IB ACIO Grade II study materials
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IB ACIO Grade II practice questions

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Question 1General Awareness

The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on which date?

  1. 15 August 1947
  2. 9 December 1946
  3. 26 January 1950
  4. 26 November 1949 Correct answer.

Explanation

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949, a date now observed as Constitution Day. The document came into force on 26 January 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day. 9 December 1946 was the first sitting of the Assembly, and 15 August 1947 was Independence Day.

Question 2General Awareness

Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?

  1. Jawaharlal Nehru
  2. Rajendra Prasad
  3. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
  4. B. R. Ambedkar Correct answer.

Explanation

The Drafting Committee was constituted on 29 August 1947 with Dr B. R. Ambedkar as its Chairman. He presented the draft Constitution in the Assembly and is therefore called the chief architect of the Constitution. Rajendra Prasad presided over the Constituent Assembly itself.

Question 3General Awareness

The Fundamental Duties of citizens were added to the Constitution on the recommendation of which committee?

  1. Ashok Mehta Committee
  2. Sarkaria Commission
  3. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
  4. Swaran Singh Committee Correct answer.

Explanation

Fundamental Duties were inserted by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, following the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. Article 51A originally listed ten duties, and an eleventh was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002. The other committees dealt with Centre-State relations or Panchayati Raj.

Question 4General Awareness

Which writ is issued by a court to a public authority that has failed to perform a duty it is legally bound to perform?

  1. Habeas Corpus
  2. Mandamus Correct answer.
  3. Certiorari
  4. Quo Warranto

Explanation

Mandamus literally means 'we command' and directs a public authority to carry out a legal duty it has neglected. It cannot be issued against a private individual or against the President or Governors. Habeas corpus protects personal liberty, quo warranto questions the holding of public office, and certiorari quashes an order.

Question 5General Awareness

A money bill can be introduced in the Indian Parliament only with the prior recommendation of which authority?

  1. The Finance Minister
  2. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
  3. The Vice-President
  4. The President Correct answer.

Explanation

Article 110 read with Article 117 requires the President's prior recommendation for introducing a money bill. The bill must be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and is certified as a money bill by the Speaker. The Speaker certifies the bill but does not authorise its introduction.

Question 6General Awareness

The Tropic of Cancer passes through which of these Indian states?

  1. Rajasthan Correct answer.
  2. Kerala
  3. Andhra Pradesh
  4. Odisha

Explanation

The Tropic of Cancer passes through eight Indian states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. It crosses Rajasthan near Banswara and does not pass through Kerala, Odisha or Andhra Pradesh. The line also passes through Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.

Question 7General Awareness

Which river is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' because of its frequent course changes and floods?

  1. Son
  2. Gandak
  3. Kosi Correct answer.
  4. Ghaghara

Explanation

The Kosi rises in Tibet and Nepal and shifts its course frequently on the Bihar plains, causing severe floods, hence the name 'Sorrow of Bihar'. The Damodar is called the 'Sorrow of Bengal'. The Gandak, Son and Ghaghara are other tributaries of the Ganga system.

Question 8General Awareness

The Deccan Plateau is bounded by which two mountain ranges on its western and eastern edges?

  1. Satpura and Maikal
  2. Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats Correct answer.
  3. Aravalli and Vindhya
  4. Karakoram and Zanskar

Explanation

The Deccan Plateau is flanked by the Western Ghats along the Arabian Sea side and the Eastern Ghats along the Bay of Bengal side. The plateau is composed largely of basaltic lava and is separated from the northern plains by the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. The Aravalli and Karakoram lie far outside this region.

Question 9General Awareness

Which soil type, formed from lava, is most suitable for growing cotton in India?

  1. Laterite soil
  2. Desert soil
  3. Black soil Correct answer.
  4. Alluvial soil

Explanation

Black soil, also called regur, is formed from the weathering of basaltic lava on the Deccan trap and retains moisture well. Its clayey, self-ploughing character makes it ideal for cotton, so it is called black cotton soil. Alluvial soil suits rice and wheat, while laterite and desert soils are less suited to cotton.

Question 10General Awareness

The 'Doctrine of Lapse' was used to annex which state in 1856, shortly before the Revolt of 1857?

