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
31
What are the odds of being born on a Leap Day (February 29)?
Answer:
1 in 1461
Since a leap year cycle is 4 years (365 + 365 + 365 + 366 = 1461 days), the probability is roughly 1 in 1,461.
32
Which two months were added to the Roman calendar by Numa Pompilius to create a 12-month year?
Answer:
January and February
Numa Pompilius added January and February to the end of the calendar (later moved to the beginning) to account for the winter days that were previously uncounted.
33
Which of these famous events usually coincides with Leap Years?
Answer:
US Presidential Elections
United States Presidential elections are held every four years (2020, 2024, 2028), which almost always coincides with leap years (except for century years like 1900 or 2100).
34
What is the maximum number of Friday the 13ths that can occur in a single calendar year?
Answer:
3
A calendar year has at least one and at most three Friday the 13ths. This occurs when the month starts on a Sunday.
35
What is a 'Leap Second'?
Answer:
A second added to coordinate clocks with Earth's slowing rotation
A leap second is a one-second adjustment added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to keep it close to mean solar time, accounting for irregularities in Earth's rotation.
36
Which ancient calendar originally consisted of 10 months and started in March?
Answer:
Roman
The early Roman calendar had 10 months (Martius to December) and a winter period that wasn't counted. This explains why September (7), October (8), November (9), and December (10) are named after numbers.
37
Will the year 2100 be a leap year?
Answer:
No
2100 is a century year not divisible by 400 (2100 / 400 = 5.25), so according to Gregorian rules, it will NOT be a leap year.
38
When Great Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, how many days were removed from the calendar?
Answer:
11 days
To align with the Gregorian calendar used in Europe, Britain and its colonies had to skip 11 days; Wednesday, September 2 was followed immediately by Thursday, September 14, 1752.
39
Which city in the USA calls itself the 'Leap Year Capital of the World'?
Answer:
Anthony, Texas
Anthony, Texas , (and Anthony, New Mexico) celebrates a massive festival every leap year and has declared itself the Leap Year Capital of the World.
40
Why does the term 'Leap Year' exist?
Answer:
Because the year leaps forward two days of the week instead of one
In a normal year, a fixed date advances one day of the week (e.g., Monday to Tuesday). In a leap year, dates after Feb 29 'leap' over a day (e.g., Monday to Wednesday) due to the extra day.