UPSC Essentials daily subject quiz : International Relations MCQs (Week 177) — Check out answers with explanations

UPSC Essentials presents its daily subject quiz on International Relations. This quiz aims to help candidates revise key topics from the static portion of the syllabus. Today's quiz revolves around Central Asian countries, the H-1B visa programme, the Ring of Fire, and another notable country's oil reserves.

Question 1 asks candidates to identify Central Asian countries from a list. The correct answer is option (d) 3, 4 and 5 only, which includes Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. These countries are part of the broader Central Asia region, which has garnered attention for security cooperation, China's influence, connectivity projects, energy resources, and cultural ties.

Moving forward to Question 2, the H-1B visa programme is the topic under discussion. Statement 1 is correct as the program allows US employers to hire foreign workers with specialised training in certain fields. However, statement 2 is incorrect as there is a limit of 65,000 H-1B visas issued annually, along with an additional 20,000 visas for those holding advanced degrees.

Statement 3 is also incorrect, as the H-1B visa is typically approved for a period of three to six years. Therefore, option (a) only one statement is correct.

Question 3 requires candidates to determine through which countries the Ring of Fire extends. The correct answer is option (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4, which includes Japan, Central America, western coast of South America, and Indonesia. The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped region around the Pacific Ocean, where significant tectonic activity results in frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Lastly, Question 4 tests candidates' knowledge of the world's largest proven oil reserves. The correct answer is option (d) not provided in the source, as the exact country is not mentioned. However, the United States recently announced plans to gain majority control — or 20% — of the proven oil reserves in Saudi Arabia, which hold the largest reserves globally.