RTO Learners License Test Experience

Note : I usually avoid writing on such a practical experience. But I decided to do so since I couldn’t find much notes by anyone else on this topic.

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I dislike 2 kinds of tests :

1. The ones which require you to memorize huge chunks of data for writing it out verbatim on to the paper.
2. The ones which don’t give you the scope of testing in advance.

Recently I realized that the Learner’s License Test @ RTO Bangalore belongs to the 2nd category. Learnt it the hard way .
The small booklet given to you => Just the basic rules of the road.
You need to go on the net & learn things on your own !
The ambiguous nature of the questions can cause a lot of misunderstandings too.

I have been told by my friends that the whole thing exists to encourage people to take the easy way out – Bribing. Governmental offices here in India are notorious for being the least user friendly place ever. Getting things done by an agent/tout leads to a hassle free experience for sure.
But I was determined to clear the exam on my own…& managed to do it too – though only by the 3rd attempt

I decided to blog on my experience here so as to help others in getting their LL done without facing too many difficulties.

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Place : RTO Bangalore

Purpose : Get Learner’s License

Things to do : Fill the form + pay the nominal amount (Rs 30) + have your Identity proof & Address proof attested by the RTO officer + Give the written examination (15 min).

Best time to visit : Weekday mornings.

Exam details : 15 questions to be answered in 15 min. Passing : 10/15

Useful Sites for Studying :

1. 137 Questions Set : Either Single page OR User Friendly 25 Questions set (Change url from 1-6 to visit each set)
2. Additional 85 Questions set
3. Sample Test (refresh the url for a new set)
4. Road Signs

Some Questions which I faced in my tests (The ones mostly not present in the links above. I have added my comments in red.) :

1. List in order of preference : [Preference of Life I hope ? ]
   1. Vehicle, Animal, Human
   2. Animal, Vehicle, Human
   3. Human, Animal, Vehicle
2. What do the given signs draw attention to (Slippery road sign & Loose Gravel road sign)?
   1. Brakes
   2. Steering
   3. Clutch
3. In a 2 way lane there is a slow vehicle ahead of you. Road is clear for overtaking You should : [Answer is given in the 85 sample set above. But still not clear why ? ]
   1. pass the vehicle from the left hand side
   2. pass the vehicle from the right hand side
   3. pass the vehicle from any convenient side.
4. Number of hand signals for a driver : [Easy answer but caught me off guard. ]
   1. 4
   2. 5
   3. 6
5. Who has the authority to change the regulations of the road?
   1. RTO
   2. Police
   3. Central Government
6. If the right turn is prohibited then a U – turn is also prohibited. [Tricky question for some1 with no practical experience. ]
   1. True
   2. False
7. When should you give the right of passage to an approaching ambulance ? [Still not sure of the answer ? ]
   1. Never
   2. When the siren & top light are activated.
   3. When the siren & top light are activated OR there is patient inside.
8. Color of Learner’s sign on a vehicle is :
   1. Red on yellow.
   2. Red on white.
   3. Black on White.
9. The correct way of taking a U – Turn is :
   1. Center of your road to left of the other road.
   2. Center of your road to center of the other road.
   3. Right of your road to center of other road.
10. Overtaking is permitted only when :
    1. Vehicle in front of you slows down.
    2. Vehicle in front of you gives sufficient right space.
    3. Owner of the vehicle in front of you gives the appropriate gesture to overtake.
11. Vehicle will not be seized when you do not have :
    1. Driving License.
    2. Registration certificate.
    3. Insurance papers.
12. What is the given sign ? (Rectangular signboard with couple of names of places along with distance given one below the other)
    1. Re-assurance sign.
    2. Direction sign.
    3. Destination sign.
13. Loud horn has to be used compulsorily for :
    1. Incline & Decline
    2. Left & right curves
    3. Both
14. Fill in the blank : “It is not allowed to go in ___ direction on a one way road”
    1. Reverse.
    2. Same.
    3. Opposite
15. Correct Driving near a high court :
    1. Horn & proceed cautiously.
    2. Drive slowly without overtaking.
    3. Don’t horn & don’t overtake.
16. Correct Driving near a temple :
    1. Horn & proceed cautiously.
    2. Drive slowly without overtaking.
    3. Don’t horn & don’t overtake.

Special Note : The supervising inspector was a helpful guy who encouraged me to try harder after I flunked the 1st time. Even told me to take more than the usual 15 min to answer the exam if needed.

I passed the test in my 3rd attempt with 12/15 marks. Could have got full…but for some careless mistakes on my part.

The whole list of chores can be accomplished within an hour IF you are 1 of the early birds on a weekday morning.

Thats my note on this topic. Hope it serves its purpose.

I would love to hear to hear more about such questions. So feel free to add to the list via comments !