  1. Nagpur
  2. Satara
  3. Awadh Correct answer.
  4. Jhansi

Explanation

Awadh was annexed in 1856 on the ground of alleged misgovernment, not strictly under the Doctrine of Lapse. The Doctrine of Lapse, associated with Lord Dalhousie, was applied earlier to Satara, Nagpur and Jhansi. The annexation of Awadh deepened resentment among sepoys, many of whom came from that region.

Question 11General Awareness

Who founded the Indian National Congress in 1885?

  1. W. C. Bonnerjee
  2. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
  3. Dadabhai Naoroji
  4. A. O. Hume Correct answer.

Explanation

The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885 in Bombay, with A. O. Hume playing the key founding role. W. C. Bonnerjee was its first President, not its founder. Dadabhai Naoroji and Gokhale were prominent early leaders of the organisation.

Question 12General Awareness

The Battle of Plassey in 1757 was fought between the British and the forces of which Nawab of Bengal?

  1. Mir Qasim
  2. Shuja-ud-Daulah
  3. Siraj-ud-Daulah Correct answer.
  4. Ali Vardi Khan

Explanation

At Plassey in 1757, Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, aided by the defection of Mir Jafar. The victory established British political influence over Bengal. Mir Qasim later fought at Buxar, and Shuja-ud-Daulah was the Nawab of Awadh.

Question 13General Awareness

The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was opposed by Mahatma Gandhi because it allowed the government to do which of the following?

  1. Divide Bengal into two provinces
  2. Introduce separate electorates
  3. Detain persons without trial for an extended period Correct answer.
  4. Impose a tax on salt production

Explanation

The Rowlatt Act empowered the government to arrest and detain persons without trial for up to two years, which Gandhi called a 'Black Act'. He launched a nationwide hartal against it in 1919, leading to the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. Salt tax, the partition of Bengal and separate electorates relate to other measures.

Question 14General Awareness

The Dandi March of 1930 was launched by Mahatma Gandhi to protest against which specific measure?

  1. The Rowlatt Act
  2. The partition of Bengal
  3. The land revenue system
  4. The salt tax imposed by the British Correct answer.

Explanation

Gandhi marched from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in March-April 1930 and made salt from seawater to defy the government's monopoly and tax on salt. This launched the Civil Disobedience Movement. The land revenue system, partition of Bengal and Rowlatt Act were separate grievances.

Question 15General Awareness

Which article of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability?

  1. Article 15
  2. Article 17 Correct answer.
  3. Article 14
  4. Article 21

Explanation

Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form, and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 gives it effect. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law, Article 15 prohibits discrimination and Article 21 protects life and personal liberty.

Question 16General Awareness

The Reserve Bank of India was nationalised in which year?

  1. 1955
  2. 1935
  3. 1969
  4. 1949 Correct answer.

Explanation

The RBI was established in 1935 as a private shareholders' bank and was nationalised on 1 January 1949. Nationalisation gave the government full control over the central bank's functions. 1955 relates to the nationalisation of the Imperial Bank into the State Bank of India, and 1969 to the nationalisation of fourteen commercial banks.

Question 17General Awareness

Which of the following is a direct tax levied on individuals in India?

  1. Income tax Correct answer.
  2. Customs duty
  3. Goods and Services Tax
  4. Excise duty

Explanation

Income tax is a direct tax because its incidence and burden fall on the same person and it is paid directly to the government. GST, customs duty and excise duty are indirect taxes, where the burden can be shifted to the consumer. Direct taxes also include corporate tax and capital gains tax.

Question 18General Awareness

The term 'Green Revolution' in India is most closely associated with which crop?

  1. Jute
  2. Tea
  3. Wheat Correct answer.
  4. Cotton

Explanation

The Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s introduced high-yielding wheat and rice varieties, irrigation and fertilisers, sharply raising production, especially in Punjab and Haryana. M. S. Swaminathan is regarded as its chief architect in India. Jute, tea and cotton were not the focus of this programme.

Question 19General Awareness

Which of the following is a Kharif crop sown with the onset of the monsoon?

  1. Rice Correct answer.
  2. Wheat
  3. Barley
  4. Mustard

Explanation

Kharif crops are sown in June-July with the arrival of the monsoon and harvested in autumn; rice, maize, jowar and cotton are examples. Wheat, mustard and barley are Rabi crops sown in winter and harvested in spring. The distinction depends on the season and water availability.

Question 20General Awareness

Which fundamental right is available only to citizens of India and not to foreigners?

  1. Right to equality before the law under Article 14
  2. Right to protection from self-incrimination under Article 20
  3. Right to life and personal liberty under Article 21
  4. Right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 Correct answer.

