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
21
The 'Lament for Ur' is a Sumerian poem describing:
Answer:
The destruction of the city of Ur by Elamites
It is one of the oldest known examples of the 'city lament' genre, mourning the fall of the great city.
22
What is the 'Dream of the Rood'?
Answer:
An Old English dream vision poem where the Cross speaks
It is one of the earliest Christian poems in English, featuring the Cross narrating the crucifixion.
23
The 'Nihon Shoki' (Chronicles of Japan) differs from the 'Kojiki' because:
Answer:
It is written in Classical Chinese and focuses more on history
While the Kojiki focuses on myths and legends, the Nihon Shoki was an official history modeled on Chinese dynastic chronicles.
24
Caedmon's Hymn is significant because it is:
Answer:
The oldest recorded poem in the English language
Composed in the 7th century, it is a short praise poem to God by an illiterate cowherd named Caedmon.
25
The 'Exeter Book' is the largest known collection of:
Answer:
Old English poetry and riddles
It contains famous poems like 'The Wanderer' and 'The Seafarer', along with nearly 100 riddles.
26
Which ancient Persian king commissioned the Behistun Inscription, a crucial text for deciphering cuneiform?
Answer:
Darius the Great
The inscription is a multilingual text (Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian) that served as the Rosetta Stone for cuneiform.
27
The 'Great Hymn to the Aten' is attributed to which Egyptian Pharaoh?
Answer:
Akhenaten
This hymn praises the sun disk Aten as the creator and sustainer of the world, reflecting Akhenaten's shift toward monotheism.
28
The 'Havamal' (Sayings of the High One) is a collection of advice attributed to which Norse god?
Answer:
Odin
Found in the Poetic Edda, it offers practical advice on living, hospitality, and wisdom, as well as runic magic.
29
Which script was used to write the Epic of Gilgamesh?
Answer:
Cuneiform
Cuneiform was the wedge-shaped script of ancient Mesopotamia, pressed into clay tablets.
30
In the 'Descent of Inanna', the goddess Inanna travels to:
Answer:
The Underworld (Kur)
This Sumerian myth details Inanna's journey to the realm of her sister Ereshkigal, where she is stripped of her powers and killed before being revived.