1 | Page
WSC-2025 Questions and Correct Answers
Rip Van Winkle Ans: — is a short story by the American author
Washington Irving, first published in 1819. It follows a Dutch-
American villager in colonial America named Rip Van Winkle who
meets mysterious Dutchmen, imbibes their strong liquor and falls
deeply asleep in the Catskill Mountains. He awakes 20 years later
to a very changed world, having missed the American Revolution
Slice of life Ans: — Slice of life is a depiction of mundane
experiences. In theater, slice of life refers to naturalism, while in
literary parlance it is a narrative technique in which a seemingly
arbitrary sequence of events in a character's life is presented,
often lacking plot development, conflict, and exposition, as well as
often having an open ending.
Moore's law Ans: — Moore's law is the observation that the
number of transistors in an integrated circuit (IC) doubles
approximately every two years. It is not a law of physics but an
empirical relationship based on historical trends. It is a type of
experience-curve law, which quantifies efficiency improvements in
production over time.
A megaproject Ans: — A megaproject is an extremely large-scale
construction and investment project. They are characterised by:
large investment commitment, vast complexity, and long-lasting
impact on the economy, the environment, and society.
They are projects that can reach multi-billion budgets (over $35
million), and have a high level of innovation and complexity, and
are affected by a number of techno-socio-economic and
organizational challenges.
Big Dig Ans: — The Big Dig was a megaproject in Boston that
rerouted the then elevated Central Artery of Interstate 93 that cut
across Boston into the O'Neill Tunnel and built the Ted Williams
Tunnel to extend Interstate 90 to Logan International Airport.
Planning for the project began in 1982; the construction work was
carried out between 1991 and 2006; and concluded on December
31, 2007.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
The Big Dig was the most expensive highway project in the United
States, and was plagued by cost overruns, delays, leaks, design
flaws, accusations of poor execution and use of substandard
materials, criminal charges and arrests. The project was originally
scheduled to be completed in 1998 at an estimated cost of $2.8
billion ($7.4 billion in 2020).However, the project was completed in
December 2007 at a cost of over $8.08 billion in 1982 ($21.5
billion in 2020).
Channel Tunnel Ans: — The Channel Tunnel is a 50.46 km
undersea railway tunnel, opened in 1994, that connects Folkestone
(England) with Coquelles (France). It is the only fixed link between
the island of Great Britain and the European mainland.
At 37.9 km, it has the longest underwater section of any tunnel in
the world. The tunnel carries high-speed Eurostar passenger trains,
LeShuttle services for road vehicles and freight trains. It connects
end-to-end with high-speed railway lines.
Plans for a cross-Channel tunnel date back to 1802 but were
repeatedly delayed due to security concerns. A failed attempt was
made in the late 19th century. Construction finally began in 1988,
led by Eurotunnel, and the tunnel opened in 1994. Initially
estimated at £5.5 billion in 1985, the final cost reached £9 billion
(£22.6 billion in 2023), making it the most expensive construction
project of its time.
California High-Speed Rail (CAHSR) Ans: — California High-Speed
Rail (CAHSR) is a publicly funded high-speed rail system being
developed in California by the California High-Speed Rail
Authority.
Phase 1, about 795 km long, is planned to run from San Francisco
to Los Angeles and Anaheim via the Central Valley, and is partially
funded and under construction. It targets a nonstop travel time of
2 hours and 40 minutes from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
A proposed Phase 2 would extend the system north to Sacramento
and south to San Diego, for a total of 1,249 km.
The project was authorized by a 2008 statewide ballot to connect
the state's major urban areas and reduce intercity travel times.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
California legislative overseers do not expect the 2 hr 40 min
target will be achieved. (like the Canada fiasko)The project has
experienced significant delays and cost overruns caused by
management issues, legal challenges, and lack of a complete
funding commitment. Construction of Phase 1 began in the Central
Valley in 2015. Due to limited funding, the project is being built in
sections.
Supporters of the project state that it would alleviate air traffic
and highway congestion, reduce pollution and greenhouse gas
emissions, and provide economic benefits by linking the state's
inland regions to coastal cities.
Opponents argue that it is too expensive, and that the funds
should be spent on other transportation or infrastructure projects.
Sejong City Ans: — Sejong City is a special self-governing city and
the de facto (describes practices that exist in reality, regardless of
the norm) administrative capital of South Korea.
Sejong was founded in 2007 as the new planned capital of South
Korea from many parts of the South Chungcheong Province to ease
congestion in South Korea's current capital and largest city, Seoul,
and encourage investment in the country's central region. Sejong
has a population of 351,007 as of 2020 making it the least-
populous and smallest first-level administrative division in South
Korea. The construction of the city is expected to be completed in
2030, at which time 500,000 people are expected to live there.
Hambantota Ans: — Hambantota is the main city in Hambantota
District, Sri Lanka (an island). It's undergoing a number of major
development projects including the construction of a new sea port
and international airport that finished in 2013. These projects and
others such as Hambantota Cricket Stadium are said to form part
of the government's plan to transform Hambantota into the
second major urban hub of Sri Lanka, away from Colombo (the
biggest city in Sri Lanka).