The Blood Donation Guide

Its the begining of the year 2010…As per the Chinese Zodiac we are nearing the end of the Year of the Ox…to be succeeded by the Tiger (from Feb 14).
Blood donation is a noble generous act…..something which I always approved but never participated in…..I think the fear of the needle held me back.
As a begining to this year, I decided to vanquish that fear & strengthen my reasons for the need to donate blood.

Someone needs blood every two seconds.

Source : www.americasblood.org

Q. Why is Blood Needed?

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Blood product	Main uses
Whole blood	Open heart surgery, newborns
Red blood cells	Trauma, anemia, surgery
Platelets	Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Fresh frozen plasma	Massive transfusions
Plasma	Burns
Cryoprecipitate	Hemophilia

Q. Why should I donate ?

 

• Reduce the chance of heart diseases by as much as 1/3rd.
• Enhance the production of new Red Blood Cells.
• Helps in fighting hemochromitosis (iron overload disorder).
• Burns calories.One pint of blood (450 ml) when donated burns 650 calories in donor’s body.
• Donor gets a basic blood test carried out.

Q. Whats the shelf life of donated blood ?

 

• Platelets must be used within 5 days of donation.
• Red blood cells may be stored under refrigeration for a maximum of 42 days.
• Plasma is generally frozen and must be used within one year.

Q. Who Can Donate ?

 
You can donate Blood if :

• You are between 18 and 60 years.
• Your weigh over 45 kg.
• Your haemoglobin is over 12.5 gms.
• Your last blood donation was three months earlier.

Q. Which Tests are carried out before blood donation ?

 
The core tests recommended by the World Health Organization are :

• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen.
• Antibody to Hepatitis C.
• Antibody to HIV, usually subtypes 1 and 2.
• Serologic test for Syphilis.

Q. How is the Blood taken ?

 

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• The blood is drawn from a large arm vein close to the skin, usually the median cubital vein on the inside of the elbow.
• The skin over the blood vessel is cleaned with an antiseptic such as iodine or chlorhexidine to prevent skin bacteria from contaminating the collected blood and also to prevent infections where the needle pierced the donor’s skin.
• The donor may also be prompted to hold an object and squeeze it repeatedly to increase the blood flow through the vein.
• Whole Blood Method :
  • The most common method is collecting the blood from the donor’s vein into a container.
  • The blood is usually stored in a flexible plastic bag that also contains sodium citrate, phosphate, dextrose, and sometimes adenine. This combination keeps the blood from clotting and preserves it during storage.
• Apheresis :
  • Apheresis is a blood donation method where the blood is passed through an apparatus that separates out one particular constituent and returns the remainder to the donor.
  • Using this method an individual can donate plasma or platelets much more frequently than they can safely donate whole blood.

Q. What blood type is needed most?

 

• Common blood types are needed because there are many patients with them. Less common blood types are needed because there are fewer donors to give them.
• People with O- blood are particularly in demand because they are the “universal donor.”
• AB types are universal recipients.
• This relationship is reversed for plasma products. AB type plasma can be transfused to all patients, while O- types are the universal plasma recipients.
• Therefore, all types are really needed!

 

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Ref :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_donor
http://www.givelife2.org/aboutblood/faq.asp
http://www.americasblood.org
http://www.rotarybloodbank.org/press/reports.htm
http://www.sankalpindia.net/drupal/health-benefits-donating-blood
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The Alcohol Guide

“Every drink of liquor you take kills a thousand brain cells. Now that doesn’t much matter ‘cos we got billions more. And first the sadness cells die so you smile real big. And then the quiet cells go so you just say everything real loud for no reason at all. That’ok, that’s ok because the stupid cells go next, so everything you say is real smart. And finally, come the memory cells. These are tough sons of bitches to kill.”

- Matt Damon in The Legend of Bagger Vance

No I am not an expert on this subject….nor am I a regular drinker….Heck I dont even like the taste of liquor…..But I do know its something which cannot be avoided.
An alcoholic beverage seems to be a constant companion whenever some kind of gathering is arranged since it puts a person at ease & even the most introvert person begins talking when the drinks flow.
Since I am somewhat of an extrovert, I don’t need alcohol to open up but the same cant be said of most others.
Its popular for a reason….& its also criticised for a reason….we are here to discuss everything about Alcohol.
I dont believe that ignorance is bliss….which is why I am making this blog entry….Cheers !

Description :

Alcohol is one of the oldest recreational drugs.
It is also known as Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol (C₂H₅OH) in chemistry.
It is a psychoactive drug ie it acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function, resulting in changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behavior.

Effects

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A global study found that 3.6% of all cancer cases worldwide are caused by alcohol drinking, resulting in 3.5% of all global cancer deaths.

