UPSC Prelims 2002 Q13: Geography – World Physical Geography
- (a) A - 1, B - 3, C - 4, D - 2
- (b) A - 3, B - 1, C - 2, D - 4
- (c) A - 1, B - 3, C - 2, D - 4
- (d) A - 3, B - 1, C - 4, D - 2
Answer: (d) A - 3, B - 1, C - 4, D - 2
Explanation
Islands of the Indian Ocean region marked on a map
| Island | Where it lies |
|---|---|
| Socotra | Yemeni island in the Arabian Sea, off the Horn of Africa, the north-western most of the four |
| Seychelles | Granitic archipelago north-east of Madagascar, about 1,500 km off East Africa |
| Mauritius | Mascarene island east of Madagascar, in the south-west Indian Ocean |
| Chagos | Archipelago in the central Indian Ocean, south of the Maldives |
The figure that carries the numbers 1 to 4 is not available in the question bank, so the matching cannot be re-derived here. Arranged from north-west to south, the sequence is Socotra, Seychelles, Chagos and Mauritius (Chagos lies further east than Mauritius), and the stored key is option (d). Verify this item against the printed map before relying on it.
Answer: (d) A - 3, B - 1, C - 4, D - 2 (stored key; the figure is not visible).
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The stored key rejects it. The numbering depends on the missing figure.
- (b) Incorrect. The stored key rejects it. The numbering depends on the missing figure.
- (c) Incorrect. The stored key rejects it. The numbering depends on the missing figure.
- (d) CORRECT. This is the stored key; the map is not visible, so verify it.
Key point
Locate each island by latitude and longitude: Socotra (12°N, 54°E), Seychelles (5°S, 55°E), Chagos (7°S, 72°E), Mauritius (20°S, 57°E).
Remember
Socotra is north-west, Mauritius south-west, Seychelles between, and Chagos far east.
Common mistakes
- Placing Socotra near India, when it lies near the Horn of Africa.
- Mixing Chagos with the Maldives or Lakshadweep.
- Reading the map numbers in the wrong order, so the codes cross over.
Exam tip
Fix the north-most (Socotra) and south-most (Mauritius) islands first, then place the other two.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Socotra
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Seychelles
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Chagos Archipelago