Q.1 Which country was the first to launch a 5G network commercially?
United States
China
South Korea
Japan
Explanation - South Korea launched its commercial 5G network in April 2019, becoming the first country to do so.
Correct answer is: South Korea
Q.2 The Arab Spring that began in 2010 primarily involved protests against:
Foreign occupation
Corruption and authoritarian regimes
Climate change policies
Economic globalization
Explanation - The Arab Spring involved widespread protests against corruption, political repression, and lack of freedoms in several Arab countries.
Correct answer is: Corruption and authoritarian regimes
Q.3 Which international agreement, signed in 2015, aims to limit global warming to below 2°C?
Kyoto Protocol
Paris Agreement
Montreal Protocol
Rio Declaration
Explanation - The Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015 to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
Correct answer is: Paris Agreement
Q.4 In 2008, which global financial crisis originated from the collapse of the housing market?
Asian Financial Crisis
Global Recession of 2008
Dot-com Bubble
Eurozone Debt Crisis
Explanation - The 2008 financial crisis began with the collapse of the US housing market and spread globally, causing a severe recession.
Correct answer is: Global Recession of 2008
Q.5 Which technology company became the first to reach a $1 trillion market value in 2018?
Microsoft
Apple
Amazon
Google
Explanation - Apple reached a market capitalization of $1 trillion in August 2018, the first publicly traded company to do so.
Correct answer is: Apple
Q.6 Which global organization was established in 2002 to combat terrorism after 9/11 attacks?
NATO
UN Counter-Terrorism Committee
INTERPOL
G7
Explanation - The UN Counter-Terrorism Committee was formed to coordinate global efforts against terrorism following the 2001 attacks.
Correct answer is: UN Counter-Terrorism Committee
Q.7 Which country exited the European Union following a 2016 referendum?
Italy
France
United Kingdom
Spain
Explanation - The UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, a process popularly called Brexit, officially completing it in 2020.
Correct answer is: United Kingdom
Q.8 The COVID-19 pandemic was first reported in which city?
Beijing
Wuhan
Tokyo
Seoul
Explanation - COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 before spreading worldwide.
Correct answer is: Wuhan
Q.9 Which Middle Eastern country experienced a major revolution in 2011 leading to the toppling of its leader Muammar Gaddafi?
Egypt
Libya
Syria
Tunisia
Explanation - The Libyan Civil War in 2011 resulted in the overthrow and death of Muammar Gaddafi after months of conflict.
Correct answer is: Libya
Q.10 Which nation became the first to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015?
United States
Canada
Spain
Germany
Explanation - In 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right nationwide.
Correct answer is: United States
Q.11 Which international body governs the rules and agreements on world trade?
World Trade Organization (WTO)
United Nations (UN)
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
World Bank
Explanation - The WTO regulates international trade between nations, setting rules and resolving disputes.
Correct answer is: World Trade Organization (WTO)
Q.12 Which African country hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first ever on the continent?
Nigeria
South Africa
Egypt
Morocco
Explanation - South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2010, marking the first time the tournament was held in Africa.
Correct answer is: South Africa
Q.13 Which international agreement was signed in 2020 to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab countries?
Abraham Accords
Camp David Accords
Oslo Accords
Treaty of Tordesillas
Explanation - The Abraham Accords were agreements between Israel, UAE, Bahrain, and later Sudan and Morocco, normalizing diplomatic relations.
Correct answer is: Abraham Accords
Q.14 Which country conducted the first manned mission to orbit the Moon since the 1970s with the Artemis program?
United States
China
Russia
India
Explanation - NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon, with initial crewed missions planned in the 2020s.
Correct answer is: United States
Q.15 Which terrorist organization was largely defeated in Iraq and Syria by 2019?
Al-Qaeda
ISIS
Boko Haram
Taliban
Explanation - ISIS lost most of its territory in Iraq and Syria by 2019 due to international military campaigns.
Correct answer is: ISIS
Q.16 Which country became the first to grant women the right to drive in 2018?
Iran
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Kuwait
Explanation - Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on women driving in June 2018 as part of reforms under Vision 2030.
Correct answer is: Saudi Arabia
Q.17 The Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013, is an international development strategy led by which country?
China
India
Russia
United States
Explanation - China launched the Belt and Road Initiative to improve global trade links through infrastructure projects.
Correct answer is: China
Q.18 Which major natural disaster struck Japan in March 2011, causing a nuclear crisis?
Hurricane
Earthquake and tsunami
Volcanic eruption
Flood
Explanation - The Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 caused widespread devastation and triggered the Fukushima nuclear accident.
Correct answer is: Earthquake and tsunami
Q.19 Which country became the first in the world to implement a nationwide digital currency in 2022?
China
Sweden
Bahamas
South Korea
Explanation - The Bahamas introduced the 'Sand Dollar' as a legal digital currency nationwide in 2022.
Correct answer is: Bahamas
Q.20 Which country experienced the largest pro-democracy protests in 2019, known as the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement?
Taiwan
Hong Kong
Thailand
South Korea
Explanation - Hong Kong citizens protested against a proposed extradition bill in 2019, demanding greater democratic freedoms.
Correct answer is: Hong Kong
Q.21 Which international organization launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015?
UNESCO
United Nations
World Bank
OECD
Explanation - The United Nations adopted 17 SDGs in 2015 to promote sustainable development globally by 2030.
Correct answer is: United Nations
Q.22 Which Asian country experienced a military coup in February 2021, leading to widespread protests?
Thailand
Myanmar
Bangladesh
Pakistan
Explanation - The military in Myanmar seized power in 2021, detaining elected leaders and prompting nationwide civil disobedience.
Correct answer is: Myanmar
Q.23 The term 'BRICS' refers to an economic grouping of which countries?
Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
Belgium, Russia, Italy, Canada, Spain
Brazil, Romania, Indonesia, China, Sweden
Bangladesh, Russia, Iran, Chile, Singapore
Explanation - BRICS is an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Correct answer is: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
Q.24 Which social media platform was banned in India in 2020 citing national security concerns?
TikTok
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Explanation - India banned TikTok along with several other Chinese apps in 2020 due to concerns over data privacy and national security.
Correct answer is: TikTok
Q.25 Which country hosted the first Youth Olympic Games in 2010?
China
Singapore
Brazil
Russia
Explanation - The inaugural Youth Olympic Games were held in Singapore in 2010 to promote sports among young athletes globally.
Correct answer is: Singapore