Competitive exams | Common general knowledge questions asked!

Test your knowledge

Competitive exams are designed to test your general knowledge, numerical skills, decision-making skills, verbal aptitude, and reasoning abilities. Preparing for every component of the exam is necessary to achieve well-rounded scores. We know that general knowledge is the most dreaded section for many students. However, you can easily prepare for it by referring to the frequently asked General Knowledge questions in competitive exams like study abroad entrance and aptitude tests.

Preparing with the below listed frequently asked questions can help you crack your paper with confidence! So, let’s get started!

Most common general knowledge questions asked in competitive exams

You can update your general knowledge everyday by reading the newspaper, watching television, scrolling through websites and apps, YouTube channels, general knowledge books, articles and blogs and online community groups.

Basic general knowledge 

Q1. What does a fathometer measure?

Answer – A fathometer is used to measure the depth of an ocean. 

Q2. Who created the policy “One People, One State, One Leader”? 

Answer – Adolf Hitler. 

Q3. What is the full form of DRDL?

Answer – Defense Research and Development Laboratory. 

Q4. What is Grand Central Terminal in Park Avenue (New York) known for? 

Answer – Grand Central Terminal in Park Avenue is recognized as the largest railway station in the world. 

Q5. Performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard, the first human heart transplant was conducted in which year? 

Answer – 1967. 

Q6. Why does exposure to sunlight help improve a person’s health?

Answer – The ultraviolet rays in sunlight convert skin oil into Vitamin D. 

Q7. The First China War was fought between which countries? 

Answer – The First China War was fought between Britain and China. 

Q8. What are the different countries that originally formed the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)? 

Answer – The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain are the countries that originally formed the GCC. 

Q9. What will be the color of the sky for an astronaut in outer space? 

Answer – Black. 

Q10. What does G-15 stand for? 

Answer – G-15 is an economic grouping of all the Third-World countries. 

Famous personalities 

Q1. Which famous personality is also known as ‘Desert Fox’? 

Answer – Erwin Rommel. 

Q2. Which known person was referred to as ‘Little Corporal’? 

Answer – Napoleon Bonaparte. 

Q3. Name the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest for the fourth time.  

Answer – Anshu Jamsenpa. 

Q4. Who said, “senses are the gateways of knowledge”? 

Answer – Jean-Jacques Rousseau. 

Q5. Who was the first president of the Republic of India? 

Answer – Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first president of the Republic of India. 

Q6. Who was referred to as the “Flying Sikh”? 

Answer – Milkha Singh. 

Q7. Professor Amartya Sen is known for her contributions in which field?

Answer – Professor Amartya Sen is known for her contributions to the field of Economics. 

Q8. Who is the Secretary-General of UNO? 

Answer – António Guterres 

Q9. Who is the founder of the “Art of Living”? 

Answer – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. 

Q10. Who was the first Asian woman to sail around the world?
Answer – Ujwala Patil. 

Science 

Q1. Why does brass get discolored in the presence of air?

Answer – Discoloration of brass happens due to hydrogen sulfide present in the air.

Q2. What is the central metal in chlorophyll (a naturally-occurring chelate compound)? 

Answer – Magnesium. 

Q3. What metal forms an amalgam with other metals? 

Answer – Mercury is the metal that forms an amalgam with other metals. 

Q4. What inert gas is substituted for nitrogen present in the air that deep-sea divers use? 

Answer – Helium. 

Q5. What is the average salinity of seawater? 

Answer – The average salinity of seawater is 3.5%. 

Geography 

Q1. Where is the first hydroelectric power station in Asia located?
Answer – The first hydroelectric power station is located in Shivanasamudra Falls. 

Q2. How many Indian states share a border with Bhutan? 

Answer – 4 states. 

Q3. Mount Everest is located in which region of the Himalayas? 

Answer – Nepal Himalayas. 

Q4. Which region is referred to as the “Rahr of India”?

Answer – The Damodar Valley region. 

Q5. What is the other name of Cardamom Island? 

Answer – Kadmat Island. 

Longest, smallest, highest

Q1. Which is the largest gulf in the world? 

Answer – The Gulf of Mexico is the largest in the world. 

Q2. What is the name of the coldest planet in the solar system?
Answer – Uranus. 

Q3. Name the smallest continent in the world.
Answer – Australia is the smallest continent in the world. 

Q4. Which is the highest waterfall in the world? 

Answer – The Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world. 

Q5. Which is the largest mountain range in the world? 

Answer – The Andes mountain range is the largest in the world (measuring approximately 7000 kilometers). 

Technology 

Q1. What is the meaning of the computer abbreviation ‘OS’? 

Answer – Operating System. 

Q2. The first transatlantic radio broadcast occurred in which decade? 

Answer – 1900s. 

Q3. Who were the developers of Yahoo?

Answer – Jerry Yang & David Filo. 

Q4. What is the full form of VVVF? 

Answer – Variable Voltage Variable Frequency. 

Q5. What is the equation depicting the relationship between resistivity ‘R’ and Conductivity ‘s’? 

Answer – R=1/s.

Key takeaways 

• There are many competitive exams that test your abilities in verbal and numerical reasoning, general knowledge, and decision-making.
• Understanding and preparing for the different components of a competitive exam can help you form effective preparation schedules. 
• Practicing with the above-listed frequently asked General Knowledge questions in competitive exams is a great way to test yourself!

We hope this list of commonly asked general knowledge questions will help you nail your upcoming competitive exams. If you have any questions/suggestions, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

All the best, study hard and prepare well!

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FAQs 

Q1. How do I keep myself updated with current affairs? 

Answer – Regularly reading newspapers (online and offline) is one of the best ways to update your knowledge of current affairs. 

Q2. How many marks is the general knowledge component of competitive exams? 

Answer – While this varies from exam to exam, the general knowledge component contributes significantly to the total marks of competitive papers. 

Q3. What type of competitive exam do you need for admission to higher secondary programs in the country? 

Answer – Aspirants need to clear entrance exams for admission to higher secondary programs.