Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in Current Affairs.

Watershed management is the study of the characteristics of a watershed. It helps to manage water quality, water supply, and drainage and rainwater flow. It also ensures sustainable maintenance planning of a watershed.

Benefits of a watershed management system:

(i) Water quality is strictly maintained.

(ii) Distribution of water is equal and sustainable.

(iii) Controlling the flow of rain water can help to protect the land in flood conditions.

1. Formation of water vapor from water is vaporation.

2. Disappearance of camphor is sublimation.

3. Conversion of ice into water is melting.

4. Conversion of water into steam is boiling.

Sustainable management of natural resources is necessary to sustain the resources for future generation and current basic needs of the population.
Reuse is a better practice because it can be done at household level with expense of energy. It does not cause pollution and is an eco-friendly practice.

Correct option is b. 9 (σ) and 3 (π) bonds

(i) Loss of forest cover prevents rainwater from seeping down the ground. 

(ii) Underground water is not recharged.

Two causes are:

(a) Loss of vegetation cover and dumping of urban was waste.

(b) Diversion for high water demanding crops and pollution from industrial effluents.

(i) Fossil fuels take millions of years in their formation, hence are exhaustible/need to be conserved to provide energy for a longer duration/sustainable development.

(ii) Walking short distance/use of public transport/where possible/ switch off unnecessary lights/repair of faulty water taps/use of efficient appliances/promotion of solar energy/any other correct option.

(iii) Concerned about natural resources/environment/assertive.

1. Yes, I can see my image on the spoon

2. The image appears to be big.

3. Image appears to be small.

4. The image appears to be upright from the reversed spoon

Given H = √3V ⇒ tanθ = \(\frac{V}{H}\) = \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\) 

⇒ Angle of dip, θ = tan^-1\(\Big(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\Big)\) = 30°

Value of vertical component of earth’s magnetic field at equator is - Zero

The answer is (b) Haemoglobinometer

BRO organisations constructs Border roads in India.

The answer is (b) ECG

Strategically important roads in the bordering areas of the country are called border roads. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) which is a Government of India undertaking constructs and maintains border roads. This organisation was established in 1960 for the development of the roads of strategic importance in the northern and northeastern border areas.

Border roads are important because they have improved accessibility in areas of difficult terrain. They have helped in the economic development of border areas.

This facility was started by the late by-then prime minister of India Atal Behari Vajpayee in the year 2000. Its objective was to provide good connectivity of roads between villages that were unconnected.

Forests created by the deliberate planting of saplings by human beings, as contrasted with wild and untamed natural jungles.

Ignatius Loyola led the Counter-Reformation. The Organization was the Society of Jesus.

The first ship to circumnavigate the world was the ‘Victoria’ and Ferdinand Magellan the Portuguese sailor, led this expedition.

Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan.

 1. Fall of Constantinople: The trade route between the. East and the West was through Constantinople and when in 1453 A.D. the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople, they closed the land route to the East and also indulged in looting the merchants. As the Europeans depended entirely upon the East for the supply of spices and other luxury goods, it necessitated them to discover a new trade route, possibly through the Sea.

2. The travelers’ accounts or romantic writings: The accounts of travellers who Ventured into the East, aroused the curiosity of the Europeans. Italian travellers like Nicola Polo and Marco Polo (1254-1324A.D) were successful in reaching China. Marco polo wrote a vivid account of his travels to Mongolia, India, and China. Friar John of Plano Carpini, a Franciscan Monk reached Mongolia and had written about the Mongols in the thirteenth century. William Bubruquis and others in their accounts have narrated their thrilling experiences. Since then, the curiosity and spirit of adventure enabled the Europeans to reach far off lands not only by land but also by sea.

3. Demand for commodities: There was a great demand in Europe for Asian commodities like spicespepper, ginger, clove, cardamom, etc. Muslin, Silk, Pearls, Ivory and Precious stones were also in demand. It was a lucrative trade. Europeans were eager to improve, their standard of living by earning more. This was possible by enlarging commercial contacts with the Eastern countries. The discovery of new lands and sea routes opened them avenues for earning huge profits. Many adventurous sailors and traders too risked their lives to fulfill their ambitions.

4. Geographical knowledge: This also led to the discovery of new sea routes and lands. In the 14^th century, travellers and sailors had the advantage of access to several books on travel, like ‘A merchant’s Handbook’ by Francesco Balducci, ‘Secrets of the faithful crusader’ by Marino Sanudo. Myths like the earth being flat, seas filled with terrible monsters, the tropical portion of Africa being blazing hot and surrounded by boiling water, etc., were proved false with the new knowledge on Geography. This made people less wary of travelling to these new places.

5. Spread of Christianity: Kings, Nobles, and Missionaries were very enthusiastic to spread Christianity in the new lands. Hence the Kings of Spain and Portugal encouraged explorations and the Missionaries took up the cause to spread Christianity.

6. Efforts of Prince Henry : The training school of navigation started by Prince Henry of Portugal gave the necessary training to sailors, geographers, map makers, and shipbuilders.

7. Other causes: The invention of the printing press, mariner’s compass, new maps, and Establishment of Banks and Joint Stock Companies also encouraged the navigators. Patronage by Kings also went far in the field of geographical discoveries. 

Pope Leo X started the sale of indulgences.

Petrarch the great humanist was called as the Father of Humanism.

Pope Leo X was the Pope at the time of the Reformation Movement.

Martin Luther.

Growth of vernaculars, Humanism, New approach, scientific progress, development of art and architecture etc. are some of the features.

Germany is known as the homeland of Reformation.

1. Humanism: The renaissance scholars began to take deep interest in the study of man and his achievements. The humanists promoted rational and humanistic approach. They tried to bring learning into close relation with life. The main idea of this movement was the cultivation of the human personality. Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Cicero, Cervantes, and other humanists promoted classical literature. They were called the ‘Morning Stars’.

2. Classicism: A very important feature in Europe during Renaissance was the revival of interest in ancient Greek and Latin classics. This manifested as an expression of classism in Literature along with Art and Architecture. A classical culture developed in Europe.

3. Vernacular languages: Renaissance in Europe resulted in the development of vernacular languages like English, German, Spanish and Italian as well. Classical literature in Latin and Greek were translated or written in the vernacular languages. This activity popularised classical literature and developed the vernacular languages also.

4. Renaissance scholars or Rise of new ideas: The teachings of the medieval age were not progressive and the Church controlled all the activities of the people. Religious beliefs, political principles, and social standards were all stagnant in this period. The invention of the printing press made it very convenient and easy to spread the new ideas and thoughts to all the nooks and comers of the world. People became enlightened and progressive.

5. The major literary works of this period were the following: Dante’s Divine Comedy. Machiavelli’s The Prince, Sir Thomas More’s Utopia, John Milton’s Paradise Lost, and Paradise Regained, Shakespeare’s numerous Comedies, Tragedies, and Plays, Cervantes’ Don Quixote, etc.

1. Humanism: The Renaissance scholars began to take deep interest in Humanism, a sympathetic study of man and his achievements. Humanists promoted a rational and humanistic approach in their studies. They tried to bring learning into a close relationship with life as such. The main idea of this movement was the cultivation of the human personality. Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Cicero, Martin Luther, Nicholas-II and others were noted humanists.

2. New approach: In the medieval age, religious belief, political principles and social standards were all stagnant. Enlightened thinkers like Peter Abelard, Roger Bacon, John Wycliffe, and others challenged those views, and boldly and openly expressed their new ideas.

3. Renaissance Art and Architecture: Renaissance Art and Architecture were humanistic and realistic. They came out of the clutches of the Church and became secular and closer to human life. The ‘Gothic Architecture’ developed during Renaissance was a mixture of Greek, Roman, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian styles. It consists of large arches and domes, tall pillars and beautiful decorations.

4. Scientific progress: Renaissance spread the spirit of enquiry, investigation, and criticism. The rise of Nation – States helped the progress of Science. The discovery of new lands, new knowledge about the shape of the earth and observations of Astronomers disproved f certain age-old beliefs. Renaissance made its great impact resulting in scientific revolution in Europe.

The Renaissance art and architecture was humanistic and realistic. It had a new and independent outlook, came out of the clutches of the Church and became secular. Art, in particular, came closer to human life. The ‘Gothic Architecture’ which was a mixture of Greek, Roman, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian styles developed during the Renaissance. It consisted of large arches and domes, tall pillars and beautiful decorations. The structures were generally built in stone. Large Palaces, Churches, Monasteries and Public buildings were built. The famous Architects of the period were Alberti, Monetti, Brumeleschi, Brumante and Michael Angelo.

The important architectural and sculptural examples of Renaissance period are as follows,

1. Rome – The Medici and the Farnese Palaces 

2. London – The Palace of Pope Julius III 

3. Florence – The Pitti Palace 

4. London-The Banquet House in Whitehall 

5. London – St. Paul’s Cathedral 

6. Rome – St. Peter’s Cathedral 

7. Venice – St. Mark’s Cathedral 

8. Spain – Piccolomini Palace 

9. Venice – Doyage Palace 

10. Vatican – Sistine Chapel.

Sculpture : During Renaissance, sculpture was much encouraged. The famous Sculptors of the Renaissance period were Lorenzo Ghiberti, Donatello, Michael Angelo, and Albrecht Durer.

The following are their contributions.

1. Lorenzo Ghiberti- the carvings of the doors of the Baptistery at Florence. 

2. Donatello- ‘Statue of St. George’ in Florence, ‘Statue of St. Mark’ in Venice. 

3. Michael Angelo- The statues of‘The David’, ‘The Moses’, ‘The Pieta’ and ‘The Bounded Slave’. He also designed the Dome of the Church of St. Peter at Rome. 

4. Albrecht Durer- ‘The Knight and Death’and‘St. Jerome in his study’.

Paintings : The greatest glory of the Renaissance were its paintings. They were made on canvas, glass, wood or other materials. The technique of oil painting was mastered. Titian was. Popular for using bright colours. Popes, Kings and rich Merchants gave generous patronage to painting. The Florentine School to which Leonardo da Vinci, Michel Angelo, and Raphael belonged, became a great centre of painting. They were able to develop their genius fully. without being restricted or controlled by the rigid rules of the Church. They made a humanistic and secular approach and produced highly artistic and life-like paintings.

The important painters and their works were as follows

1. Leonardo da Vinci- ‘The Last Supper’,‘The Mona Lisa’, ‘Virgin of the Rocks’, ‘The Virgin and Child’, ‘Head of the woman’, ‘Madonna Litta’, etc. 

2. Michael Angelo- ‘The Last Judgement’, ‘The Creation of Adam’, ‘Day and Night’, ‘Dawn and Sunset’ etc. 

3. Sanzio Raphael- ‘Sistine Madonna’. 

4. Titian- ‘The Assumption of the virgin’. 

Causes for the reformation are as follows:

1. Religious causes or existence or abuses: Reformation began with the rebellion against the abuses of the church. The Popes, who claimed to be representatives of God, neglected their religious duties. The Church was ready to sacrifice moral and spiritual values for the sake of money. The clergy became corrupt and idle and naturally, the Church lost its early purity. The principles like simplicity and forgiveness preached by Jesus were completely forgotten. The anger against such evils was one of the chief causes for the Reformation.

2. Intellectual causes: The spirit of enquiry and criticism generated by the Renaissance intellectuals like John Wycliffe and others resulted in protests against the abuses by the Church and corrupt practices of the Clergy. They demanded the purification of the Church organization. They challenged the supremacy of the Pope and declared that the Pope was not the representative of God and every Christian should be guided by the Bible.

3. Political causes: The Roman Catholic Church claimed the spiritual and temporal power over the States of Europe. Kings and people opposed the political power enjoyed by the Church. The growth of nationalism led to the establishment of National Churches with Kings as their heads. They felt that the Church should take interest only in the religious, spiritual and moral domains. They wanted to restrict the power of the Church and these political circumstances prompted reformation.

4. Economic causes: The Roman Church-owned vast lands, money and property. Church property was exempted from all taxes, but the common people were burdened with various taxes, fees, and fines. The Church claimed that the wealth of the Church was the wealth of God and Kings had no rights to tax on church property.

5. Sale of indulgences: The immediate cause of the Reformation was the sale of indulgences by Pope Leo-X, who was badly in need of money for the rebuilding of the St. Peters Church at Rome. Church regardless of all the criticism levelled against it continued to collect money in various ways. Pope LeoX sent his agent, John Tetzel to Germany to sell indulgences. Indulgences were certificates issued by the Pope for money, exempting the people from receiving punishment for their sins. Brokers and Bankers were appointed to sell them and were paid commissions. Martin Luther opposed this sale in his famous 95 points and nailed them to the Church door at Wittenberg. He began to question the Pope and the doctrines.

Reformation produced far-reaching results. The following ones are noteworthy.

