UPSC Prelims 2000 Q20: Geography – World Physical Geography
- (a) A - 3, B - 1, C - 2, D - 4
- (b) A - 1, B - 3, C - 4, D - 2
- (c) A - 1, B - 3, C - 2, D - 4
- (d) A - 3, B - 1, C - 4, D - 2
Answer: (c) A - 1, B - 3, C - 2, D - 4
Explanation
Matching labelled drainage basins on a world map
| Drainage basin | Where it lies |
|---|---|
| Ganga-Brahmaputra | South Asia — northern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Tibet |
| Indus | South Asia — Pakistan and north-west India |
| Parana | South America — Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina |
| Zambezi | Southern Africa — Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique |
The map for this question is not available, and no published copy we could find shows it or confirms the answer. The answer below is the key held in our question bank and is not independently verified.
The bank key (c) reads A-1 (Ganga-Brahmaputra), B-3 (Parana), C-2 (Indus), D-4 (Zambezi); one published copy (dalvoy) gives the same, while getmarks gives (a), A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4.
To solve it with the map, place each basin by continent: the Parana is the only one in South America and the Zambezi the only one in Africa, and the Indus lies west of the Ganga-Brahmaputra.
Answer: (c) A - 1, B - 3, C - 2, D - 4 (key held in our bank; not independently verified).
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Per the bank key; one published copy (getmarks) gives this order, with Parana at A and Ganga-Brahmaputra at B; it cannot be confirmed without the map.
- (b) Incorrect. Per the bank key, it puts the Zambezi at C and the Indus at D.
- (c) CORRECT. Bank key, not independently verified: A Ganga-Brahmaputra, B Parana, C Indus, D Zambezi.
- (d) Incorrect. Per the bank key, it puts the Zambezi at C and the Indus at D.
Key point
The Zambezi has the Victoria Falls and the Kariba and Cahora Bassa dams; the Parana has Itaipu, one of the world's largest hydro dams.
Remember
Parana = South America; Zambezi = southern Africa; Indus west of Ganga.
Common mistakes
- Placing the Parana in Africa or the Zambezi in South America.
- Swapping the Indus and Ganga-Brahmaputra basins, which lie side by side.
- Guessing an order without fixing each basin to its continent first.
Exam tip
One basin per region: two in South Asia, one in South America, one in Africa.
Sources
- G. C. Leong — Certificate Physical and Human Geography, chapters on South America and Africa (river systems)
- NCERT Class XI — India: Physical Environment, chapter 'Drainage System'