UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on the International Relations Quiz to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the MCQs on Weekly Current Affairs.
With reference to the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), consider the following statements:
1. It is a financial assistance package offered by the World Bank to countries facing severe balance of payments issues.
2. It includes plans to restructure the country’s external and internal debt.
3. It aims to strengthen public finances and reduce inflation.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Explanation
— The International Monetary Fund (IMF) officially approved a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan.
— An EFF is a financial assistance package offered by the IMF to countries facing severe balance of payments issues due to structural weaknesses that cannot be resolved in the short term. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
— In theory, it is meant to help the borrowing country implement medium-term structural reforms. In Pakistan’s case, these include bolstering monetary and fiscal policies including tax reforms, strengthening competition, and rebuilding the forex reserves.
— The IMF said that the EFF “aims to capitalise on the hard-won macroeconomic stability achieved over the past year by furthering efforts to strengthen public finances, reduce inflation, rebuild external buffers and remove economic distortions to spur private sector led growth.” Hence, statement 2 is correct.
— However, the package does not include plans to restructure the country’s external and internal debt. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
QUESTION 2
Which of the following countries agreed to redraw their national boundary due to melting Alpine glaciers?
1. Austria
2. Switzerland
3. Finland
4. Italy
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 2 and 4 only
Explanation
— Switzerland and Italy have decided to redefine a portion of their territorial boundaries due to melting Alpine glaciers caused by anthropogenic climate change.
— Large areas of the boundary between Italy and Switzerland are marked by “the watershed or ridge lines of glaciers, firn, or perpetual snow,” according to the Swiss authorities. However, as global warming accelerates glacial melting, these ridge lines shift, disrupting the existing border.
— The border between the two countries is being redrawn beneath the renowned Matterhorn, one of Europe’s tallest peaks that has long drawn alpinists and mountaineers.
— Switzerland and Italy have agreed on revisions to the Plateau Rosa, Carrel refuge, and Gobba di Rollin landmarks. This is where Switzerland’s Zermatt region meets Italy’s Aosta valley. The region is home to various ski resorts, which contribute to both countries’ economies.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
QUESTION 3
Consider the following pairs of cities in news:
1. Pingtung county – South Korea
2. Miyazaki city – Japan
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
| Place in news | Country | Description |
| Pingtung County | Taiwan | In a tragic incident in Taiwan, nine people died after a fire broke out at a hospital in southern Taiwan. The fire broke out at Pingtung County Hospital at about 09:40 local time (01:00 GMT), while Typhoon Krathon made landfall in the country’s western area near Kaohsiung. |
| Miyazaki city | Japan | A bomb placed underground by the United States during WWII exploded at Miyazaki airport in Japan, causing a big crater in a taxiway and cancelling over 80 flights. |
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
QUESTION 4
With reference to the Chagos archipelago, consider the following statements:
1. It lies to the south of the Maldives archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
2. These islands were uninhabited until the late 18th century.
3. In 1814, France ceded the islands to the Portuguese.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
— The United Kingdom said it would cede sovereignty of the strategically important Chagos Islands to Mauritius, calling it a “historic political agreement”. The UK has long controlled Chagos and the Diego Garcia military base located there, jointly operating it with the United States.
— The Chagos archipelago, comprising 58 islands, lies roughly 500 km to the south of the Maldives archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
— These islands were uninhabited until the late 18th century when the French imported slave workers from Africa and India to work in newly developed coconut plantations. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
— In 1814, France handed up the islands to the British. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
— The United Kingdom established the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) in 1965, with the Chagos Islands serving as its centrepiece. After gaining independence from Britain in 1976, the Seychelles obtained control of a few other BIOT islands.
— Chagos was administratively tied to Mauritius, another British colony in the Indian Ocean. However, when Mauritius got independence in 1968, Chagos stayed with Britain. The UK government awarded the newly independent country a subsidy of 3 million pounds for the “detachment” of the Chagos archipelago.
Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
QUESTION 5
Which of the following countries has been affected by Hurricane Helene causing widespread destruction?
(a) Canada
(b) Cuba
(c) Philippines
(d) United States
Explanation
— Hurricane Helene inflicted massive havoc, killing at least 100 people across six states, and the Southeastern US is now undertaking a big cleaning. The violent hurricane caused heavy winds, flooding, and property destruction from Florida to Virginia.
— Hurricane Helene wreaked severe devastation in the southeastern United States, leaving residents stuck without shelter and cut off from rescue attempts, with many awaiting immediate assistance.
— Helene, which had already caused devastation in Florida and Georgia, proceeded to pound North Carolina and Tennessee with heavy rains. The storm caused the most severe flooding in North Carolina in almost a century, burying roadways, creating landslides, and stranding residents.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz
Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 78)
Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 78)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 78)
Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 78)
Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 77)
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