110. Who won the Oscar for Best Director at the 2022 Academy Awards?
[WBCS Prelims — 2022]
(A) Steven Spielberg
(B) Kenneth Branagh
(C) Denis Villeneuve
(D) Jane Campion
Answer: (D) Jane Campion
Explanation: Jane Campion won Best Director for The Power of the Dog at the 94th Academy Awards. The film is a psychological Western. The director category should not be confused with the Best Picture prize.
109. Which former Japanese Prime Minister was chosen for the 2022 Netaji Award?
[WBCS Prelims — 2022]
(A) Yukio Hatoyama
(B) Shinzo Abe
(C) Fumio Kishida
(D) Yoshihide Suga
Answer: (B) Shinzo Abe
Explanation: The Netaji Research Bureau announced an honour for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, reflecting the historical connection between Japan and Subhas Chandra Bose. The Netaji Award is distinct from India’s statutory national decorations.
108. Which Indian architect received the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture in 2022?
[WBCS Prelims — 2022]
(A) Charles Correa
(B) Balkrishna Doshi
(C) Raj Rewal
(D) B. V. Doshi’s contemporary Hafeez Contractor
Answer: (B) Balkrishna Doshi
Explanation: Balkrishna Doshi was recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects for his lifetime contribution to architecture. He was also the first Indian Pritzker Architecture Prize winner, receiving that honour in 2018.
107. Who won the Miss World 2021 title at the event held in Puerto Rico in March 2022?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims — 2022]
(A) Shree Saini
(B) Manasa Varanasi
(C) Toni-Ann Singh
(D) Karolina Bielawska
Answer: (D) Karolina Bielawska
Explanation: Karolina Bielawska of Poland won the postponed Miss World 2021 competition in March 2022. The year in the title refers to the competition edition, while the actual final took place in the following calendar year.
106. Which feature correctly describes the medal of India’s Param Vir Chakra gallantry decoration?
[CGPSC 2021 Prelims (held 2022) — 2022]
(A) Four replicas of Indra’s vajra are embossed
(B) Twenty-five awards existed by December 2021
(C) It can be received only once
(D) The medal was instituted in 1952
Answer: (A) Four replicas of Indra’s vajra are embossed
Explanation: The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest wartime gallantry decoration. Its bronze medal displays four replicas of Indra’s vajra surrounding the central emblem. It was instituted in 1950 with effect from India’s first Republic Day.
105. In which year did Amartya Sen receive the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences?
[SSC MTS — 2021]
(A) 1998
(B) 1999
(C) 2004
(D) 1997
Answer: (A) 1998
Explanation: Amartya Sen won the 1998 economics prize for welfare economics and social-choice theory. His study of famines stressed access to food rather than solely total food production. He subsequently received India’s Bharat Ratna in 1999.
104. What does the Amrita Devi Bishnoi National Award primarily recognise?
[SSC MTS — 2021]
(A) Wildlife protection
(B) Marine transport
(C) Industrial production
(D) Energy conservation
Answer: (A) Wildlife protection
Explanation: The award honours exceptional courage and dedication to the protection of wildlife. It commemorates Amrita Devi Bishnoi and the 1730 Khejarli sacrifice in Rajasthan, associated with the protection of khejri trees and the wider natural environment.
103. Who received the 55th Jnanpith Award, associated with the year 2019?
[SSC CHSL — 2021]
(A) Raghuveer Chaudhari
(B) Amitav Ghosh
(C) Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri
(D) Chandrashekhara Kambara
Answer: (C) Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri
Explanation: Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri was honoured with the 55th Jnanpith Award. His writings include Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam. Amitav Ghosh received the preceding, 54th award, so the award number is the decisive clue.
102. Who was the first woman from India to win a Grammy Award?
[SSC CGL Tier-I — 2021]
(A) Tanvi Shah
(B) Neeti Mohan
(C) Monali Thakur
(D) Palak Muchhal
Answer: (A) Tanvi Shah
Explanation: Tanvi Shah shared a Grammy for the song Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire in 2010. She contributed Spanish lyrics to the internationally acclaimed song. The Grammy is a music-industry award, unlike the Academy Awards for film.
101. Who was the first Indian to win a competitive Academy Award?
[SSC MTS — 2021]
(A) A. R. Rahman
(B) Bhanu Athaiya
(C) Resul Pookutty
(D) Satyajit Ray
Answer: (B) Bhanu Athaiya
Explanation: Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya won for Gandhi at the 1983 Academy Awards, sharing the Costume Design award with John Mollo. Satyajit Ray received an honorary Oscar in 1992, which is a different form of recognition.
