Learn 87 questions from SSC MTS 2024 Shift 3

SSC MTS 2024 Shift 3 Questions

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Mamluk Dynasty and Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque</h3><ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);"><li>The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, a significant architectural landmark in Delhi, was commissioned by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate.</li><li>Qutb-ud-din Aibak belonged to the Mamluk dynasty, also known as the Ghulam dynasty. This dynasty ruled from 1206 to 1290 AD.</li><li>Construction of the mosque began around 1197 AD, during the reign of Qutb-ud-din Aibak. It is considered one of the earliest examples of Islamic architecture in India.</li><li>The name 'Quwwat-ul-Islam' translates to 'The Might of Islam'.</li><li>The mosque was built using materials from demolished 27 Hindu and Jain temples. This is evident from the carvings and architectural styles that can be observed in the structure.</li><li>The initial construction primarily included the main prayer hall. Later rulers, including Iltutmish and Alauddin Khalji, made additions and expansions to the complex.</li><li>The iconic Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was also started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and completed by his successor Iltutmish, and is located adjacent to the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.</li><li>The Mamluk dynasty laid the foundation for Islamic rule in North India, and their architectural contributions, like the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, are crucial for understanding the history of medieval India.</li></ul>

Functional segments of DNA are called genes.

The chromatin material gets organised into rod-shaped chromosomes only when the cell is about to divide.

Chromosomes are composed of DNA and carbohydrates.

DNA molecules contain the information necessary for constructing and organising cells.

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Parliamentary System in India</h3>
India follows a Parliamentary System of executive governance. This system is largely borrowed from the British model.
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Key Features of the Indian Parliamentary System:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Real Executive vs. Nominal Executive: The President of India is the nominal head of the state (like the British monarch), while the Prime Minister (PM) is the real executive head.</li>
 <li>Council of Ministers: The PM leads the Council of Ministers, which is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament).</li>
 <li>Leadership of the Prime Minister: The PM is the chief executive and the leader of the government.</li>
 <li>Majority Rule: The political party or coalition that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha forms the government.</li>
 <li>Accountability to Legislature: The executive (Council of Ministers) is accountable to the legislature (Lok Sabha). This means ministers can be questioned and even removed by a vote of no confidence.</li>
 <li>Fusion of Powers: There is a fusion of executive and legislative powers, as ministers are often members of Parliament.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Distinction from Presidential System:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>In contrast, a Presidential System (like in the USA) has a clear separation of powers between the executive and legislature. The President is both the head of state and head of government, and is not accountable to the legislature in the same way.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Constitutional Basis:</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>While Article 74 of the Indian Constitution states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President, and Article 75 deals with the appointment and responsibilities of ministers, the parliamentary form of government is largely established through convention and practice, not explicitly detailed as a "system" in the Constitution itself.</li>
</ul>

Both Parliamentary and Presidential System

Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers and East Coast Canal

The Brahmaputra river between Sadiya and Dhubri

Godavari and Krishna rivers along with Kakinada Puducherry

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">The Irani Cup: A First-Class Cricket Fixture</h3>
The Irani Cup is a prominent first-class cricket tournament in India, traditionally contested between two teams.
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Contestants</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li>Ranji Trophy Champions: The team that wins the premier domestic first-class cricket championship of India, the Ranji Trophy, automatically qualifies for the Irani Cup.</li>
<li>Rest of India XI: This team is a select XI composed of the best players from Indian domestic cricket who did not represent the Ranji Trophy champions. It is often seen as a platform to showcase emerging talent and provide a challenge to the Ranji champions.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Historical Significance</h4>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
<li>The Irani Cup was introduced in the 1959-60 season by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to commemorate the country's 25th year in international cricket.</li>
<li>It is named after Z R Irani, a former president of the BCCI.</li>
<li>The competition has a rich history and has often served as a curtain-raiser for the Indian domestic cricket season.</li>
</ul>
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Format</h4>
The Irani Cup is played as a multi-day match, typically a five-day game, following the format of traditional first-class cricket. It tests the endurance and skill of both teams.
<h4 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Recent Developments</h4>
While historically a significant fixture, the frequency and format of the Irani Cup have seen some changes in recent years, with its scheduling sometimes being affected by the international cricket calendar.

