Daily Quiz 17 June 2024

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Silk Road Economic Belt is a part of the Belt and Road Initiative, connecting China to Europe.Aims to enhance trade and economic cooperation by connecting China with Europe through Central Asia. Focuses on infrastructure development, including railways, highways, and energy pipelines.
• Pair 2 is correctly matched: The North-South Transport Corridor connects Russia to India, aiming to facilitate trade. A multi-modal transportation route connecting Russia, Iran, and India. Aims to reduce travel time and costs for cargo transport between India and Russia, bypassing the Suez Canal. Utilizes sea, rail, and road networks to facilitate trade.
• Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan to China’s Xinjiang region, not Beijing to Karachi. Part of the BRI, aiming to improve infrastructure and economic ties between China and Pakistan. Includes projects such as highways, railways, and energy developments.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: The Trans-African Highway network includes routes connecting Cape Town to Cairo.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Pair 1 is Correct: Ellesmere Island Ellesmere Island is located in the Arctic Ocean, to the north of the Canadian mainland, and is the third-largest island in Canada and the tenth-largest island in the world.
  • Ellesmere Island experiences a polar climate, with long, extremely cold winters and short, cool summers.
  • It was named after Francis Egerton, the Earl of Ellesmere.
• Pair 2 is Incorrect: Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, positioned northeast of Rameswaram (India) and southwest of Jaffna (Sri Lanka).
  • Historical Context:
    • Geological Origin: Katchatheevu emerged from a volcanic eruption in the 14th century, making it a geologically recent formation.
    • Early Control: Initially under the reign of the Jaffna kingdom (Sri Lanka) in the medieval period, it later came under the control of the Ramnad zamindari (India) in the 17th century.
    • British Era: Incorporated into the Madras Presidency during British rule, the island was subject to a territorial claim by both India and Sri Lanka in 1921, aiming to define fishing boundaries.
      • A survey temporarily designated it as part of Sri Lanka, a decision contested by a British delegation from India citing historical ownership by the Ramnad kingdom.
    • Resolution: The territorial dispute remained unresolved until 1974, when it was officially ceded to Sri Lanka by India.
  • The island lacks fresh water sources, making it unsuitable for permanent habitation.
  • St Anthony’s Church: The sole structure on the island, dating back to the early 20th century, where annual religious festivals attract pilgrims from both India and Sri Lanka.
• Pair 3 is Correct: The Galapagos Islands, spread over almost 60,000 sq km, are a part of Ecuador.
  • The Galápagos Islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1st natural sites) in 1978.
  • Its geographical location at the confluence of three ocean currents (Humboldt Current (or Peru Current), Panama Current and South Equatorial Current) makes it one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world.

Answer: D

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Speaker is the constitutional and ceremonial head of the House.
• According to Article 93, the speaker and deputy speaker are to be elected “as soon as may be” after the commencement of the House and is elected by a simple majority present and voting in the House.
• The Speaker’s term begins from the date of their election and continues until just before the first meeting of the next Lok Sabha (i.e. 5 years.)
• Removal: Article 94(1) states that the office of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha shall become vacant in the following circumstances:
  • If they cease to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
  • If they resign by writing under their hand addressed to the Deputy Speaker or, if there is no Deputy Speaker or the Deputy Speaker is also absent, to the President of India.
  • If they are removed from office by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha.
    • Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days’ advance notice.
    • When a resolution for the removal of the Speaker is under consideration of the House, he/she may be present at the sitting but not preside.
  • The Speaker or Deputy Speaker does not automatically vacate their office upon resignation from their political party or on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Their office can only be vacated by fulfilling the conditions mentioned in Article 94(1).
• Statement 2 is Incorrect: The concept of Leader/ Presiding Officer was introduced in the Government of India Act, 1919.
  • In the original 1919 law, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were called the president and vice-president.
  • The Government of India re-enacted in 1935, wherein the words president and vice-president were replaced by Speaker and Deputy Speaker. When the Constitution of India was formed after Independence, the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker were retained.
• Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Constitution of India does not explicitly state that the Speaker’s post goes to the majority party.
  • The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by the members of the Lok Sabha from among themselves.
  • While it has been a convention that the Speaker is generally chosen from the ruling party or alliance, this is not a constitutional requirement.

