The United Nations recognizes six official languages for its meetings and documentation: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Urdu, despite being widely spoken in South Asia, is not included in this list of official languages used for formal UN proceedings and communications.
242
Which of the following is NOT an official language of the United Nations Organization?
The United Nations recognizes six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. German is not included among these official languages, despite its global significance in diplomacy and commerce.
243
Which of the following pairs of Asian languages are recognized as official languages of the United Nations?
The United Nations recognizes six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Among these, both Chinese and Arabic are widely spoken in Asia and serve as official working languages for the organization's global operations and documentation.
The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits were hosted by Laos in its capital city, Vientiane, in October 2024. These summits brought together leaders from Southeast Asian nations to discuss regional economic integration, security, and cooperation. The event served as a platform for addressing geopolitical challenges and strengthening the bloc's collective stance on international issues affecting the region.
245
What is the literal meaning of the term 'Intifada'?
The term 'Intifada' is an Arabic word that translates to 'shaking off' or 'uprising'. It is most commonly used in a political context to describe a popular rebellion or resistance movement against occupation or oppressive authority, most notably associated with the Palestinian resistance movements against Israeli control.
246
What is the literal meaning of the term 'Intifada'?
The term 'Intifada' is derived from the Arabic root 'nafada', which literally means 'to shake off' or 'to rise up'. In a political and historical context, it is most commonly used to describe the Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation, specifically the First Intifada that began in 1987 and the Second Intifada that began in 2000.
247
Which scholar is the author of the famous Quranic commentary known as 'Al-Kashshaf'?
Al-Kashshaf 'an Haqa'iq al-Tanzil, commonly referred to as 'Al-Kashshaf', is a highly influential tafsir (exegesis) of the Quran. It was written by the renowned scholar Abu al-Qasim al-Zamakhshari, often referred to as Allama Zamakhshari, who was celebrated for his deep linguistic analysis and mastery of Arabic rhetoric.
248
Which of the following agricultural crops is known to have originated from wild plant species found in rainforests?
Coffee (Coffea arabica) is widely recognized as having originated from wild plant species native to the rainforests of Ethiopia. These wild ancestors provided the genetic foundation for the coffee varieties cultivated globally today. While other crops have diverse origins, coffee is a classic example of a rainforest-derived agricultural product.
249
Consider the following statements about the political transition in the UK in 2026:
1. Andy Burnham was elected as the new Labour leader after a competitive vote against multiple candidates.
2. The Labour Party maintains its parliamentary majority based on the results of the 2024 general elections.
3. Andy Burnham previously served in the cabinet under former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect because Burnham was confirmed as leader due to there being no other eligibly nominated candidate, not through a competitive vote. Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2016211/andy-burnham-elected-new-labour-leader-now-set-to-be-uk-pm, 17 Jul 2026]
250
Which prestigious civilian award was conferred upon Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V in 2024?
The Nishan-i-Pakistan is the nation's highest civilian award, which was granted to the Prince in 2024 for his family's contributions to the country. The other options are lower-tier civil awards. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2001810/aga-khan-affirms-commitment-to-supporting-development-during-meeting-with-president-zardari, 20 May 2026]