If you want to improve your General Knowledge (GK) or are preparing for FPSC, PPSC, CSS, PMS, NTS, OTS, ISSB, FIA, ASF, Police, Bank Jobs, and other competitive exams, then these 20 General Knowledge MCQs with Answers Part I are very useful for you. In this post, you will get 20 important GK multiple choice questions with their correct answers and detailed explanations, which will not only help you increase your knowledge but also help you understand the concepts well. These MCQs cover important topics like Science, Geography, History, World Facts, and Current General Knowledge, which are frequently asked in all types of competitive exams and interviews.
20 General Knowledge MCQs with Answers Part I
1. What is the capital of Australia?
A) Sydney B) Melbourne ✅ C) Canberra D) Perth
Explanation: Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It was officially selected in 1908 as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne, which were both competing to become the nation’s capital. Today, Canberra is home to Australia’s Parliament House and many important government institutions.
2. Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
A) Venus ✅ B) Mars C) Jupiter D) Mercury
Explanation: Mars is called the Red Planet because its surface is covered with iron oxide, commonly known as rust, which gives it a reddish appearance. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and is one of the most explored planets in our solar system due to its potential for past or future life.
3. Who wrote “Romeo and Juliet”?
A) Charles Dickens ✅ B) William Shakespeare C) Jane Austen D) Mark Twain
Explanation: Romeo and Juliet is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays. Written in the late 16th century, it tells the tragic story of two young lovers whose families are rivals. The play is considered one of the greatest works of English literature.
4. Which is the largest ocean in the world?
A) Atlantic Ocean B) Indian Ocean ✅ C) Pacific Ocean D) Arctic Ocean
Explanation: The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, covering about one-third of the planet’s surface. It stretches between Asia, Australia, North America, and South America and contains thousands of islands, including many in Oceania.
5. What is the currency of Japan?
A) Won B) Dollar ✅ C) Yen D) Peso
Explanation: The Japanese Yen (JPY) is the official currency of Japan. Introduced in 1871, it is one of the world’s most traded currencies and plays an important role in international finance and global foreign exchange markets.
6. Which is the tallest mountain in the world?
A) K2 ✅ B) Mount Everest C) Kangchenjunga D) Makalu
Explanation: Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level, standing at approximately 8,849 meters (29,032 feet). It lies on the border between Nepal and China (Tibet) and attracts climbers from around the world despite its extreme weather conditions.
7. How many continents are there on Earth?
A) 5 B) 6 ✅ C) 7 D) 8
Explanation: Earth has seven continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia (Oceania). Asia is the largest continent by both area and population, while Australia is the smallest by land area.
8. Which country is famous for the Eiffel Tower?
A) Italy ✅ B) France C) Germany D) Spain
Explanation: The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks and is located in Paris, the capital of France. Built in 1889 for the World’s Fair, it has become a global symbol of French culture and attracts millions of visitors every year.
9. What is the chemical symbol for Gold?
A) Ag B) Gd ✅ C) Au D) Go
Explanation: The chemical symbol Au comes from the Latin word Aurum, meaning “shining dawn.” Gold is a precious metal widely used in jewelry, electronics, dentistry, and financial reserves because of its durability and resistance to corrosion.
10. Who invented the telephone?
A) Thomas Edison ✅ B) Alexander Graham Bell C) Nikola Tesla D) James Watt
Explanation: Alexander Graham Bell is widely credited with inventing the first practical telephone and received a patent for it in 1876. His invention revolutionized long-distance communication and laid the foundation for the modern telecommunications industry.
11. Which is the smallest continent in the world?
A) Europe B) Antarctica C) South America ✅ D) Australia
Explanation: Australia is the smallest continent by land area, covering approximately 7.7 million square kilometers. Despite being the smallest continent, it is also one of the world’s largest countries and is famous for its unique wildlife, including kangaroos and koalas.
12. Which gas do plants absorb from the atmosphere during photosynthesis?
A) Oxygen ✅ B) Carbon Dioxide C) Nitrogen D) Hydrogen
Explanation: Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. Using sunlight, water, and chlorophyll, they convert carbon dioxide into glucose for energy while releasing oxygen, which is essential for most living organisms.
13. Which is the largest desert in the world?
A) Gobi Desert B) Arabian Desert C) Sahara Desert ✅ D) Antarctica
Explanation: Although many people think the Sahara is the largest desert, Antarctica is actually the world’s largest desert because it receives very little precipitation. Deserts are defined by their dryness rather than their temperature.
14. Which country gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States?
A) England B) Germany ✅ C) France D) Italy
Explanation: France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of friendship and shared values of freedom and democracy. The statue stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor and is one of America’s most famous landmarks.
15. How many colors are there in a rainbow?
A) 5 B) 6 ✅ C) 7 D) 8
Explanation: A rainbow consists of seven colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet (commonly remembered as ROYGBIV). These colors appear when sunlight is refracted, reflected, and dispersed through water droplets in the atmosphere.
16. Which is the largest mammal in the world?
A) African Elephant B) Giraffe ✅ C) Blue Whale D) Hippopotamus
Explanation: The Blue Whale is the largest animal ever known to have lived on Earth. It can grow up to 30 meters (98 feet) long and weigh over 180 metric tons. Despite its enormous size, it feeds mainly on tiny shrimp-like animals called krill.
17. Which country is known as the “Land of the Rising Sun”?
A) China ✅ B) Japan C) Thailand D) South Korea
Explanation: Japan is known as the “Land of the Rising Sun” because it lies east of the Asian continent, where the sun appears to rise. The country’s name, “Nihon” or “Nippon,” literally means “origin of the sun.
18. Which organ pumps blood throughout the human body?
A) Brain B) Lungs ✅ C) Heart D) Liver
Explanation: The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system. It supplies oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing carbon dioxide and other waste products, making it essential for human survival.
19. Which is the longest river in the world?
A) Amazon River ✅ B) Nile River C) Yangtze River D) Mississippi River
Explanation: The Nile River has traditionally been recognized as the world’s longest river, stretching about 6,650 kilometers (4,130 miles). It flows through northeastern Africa and has supported civilizations such as ancient Egypt for thousands of years. (Some recent studies debate whether the Amazon may be slightly longer, but the Nile remains the standard answer in most competitive exams.)
20. Which country has the largest population in the world?
A) United States ✅ B) India C) China D) Indonesia
Explanation: India is currently the world’s most populous country, with a population of over 1.4 billion people. It surpassed China in 2023 according to United Nations estimates and is known for its cultural, linguistic, and geographical diversity.