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002-2007) Objectives</h3>

<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>The Tenth Five-Year Plan, spanning from 2002 to 2007, set ambitious economic and social development goals for India.</li>
 <li>A primary objective was to reduce the poverty ratio by 5 percentage points from the existing level by the end of the plan period (2007). This aimed to lift a significant portion of the population out of poverty.</li>
 <li>The plan also focused on increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate to 8% per annum.</li>
 <li>Key targets included:</li>
 <ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Reducing the gender gap in literacy rates by at least 50% by 2007.</li>
 <li>Increasing the forest and tree cover to 25% by 2007.</li>
 <li>Ensuring access to drinking water in all villages by 2007.</li>
 <li>Improving the sex ratio in the age group 0-6 years to 935 by 2007 and to 950 by 2012.</li>
 </ul>
 <li>The plan emphasized the need for economic reforms and structural adjustments to achieve sustainable growth and improve the quality of life.</li>
</ul>

<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Padma Shri Awardee: Arjun Singh Dhurve</h3>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Arjun Singh Dhurve was conferred the Padma Shri award in 2022.</li>
 <li>The award recognized his profound contributions to the Baiga folk-dance form.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">About Baiga Dance</h3>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Baiga is a prominent tribal dance form primarily performed by the Baiga tribe in central India, particularly in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.</li>
 <li>This dance is an integral part of the Baiga tribe's cultural and social life, performed during festivals, harvests, and other significant occasions.</li>
 <li>There are various forms of Baiga dances, each with its unique rhythm, steps, and significance. Some common forms include:<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>Karma Dance: Performed during the Karma festival.</li>
 <li>Saila Dance: A vigorous dance involving sticks.</li>
 <li>Gendi Dance: Performed on stilts.</li>
 </ul>
 </li>
 <li>The dance often depicts aspects of nature, agricultural activities, and tribal folklore.</li>
 <li>The costumes and adornments used in Baiga dances are traditional and reflect the indigenous artistry of the tribe.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">Padma Awards Significance</h3>
<ul style="color: rgb(255,255,255);">
 <li>The Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honours in India.</li>
 <li>They are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (for distinguished service of a high order), and Padma Shri (for distinguished service in any field).</li>
 <li>The Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in India, following the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Bhushan.</li>
 <li>These awards are given annually by the Government of India to recognize achievements in various fields, including arts, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.</li>
</ul>

The Error: The original phrase "were lies" is grammatically incorrect. "Lies" is a present-tense verb (third-person singular), and it cannot be used with the auxiliary verb "were."

The Correction: To describe something in a state of being in a flat position, we use the verb lie.

Since the sentence uses "were" (past tense auxiliary), we need the present participle (lying) to form the Past Continuous Tense.

Structure: Subject + were + verb-ing (The keys + were + lying).

Confusion Alert (Lie vs. Lay):

Lie: To be in a flat position (Intransitive—doesn't need an object). The keys lie there.

Lay: To put something down (Transitive—needs an object). You lay the keys down.

Because the keys are doing the action themselves, lying is the correct form.

Meaning of the Idiom: The phrase "Cock of the walk" refers to someone who dominates a group or thinks they are the most important person in a particular circle. It originates from the behavior of a dominant rooster (cock) in a farmyard (walk).

Why the others are incorrect:

A bone of contention (Incorrect): Refers to a subject or issue over which there is a continuing disagreement.

A man of his words (Incorrect): Refers to a person who keeps their promises and is reliable.

A white elephant (Incorrect): Refers to a possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain.

