Q1. What is the capital city of West Bengal?
a) Darjeeling
b) Kolkata
c) Siliguri
d) Asansol
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Correct Answer: b) Kolkata
Explanation: Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital city of West Bengal. It is the largest city in the state and serves as its cultural, commercial, and educational center. Kolkata has a rich history dating back to the British colonial era and is often referred to as the “Cultural Capital of India” due to its significant contributions to literature, art, and cinema.
Q2. Which river is known as the “lifeline of West Bengal”?
a) Hooghly
b) Damodar
c) Teesta
d) Mahananda
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Correct Answer: a) Hooghly
Explanation: The Hooghly River, a distributary of the Ganges, is often called the “lifeline of West Bengal.” It flows through the state, including Kolkata, and plays a crucial role in transportation, irrigation, and commerce. The river’s importance to the region’s economy and culture has earned it this significant title.
Q3. Which famous hill station in West Bengal is known for its tea plantations?
a) Digha
b) Murshidabad
c) Darjeeling
d) Sundarbans
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Correct Answer: c) Darjeeling
Explanation: Darjeeling, located in the Lesser Himalayas of West Bengal, is renowned for its tea plantations. The region’s unique climate and soil conditions produce the world-famous Darjeeling tea, often referred to as the “Champagne of Teas.” Besides tea, Darjeeling is also a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
Q4. Who is considered the “Father of Bengali Renaissance”?
a) Rabindranath Tagore
b) Swami Vivekananda
c) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
d) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
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Correct Answer: c) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Explanation: Raja Ram Mohan Roy is widely regarded as the “Father of Bengali Renaissance.” He was a prominent social reformer who fought against social evils like sati, child marriage, and polygamy. Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj, a reformist movement within Hinduism, and played a crucial role in modernizing Indian society and education in the early 19th century.
Q5. Which UNESCO World Heritage Site in West Bengal is the world’s largest mangrove forest?
a) Victoria Memorial
b) Sundarbans
c) Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
d) Santiniketan
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Correct Answer: b) Sundarbans
Explanation: The Sundarbans, located in the delta region of West Bengal and Bangladesh, is the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to the Bengal tiger and numerous other species of flora and fauna. The Sundarbans plays a crucial role in protecting the coastline from cyclones and erosion while supporting a unique ecosystem.
Q6. Which famous Bengali poet and philosopher won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913?
a) Satyajit Ray
b) Amartya Sen
c) Rabindranath Tagore
d) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
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Correct Answer: c) Rabindranath Tagore
Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned Bengali polymath, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. He was the first non-European to receive this honor. Tagore’s contributions to Bengali literature, music, and art were immense. He composed the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh and founded the Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan.
Q7. Which traditional Bengali sweet is made from chhena and is shaped like a small log?
a) Rasgulla
b) Sandesh
c) Mishti Doi
d) Langcha
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Correct Answer: d) Langcha
Explanation: Langcha is a traditional Bengali sweet that is shaped like a small log or cylinder. It is made from chhena (a type of cottage cheese) and is deep-fried before being soaked in sugar syrup. Langcha originated in the Shaktigarh region of West Bengal and is now popular throughout the state and beyond.
Q8. Which famous Bengali film director won an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1992?
a) Mrinal Sen
b) Ritwik Ghatak
c) Satyajit Ray
d) Tapan Sinha
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Correct Answer: c) Satyajit Ray
Explanation: Satyajit Ray, the renowned Bengali filmmaker, received an Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement in 1992. Ray is considered one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century. His works, including the Apu Trilogy, gained international acclaim for their artistic merit and portrayal of Indian society. Ray’s contributions significantly elevated Indian cinema on the global stage.
Q9. Which district of West Bengal is famous for its terracotta temples?
a) Bankura
b) Birbhum
c) Hooghly
d) Malda
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Correct Answer: a) Bankura
Explanation: Bankura district in West Bengal is famous for its terracotta temples, particularly in the town of Bishnupur. These temples, built between the 17th and 19th centuries, showcase intricate terracotta artwork depicting scenes from Hindu epics and everyday life. The unique architectural style and craftsmanship of these temples make Bankura a significant center of Bengal’s cultural heritage.
Q10. Which famous Bengali scientist is known as the “Father of Radio Science”?
a) Meghnad Saha
b) Jagadish Chandra Bose
c) Satyendra Nath Bose
d) Prafulla Chandra Ray
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Correct Answer: b) Jagadish Chandra Bose
Explanation: Jagadish Chandra Bose is known as the “Father of Radio Science” for his pioneering work in radio and microwave optics. He was the first to demonstrate radio communication with millimeter wavelengths and invented various instruments for this purpose. Bose’s contributions to plant physiology and his demonstration that plants have life were also groundbreaking, making him a multifaceted scientist of global repute.