#41

The 'Umayyad Mosque' in Cordoba was later converted into a:

(a) Museum

(b) Synagogue

(c) Cathedral

(d) Library

Explanation: After the Reconquista, the Great Mosque of Cordoba was converted into a Catholic Cathedral (Mezquita-Catedral).

#42

The Mayan calendar system, which includes the complex Long Count, is characterized by its reliance on which mathematical concept?

(a) Decimal system (base 10)

(b) Quaternary system (base 4)

(c) Vigesimal system (base 20)

(d) Hexadecimal system (base 16)

Explanation: The **Mayan** civilization utilized a sophisticated number system based on the number **20** (vigesimal). This system was crucial for their extremely accurate and complex calendars, including the **Long Count**, which tracked time from a mythological starting date.

#43

Which of these structures from the Maya civilization served primarily as a massive, stepped platform for religious rituals and astronomical observation?

(a) Aqueduct

(b) Pyramid-temple

(c) Colosseum

(d) Ziggurat

Explanation: The Maya, as well as the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican cultures, built massive **pyramid-temples** (like El Castillo at Chichen Itza) that were used for religious ceremonies, sacrifices, and were often aligned with astronomical events. A Ziggurat is a stepped tower structure from Mesopotamia, while the Colosseum is Roman, and an aqueduct is an elevated waterway.

#44

In the early medieval Frankish kingdoms, the Mayor of the Palace held significant power. Which Mayor of the Palace defeated the Muslim forces at the Battle of Tours in 732 AD, halting their advance into Western Europe?

(a) Pepin the Short

(b) Charles Martel

(c) Charlemagne

(d) Clovis I

Explanation: Charles Martel, the grandfather of Charlemagne, was the de facto ruler of the Frankish kingdoms as the Mayor of the Palace. His victory at the Battle of Tours (or Poitiers) in 732 AD over an invading Umayyad army is considered a crucial moment in European history, stopping the Muslim expansion from the Iberian Peninsula.

#45

Who was the founder of the Umayyad Dynasty?

(a) Yazid I

(b) Marwan I

(c) Ameer Muawiyah (RA)

(d) Walid I

Explanation: Ameer Muawiyah (RA) founded the Umayyad Caliphate (بنو امیہ) in 661 AD, moving the capital from Kufa to Damascus.

#46

Which Ummayad Caliph is known as the 'Falcon of Andalus' (Saqr Quraish)?

(a) Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik

(b) Abd al-Rahman I

(c) Al-Hakam I

(d) Abd al-Rahman III

Explanation: Abd al-Rahman I escaped the Abbasid massacre and founded the Umayyad Emirate in Spain, earning the title Saqr Quraish (عقاب قریش).

#47

The 'Abbasid Revolution' which overthrew the Umayyads occurred in:

(a) 700 AD

(b) 750 AD

(c) 800 AD

(d) 850 AD

Explanation: The Abbasid Revolution culminated in the Battle of the Zab in 750 AD, leading to the fall of the Umayyads.

#48

Who is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations (as of 2024)?

(a) Ban Ki-moon

(b) Kofi Annan

(c) António Guterres

(d) Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Explanation: António Guterres of Portugal is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations. He assumed office on January 1, 2017.

#49

Who is the Secretary-General of SAARC as of 2024?

(a) Esala Weerakoon

(b) Amjad Hussain B. Sial

(c) Golam Sarwar

(d) Arjun Bahadur Thapa

Explanation: Md. Golam Sarwar of Bangladesh is the current Secretary-General of SAARC (assumed office in late 2023).

#50

Which country is the current Chair of SAARC (as of late 2024)?

(a) Pakistan

(b) India

(c) Nepal

(d) Sri Lanka

Explanation: Nepal hosted the last held summit (18th Summit) in 2014 and continues to hold the Chairmanship due to the cancellation of the 19th Summit.

#51

What was the ADB’s total financial commitment in 2024?

(a) $10 billion

(b) $24.3 billion

(c) $30 billion

(d) $48 billion

Explanation: In 2024, ADB committed $24.3 billion from its own resources, plus $14.9 billion in cofinancing, for development projects.

#52

Which sector received the largest share of ADB contracts in 2024?

(a) Education

(b) Energy

(c) Works (infrastructure)

(d) Health

Explanation: In 2024, contracts for works (infrastructure) represented the largest share of ADB’s 7,556 contracts due to high infrastructure costs.

#53

Which ADB initiative was launched in 2024 to address glacial melt in Central Asia?

(a) Glaciers to Farms

(b) Climate Resilience Fund

(c) Water Security Program

(d) Green Asia Initiative

Explanation: The Glaciers to Farms program, launched in 2024 with the Green Climate Fund, promotes sustainable water use and food security in Central Asia.

#54

Which city hosted the 2024 BRICS Summit?

(a) Johannesburg

(b) Kazan

(c) New Delhi

(d) Rio de Janeiro

Explanation: The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22–24, 2024, focusing on security and economic cooperation.

#55

What is the informal name for the expanded BRICS group since 2024?

(a) BRICS+

(b) BRICS Global

(c) BRICS Alliance

(d) BRICS Union

Explanation: The term 'BRICS+' is used informally to reflect the group’s expansion since 2024, including new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia.

#56

What percentage of global GDP does BRICS+ account for as of 2024?

(a) 25%

(b) 37.3%

(c) 45%

(d) 50%

Explanation: BRICS+, with its expanded membership, accounts for approximately 37.3% of global GDP (PPP), surpassing the G7’s share.

#57

What is a key criticism of BRICS’ expansion in 2024?

(a) Too few members

(b) Increased internal conflicts

(c) Lack of economic focus

(d) Western dominance

Explanation: The 2024 expansion introduced potential conflicts (e.g., Iran/Saudi Arabia, Egypt/Ethiopia), complicating consensus.

#58

Which country blocked Venezuela’s BRICS membership in 2024?

(a) China

(b) Brazil

(c) India

(d) Russia

Explanation: Brazil blocked Venezuela’s application in 2024 due to concerns over the disputed Venezuelan elections and ongoing diplomatic tensions.

#59

Which countries were invited as partner states at the 2024 Kazan Summit?

(a) Algeria, Belarus, Cuba, others

(b) Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Turkey

(c) Mexico, Nigeria, Vietnam

(d) India, China, Russia

Explanation: At the 2024 Kazan Summit, 13 countries, including Algeria, Belarus, and Cuba, were invited as partner states.

#60

Which country withdrew from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly in 2024?

(a) Ukraine

(b) Moldova

(c) Azerbaijan

(d) Belarus

Explanation: Moldova withdrew from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly in 2024 and has been gradually suspending its participation in various CIS agreements due to shifting political priorities toward the EU.

May 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions