Current Affairs MCQs PDF - May, 2024
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Recent lava from La Cumbre volcano on Fernandina Island, Galápagos, devastates the
habitat of rare land iguanas. Positioned atop the mantle plume generating Galápagos, it
erupted for the first time since 2020. The island, 1,125 km off Ecuador's mainland, boasts a
large caldera hosting a permanent lake, attracting diverse wildlife, including tens of
thousands of Galápagos land iguanas nesting within it.
14. What is ‘Antares’, recently seen in news?
[A] Submarine
[B] AI tool
[C] Red supergiant star
[D] Invasive plant
Answer: Red supergiant star
The Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) recorded the moon passing in
front of Antares, a massive red supergiant star in Scorpius constellation. Antares, 10,000
times brighter than the Sun, is 700 times its diameter and lies 600 light-years away.
Despite its size, Antares has low density and temperature, around 6,100°F (3,400°C), giving
it a ruddy color. Red supergiants are large, cool stars approaching the end of their lives,
highly luminous but with low surface temperature.
15. Red Colobus Conservation Action Plan, recently seen in news, is an initiative of which
organization?
[A] IUCN
[B] WMO
[C] WHO
[D] WWF
Answer: IUCN
A new study highlights Red colobus as key to tropical forest conservation. Imperiled
across Africa, they're vital biodiversity indicators and one of two major simian groups
globally. Facing extinction due to hunting and habitat loss, over half are Endangered or
Critically Endangered. The Red Colobus Conservation Action Plan, led by IUCN, aims to
prioritize their conservation, safeguarding Africa's forests and curbing unsustainable
hunting.
16. Ajrakh textile craft, recently seen in news, is mainly associated with which state?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Kerala
Answer: Gujarat
The Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks awarded the Geographical
Indication certificate to 'Kutch Ajrakh' artisans from Gujarat. Ajrakh, a textile craft deeply
rooted in Gujarat's culture, especially in Kutch, Sindh, and Barmer, involves intricate hand-
block printing on cotton cloth. Its name derives from 'Azrak', meaning indigo, a key dye
used. Traditionally, Ajrakh prints symbolize sky (blue), land and fire (red), and stars (white),