Explanation : 

d. A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death

Vattakirutal

Vatakkiruttal – Wikipedia  is a practice mentioned in Sangam literature where a defeated king would commit ritual suicide by starving himself to death. This was considered an honorable way for a king to accept his defeat and maintain his dignity in ancient Tamil society.

Explanation : 

b. ports

Ports of Ancient South India

Korkai, Poompuhar, and Muchiri were well-known ports in ancient South India. These ports were important centers of trade and commerce, connecting South India with other parts of the Indian subcontinent as well as the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and China. They played a significant role in the economic and cultural exchanges between various regions and contributed to the prosperity of the ancient Indian kingdoms.

These ports were crucial for the trade and commerce of ancient South India, facilitating connections with distant regions. The economic and cultural exchanges that took place through these ports were instrumental in the development and prosperity of the ancient Indian kingdoms.

Explanation : 

b. Only two

1. Stupas may have originated as pre-Buddhist tumuli in which śramaṇas were buried in a seated position called chaitya. – Stupa – Wikipedia

2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics. It often contained the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns, sacred texts, or other relics associated with the Buddha and his teachings. The purpose of a stupa was to enshrine and preserve these relics, which were considered sacred.

3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in the Buddhist tradition. It served as a place for meditation, worship, and veneration of the Buddha and his teachings. The construction of stupas was considered a meritorious act, and they were often built to commemorate significant events, such as the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, or passing away.

Explanation : 

a. Andhra

Dhanyakataka, also known as Dharanikota or Amaravati

was a prominent Buddhist center located in the Andhra region of ancient India. It flourished under the Mahasanghikas, a major early Buddhist school. The region was known for its rich Buddhist heritage, with numerous monasteries, stupas, and sculptures. The famous Amaravati Stupa, one of the largest and most intricately carved stupas in India, was also situated in this region.

Dharanikota – Wikipedia

Explanation : 

b. Orangutan

Orangutans

Orangutans are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities. They have been observed making tools using sticks to scrape insects from holes in trees or logs of wood. This behavior demonstrates their ability to manipulate objects in their environment to access food sources that would otherwise be difficult to reach. Orangutans are one of the few non-human primates that exhibit tool-making and tool-using behaviors in the wild.

Explanation : 

c. All three

Microorganisms

There are various types of microorganisms that have adapted to survive and grow in extreme conditions.

1. Some microorganisms, known as thermophiles, can grow in high-temperature environments above the boiling point of water (100°C). For example, some bacteria and archaea can thrive in hot springs and hydrothermal vents.

2. Some microorganisms, known as psychrophiles, can grow in environments with temperatures below the freezing point of water (0°C). These microorganisms can be found in the Arctic, Antarctic, and other permanently cold environments.

3. Some microorganisms, known as acidophiles, can grow in highly acidic environments with a pH below 3. These microorganisms can be found in acidic hot springs, acid mine drainage, and other acidic environments.

Explanation : 

d. All four

• Some mushrooms do have medicinal properties, such as immune system support and anti-cancer effects.
• Some mushrooms also have psycho-active properties, like psilocybin mushrooms, which cause hallucinations.
• Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties, like certain entomopathogenic fungi that can kill or disable insects.
• Lastly, some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties, like the “glow-in-the-dark” mushrooms that emit light through a process called bioluminescence.

Explanation : 

c. Honeybees

Honeybees

Honeybees perform the waggle dance to communicate with their fellow bees about the location of a food source. The dance consists of a series of movements and vibrations that encode information about the direction and distance to the food source. This helps the colony to efficiently gather nectar and pollen from flowers.

Explanation : 

Correct Answer – a. The International Union for Conservation of Nature

Invasive Species Specialist Group

The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is a part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN is a global organization that focuses on the conservation of nature and the sustainable use of natural resources. The ISSG is a specialist group within the IUCN that specifically works on addressing the threat of invasive species to biodiversity and ecosystems. They develop the Global Invasive Species Database, which is a comprehensive resource on invasive species and their impacts on native ecosystems.

Explanation : 

c. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

Marsupials and Their Habitat

Statement-I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India. They are primarily native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, with some species also found in the Americas.

Statement-II: Marsupials can thrive in various habitats, not just montane grasslands, and they do face predators in their natural environments. For example, kangaroos, which are marsupials, inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and deserts, and have predators such as dingoes and eagles. The statement that marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators is incorrect.