Explanation

Article 19 freedoms, including speech and expression, are available only to citizens. Articles 14, 20 and 21 apply to all persons, including foreigners. This distinction is important because citizenship-based rights cannot be claimed by non-citizens.

Question 21General Awareness

The Panchayati Raj system was given constitutional status by which amendment?

  1. 86th Amendment
  2. 44th Amendment
  3. 42nd Amendment
  4. 73rd Amendment Correct answer.

Explanation

The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 added Part IX and the Eleventh Schedule, giving constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions. It came into force in 1993 and mandated three-tier panchayats with reservations. The 74th Amendment did the same for urban local bodies.

Question 22General Awareness

In the Indian Parliament, a 'starred question' is one which requires which type of answer?

  1. An answer by a committee
  2. An answer after a debate
  3. A written answer only
  4. An oral answer on the floor of the House Correct answer.

Explanation

A starred question is marked with an asterisk and requires an oral answer on the floor of the House, allowing supplementary questions. An unstarred question receives only a written answer. Short notice questions are asked with less than the prescribed notice.

Question 23General Awareness

Which country shares the longest land border with India?

  1. Nepal
  2. Pakistan
  3. Bangladesh Correct answer.
  4. China

Explanation

Bangladesh shares the longest land border with India, about 4,096 km, followed by China at roughly 3,488 km. The India-Pakistan border is about 3,323 km and the India-Nepal border about 1,751 km. This makes Bangladesh India's most extensive land neighbour.

Question 24General Awareness

The 'Poona Pact' of 1932 was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and B. R. Ambedkar concerning which issue?

  1. The future of princely states
  2. The salt tax
  3. Reserved seats for the Depressed Classes in legislatures Correct answer.
  4. The partition of Punjab

Explanation

The Poona Pact followed Gandhi's fast against separate electorates for the Depressed Classes granted by the Communal Award. It provided for reserved seats within the general electorate instead of separate electorates. The pact did not deal with Punjab, princely states or the salt tax.

Question 25General Awareness

Which of the following pairs of Indian states and their capitals is correctly matched?

  1. Punjab - Amritsar
  2. Karnataka - Mysuru
  3. Gujarat - Ahmedabad
  4. Meghalaya - Shillong Correct answer.

Explanation

Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya, a fact that remains true despite the creation of separate hill states. Karnataka's capital is Bengaluru, Gujarat's is Gandhinagar and Punjab's is Chandigarh. Mysuru, Ahmedabad and Amritsar are major cities but not state capitals.

Question 26General Awareness

The Indian Standard Meridian, which determines Indian Standard Time, passes through which of the following cities?

  1. Nagpur
  2. Jaipur
  3. Mirzapur Correct answer.
  4. Bhopal

Explanation

Indian Standard Time is based on the longitude 82°30'E, which passes near Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. This meridian is used as the reference for IST, which is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of UTC.

Question 27General Awareness

Which of the following pairs correctly matches an Indian state with its official language?

  1. Kerala – Kannada
  2. Tamil Nadu – Tamil Correct answer.
  3. Andhra Pradesh – Tamil
  4. Karnataka – Malayalam

Explanation

Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu and is widely spoken there. The other pairs are mismatched: Kerala's official language is Malayalam, Karnataka's is Kannada, and Andhra Pradesh's is Telugu.

Question 28General Awareness

Who was the first woman to become the Chief Minister of an Indian state?

  1. Sarojini Naidu
  2. Sucheta Kripalani Correct answer.
  3. Indira Gandhi
  4. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Explanation

Sucheta Kripalani became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1963, making her the first woman to hold that office in any Indian state. Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister, not a Chief Minister, and the other leaders never served as Chief Minister.

Question 29General Awareness

The 'Ring of Fire', known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, is located primarily around which ocean?

  1. Atlantic Ocean
  2. Indian Ocean
  3. Pacific Ocean Correct answer.
  4. Arctic Ocean

Explanation

The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped belt around the Pacific Ocean where many tectonic plate boundaries converge, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The other oceans do not have such a concentrated belt of seismic and volcanic activity.

Question 30General Awareness

Which of the following is the correct sequence of the layers of the Earth from the surface to the centre?

  1. Mantle, crust, outer core, inner core
  2. Crust, inner core, mantle, outer core
  3. Crust, outer core, mantle, inner core
  4. Crust, mantle, outer core, inner core Correct answer.