Answer: A

Explanation:

• Pair 1 is Correct: Baltimore is located in the northeastern part of the United States along the shores of the vast Chesapeake Bay.
  • State:
  • It is the biggest vehicle-handling port in the country.
  • The Patapsco River connects the Port of Baltimore to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
• Pair 2 is Incorrect: Rotterdam is situated in the western part of the Netherlands in the province of South Holland.
  • The city lies at the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt river delta at the North Sea.
  • Rotterdam is widely recognized for having one of the busiest and most important ports in the world.
• Pair 3 is Incorrect: Jebel Ali is situated to the southwest of Dubai (U.A.E), along the Persian Gulf coastline.
  • Port Jebel Ali is the most significant feature of the town, known as the largest man-made harbor in the world and one of the busiest ports globally.
  • It was officially opened in 1979.
  • It serves as a major hub for the import and export of goods in the Middle East and connects to over 150 ports worldwide.
  • Related Information:
    • Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA): Next to the port is the Jebel Ali Free Zone, one of the world’s largest free trade zones, established in 1985 to promote foreign investment.
      • The area offers businesses benefits like 0% corporate tax for 50 years, no personal income taxes, and exemption from import and export duties.
      • JAFZA is home to thousands of companies from over 100 countries, encompassing a wide array of sectors including manufacturing, trading, logistics, and distribution.

Answer: D

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is Correct: It is an intergovernmental organization established in 2009.
  • BRICS is an acronym that stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
  • The acronym “BRICS” was formulated by economist Jim O’Neill, of Goldman Sachs.
  • Members:
    • Originally it was just BRIC i.e. Brazil, Russia, India, China.
    • South Africa joined the group in 2010.
    • Additional members joined in 2023, including Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia.
  • Principles: BRICS partners’ relations are built on the basis of the UN Charter. They follow the recognized principles as well as international law’s norms.
    • All the member countries agreed to the following principles during their 2011 Summit. These principles are:
      • Solidarity
      • Openness
      • Pragmatism
      • Neutrality (regarding third parties)
      • Non-bloc nature
    • Functions:
      • Annual Summits: Since 2009, BRICS countries have held annual summits to discuss and coordinate their efforts, starting with the first summit in Yekaterinburg.
      • Significant Initiatives:
        • During the 2014 Fortaleza Summit, the New Development Bank (NDB) was established, and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) was set up to support financial stability.
          • The NDB has sanctioned approximately $8 billion for renewable energy and infrastructure projects within the BRICS nations.
          • Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA): The BRICS nations also established the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), a liquidity mechanism designed to support member countries facing payment difficulties.
        • BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism: BRICS grouping has also created the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism that provides Extending Credit Facility in Local Currency and the BRICS Exchanges Alliance.
        • BRICS countries in 2018 agreed upon a non-binding and voluntary Working Mechanism for identifying, preventing and eliminating technical barriers to trade with a view to facilitating trade and increasing mutual trade flows.
      • Statement 2 is Correct: The BRICS bloc now represents more than 45% of the world’s population and accounts for a larger share (nearly 36%) of global GDP than G7 countries (30%) when adjusting for purchasing power parity (PPP).
      • Statement 3 is Correct: Private wealth in China has seen a substantial increase of 92%, making it the residence of 862,400 millionaires.
        • This figure includes 2,352 centi-millionaires and 305 billionaires.
        • Following China, India ranks 2nd among the BRICS nations in terms of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), with 326,400 millionaires, including more than 1,000 centi-millionaires and 120 billionaires.

Over the last decade, India has experienced a significant 85% growth in wealth.