20 March : Daily Current Affairs Quiz

Answer: Option A - The Future of Free Speech

Explanation:

• The survey highlights a global decline in support for controversial speech, even in democracies.
• Norway and Denmark ranked highest, while India scored 62.6. Surprisingly, Hungary and Venezuela scored high despite government restrictions.
• In India, 37% supported limiting criticism, reflecting democratic backsliding.
• While Indians perceived improved free speech, global rankings suggest a decline.
• The report signals a gap between public attitudes and actual protection of free speech in several countries.

Answer: Option C - SpaceX's crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS)

Explanation:

• The Crew-9 mission is a part of NASA and SpaceX’s Commercial Crew Program, designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
• It is the ninth operational crewed flight under this partnership, using the Crew Dragon spacecraft launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
• This mission enhances scientific research aboard the ISS and ensures continuous human presence in space for technological and exploratory advancements.

Answer: Option B - Differential heating between land and ocean masses

Explanation:

• The subtropical jet stream shifts seasonally due to temperature contrasts between land and ocean.
• In summer, land heats faster than water, weakening the jet, while in winter, stronger temperature gradients intensify it.
• Earth's axial tilt influences seasons but not directly the jet stream shift.
• Coriolis force affects jet stream direction, not its seasonal movement. Stratospheric ozone and geomagnetic fluctuations have minimal impact.

Answer: Option B - Differential heating between land and ocean masses

Explanation:

• The subtropical jet stream shifts seasonally due to temperature contrasts between land and ocean.
• In summer, land heats faster than water, weakening the jet, while in winter, stronger temperature gradients intensify it.
• Earth's axial tilt influences seasons but not directly the jet stream shift.
• Coriolis force affects jet stream direction, not its seasonal movement. Stratospheric ozone and geomagnetic fluctuations have minimal impact.

Answer: Option D - Intensifies Indian monsoons while weakening rainfall over Indonesia and Australia

Explanation:

• The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is a climate phenomenon affecting monsoons and global weather patterns.
• A positive IOD warms the western Indian Ocean, increasing rainfall over India and East Africa while reducing it in Indonesia and Australia.
• This disrupts monsoons and can intensify El Niño effects.
• A negative IOD does the opposite, weakening Indian monsoons and increasing rainfall over Indonesia and Australia, impacting agriculture and ecosystems.