International (Current Affairs – UPSC) (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

11. Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo and Jos Remos Horta who shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize are known for their work for the cause of: [1997]

(a) East Timor
(b) Gautemala
(c) Bosnia
(d) Burundi

Correct Answer: (a) East Timor

Solution:Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo and Jos Remos Horta are known for their work towards a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor. They were jointly awarded 1996 Nobel Peace Prize.

Nobel Prize is a prestigious prize awarded separately in six different fields "to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind". Originally, the prize was awarded in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. The Peace Prize was characterised as "to the person who has done the most or best to advance fellowship among nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and the establishment and promotion of peace congresses". Later in 1968, a sixth prize was added in the field of economic sciences. The Prize is officially not a Nobel Prize but it is called as "The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel". It was established by Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank).

12. Which one of the following countries had more or less evolved into a two-party system? [1996]

(a) Sri Lanka
(b) Bangladesh
(c) Pakistan
(d) Myanmar

Correct Answer: (b) Bangladesh

Solution:All the mentioned countries have more than two parties.

13. In which one of the following country will the no-confidence motion to bring down the government passed by the simultaneously a majority to elect successor government? [1997]

(a) France
(b) Germany
(c) Italy
(d) Portugal

Correct Answer: (b) Germany

Solution:This process is followed in Germany and known as Constructive vote of no-confidence motion.

14. Proportional representation is not necessary in a country where: [1997]

(a) there are no reserved constituencies
(b) a two-party system has developed
(c) the first past-post system prevails
(d) there is a fusion of presidential and parliamentary forms of government

Correct Answer: (b) a two-party system has developed

Solution:Political scientists speculate that proportional representation leads logically to multi-party systems, since it allows new parties to build a niche in the legislature.

15. In which one of the following countries are 75 percent of seats in both Houses of Parliament filled on the basis of first past-the post system and 25 percent on the basis of Proportional Representation system of elections? [1997]

(a) Germany
(b) Italy
(c) France
(d) Russia

Correct Answer: (b) Italy

Solution:In Italian Parliament, the dual system of representation is followed. In both the houses 1/3 of the seats are filled on the basis of first past-the post system and ¼ on the basis of proportional representation.

16. The economic and monetary union of 15 European countries is proposed to be made by 1999. But the currencies of two countries, franc, have already the same value and circulate freely in both the countries. The countries are: [1997]

(a) France and Switzerland
(b) Switzerland and Luxemburg
(c) Luxemburg and Belgium
(d) France and Belgium

Correct Answer: (c) Luxemburg and Belgium

Solution:Luxemburg and Belgium are the two countries where 'Franc' is the currency having same value and is in free circulation.

17. The meeting of G-15 countries held in Malaysia in 1997 was attended by: [1998]

(a) 14 member countries
(b) 15 members countries
(c) 16 member countries
(d) 17 member countries

Correct Answer: (c) 16 member countries

Solution:The G-15 meet of 1997 was held 3-5th November 1997 at Qualalmpur in Malayasia. Kenya was admitted as its 16th member but the organisation name will remain G-15.

18. According to the World Development Report, low income economics are those for which the per capita GNP in 1994 was: [1998]

(a) US $ 925 or less
(b) US $ 825 or less
(c) US $ 725 or less
(d) US $ 525 or less

Correct Answer: (c) US $ 725 or less

Solution:WDR or World Development Report is published by World Bank annually.

The World Bank's World Development Report, published annually since 1978, is an invaluable guide to the economic, social, and environmental state of the world today. Each report provides in-depth analysis and policy recommendations on a specific and important aspect of development-from agriculture, the role of the state, transition economies, and labor to infrastructure, health, the environment and poverty.

19. The recent Land Mines Conference to sign the historic treaty was held in the Capital city of: [1998]

(a) Canada
(b) Japan
(c) Sweden
(d) Zimbabwe

Correct Answer: (a) Canada

Solution:The historic treaty on land mines was signed on 3 to 5th December at the conference held ottawa, the capital of Canada. The Ottawa process banned landmines.

20. Nobel Prize in Economics for the year 1997 was awarded for contribution in the area of: [1998]

(a) International Economics
(b) Financial Economics
(c) Public Economics
(d) Development Economics

Correct Answer: (b) Financial Economics

Solution:The Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 1997 was awarded jointly to Robert C. Merton and Myron S.

Scholes "for a new method to determine the value of derivatives". Besides their valuation method, they have made signficant contibutions to finance economics.

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