active or extinct volcanoes.
#25
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed in 2024 after being struck by which container ship?
(a) Ever Given
(b) Dali
(c) Cosco Busan
(d) Maersk Alabama
Explanation: The container ship 'Dali' lost power and struck a support pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, causing a total collapse of the main spans.
#26
Which 2024 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula on New Year's Day?
(a) Japan
(b) Indonesia
(c) Taiwan
(d) Chile
Explanation: A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Japan on January 1, 2024, causing significant damage and a tsunami.
#27
Which desert experienced significant flooding due to rare rainfall in 2024?
(a) Sahara Desert
(b) Atacama Desert
(c) Arabian Desert
(d) Thar Desert
Explanation: In 2024, parts of the Sahara Desert, particularly in Morocco and Algeria, experienced rare heavy rainfall, causing unprecedented flooding in typically arid regions, highlighting climate variability.
#28
Which strait in Malaysia faced armed robbery incidents in 2024?
(a) Singapore Strait
(b) Johor Strait
(c) Malacca Strait
(d) Tebrau Strait
Explanation: The Malacca Strait reported four armed robbery incidents in 2024, targeting bulk carriers’ engine spares, underscoring ongoing security challenges despite reduced piracy.
#29
Which strait in the Red Sea was a focus of Houthi attacks in 2024?
(a) Perim Strait
(b) Strait of Tiran
(c) Gubal Strait
(d) Bab-el-Mandeb
Explanation: Bab-el-Mandeb, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, faced Houthi attacks on shipping in 2024, disrupting trade routes and raising global security concerns.
#30
What is the ancient Mayan city in Mexico known for its El Castillo pyramid?
(a) Chichén Itzá
(b) Tulum
(c) Palenque
(d) Uxmal
Explanation: **Chichén Itzá**, located in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, is a New Seven Wonder famous for its prominent structure, the **Temple of Kukulkan**, commonly known as **El Castillo**. This ancient city was a major hub of Mayan civilization and features other important ruins like the Great Ball Court.
#31
Who established the Umayyad Dynasty?
(a) Marwan I
(b) Yazid I
(c) Ameer Muawiya (R.A)
(d) Walid I
Explanation: Ameer Muawiya (R.A) founded the Umayyad Dynasty in 661 CE after the end of the Rashidun Caliphate, moving the capital to Damascus.
#32
The 'Mayflower Compact' (1620) was an early example of:
(a) A declaration of war
(b) Self-government in the English colonies
(c) A trade agreement with Native Americans
(d) A constitution for Canada
Explanation: Signed by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, it established a crude government based on majority rule for the Plymouth Colony.
#33
The 'May Fourth Movement' (1919) in China was a protest against:
(a) The Qing Dynasty
(b) The Treaty of Versailles
(c) Communist Rule
(d) The Cultural Revolution
Explanation: Students gathered in Beijing to protest the Treaty of Versailles, which transferred German concessions in Shandong to Japan instead of returning them to China.
#34
The expansion of BRICS in 2024 included invitations to which countries?
(a) Canada, Mexico, Australia
(b) Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia
(c) Japan, South Korea, Philippines
(d) Germany, France, Italy
Explanation: The summit in Johannesburg invited these nations (plus Argentina, who declined) to join, significantly expanding the bloc's influence in the Middle East and Africa.
#35
Mayotte is an overseas department of France claimed by:
(a) Madagascar
(b) Comoros
(c) Seychelles
(d) Mauritius
Explanation: Comoros claims Mayotte as one of its islands, but Mayotte voted to remain French in referendums.
#36
Who founded the Umayyad Dynasty?
(a) Marwan I
(b) Yazid I
(c) Ameer Muawiya (R.A)
(d) Abdul Malik
Explanation: Ameer Muawiya (R.A) established the Umayyad Caliphate in 661 CE following the assassination of Hazrat Ali and the abdication of Hazrat Hasan.
#37
What was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate?
(a) Madina
(b) Kufa
(c) Damascus
(d) Baghdad
Explanation: The Umayyads established Damascus (in Syria) as their imperial capital.
#38
Which Umayyad Caliph constructed the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem?
(a) Muawiya I
(b) Abdul Malik bin Marwan
(c) Walid I
(d) Hisham
Explanation: Abdul Malik bin Marwan commissioned the construction of the Dome of the Rock, completed around 691 CE.
#39
The Abbasid Revolution which overthrew the Umayyads was led by:
(a) Abu Muslim Khorasani
(b) Tariq bin Ziyad
(c) Salahuddin Ayyubi
(d) Hulagu Khan
Explanation: Abu Muslim Khorasani was the key general and propagandist who rallied support in Khorasan to overthrow the Umayyads in 750 CE.
#40
Which Spanish city was known as the 'Ornament of the World' under the Umayyads?
(a) Seville
(b) Toledo
(c) Granada
(d) Cordoba
Explanation: Under the Umayyad Caliphate, Cordoba became one of the most advanced and populous cities in the world, known for its Great Mosque and libraries.