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

Total Questions: 50

31. In the latter half of the year 2006, in which one of the following countries did a military coup take place? [2007]

(a) Cambodia
(b) Laos
(c) Thailand
(d) Vietnam

Correct Answer: (c) Thailand

Solution:In September 2006, the Thai military today launched a coup against the prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra and declared martial law across Thailand. The military also announced the formation of an interim regime as stated by the army commander in chief, Lieutenant General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

32. Near the end of the year 2006, which one of the following countries was suspended from the Commonwealth after a military coup? [2007]

(a) Kenya
(b) Myanmar
(c) Fiji
(d) Tanzania

Correct Answer: (c) Fiji

Solution:In December 2006, the Commonwealth suspended Fiji in protest against the military coup. Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, announced that he had taken control of the country against the Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase.

It is for the third time in 20 years that the Pacific nation has been suspended from Commonwealth of Nations because of military coup.

33. Who was Leander Paes's partner when he won Doubles Final in the US Open Tennis Tournament, 2006? [2007]

(a) Max Mirnyi
(b) Martin Damm
(c) Bob Bryan
(d) Mike Bryan

Correct Answer: (b) Martin Damm

Solution:Leander Paes of India partnered with Martin Damm of Czech Republic in final of the US open Doubles Tennis Tournament and defeated Swedish-Belarusian pair of Jonas Björkman and Max Mirnyi.

34. Which one of the following cities has been the venue of the Asian Games for the maximum number of times from the year 1951 to the year 2006? [2007]

(a) Delhi
(b) Bangkok
(c) Tokyo
(d) Beijing

Correct Answer: (b) Bangkok

Solution:Bangkok had hosted the Asian games four times; 1966, 1970, 1978 and 1998, the maximum times by any host city.

35. Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Prize winner from Kenya is known for her contribution to which one of the following? [2007]

(a) Journalism
(b) International economics
(c) Sustainable development
(d) Child development

Correct Answer: (c) Sustainable development

Solution:Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.

She became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1977 she started a grass-roots movement aimed at countering the deforestation that was threatening the means of subsistence of the agricultural population. The campaign encouraged women to plant trees in their local environments and to think ecologically.

Wangari Maathai (1940-2011) was the founder of the Green Belt Movement and the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. She authored four books: The Green Belt Movement; Unbowed: A Memoir, The Challenge for Africa; and Replenishing the Earth.

36. Cristina Kirchner succeeded her husband to become President of a South American country. Which is that country? [2008]

(a) Chile
(b) Argentina
(c) Colombia
(d) Venezuela

Correct Answer: (b) Argentina

Solution:Cristina Kirchner is the current President of Argentina and widow of former president Néstor Kirchner. She was sworn into a second term on 10 December 2011.

37. Consider the following statements: [2008]

1. Orange Prize is awarded to a work of published fiction in English by a woman.

2. Pulitzer Prize is awarded by the Commonwealth Foundation to a citizen of any Commonwealth country for any literary work in English.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 & 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only

Solution:The Orange prize also known as the Women's prize for fiction. The award is for writing by female authors in English. The Pulitzer Prize is awarded in different categories for achievements in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, literature, and musical composition in the United States. The Award is administered by Columbia University in New York City, as per provisions of Joseph Pulitzer's will.

38. In the year 2007, an earthquake led to massive radioactive water leakage in the largest nuclear plant in the world. In which country did it occur? [2008]

(a) Germany
(b) Canada
(c) Japan
(d) USA

Correct Answer: (c) Japan

Solution:In July 2007 the magnitude 6.8 earthquake (Niigata Chuetsu-Oki earthquake) occurred with epicentre only 16 km from Tepco's Kashiwazaki Kariwa 7965 MWe nuclear power plant. This earthquake in western Japan caused a fire and radiation leak at Kashiwazki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant.

39. Where was the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10) held? [2008]

(a) Davos
(b) Nova Scotia
(c) Johannesburg
(d) Shanghai

Correct Answer: (c) Johannesburg

Solution:Rio+10 was held in Johannesburg (South Africa) in 2002, as a sort of evaluation and follow-up on the implementation of the Rio-92 agreements.

40. Where was the first desalination plant in India to produce one lakh litres freshwater per day based on low temperature thermal desalination principle commissioned? [2008]

(a) Kavaratti
(b) Port Blair
(c) Mangalore
(d) Valsad

Correct Answer: (a) Kavaratti

Solution:World's first low temperature thermal desalination (LTTD) plant was set up by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Karavatti, Minicoy and Agatti.

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