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
Which serial killer famously struck on Leap Days, according to urban legend/movies?
Answer:
None, but often cited in fiction
There is no famous real-life 'Leap Day Killer', though the concept has been explored in fiction and movies.
12
In a non-leap year, the calendar of which month is identical to January?
Answer:
October
In a common (non-leap) year, January and October start on the same day of the week and have the same number of days (31), making their calendars identical.
13
The phrase 'Thirty days hath September...' is a mnemonic to remember what?
Answer:
Month lengths
It is a famous mnemonic rhyme used to remember the number of days in each month of the Julian and Gregorian calendars.
14
Which King of Sweden was responsible for the 1712 February 30th oddity?
Answer:
Charles XII
King Charles XII abandoned Sweden's gradual shift to the Gregorian calendar and reverted to the Julian calendar by adding a second leap day (Feb 30) in 1712.
15
What is the specific math formula for a Gregorian leap year?
Answer:
Divisible by 4, unless divisible by 100 but not 400
A year is a leap year if it is divisible by 4. However, if it is divisible by 100, it is NOT a leap year, unless it is also divisible by 400.
16
Which two consecutive months have 31 days?
Answer:
July and August
July and August both have 31 days. December and January also have 31 days, but they are in different calendar years.
17
The World Calendar, a proposed reform, suggests what structure?
Answer:
Quarters of 91 days (31, 30, 30)
The World Calendar proposal divides the year into four identical quarters of 91 days (31, 30, 30 days), with one or two 'Worlds Days' added to reach 365/366.
18
What legal age issue arises for Leaplings (born Feb 29) in non-leap years?
Answer:
Different jurisdictions recognize March 1 or Feb 28 as their birthday
Legally, jurisdictions vary. For example, in the UK, a leapling legally becomes 18 on March 1st, while in other places it might be Feb 28th.
19
Which country did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1918?
Answer:
Russia
Russia stuck to the Julian calendar for religious and political reasons until the Bolsheviks adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918.
20
The ISO 8601 standard defines the first week of the year as?
Answer:
The week containing the first Thursday of the year
ISO 8601 defines Week 01 as the week with the year's first Thursday (or the week containing Jan 4th).