• Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Double Humped Bactrian Camels have two humps on the back, compared to the single hump of the Dromedary (Arabian) camel. The humps store fat (not water) that provides energy and metabolic water during scarcity. They are classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ as per IUCN Red List. Hence, statements 1 and 3 are not correct.

• They possess thick, shaggy coats that fluctuate with the seasons, growing dense to withstand temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. Their nostrils are sealable to block out frozen dust, while their broad feet act like natural snowshoes. They are among the few land animals that can survive by eating snow to meet their hydration needs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

• Solution (c)

Explanation:

• OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) Plus was established in 2016 through the “Declaration of Cooperation” at the Vienna Group meeting. It was formed to counter falling oil prices caused by the surge in U.S. shale oil production. OPEC was established in 1960 by the five founding members Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

• The headquarters of OEC Plus is located in Vienna, Austria. It controls approximately 40% of global oil production and nearly 80% of proven reserves. It comprises of 22 countries (12 OPEC countries plus Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mexico, Malaysia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Oman). Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

• Solution (d)

Explanation:

Popocatépetl Volcano is located in central Mexico roughly 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of Mexico City. It is on the border of the states of México and Puebla. It lies on the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, which is the result of the small Cocos Plate subducting beneath the North American Plate. It is one of Mexico’s most active volcanoes, with recorded eruptions since 1519. It is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the Ring of Fire. Hence, option d is the correct answer.

• Solution (b)

Explanation:

Taimoor Missile is an air-launched cruise missile developed by Pakistan. It is designed to enhance Pakistan’s conventional deterrence and precision-strike capabilities against both land and sea targets. It is capable of striking enemy land and sea targets with high precision. It uses subsonic turbojet propulsion for long-range efficiency. It has a range of upto 600 kilometers, carrying a conventional warhead. Hence, option b is the correct answer.

• Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Typhoid is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. The bacteria primarily inhabit the small intestine, liver, spleen, and bone marrow. It is more prevalent in places with less efficient sanitation and hygiene. It is most prevalent in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, statement 1 is INCORRECT.

It follows a faecal-oral route through contaminated food or water. It can also spread via “4 F’s”: Flies, Fingers, Faeces, and Fomites. Humans are the only known carriers of the disease. This means that the pathogen naturally resides and is transmitted within the human population, with no other known animal reservoirs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.