Explanation

The Earth's structure consists of a thin crust, a thick mantle, a liquid outer core, and a solid inner core. This order reflects increasing depth and changes in composition and physical state.

Question 31General Awareness

Which Fundamental Duty was added to the Indian Constitution by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002?

  1. To protect and improve the natural environment
  2. To provide opportunities for education to children between the ages of six and fourteen years Correct answer.
  3. To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform
  4. To safeguard public property and abjure violence

Explanation

The 86th Amendment Act, 2002 inserted Article 51A(k), making it a Fundamental Duty of parents or guardians to provide opportunities for education to their children aged six to fourteen. The other duties listed were part of the original Article 51A introduced by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.

Question 32General Awareness

The 'Doctrine of Basic Structure' was propounded by the Supreme Court in which case?

  1. Shankari Prasad case (1951)
  2. Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) Correct answer.
  3. Minerva Mills case (1980)
  4. Golaknath case (1967)

Explanation

In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court held that Parliament can amend the Constitution but cannot alter its basic structure. This doctrine was later reinforced in the Minerva Mills case, but it was first articulated in Kesavananda Bharati.

Question 33General Awareness

Who was the founder of the Slave Dynasty in India?

  1. Razia Sultana
  2. Iltutmish
  3. Balban
  4. Qutb-ud-din Aibak Correct answer.

Explanation

Qutb-ud-din Aibak established the Slave Dynasty in 1206 after the death of Muhammad Ghori, and he ruled until 1210. Iltutmish, Balban, and Razia Sultana were later rulers of the same dynasty.

Question 34General Awareness

The Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I, was signed in which year?

  1. 1919 Correct answer.
  2. 1918
  3. 1920
  4. 1917

Explanation

The Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June 1919 between Germany and the Allied Powers, officially ending World War I. The other years are incorrect: the war ended in 1918 with the armistice, but the treaty was signed in 1919.

Question 35General Awareness

Which of the following is the SI unit of electric current?

  1. Ohm
  2. Ampere Correct answer.
  3. Volt
  4. Watt

Explanation

The ampere (A) is the SI base unit of electric current, defined as the flow of one coulomb per second. Volt measures potential difference, ohm measures resistance, and watt measures power.

Question 36General Awareness

Which of the following is the chemical name of baking soda?

  1. Sodium chloride
  2. Sodium hydroxide
  3. Sodium carbonate
  4. Sodium bicarbonate Correct answer.

Explanation

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), a mild alkaline compound used in cooking and as an antacid. Sodium carbonate is washing soda, sodium chloride is common salt, and sodium hydroxide is caustic soda.

Question 37General Awareness

The 'Green Revolution' in India was most successful in the production of which crop?

  1. Pulses
  2. Wheat Correct answer.
  3. Rice
  4. Maize

Explanation

The Green Revolution in India, which began in the late 1960s, led to a significant increase in wheat production, especially in Punjab and Haryana, due to the adoption of high-yielding varieties and modern inputs. While rice also benefited, wheat saw the most dramatic gains.

Question 38General Awareness

Which of the following is the largest gland in the human body?

  1. Salivary gland
  2. Pancreas
  3. Liver Correct answer.
  4. Thyroid

Explanation

The liver is the largest gland in the human body, weighing about 1.5 kg in adults, and performs many vital functions including detoxification and bile production. The pancreas, thyroid, and salivary glands are smaller.

Question 39General Awareness

The 'Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility', also known as Point Nemo, is located in which ocean?

  1. Indian Ocean
  2. Pacific Ocean Correct answer.
  3. Atlantic Ocean
  4. Southern Ocean

Explanation

Point Nemo is the point on the ocean farthest from any land, situated in the South Pacific Ocean. It is used as a spacecraft cemetery due to its remoteness.

Question 40General Awareness

The 'Bhoodan Movement' was launched by which leader?

  1. Mahatma Gandhi
  2. Jawaharlal Nehru
  3. Vinoba Bhave Correct answer.
  4. Jayaprakash Narayan

Explanation

The Bhoodan Movement was initiated by Vinoba Bhave in 1951, who walked across India persuading landowners to donate land to the landless. It was a voluntary land reform movement and later led to the Gramdan movement.

Question 41Quantitative Aptitude

A sum of ₹12,000 is invested at 8% per annum simple interest. What total amount will be repayable after 3 years?

