Q1. On 1st January 2016, a big decision was taken in China. The decision was a dramatic step away from a core Communist Party positions that Deng Xiaoping; the Chinese leader imposed it in the late 1970s. The decision surprised many experts and ordinary Chinese; some said it was likely to ignite a big unexpected boom in the country. What was the decision?
Q2. On February 2, each year, the town of Punxsutawney, in Pennsylvania celebrates a legendary festival. A rodent belonging to the group of large ground squirrels (Marmota monax) called as Punxsutawney Phil makes predictions. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when it emerges from its burrow on this day, then the spring season will arrive early, some time before the vernal equinox; if it is sunny, it will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its den, and winter weather will persist for six more weeks. Which festival and rodent are we talking about?
Q3. On March 1, this NASA astronaut was back on Earth after a 340-day stay in space along with the Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko. The NASA astronaut is best known for spending more time in space than any other American and his space photos really amazed the people. He and his brother Mark are the only siblings to have traveled in space. Identify him.
Q4. Every year, during the first five days of April, the Adi Galo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh celebrates their indigenous festival. The festival is celebrated to drive away evil spirits and acquire wealth and prosperity. Festival starts with smearing of rice powder on each other’s face and they believe that Mithun is a very auspicious animal and hence use it for animal sacrifice. If you are around you will definitely see the famous 'Popir' dance. Which festival are we talking about?
Q5. On May 16, this book written by Han Kang and translated by Deborah Smith, won the Man Booker International Prize. The book tells the story of Yeong-hye, a home-maker who, one day, suddenly decides to stop eating meat after having experienced human brutality in a nightmarish dream. Identify the popular book.
Q6. In the month of June, during an annual Catholic feast in the tiny Spanish village of Castrillo de Murcia, Burgos, men dressed as devils perform a daring task as a part of a festival. The whole performance is to cleanse them of sin. The yearly festival is known locally as “El Colacho”. The strange practice is frowned upon by the clergy of the Catholic Church and asked people to distance themselves from the ritual. What exactly is this festival?
Q7. Melanie Hamilton Wilkes never survived 'Gone with the Wind'. But the actress who played her is the last remaining star from the Oscar-winning Best Picture of 1939, celebrated her 100th birthday on July 1, 2016. The British-American actress whose career spanned from 1935 to 1990 was one of the leading movie stars during the golden age of Classical Hollywood. Identify her.
Q8. In August, the Manus Island was in the news continuously. Manus Island is part of Manus Province in northern part of this country and is the fifth-largest island. A detention centre was built on Manus Island in 2001 as part of Australia's Pacific Solution. Supreme Court of this country in August ordered the Australian
government to present a plan for the resettlement of 900 men still held under the detention regime on the island. Which country houses this detention centre?
Q9. On September 7, this airline company was under Fire for 'Racist' Warning on London Minority Areas. The airline advises tourists "not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person". It warned the passengers to exercise caution when visiting areas of London "mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people". Social media described it as "ignorant" and "blatantly racist". Which airline are we talking about?
Q10. On October 13, this person breathed his last. He was born on the 5th December 1927 in Cambridge, Massachusetts and his name was written only as
‘Baby Songkla‘on his US birth certificate as his parents had to await for an auspicious name from King Rajadhipok. Eventually, a name was given which meant 'Strength of the Land, Incomparable Power'. He had great passion for technology. At the age of 10, he created his own radio with metal coils he won at a school raffle and built a dam in a stream near his house. Who are we talking about?
Q11. A little-known team outside their own country, this football team made headlines in tragic circumstances on the evening of 28 November 2016, when the LaMia Flight 2933, carrying 77 people, including the staff and players from the club, crashed. It was founded in 1973 and recently before the crash it became the first Brazilian team in three years to make it to the final of the Copa Sudamericana, South America's second most important club competition. Which team are we talking about?
Q12. In December, a flight was late and grounded because someone named their Wi-Fi hotspot after a controversial mobile phone version. This created panic and gave the other passengers and the flight’s crew the impression that this device was somewhere on the plane and actively being used. This mobile device is a potential fire hazard and is officially barred from flight by the Federal Aviation Administration. The captain warned that the flight would need to be diverted and land for an emergency search if no one stepped forward. Which mobile are we talking about?
