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

1. In which one of the following countries, did an ethnic violence between the communities of Hema and Lendu results in the death of hundreds of people? [2004]

(a) Democratic Republic of Congo
(b) Indonesia
(c) Nigeria
(d) Zambia

Correct Answer: (a) Democratic Republic of Congo

Solution:The ethnic violence between the communities of Hema and Lendu results in the death of hundred people in Democratic Republic of Congo.

2. Serbia was in the international news in the recent times for: [2004]

(a) harbouring terrorists associated with relegious fundamentalism
(b) supplying raw uranium to North Korea
(c) its long-running civil war killing or displacing thousands of people
(d) cultivation of drug-yielding crops and smuggling of drugs

Correct Answer: (c) its long-running civil war killing or displacing thousands of people

Solution:Serbia was in international news in recent times for its long running civil was killing or displacing thousands of people.

3. The reason for Chechnya to be in the news recently is: [2004]

(a) discovery of huge reserves of oil
(b) separatist rebellious activities by the local people
(c) continuous conflict between the government troops and the narcotic mafia resulting in a great loss of human life
(d) intense cold wave killing hundreds of people

Correct Answer: (b) separatist rebellious activities by the local people

Solution:The reason for Chechenya to be in the news recently is separatist rebellious activities of the local people against the Russian government.

4. The Prime Minister of which one of the following countries was assassinated in the year 2003? [2004]

(a) Czech Republic
(b) Romania
(c) Serbia
(d) Slovenia

Correct Answer: (c) Serbia

Solution:The Prime Minister of Serbia was assassinated in the year 2003.

5. More than 40 Heads of States/Governments were invited by Vladimir Putin in May, 2003 to: [2004]

(a) discuss the issues related to the rehabilitation of Iraq
(b) celebrate the tricentenary of the city of St. Petersburg
(c) convene a meeting of European and CIS countries to discuss the issue of missile shield for European and CIS countries
(d) develop the strategies for containing global terrorism

Correct Answer: (b) celebrate the tricentenary of the city of St. Petersburg

Solution:More than 40 head of State Government were invited by Vladimir Putin to celebrate the tricentenary of the city of St. Petersberg.

6. The research work of Paul Lauterbur and Peter Mansfield, the Nobel Prize winners for Medicine in 2003, relates to: [2004]

(a) the control of AIDS
(b) magnetic resonance imaging
(c) respiratory diseases
(d) genetic engineering

Correct Answer: (b) magnetic resonance imaging

Solution:The research work of Paul Lauterbur and Peter Mansfield, the Nobel Prize winners for medicine in 2003 relates to magnetic resonance imaging.

7. In 2003, Alison Richard took over as the first ever women Vice-Chancellor of: [2004]

(a) Oxford University
(b) Cambridge University
(c) Harward University
(d) Purdue University

Correct Answer: (b) Cambridge University

Solution:In 2003, Alison Richard took over as the first ever women Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University.

8. George W. Bush, the President of America, comes from which of the following American States? [2004]

(a) California
(b) Texas
(c) Virginia
(d) Indiana

Correct Answer: (b) Texas

Solution:George W. Bush, the President of America, comes from the American state of Texas.

9. Which of the following authors won the Booker Prize twice? [2004]

(a) Margaret Atwood
(b) J.M. Coetzee
(c) Graham Swift
(d) Ian McEwan

Correct Answer: (b) J.M. Coetzee

Solution:JM. Coetzee, a South African writer and scholar won the Booker Prize twice. He got his first Booker Prize in 1983 for his book "Life and times of Michael K" and got second Booker Prize in 1999 for his book "Disgrace" -a novel about life in post apartheid South Africa.

10. Shirin Ebadi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, is from: [2004]

(a) Iraq
(b) Nigeria
(c) Iran
(d) Libya

Correct Answer: (c) Iran

Solution:Shirin Ebadi is a lawyer from Iran and has contributed significantly for the democratisation of polity in Iran. She also participated in the world social forum held in Mumbai. She won Nobel Peace Prize in 2003.