1. Reformation destroyed the unity of the Christian Church by the establishment of the Protestant Church. 

2. The medieval religious tradition and superstitious beliefs were rejected. The leaders of this movement also rejected the supreme authority of the church accepted the authorities of the true Bible. 

3. Reformation freed the Kings of Europe from the control of pope. It gave birth to secular states. 

4. Reformation led to reforms in the Catholic Church and also a much clearer statement of Christian doctrines.

5. It had a great economic effect. The properties of the Church were confiscated by the Protestant Nobles and Princes, making them powerful. This wealth was utilised for the economic development and as a result, money lenders, bankers, and financiers earned a high status. 

6. It had a great effect on the development of national literature. The translation of the Bible into the vernacular languages spread the knowledge of scriptures among the common people. 

7. The religious clashes between the Catholics and the Protestants caused much bloodshed, death, and destruction. It finally gave birth to secular States as the only way for national integration. European Kings adopted religious tolerance. 

8. It had further stimulus to the growth of the spirit of nationalism.

The Renaissance Architecture was humanistic and realistic. The ‘Gothic Architecture’ which was a mixture of Greek, Roman, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian styles developed during the Renaissance. It consisted of large arches and domes, tall pillars and beautiful decorations. During the medieval ages, art was dominated by the Christian Church. The Renaissance spirit affected all forms of art. Artists of that age displayed more courage and what distinguished their creations was more freedom of expression; simplicity, realism, and love Of nature. Renaissance spread the spirit of enquiry, investigation, and criticism.

The discovery of new lands, new routes and new knowledge about the shape of earth and investigation of astronomers, etc. disproved certain long-held erroneous beliefs. Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543), Astronomer of Poland proposed the Heliocentric theory. John Kepler (1570-1630) a German Scientist supported the hypothesis of Copernicus and laid the foundation of mathematical astronomy. He stated that “The Planets revolved round the Sun not in circles, but in elliptical orbits”.

1. Humanism : The Renaissance Scholars began to take deep interest in the study of humans and their achievements. The humanists promoted rational and humanistic approach. They tried to bring learning into close relation with life. The main idea of this movement was the cultivation of the human personality. Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Cicero, Martin Luther, and Nicholas-II were noted, humanists.

2. Renaissance Art and Architecture: The Renaissance Architecture was humanistic and realistic. The ‘Gothic Architecture’ which was a mixture of Greek, Roman, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian styles developed during the Renaissance. It consisted of large arches and domes, tall pillars and beautiful decorations.

3. New approach: In the medieval age, religious belief, political principles and social standards were all stagnant. Enlightened thinkers like Peter Abelard, Roger Bacon, John Wycliffe, and others challenged those views, and boldly and openly expressed their new ideas.

4. Renaissance scholars or the rise of new ideas: The teachings of the medieval age were not progressive. The Church controlled all the activities of the people. Religious beliefs, ‘ political principles and social standards were all stagnant in this period. The Renaissance scholars came up with rational thinking and revolutionary ideas which completely changed the way of people’s approach to situations and expanded their narrow vision.

Inquisition (Church Court) was part of the Roman Catholic CounterReformation, pertaining to conducting inquiry into cases of heresy and meting out severe punishments to the guilty. It was established in 1542 in Spain.

(i) In the first panel a boy and a man are shown sharing the household chores, leaving the women to do other work. 

(ii) In the next panel, men and women are working in an office together at an equal level.

• A small stream of crystal clear water.
• The green mountains
• A stretch of hundreds of acres of fertile land with yellow mustard flowers.
• A garden in front of the house.
• Many kinds of trees bearing flowers of different colours and fruits.
• Fragrant jasmine.

1. Imperative

2. Interrogative

The ways in which Tomba contributes towards Ashangbi’s success are:

• Tomba is supportive of Ashangbi’s activities.
• He is always proud of his wife and children.
• In times of need, he helps his wife and children.
• He does not discriminate between a man’s work and woman’s work.
• He shares equally with Ashangbi in doing the household chores like cooking, washing, etc.

I think that depends on the woman and the circumstances. If she is qualified and wants to pursue a career, she should do so. If she wishes to stay at home, she should do that. It is important that she should have the freedom to choose and do as she wishes.

Lanthoi’s father Tomba is a lawyer and a social wrorker, who advocates the cause of women.

B) Per Capita Income

Correct option is D) Nepal