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Geopolitics & World News Involving India (7 Questions) 1. On January 2, 2026, India urged which neighboring country to expedite the release of 167 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners? A) Bangladesh B) Sri Lanka C) Pakistan D) Maldives Correct Answer: C. Explanation: The Ministry of External Affairs requested Pakistan to release those who had completed their sentences and provide consular access to others believed to be Indian. 2. A devastating fire and explosion at a bar in which Swiss resort on January 1, 2026, killed at least 46 people? A) Zermatt B) Crans-Montana C) St. Moritz D) Davos Correct Answer: ... Read more

Q1. What is the primary reason the yueqin is nicknamed "moon guitar" or "moon lute"? A. It is played primarily at night under moonlight B. Its round body resembles the shape of a full moon C. It was invented during a lunar festival D. Its sound evokes the quiet of the night sky Answer: B. Its round body resembles the shape of a full moon Q2. The yueqin evolved from which ancient Chinese string instrument? A. Pipa B. Guzheng C. Ruan D. Erhu Answer: C. Ruan Q3. During which Chinese dynasty did the yueqin become known by its current name? ... Read more

Q1. What is the oud primarily classified as in musical instrument families? A. A percussion instrument B. A wind instrument C. A short-necked lute-type chordophone D. A keyboard instrument Answer: C. A short-necked lute-type chordophone Q2. The name "oud" in Arabic most commonly refers to what? A. A type of reed B. Wood or a flexible stick C. A metal string D. A bird's feather Answer: B. Wood or a flexible stick Q3. Which ancient Persian instrument is considered the direct ancestor of the modern oud? A. Tar B. Setar C. Barbat D. Qanun Answer: C. Barbat

Geopolitics and World News Involving India (10 Questions) 1. On January 1, 2026, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of their nuclear installations under which bilateral agreement? A) Shimla Agreement B) Lahore Declaration C) Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities D) Tashkent Agreement Answer: C. Explanation: This annual exchange on New Year's Day is a confidence-building measure under the 1988 agreement, prohibiting attacks on each other's nuclear facilities. 2. Which country officially adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st member of the eurozone? A) Croatia B) Bulgaria C) Romania D) Sweden Answer: B. ... Read more

Q1. What family of musical instruments does the historical spinet belong to? A. Piano family B. Harpsichord family C. Organ family D. String family Answer: B. Harpsichord family Q2. How is sound primarily produced on a historical spinet? A. By plectra plucking strings B. By hammers striking strings C. By air blowing through pipes D. By tangents striking strings Answer: A. By plectra plucking strings Q3. What is the typical shape of the most common type of historical spinet? A. Rectangular B. Oval C. Wing-shaped or bentside D. Square Answer: C. Wing-shaped or bentside

Q1. What is the primary sound production mechanism of the celesta? A. Vibrating strings struck by hammers B. Metal bars struck by felt hammers C. Tuning forks vibrated by keys D. Wooden plates bowed with a mechanism Answer: B. Metal bars struck by felt hammers Q2. The name "celesta" derives from a French word meaning what? A. Bell-like B. Sparkling C. Heavenly D. Mystic Answer: C. Heavenly Q3. In which year was the modern celesta patented? A. 1860 B. 1886 C. 1892 D. 1900 Answer: B. 1886

Q1. What is the primary distinguishing feature of the cornet's bore compared to the trumpet? A. Cylindrical throughout B. Conical, gradually widening C. Completely straight D. Narrower at the bell Answer: B. Conical, gradually widening Q2. The modern valved cornet was developed in which decade? A. 1600s B. 1750s C. 1820s D. 1900s Answer: C. 1820s Q3. Which instrument is the cornet historically derived from? A. Post horn B. Natural trumpet C. French horn D. Flugelhorn Answer: A. Post horn

Q1. What family of musical instruments does the bassoon belong to? A. Single-reed woodwinds B. Brass C. Double-reed woodwinds D. Percussion Answer: C. Double-reed woodwinds Q2. The bassoon is known for producing sound through which type of mouthpiece? A. Single reed B. Double reed C. Metal mouthpiece D. Open hole Answer: B. Double reed Q3. What is the primary material used to construct modern bassoons? A. Metal B. Plastic C. Maple wood D. Bamboo Answer: C. Maple wood

Q1. What is the primary material used for the bars of a modern marimba? A. Metal B. Wood C. Synthetic plastic D. Stone Answer: B. Wood Q2. The marimba belongs to which family of musical instruments? A. Chordophone B. Aerophone C. Idiophone D. Membranophone Answer: C. Idiophone Q3. What structure is suspended below each bar on a marimba to amplify the sound? A. Resonator pipes B. Metal bells C. Drum heads D. Strings Answer: A. Resonator pipes

Q1. What is the primary ancestor of the European lute? A. The Greek lyre B. The Arabic oud C. The Indian sitar D. The Persian tar Answer: B. The Arabic oud Q2. During which historical period was the lute the most important instrument for secular music in Europe? A. Medieval B. Classical C. Renaissance D. Romantic Answer: C. Renaissance Q3. How was the medieval lute typically played before the shift to fingerstyle? A. With fingernails B. With a plectrum C. Bowed like a violin D. Strummed with a pick Answer: B. With a plectrum