John McCarthy is regarded as the father of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He coined the term “Artificial Intelligence” in 1956 during the Dartmouth Conference, which is considered the founding event of AI as a research field. McCarthy also developed the LISP programming language, one of the earliest languages used for AI programming. His contributions laid the foundation for modern AI research, machine learning, and robotics.

Other options (for context)

• Charles Babbage: Known as the “Father of the Computer” for designing the Analytical Engine.
• Lee De Forest: Invented the triode vacuum tube, which advanced early electronics.
• J. P. Eckert: Co-inventor of ENIAC, one of the first electronic general-purpose computers.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is a major cause of acid rain. When released into the atmosphere from vehicle exhausts and industrial emissions, it reacts with water vapor to form nitric acid (HNO₃). Along with sulfur dioxide forming sulfuric acid, it contributes to acid rain, which damages vegetation, aquatic life, and buildings.

• Carbon dioxide: Causes global warming, not acid rain.
• Carbon monoxide: A toxic gas but not acidic.
• Oxygen: Essential for respiration, not a pollutant.

The Itai-Itai disease is caused by Cadmium (Cd) poisoning. The disease was first identified in Japan, where industrial discharge of cadmium-contaminated water led to severe pollution. People consuming rice grown in this contaminated water suffered from extreme pain in bones and joints, along with kidney damage. The name "Itai-Itai" literally means "ouch-ouch" in Japanese, reflecting the severe pain experienced by victims.

Other options (for context)

• Nickel: Causes dermatitis and allergic reactions but not Itai-Itai disease.
• Chromium: Can cause skin and respiratory problems, not bone-related disorders.
• Mercury: Leads to Minamata disease, not Itai-Itai disease.

Explanation: Sulphur is used in the process of vulcanization of rubber. During vulcanization, sulphur forms cross-links between the rubber molecules, improving elasticity, strength, and resistance to heat and wear. This makes natural rubber more durable and suitable for industrial use.

The full form of LAN is Local Area Network. It is a network that connects computers and devices within a limited geographical area such as a home, office, school, or building. LANs enable data sharing, resource sharing (like printers or internet connections), and communication between connected devices. Common technologies used in LANs include Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

Other options (for context)

• Line Area Network: Incorrect — not a recognized networking term.
• Linear Area Network: Incorrect — there is no such standard network type.
• Land Area Network: Incorrect — misinterpretation of LAN abbreviation.

Explanation: The onion is a modified underground stem called a bulb. It consists of a short, disc-like stem (the basal plate) surrounded by concentric fleshy leaf bases that store food. The roots emerge from the underside of the basal plate, and new shoots grow from the center. Thus, the onion bulb serves as a storage organ for nutrients and helps in vegetative propagation.

Explanation: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is an autonomous government agency set up by the Government of India under the Ministry of Power in 2002. It was established under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The primary objective of BEE is to promote policies and programs that increase the efficiency of energy use in various sectors of the economy. BEE also develops energy efficiency standards and labeling programs for appliances and buildings, such as the star-rating system seen on electrical devices.

Explanation: White Blood Cells (WBCs), also known as leukocytes, act as the body’s defense system. They protect the body against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Different types of WBCs — like lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils — have specialized roles in immunity. Because they “fight” infections, they are popularly called the ‘soldiers of the human body.’

Explanation: The decibel (dB) is a unit used to measure the intensity or loudness of sound. It expresses sound level on a logarithmic scale relative to a standard reference intensity of 10^-12 watt/m², which is the faintest sound the average human ear can hear. Normal conversation is around 60 dB, city traffic about 80–90 dB, and sounds above 120 dB can cause pain or hearing damage. The decibel scale helps compare very large variations in sound intensity conveniently.

Explanation: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth and casts its shadow on the Earth. This happens during the new moon phase, when all three celestial bodies are almost in a straight line. Depending on the alignment, the eclipse can be total (Sun completely covered), partial (Sun partially covered), or annular (ring-shaped Sun visible). During this event, sunlight is blocked for a short time in specific areas of the Earth’s surface.