Contextual Fit: The sentence describes people who find themselves "dominating" others in a group, which perfectly matches the definition of being the "Cock of the walk."

Grammar Rule (Superlative Degree): The sentence is comparing "The Tube" against the entire transport network of London. When comparing one thing to all others in its group (three or more), we must use the superlative degree.

The Structure: For long adjectives like "expensive," the superlative is formed by adding "the most" before the word.

Why others are incorrect:

expensive (Positive): Used to describe one thing without comparison (e.g., "The Tube is expensive").

the expensive: Grammatically incomplete; the word "most" is required for comparison.

more expensive (Comparative): Used only when comparing two specific things (e.g., "The Tube is more expensive than the bus").

Sentence Flow: "The underground railway network... is said to be the most expensive transport in London."

Contextual Logic: The passage describes a repeated or habitual action in the past (whenever his car stopped, people greeted him).

Grammar Rule: In English, the modal verb "would" is used to describe habitual actions in the past. It functions similarly to "used to."

Example: "When I was young, I would play in the park every day."

Contextual Logic: The sentence describes two actions happening at the same time: the people waving/smiling and the man passing by them in his car.

Grammar Rule: In this context, "as" functions as a conjunction meaning "while" or "at the time that." It connects the action of the people (waved and smiled) with the timing of his movement (he passed).

Contextual Logic: The passage refers to "Governmental red tape." Red tape is an idiom for excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules. In this context, the sentence is describing any type, kind, or manifestation of these bureaucratic rules.

Word Usage: The word "form" fits perfectly here as it means a particular way in which something exists or appears (e.g., "any form of paperwork" or "any form of bureaucracy").

Contextual Logic: The passage mentions the "Customs" office and "Governmental red tape." Customs officers have the legal authority to seize or take away goods that they believe violate rules (in this case, on the "curious ground that they were merchandise").

Word Meaning: "Confiscated" means to take or seize someone's property with authority. This fits the scenario of a government department (Customs) holding onto personal luggage.

Contextual Logic: In the final sentence, the Mother is talking to Spiro to explain the situation regarding their missing luggage. When you give someone information or tell them the details of a specific problem, you tell them about it.

Grammar Rule: The verb "tell" (in this case, "told") is often followed by a preposition to indicate the subject of the conversation.

Structure: Tell someone + about + the subject.

• The word Entertainment is misspelled as "Entertenment." 
• The correct spelling uses 'ai' in the third syllable: E-n-t-e-r-t-a-i-n-m-e-n-t.

• Word: Jeopardy (Danger of loss, harm, or failure).

Antonym: Safety (The condition of being protected from danger).

Mighty means powerful; Strict means demanding obedience.

• Word: Gracious (Courteous, kind, and pleasant).

Antonym: Rude (Lacking manners; discourteous).

Keen means sharp or eager; Mythical means based on myths.

• Sliding fits the context of "effortless" movement and "practiced ease."

• Dawdling means moving slowly/wasting time; Kindling relates to starting a fire.

• Word: Venom (In this context, it means extreme malice, bitterness, or spite).

• Antonym: Benevolence (The quality of being well-meaning; kindness).

• The sentence describes a cause-and-effect relationship. 
• A school's success depends on (relies on) its resources.

• The word Tranquil (meaning calm and peaceful) is spelled with a single 'l' at the end. 
• "Tranquill" with a double 'l' is sometimes used in British English for derivative forms (like tranquillity), but the standard adjective form in this context is Tranquil.

• This is a subject-verb agreement error.
• With the first-person singular pronoun I, the base form of the verb is used in the simple present tense.

Correction: It should be "I reach his home."

• Idiom: All in the same boat.

• Meaning: Being in the same difficult circumstances as others.

When everyone is dealing with the same situation

When everyone has to start all over again

When everybody is travelling in the same vehicle

• This requires the past tense of the transitive verb to lay (meaning to put something down).
• Lay (Present) >Laid (Past)> Laid (Past Participle).
• "Lies" or "Lain" come from the verb to lie (to recline), which does not take an object like "keys."

