General Knowledge MCQs
Topic Notes: General Knowledge
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
11
In 1958, the US joined which specific committee of CENTO without becoming a full member?
Answer:
The Military Committee
Following the Iraq coup, the US formally joined the Military Committee to bolster the alliance's credibility without requiring a treaty ratification by the Senate.
12
What was the name of the joint naval exercise conducted by CENTO?
Answer:
Midlink
Exercise Midlink was an annual naval exercise conducted by CENTO navies, often in the Arabian Sea.
13
Which country left CENTO in 1979 claiming the alliance failed to protect its security interests?
Answer:
Pakistan
Pakistan withdrew in 1979 (shortly before Iran formally dissolved it) because the alliance had failed to help Pakistan in its wars with India.
14
Which sector received the most successful cooperation within CENTO?
Answer:
Infrastructure and Economic Development
While military coordination was weak, CENTO was quite successful in building roads, railways, and telecommunications networks between member states.
15
The 'Northern Tier' concept was originally proposed to replace which failed defense concept?
Answer:
The Middle East Defense Organization (MEDO)
Western powers initially tried to form MEDO involving Egypt, but after Egypt rejected it, Dulles shifted to the 'Northern Tier' concept involving non-Arab states bordering the USSR.
16
How many permanent members were in the CENTO council after 1959?
Answer:
Four
The four members were Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom.
17
What was the main reason France did not join CENTO?
Answer:
It was focused on Indochina and Algeria
France was preoccupied with its own colonial crises in Algeria and Indochina and was also skeptical of British-led initiatives in the Middle East.
18
Which US President was in office when the Baghdad Pact was signed?
Answer:
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower was President in 1955. The pact was a reflection of the Eisenhower Doctrine regarding Middle East security.
19
Which regional cooperation organization can be seen as a partial economic successor to CENTO involving Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey?
Answer:
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)
Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), established by Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey in 1964 (under CENTO's umbrella), later evolved into the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in 1985.
20
What prevented the Soviet Union from joining CENTO?
Answer:
The alliance was explicitly created to contain the Soviet Union
The entire raison d'être of CENTO was the containment of Soviet expansionism; thus, the USSR was the adversary, not a potential member.