NEOM Ans: — NEOM is an arcology and planned city being built by
Saudi Arabia. Launched in 2017 by the crown prince, the site is at
the northern tip of the Red Sea, due east of Egypt across the Gulf
of Aqaba and south of Jordan. The total planned area of Neom is
© 2025 All rights reserved
WSC-2025 Questions and Correct Answers
Rip Van Winkle Ans: — is a short story by the American author
Washington Irving, first published in 1819. It follows a Dutch-
American villager in colonial America named Rip Van Winkle who
meets mysterious Dutchmen, imbibes their strong liquor and falls
deeply asleep in the Catskill Mountains. He awakes 20 years later
to a very changed world, having missed the American Revolution
Slice of life Ans: — Slice of life is a depiction of mundane
experiences. In theater, slice of life refers to naturalism, while in
literary parlance it is a narrative technique in which a seemingly
arbitrary sequence of events in a character's life is presented,
often lacking plot development, conflict, and exposition, as well as
often having an open ending.
Moore's law Ans: — Moore's law is the observation that the
number of transistors in an integrated circuit (IC) doubles
approximately every two years. It is not a law of physics but an
empirical relationship based on historical trends. It is a type of
experience-curve law, which quantifies efficiency improvements in
production over time.
A megaproject Ans: — A megaproject is an extremely large-scale
construction and investment project. They are characterised by:
large investment commitment, vast complexity, and long-lasting
impact on the economy, the environment, and society.
They are projects that can reach multi-billion budgets (over $35
million), and have a high level of innovation and complexity, and
are affected by a number of techno-socio-economic and
organizational challenges.
Big Dig Ans: — The Big Dig was a megaproject in Boston that
rerouted the then elevated Central Artery of Interstate 93 that cut
across Boston into the O'Neill Tunnel and built the Ted Williams
Tunnel to extend Interstate 90 to Logan International Airport.
Planning for the project began in 1982; the construction work was
carried out between 1991 and 2006; and concluded on December
31, 2007.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
The Big Dig was the most expensive highway project in the United
States, and was plagued by cost overruns, delays, leaks, design
flaws, accusations of poor execution and use of substandard
materials, criminal charges and arrests. The project was originally
scheduled to be completed in 1998 at an estimated cost of $2.8
billion ($7.4 billion in 2020).However, the project was completed in
December 2007 at a cost of over $8.08 billion in 1982 ($21.5
billion in 2020).
Channel Tunnel Ans: — The Channel Tunnel is a 50.46 km
undersea railway tunnel, opened in 1994, that connects Folkestone
(England) with Coquelles (France). It is the only fixed link between
the island of Great Britain and the European mainland.
At 37.9 km, it has the longest underwater section of any tunnel in
the world. The tunnel carries high-speed Eurostar passenger trains,
LeShuttle services for road vehicles and freight trains. It connects
end-to-end with high-speed railway lines.
Plans for a cross-Channel tunnel date back to 1802 but were
repeatedly delayed due to security concerns. A failed attempt was
made in the late 19th century. Construction finally began in 1988,
led by Eurotunnel, and the tunnel opened in 1994. Initially
estimated at £5.5 billion in 1985, the final cost reached £9 billion
(£22.6 billion in 2023), making it the most expensive construction
project of its time.
California High-Speed Rail (CAHSR) Ans: — California High-Speed
Rail (CAHSR) is a publicly funded high-speed rail system being
developed in California by the California High-Speed Rail
Authority.
Phase 1, about 795 km long, is planned to run from San Francisco
to Los Angeles and Anaheim via the Central Valley, and is partially
funded and under construction. It targets a nonstop travel time of
2 hours and 40 minutes from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
A proposed Phase 2 would extend the system north to Sacramento
and south to San Diego, for a total of 1,249 km.
The project was authorized by a 2008 statewide ballot to connect
the state's major urban areas and reduce intercity travel times.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
California legislative overseers do not expect the 2 hr 40 min
target will be achieved. (like the Canada fiasko)The project has
experienced significant delays and cost overruns caused by
management issues, legal challenges, and lack of a complete
funding commitment. Construction of Phase 1 began in the Central
Valley in 2015. Due to limited funding, the project is being built in
sections.
Supporters of the project state that it would alleviate air traffic
and highway congestion, reduce pollution and greenhouse gas
emissions, and provide economic benefits by linking the state's
inland regions to coastal cities.
Opponents argue that it is too expensive, and that the funds
should be spent on other transportation or infrastructure projects.
Sejong City Ans: — Sejong City is a special self-governing city and
the de facto (describes practices that exist in reality, regardless of
the norm) administrative capital of South Korea.
Sejong was founded in 2007 as the new planned capital of South
Korea from many parts of the South Chungcheong Province to ease
congestion in South Korea's current capital and largest city, Seoul,
and encourage investment in the country's central region. Sejong
has a population of 351,007 as of 2020 making it the least-
populous and smallest first-level administrative division in South
Korea. The construction of the city is expected to be completed in
2030, at which time 500,000 people are expected to live there.
Hambantota Ans: — Hambantota is the main city in Hambantota
District, Sri Lanka (an island). It's undergoing a number of major
development projects including the construction of a new sea port
and international airport that finished in 2013. These projects and
others such as Hambantota Cricket Stadium are said to form part
of the government's plan to transform Hambantota into the
second major urban hub of Sri Lanka, away from Colombo (the
biggest city in Sri Lanka).
NEOM Ans: — NEOM is an arcology and planned city being built by
Saudi Arabia. Launched in 2017 by the crown prince, the site is at
the northern tip of the Red Sea, due east of Egypt across the Gulf
of Aqaba and south of Jordan. The total planned area of Neom is
© 2025 All rights reserved
