UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on G7, World Happiness Report 2025 and more (Week 102)

QUESTION 1

With reference to the Group of Seven (G7), consider the following statements:

1. The G7 expanded into the G8 in 1997, with the inclusion of Russia. However, Russia’s participation was suspended in 2014 following the illegal annexation of Crimea.

2. The European Union (EU) participates in the Group and is represented at the summits by the President of each country part of the EU in alphabetical order.

3. It has a permanent administrative structure.

4. The member states take over the leadership of the Group on a rotating basis.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— The United States moved closer to its G7 allies, at least temporarily, to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity and warn Russia that if it does not follow Kyiv in adopting a ceasefire, it may face additional sanctions.

— In response to the 1973 oil crisis, the Group was formed to facilitate economic and financial cooperation. The inaugural Summit of Heads of State and Government took place in Rambouillet, France, in 1975. It comprised France, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Italy. The G7’s present configuration was established in 1976, when Canada joined.

— The European Union also participates in the Group, and the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission attend the summits. The EU does not have the rotating chairmanship of the G7. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Between 1997 and 2013, the G7 evolved into the G8, which now includes Russia. However, Russia’s participation was suspended in 2014 due to the unlawful annexation of Crimea. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Unlike an international organisation, the G7 lacks a stable administrative framework. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Each year, beginning on January 1st, one of the Member States takes over the Group’s presidency on a rotational basis. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.g7italy.it)

QUESTION 2

With reference to the World Happiness Report 2025, consider the following statements:

1. Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year.

2. The rankings are based on people’s self-assessed life evaluations.

3. All top 20 spots are dominated by the European nations.

4. Zimbabwe remains the unhappiest nation in the world for the fourth consecutive year.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 4 only

Explanation

— According to the World Happiness Report 2025, released by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, Finland is the happiest country in the world for the eighth year in a row. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The rankings are based on people’s self-assessed life evaluations, which were gathered through Gallup polls done in collaboration with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— India placed 118th on the happiness index, with nearby Pakistan at 109th. Despite substantial economic and social issues, Pakistan’s significantly better score indicates a stronger sense of social support among its population, according to the report’s study.

— While European countries dominated the top 20, several changes were noticeable. Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) join the top ten for the first time. The United States fell to 24th place, its lowest ranking in history. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Afghanistan (ranked 147th) continues to be the world’s unhappiest country for the fourth year in a row. Afghan women described very difficult living conditions. According to AP, other countries near the bottom include Sierra Leone (146th), Lebanon (145th), Malawi (144th), and Zimbabwe (143rd). Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

The Island of Lampedusa was recently in the news. It is part of:

(a) Italy

(b) Greece

(c) Portugal

(d) Denmark

Explanation

— A catastrophe near the Italian island of Lampedusa claimed the lives of at least six migrants and left 40 missing, according to a representative for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

— According to a UNHCR official, survivors told rescuers that many of the 56 migrants from Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Mali fell into the water due to terrible weather a few hours after leaving Tunisia’s city of Sfax.

— The UNHCR and its partner organisation, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), were assisting the rescued migrants on Lampedusa, while the Italian Red Cross provided psychological support, according to the spokeswoman.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

The Houthis have been engaged in a civil war for more than a decade now. They have control over the capital of:

(a) Sudan

(b) Saudi Arabia

(c) Jordan

(d) Yemen

Explanation

— The US carried out nearly 40 strikes across Yemeni territory, including the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, the northern Sadaa governorate, and the Hodeidah Port, in what it described as “precision strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets”.

— The Houthis are Zaydi Shia. Zayadism is a sub-sect of Shia Islam that considers the Prophet Muhammad’s family to be the state’s political leaders.

— They have been fighting a civil war for more than a decade, with the tide turning in their favour in recent years. They hold Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. Iran, a Shia-majority country, is thought to support the Houthis, whereas its regional foe, Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia (together with Western allies such as the United States), supports the Yemen government.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

Consider the following countries:

1. Israel

2. Syria

3. Lebanon

4. Egypt

How many of the above countries share a border with the Gaza Strip?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1 and 4 only

Explanation

— Almost two months after the cease-fire discussions began, Israel resumed large-scale aircraft attacks on the Gaza Strip. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the airstrikes killed more than 400 individuals and injured over 500 others.

— The current offensive has sent shockwaves around the world, as weeks of discussions that had temporarily halted 15 months of terrible fighting in the territory proved unsuccessful.

— Gaza is surrounded by Egypt to the southwest and Israel to the east and north.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 102)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 102)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 102)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 102)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 101)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 101)

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