UPSC Prelims 2001 Q42: Current Affairs – Notable Personalities
Match List I with List II
and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I (Country)
I. Columbia
II. The Philippines
III. Mexico
IV. Venezuela
List II (President)
A) Vicente Fox
B) Hugo Chavez
C) Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
D) Andres Pastrana
- (a) I - D, II - C, III - B, IV - A
- (b) I - C, II - D, III - B, IV - A
- (c) I - D, II - C, III - A, IV - B
- (d) I - C, II - D, III - A, IV - B
Answer: (c) I - D, II - C, III - A, IV - B
Explanation
Matching countries with their Presidents (2001)
| Country (List I) | President in 2001 (List II) |
|---|---|
| I. Colombia | D. Andres Pastrana (1998-2002) |
| II. The Philippines | C. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (from January 2001) |
| III. Mexico | A. Vicente Fox (from December 2000) |
| IV. Venezuela | B. Hugo Chavez (from 1999) |
In 2001 Pastrana led Colombia, Arroyo had just replaced Joseph Estrada in the Philippines, Fox had ended 71 years of PRI rule in Mexico, and Chavez was President of Venezuela. The code is I-D, II-C, III-A, IV-B.
Answer: (c) I - D, II - C, III - A, IV - B.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Fox led Mexico and Chavez led Venezuela, not the other way round.
- (b) Incorrect. Colombia and the Philippines are swapped, and so are Mexico and Venezuela.
- (c) CORRECT. Colombia–Pastrana, Philippines–Arroyo, Mexico–Fox, Venezuela–Chavez.
- (d) Incorrect. Colombia and the Philippines are swapped.
Key point
Vicente Fox (PAN) won Mexico's 2000 election, ending PRI rule; Chavez ruled Venezuela from 1999 to 2013.
Remember
2001: Pastrana (Colombia), Arroyo (Philippines), Fox (Mexico), Chavez (Venezuela).
Common mistakes
- Placing Chavez in Mexico because both are Latin American.
- Not knowing that Arroyo became President in January 2001.
- Swapping the two Spanish-named leaders of Colombia and Mexico.
Exam tip
Start with the best-known name (Chavez–Venezuela) to cut options quickly.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — entries on Andres Pastrana, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Vicente Fox, Hugo Chavez
- Ministry of External Affairs — bilateral briefs: Colombia, Philippines, Mexico, Venezuela