  1. ₹14,400
  2. ₹15,120
  3. ₹12,960
  4. ₹14,880 Correct answer.

Explanation

Simple interest is principal × rate × time ÷ 100, so SI = 12000 × 8 × 3 ÷ 100 = ₹2,880. The amount repayable is principal plus interest, 12000 + 2880 = ₹14,880. Adding interest to principal is essential because the question asks for the total amount, not the interest alone.

Question 42Quantitative Aptitude

A shopkeeper marks an article at ₹2,500 and allows a discount of 20%. What is the selling price?

  1. ₹2,200
  2. ₹1,800
  3. ₹2,000 Correct answer.
  4. ₹2,050

Explanation

A 20% discount reduces the marked price by one-fifth: 2500 × 20 ÷ 100 = ₹500. Subtracting the discount from the marked price gives 2500 − 500 = ₹2,000. The selling price is always computed on the marked price, never on the cost price.

Question 43Quantitative Aptitude

The average age of 10 students in a batch is 15 years. When the teacher's age is included, the average becomes 17 years. What is the teacher's age?

  1. 35 years
  2. 40 years
  3. 32 years
  4. 37 years Correct answer.

Explanation

Total age of the 10 students is 10 × 15 = 150 years. With the teacher, the total for 11 people is 11 × 17 = 187 years. The teacher's age is the difference, 187 − 150 = 37 years.

Question 44Quantitative Aptitude

A train 180 m long crosses a pole in 12 seconds. What is its speed in km/h?

  1. 60 km/h
  2. 48 km/h
  3. 45 km/h
  4. 54 km/h Correct answer.

Explanation

Crossing a pole covers the train's own length, so speed = 180 ÷ 12 = 15 m/s. Converting to km/h means multiplying by 18/5, giving 15 × 18 ÷ 5 = 54 km/h. The 18/5 factor converts metres per second into kilometres per hour.

Question 45Quantitative Aptitude

What is the value of 0.4 × 0.04 × 0.004?

  1. 0.0000064
  2. 0.00064 × 10
  3. 0.00064
  4. 0.000064 Correct answer.

Explanation

Multiply the significant digits: 4 × 4 × 4 = 64. The decimal places total 1 + 2 + 3 = 6, so the result is 0.000064. Counting decimal places is the reliable shortcut for multiplying decimals.

Question 46Quantitative Aptitude

A pipe fills a tank in 6 hours and another fills it in 12 hours. Working together, how long will they take to fill the tank?

  1. 3 hours
  2. 4 hours Correct answer.
  3. 6 hours
  4. 5 hours

Explanation

In one hour the pipes fill 1/6 and 1/12 of the tank, giving a combined rate of 3/12 = 1/4. The reciprocal of that rate is the time taken, so together they need 4 hours. Adding rates and then inverting is the standard method for combined work.

Question 47Quantitative Aptitude

Simplify: 45% of 320 + 25% of 480.

  1. 256
  2. 248
  3. 272
  4. 264 Correct answer.

Explanation

45% of 320 is 0.45 × 320 = 144, and 25% of 480 is 0.25 × 480 = 120. Adding the two gives 144 + 120 = 264. Convert each percentage to a decimal before multiplying to avoid errors.

Question 48Quantitative Aptitude

In how many different ways can the letters of the word 'ACIO' be arranged?

  1. 24 Correct answer.
  2. 12
  3. 6
  4. 16

Explanation

The word ACIO has four distinct letters, with no repetition. The number of arrangements is 4! = 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 24. When all letters differ, the answer is simply the factorial of the letter count.

Question 49Quantitative Aptitude

The cost price of an article is ₹800 and it is sold for ₹920. What is the profit percentage?

  1. 13%
  2. 15% Correct answer.
  3. 20%
  4. 12%

Explanation

Profit is 920 − 800 = ₹120. Profit percentage is profit divided by cost price, multiplied by 100: 120 ÷ 800 × 100 = 15%. Profit percentage is always calculated on the cost price.

Question 50Quantitative Aptitude

A sum doubles itself in 8 years at simple interest. In how many years will it become four times itself at the same rate?

  1. 24 years Correct answer.
  2. 16 years
  3. 32 years
  4. 20 years

Explanation

Doubling means the interest earned in 8 years equals the principal. To become four times, the interest must equal three times the principal, which takes 3 × 8 = 24 years. Simple interest grows linearly with time, so each extra principal-equivalent takes 8 years.