• Error: "absolutely best than"

• When the word than is used, we must use the comparative degree of the adjective. "Best" is the superlative degree.

• Correction: "absolutely better than."

• Error: "fell into the enemy"

• The phrasal verb "fell into" is incorrect here. To attack or encounter an enemy, one might use "fell upon" or simply "fought."
•  "Fell into" usually implies falling into a hole or a trap.

• * Forth: Onward or out into view (e.g., "come forth").

Role: The part played by a person in a particular situation.

"Fourth" refers to the number 4, and "Roll" refers to a list or a cylinder.

• Surendra Nath Banerjee, along with Ananda Mohan Bose, founded the Indian Association in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1876.

• This organization was established as an answer to the Indian Councils Act of 1861, which was considered insufficient by educated Indians.

• This autobiography chronicles the life and career of the legendary Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt, widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time.

• Published in 2016, the book offers an inside look into Bolt's journey from his humble beginnings in Sherwood Content, Trelawny, Jamaica, to becoming a global sports icon.

• John Newlands proposed his Law of Octaves in 1865, arranging known elements in order of increasing atomic weight.

• He observed that every eighth element, when arranged this way, showed similar physical and chemical properties to the first element in that series. This was analogous to the octave in music.

• Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the traditional New Year for Maharashtrians and is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar.

• It typically falls in March or April of the Gregorian calendar.

• The Battle of Haldighati was a significant conflict fought on June 18, 1576, between the Mughal Empire and the forces of Mewar.

• Raja Man Singh of Amber, a trusted general of Emperor Akbar, was appointed to lead the Mughal army.

• This article safeguards the right of citizens residing in any part of India who have a distinct language, script, or culture to conserve the same.

• It prohibits discrimination by the State against any citizen in the matter of admission into any educational institution maintained by the State or receiving aid out of State funds, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, or language.

• The first-ever Khelo India Para Games were held in New Delhi from December 10-17, 2023.

• These games were organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

• Arid/Semi-arid Region Lakes: These lakes are typically formed in regions with high evaporation rates and low rainfall. Water from rivers or groundwater accumulates in depressions, and as water evaporates over time, the dissolved salts become concentrated, leading to the formation of saltwater lakes. Examples include Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan), Lonar Lake (Maharashtra - though debated, often considered saline), and the Rann of Kutch salt pans (Gujarat).

A tax system where the tax rate increases as the taxable amount or income increases is known as progressive taxation.

• Harivansh Narayan Singh, a member of the Janata Dal (United) party, has served as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

• He was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2014 and re-elected in 2020.

• In October 2023, Indrasena Reddy Nallu was appointed as the Governor of Tripura.

• This appointment was part of a larger reshuffling of gubernatorial positions in several Indian states.

• Born in 1915, Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma was a legendary Indian dancer and choreographer, primarily known for her contributions to Mohiniyattam.

• She was a disciple of the renowned Guru Vaikuntam Divakaran Nambisan.

major iron ore belts in India are:

• Odisha: Known for high-grade hematite ores, particularly in the Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts. The Gua and Barajamda areas are also important.

• Jharkhand: Rich deposits are found in the Noamundi and Gua regions of the Singhbhum district.

• Chhattisgarh: Major production comes from the Bailadila range in the Dantewada district and the Dalli-Rajhara range.

• Karnataka: The Sandur-Hospet region in Bellary district and the Chikmagalur district are key producing areas.

• Goa: Significant production, primarily exported through Mormugao port.

• Madhya Pradesh: While iron ore is found, it is not a primary producing region compared to the others. Deposits exist in Jabalpur and Rewa districts.

• Maharashtra: The Ratnagiri district has some iron ore deposits, but it is not a major production hub for iron ore in India.

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