Types of Alcoholic Beverages :

Alcoholic beverages are divided into 3 general classes:

Beer :

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Alcohol %	:	3.2 – 8.0 %
Constituents	:	Water; a starch source or mixture(cereal grains—most commonly malted barley, although wheat, maize (corn), and rice) able to be fermented (converted into alcohol); a brewer’s yeast to produce the fermentation; and a flavouring such as hops.
Types	:	The globally popular pale lagers, and the regionally distinct ales.
Description	:	Beer is the world’s oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic beverage and the third most popular drink overall after water and tea. The process of making beer is known as brewing. Sales of beer are four times that of wine, the second most popular alcoholic beverage.

Wine :

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Alcohol %	:	10-20%.
Constituents	:	Fermenting crushed grapes(or other fruits or other starches like rice[sake wine] & barley) using various types of yeast.
Description	:	The resultant wines are normally named after the fruit from which they are produced (for example, apple wine or elderberry wine). Wine has a rich history dating back to around 6000 BC and is thought to have originated in areas now within the borders of Georgia and Iran. Red, white, and sparkling wines are the most popular, and are known as light wines because they are only 10–14% alcohol-content by volume.

Spirits :

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Alcohol %	:	40-55%.
Constituents	:	Distilled fermented grain, fruit, or vegetables with added sugar and added flavorings.
Types	:	Brandy, fruit brandy (aka eau-de-vie / Schnaps), gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whisky.
Description	:	Beer and wine are limited to a maximum alcohol content of about 15% ABV, as most yeasts cannot reproduce when the concentration of alcohol is above this level; consequently, fermentation ceases at that point. Types of Serving : Neat or straight — The spirit is served at room temperature without any additional ingredient. Straight up — This term refers to an alcoholic drink that is shaken or stirred with ice, strained, and served in a stemmed glass. On the rocks — The spirit is served over ice. With water. With a simple mixer such as club soda, tonic water, juice, or cola. As an ingredient of a cocktail. With water poured over sugar (as with absinthe)

Alcohol Consumption Stats :

As one can see below, alcohol consumption is higher in cold countries.
In cold climates, strong alcoholic beverages such as vodka are popularly seen as a way to “warm up” the body, possibly because alcohol is a quickly absorbed source of food energy and because it dilates peripheral blood vessels (peripherovascular dilation). This is a misconception because the perception of warmth is actually caused by the transfer of heat from the body’s core to its extremities, where it is quickly lost to the environment.

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Final Points :
• Excessive consumption of alcohol leads to a toxication-induced delayed poisoning called hangover.
• The hangover starts after the euphoric effects of alcohol itself have subsided, typically in the night and morning after alcoholic drinks were consumed
• Studies have found that alcohol absorption is reduced when food is consumed prior to alcohol consumption, and the rate which alcohol is eliminated from the blood is increased.
• Dont drink too much…you are bound to embarass yourself +others!…I was witness to some drunk people who started singing the national anthem in broad daylight on our country’s Republic day….If you have to drink, drink in moderation !

 

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Ref :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_beverage
http://www.iloveindia.com/nutrition/alcoholic-beverage-facts/types-of-alcoholic-beverages.html
http://www.upei.ca/~stuserv/alcohol/alcoholcontent1.htm
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Sunglasses : A Guide

Sunglasses are a form of protective eyewear that usually enclose or protect the eye pupil in order to prevent strong light and uv rays and increasingly blue light (“blue blocking”) from penetrating.

Q : Why are they needed ?

• Protection against the Sun’s damaging UV rays which can cause permanent retinal damage.
• UV rays can pass even through clouds so one should worry about them even during overcast conditions.
• People may also wear sunglasses to hide an abnormal appearance of their eyes.
• Fashion trends can be another reason due to the “cool” image of sunglasses.

Q : How does 1 decide which glasses to choose ?

Ask your optician for advise regarding the style and colour of your frame to match the shape of your face. Some other considerations :

1. The bridge of your frame must fit correctly on the top of your nose.
2. In case your nose is short or stubby, the bridge should be light in colour and set high on the nose.
3. Use a bridge frame of a medium tone and position it low on a long nose.
4. For eyes that are close-set, the bridge of the frames should be colourless.
5. s a deciding factor for the line of the frame, always follow the shape of your eyebrows.
6. Shallow frames generally suit short or small faces.
7. A deeper frame would go well with a long face.
8. A frame with heavy corners goes well on a square face.
9. If you are one of the lucky few with an oval face, you can choose just about any shape.
10. The sides of the frame should be just the correct length to fit well, but they should not block your side view or be too broad for the face.
11. You must also make sure that the frame you choose goes well with your hairstyle. So in case you have a thick fringe it is more advisable to wear contact lenses if possible, because any kind of spectacles would look awful.

Q : Which are the known types of sunglasses out there ?

