Important G.K. & Current Affairs Quiz – 21st December 2018

Correct Answer – B. December 18

Explanation: The Arabic language is a pillar of the cultural diversity of humanity. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, used daily by more than 290 million people. World Arabic Language Day is celebrated every year on 18 December since 2012. The date coincides with the day in 1973 that the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Arabic as the sixth official language of the Organization. In the diversity of its forms, classic or dialectal, from oral expression to poetic calligraphy, the Arabic language has given rise to a fascinating aesthetic, in fields as varied as architecture, poetry, philosophy and song. It gives access to an incredible variety of identities and beliefs and its history reveals the richness of its links with other languages. Arabic has played a catalytic role in knowledge, promoting the dissemination of Greek and Roman sciences and philosophies to Renaissance Europe. It has enabled a dialogue of cultures along the silk roads, from the coast of India to the Horn of Africa.

Correct Answer – B. Vadodara

Explanation: Indian Railways opened the doors of India’s first railway university in Vadodara, Gujarat. It is the first of its kind institution in the nation and the third in the world after Russia and China. Named the Rail and Transportation Institution (NRTI), this deemed university will offer professional courses in technology and management of transportation networks. The chairman of Railways Board Ashok Lohani has been named the Vice Chancellor, whereas it will host visiting faculty from renowned institutions like XLRI School of Management and Indian Business School, Hyderabad, among others. The NRTI started operation on September 5 earlier this year.

The first batch of 103 students – 62 for BSc in Transportation Technology and 41 in BBA in Transportation Management – have already been shortlisted. Both courses are the flagship three-year programmes offered by the railway university. The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned Rs 421 crore for the NRTI and its curriculum development for the next five years. A greenfield campus is also under development to house the university. Indian Railways has identified a 110-acre plot of land at Pipaliya village in Waghodiya Taluka, District Vadodara for the NRTI campus.

Correct Answer – B. SK Dash

Explanation:  A fresh cadre review and restructuring of the Income Tax Department has been ordered by the government with an aim to create a “caring but strict” direct taxes regime in the country. The committee, chaired by Delhi-based Principal Director General of Income Tax, S K Dash, will also suggest ways to “bring about rationalisation of the organisational structure for enhancing the effectiveness of the department through improved efficiency and morale of its workforce.”

Correct Answer – C. Bihar

Explanation: Geographical Indications Registry at Chennai has granted GI tag to Silao Khaja, the traditional delicacy of Nalanda district of Bihar. Silao Khaja is known for its taste, crispness and multi-layered appearance which is attributed to local water and climate of Silao. The sweet consists of twelve to sixteen very thin dough-sheets placed over one another. The light yellow colour sweet has wheat-flour, sugar, maida, ghee, cardamom and aniseeds as ingredients.

Correct Answer – C. 108th

Explanation: India has been ranked 108th in World Economic Forum (WEF) gender gap index, same as 2017, while recording improvement in wage equality for similar work and fully closing its tertiary education gender gap for the first time. WEF also noted that India continues to rank third-lowest in the world on health and survival, remaining the world’s least-improved country on this subindex over the past decade. “In fact, India actually widens the gender gap on this subindex this year.”

Correct Answer – A. Sonam Kapoor

Explanation: Actress Sonam Kapoor, a vegan, has been named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s Person of the Year for 2018. Sonam has been feted as she sings in praise of vegan eating and because she keeps animal skins out of her handbag line for her fashion brand Rheson, apart from taking other action for the welfare of animals.

Correct Answer – A. Dwarf Planet In Solar System

Explanation: Scientists have discovered the most distant object known in our solar system, so remote and unusual they chose the nickname “Farout” for the slow-moving, icy, pinkish dwarf planet about 120 to 130 times further from the sun than Earth.

Correct Answer – B. Nepal

Explanation: Tulsi Giri, Nepal’s two-time prime minister and senior politician, passed away on Tuesday, according to family sources. He was 93. He died, after a prolonged battle with liver cancer, at his home in Budhanilkanta, on the outskirts of the Himalayan nation’s capital.

Correct Answer – C. Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Explanation: The Merriam-Webster dictionary has selected justice as its word of the year for 2018 – and it is an accurate choice for a tumultuous year in the US. According to the dictionary, the word of the year was chosen following an increasing and steady interest in the definition.

Correct Answer  – A. December 18

Explanation: December 18 marks the International Migrants Day. The 2018′s International Migrants Day titled “Migration with Dignity” recognizes that “treating every migrant with dignity is one of the fundamental requirements we face before anything else we attempt on migration.” Indeed, this inherent dignity must the foundational principle of human rights and criterion for evaluating laws, policies and government actions.