UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A quiz on UNESCO on the 80th anniversary of the international organisation’s Constitution coming into force

Q1. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Although the UNESCO Constitution was signed in London in November 1945, UNESCO formally came into existence as an organisation only in November 1946.
  2. The UNESCO Constitution provided that it would come into force only when it had been accepted by a specified number of its signatories.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q2. A State that is not a Member of the United Nations wishes to become a Member of UNESCO. Under UNESCO's Constitution, which of the following correctly describes how this can happen?

  • A. It must first be admitted to the United Nations, as UNESCO membership is open only to UN Member States.
  • B. It can be admitted on a recommendation of the UN Security Council by a simple majority of UNESCO's General Conference.
  • C. It can be admitted by ECOSOC on a recommendation of UNESCO's Director-General, without any General Conference vote.
  • D. It can be admitted on a recommendation of UNESCO's Executive Board by a two-thirds majority of the General Conference.

Q3. With reference to the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Recognition of a property as world heritage leaves sovereignty over it with the State on whose territory it lies.
  2. The duty of identifying and protecting such heritage belongs primarily to the international community, with the territorial State only supplementing its efforts.
  3. A property can be included in the World Heritage List only with the consent of the State concerned.
  4. The World Heritage Fund is built from compulsory as well as voluntary contributions of States Parties.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q4. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia is regarded as a forerunner of the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
  2. The relocation of the Abu Simbel temples was financed from the World Heritage Fund established under that Convention.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q5. With reference to how the World Heritage system responds when a large development project threatens heritage of outstanding universal value, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. A World Heritage property threatened by serious and specific dangers, such as large-scale public or private projects, can be entered on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
  2. Once a property is entered on the List of World Heritage in Danger, its management passes to the World Heritage Committee until the threat is removed.
  3. A property not yet on the World Heritage List can be placed directly on the List of World Heritage in Danger if it faces a serious threat.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q6. Consider the following pairs of a heritage element and the UNESCO framework under which it is recognised: Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

  1. A seasonal ritual and festive event practised by a community — World Heritage List under the 1972 Convention
  2. A collection of historic manuscripts held in an archive — Memory of the World Register
  3. An area reconciling biodiversity conservation with its sustainable use by local people — World Network of Biosphere Reserves
  4. A traditional craftsmanship skill passed down within a community — Representative List under the 2003 Convention
  • A. 3 and 4 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only