Coral Reefs

Corals are nothing but calcareous rocks, formed from the skeletons of minute sea animals, called polyps. The polyps extract calcium salts from sea water to form hard skeletons which protect their soft bodies. These skeletons give rise to corals. The corals live in colonies fastened to the rocky sea floor. New generations develop on skeletons of dead polyps. The tubular skeletons grow upwards and outwards as a cemented calcareous rocky mass, collectively called corals. The shallow rock created by these depositions is called reef. These reefs, later on, evolve into islands.

The corals occur in different forms and colours, depending upon the nature of salts or constituents they are made of. Progressive development of corals appears over the sea surface in different forms over a period of time. Small marine plants (algae) also deposit, calcium, carbonate, thus contributing to coral growth.

Questions

1.    Consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
1.    Ishwar Chandra Vidhyasagar started a weekly, the Darpan.
2.    Paramahansa Mandali, was founded in Bengal in 1849. Its founders believed in one God and were primarily interested in breaking rigid caste rules.
3.    Karsondas Mulji started the 'Satya Prakash' in Gujarati in 1852 to advocate widow remarriage.
4.    All his life Jotiba Phule carried on a campaign against upper caste domination and Brahmnical supremacy.
    (a)    1, 2 and 4    (b)    2 and 4
    (c)    3 and 4    (d)    1, 2, 3 and 4

2.    Identify the incorrect statement/s regarding International Trade Centre (ITC): 
1.    ITC's mission is to enable small business export success in developing and transition-economy countries, by providing, with partners, sustainable and inclusive development solutions to the private sector, trade support institutions and policymakers.
2.    Our aim is for businesses in developing countries to become more competitive in global markets, speeding economic development and contributing to the achievement of the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2020. 
    (a)    1 only 
    (b)    2 only
    (c)    1 and 2 Both
    (d)    Neither 1 nor 2.

3.    Consider the following statements and choose the correct option regarding the causes of 'The Revolt of 1857".
1.    The most important cause of the popular discontent was the economic exploitation of the country by the British and the complete destruction of its traditional economic fabric.
2.    The growing poverty of the people made them desperate and led them to join a general revolt in the hope of improving their lot.
3.    The annexation of Awadh by Lord Dalhousie in 1856.
4.    Use of greased cartridges and other grievances of the Indian sepoys.
    (a)    1, 2 and 4    (b)    2, 3 and 4
    (c)    2 and 4    (d)    1, 2, 3 and 4

4.    Choose the correct statement/s regarding International Labour Organisation (ILO). 
1.    The ILO is the international organization responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. It is the only 'bipartite' United Nations agency that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes promoting decent work for all.
2.    Conventions and Recommendations are the instruments used by the International Labour Conference to set international labour standards. 
    (a)    1 only 
    (b)    2 only
    (c)    1 and 2 Both
    (d)    Neither 1 nor 2.

5.    Consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
1.    Gopal Hari Deshmukh popularly know as 'Lokahitwadi' was the earliest religious reformer in Western India.
2.    Prarthana Samaj was started with the aim of reforming Hindu religious thought and practice in the light of modern knowledge.
3.    Prarthana Samaj was strongly against the Brahmo Samaj.
4.    Gopal Ganesh Agarkar was one of the greatest rationalist thinkers of Modern India. He was an advocate of the power of human reason.
    (a)    1, 2 and 3    (b)    2 and 4

    (c)    1, 2 and 4    (d)    1 and 4