1. Aviators

• Aviators are a sunglass design with oversized teardrop-shaped lenses and a thin metal frame.
• The design was introduced in 1936 by the company Ray-Ban for issue to U.S. military aviators (pilots).
• Their popularity with pilots, military and law enforcement personnel in the United States has never wavered.
• In addition to pilots, Aviator-style sunglasses gained popularity with young people in the late 1960s and continued to be very popular with only a brief fall in demand during the 1990s.
• Aviator sunglasses are carefully designed to offer maximum protection to the eye.
• Aviators are a classic style of sunglasses which have truly stood the test of time.
• While Ray Ban remains the brand most closely associated with aviator style, most of the big designers have added aviators to their sunglasses collections.
2. Navigator

• Navigators are a smaller more rectangular version of the aviators.
• They were made for exactly the same purpose as the aviators, but they just became smaller with the changing fashion trends of sunglasses.
3. Wayfarer

• Introduced in 1952 by Ray Ban, the trapezoidal lenses, wider at the top than the bottom, were famously worn by James Dean and other actors.
• The original frames were black; frames in many different colours were later introduced.
• They are thought to be the bestselling sunglasses design to date mainly due to how long they have been around for and also because of their exposure in films.
• Since the mid-2000s, the sunglasses have been enjoying a revival.
4. Teashade

• ‘Teashades’ (sometimes also called “John Lennon glasses” or “Ozzy Glasses”, after Ozzy Osbourne) were a type of Psychedelic art wire-rim sunglasses that were often worn, usually for purely aesthetic reasons, by members of the 1960s drug counterculture, as well as by opponents of segregation.
• Teashades are rare to find in shops today.
5. Mirrorshades

• Mirrorshades are sunglasses with a mirrored coating on the surface.
• Their popularity with police officers in the United States has earned them the nickname “cop shades”.
• Firstly, they block out most of the road / traffic glare when driving. And secondly, they completely hide the officers eyes which gives them an edge when questioning offenders.
• There are two popular styles for mirrorshades. One is a dual lens set in a metal frame (often confused with Aviators), and a “Wraparound” style.
6. Polarized

• Polarized sunglasses are designed to reduce the glare from surfaces like water, snow, and glass.
• They can be highly useful for sports, driving, and fishing by helping the participant in these activities to see more clearly, allowing for the avoidance of potential hazards.
• While they may be somewhat more expensive than conventional sunglasses, some consumers prefer polarized sunglasses because they selectively block out glare, rather than making the whole field of vision dimmer, which can be dangerous in some situations.
• Polarized sunglasses are unfortunately not as useful when the sun is directly overhead or low to the horizon, because the angle of the reflected light waves changes from the horizontal configuration.
7. Gradient/Faded/Graduated Lens

• Faded lenses go from a darker shade at the top to a lighter one at the bottom, so there will be more protection from sunlight the higher you look on the lens but the farther one looks down the less protection one gets.
• The fashion advantage is that one can wear them inside and not fear tripping over something and also allowing the user to see.
8. Fit Overs

• Fit Overs are sunglasses that are worn over regular prescription glasses and are generally a wrap around style.
• They are quite large and bulky but are definately handy for those who can’t see without prescriptions.
9. Clip Ons

• Clip Ons serve the same purpose as Fit Overs except Clip Ons are generally a thin metal frame that clip on to the top of prescription glasses and are simply flipped up or down depending on what the wearer is doing.
10. Rimless

• The most common use for rimless sunglasses is sports.
• Many sports enthusiasts love how lightweight and comfortable they are to wear.
• Rimless sunglasses are also a current fashion style. They are usually oversized with a gradient lens.
• Great care needs to be taken when you own a pair of rimless sunglasses. As there are no rims or frames to protect the lens, they can easily be damaged, scratched or broken.
11. Wraparound

• They are characterized by a single, smooth, semi-circular lens that covers both eyes and much of the same area of the face covered by protective goggles.
• They prevent damaging UV rays from getting in through the sides, top and bottom of them.
12. Oversized

• Oversized sunglasses are purely a womens fashion item and were first noticed in the 1960′s when Jackie Onassis used to wear them.
• Oversized sunglasses seem to go in and out of fashion every 20 years, they were popular in the 60′s then the 80′s and now in the 00′s.
• When the right lens is fitted in them (ie. one that blocks 100% UV rays) they are actually quite good sunglasses as not much light can get in. But as they are simply worn to be a fashion statement, most of them don’t offer much in way of eye protection.

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Ref :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunglasses
http://www.bluevsunglasses.com/History_of_Sunglasses.html
http://www.allaboutvision.com/faq/sunglasses.htm
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-polarized-sunglasses.htm
http://www.indiaparenting.com/beauty/beauty007.shtml

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