UPSC Prelims 2004 Q58: Geography – World Political Geography & Borders
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
List I (Sea)
(A) Black Sea
(B) Red Sea
(C) Yellow Sea
(D) Caspian Sea
List II (Country)
1. Bulgaria
2. China
3. Eritrea
4. Kazakhstan
- (a) A - 1 B - 4 C - 2 D - 3
- (b) A - 2 B - 3 C - 1 D - 4
- (c) A - 1 B - 3 C - 2 D - 4
- (d) A - 2 B - 4 C - 1 D - 3
Answer: (c) A - 1 B - 3 C - 2 D - 4
Explanation
Seas and the countries on their shores
| Sea | Country |
|---|---|
| A. Black Sea | Bulgaria (1) |
| B. Red Sea | Eritrea (3) |
| C. Yellow Sea | China (2) |
| D. Caspian Sea | Kazakhstan (4) |
The correct matching is A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4: the Black Sea touches Bulgaria, the Red Sea touches Eritrea, the Yellow Sea touches China and the Caspian Sea touches Kazakhstan.
Answer: (c) A - 1, B - 3, C - 2, D - 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Red Sea is on Eritrea's coast, not Kazakhstan's.
- (b) Incorrect. The Black Sea is on Bulgaria's coast, not China's.
- (c) CORRECT. A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4 matches all four.
- (d) Incorrect. The Black Sea is not a Chinese sea.
Key point
Black Sea: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Turkey. Caspian: Kazakhstan, Russia, Iran.
Remember
The Red Sea touches Eritrea; the Caspian touches Kazakhstan.
Common mistakes
- Placing the Yellow Sea in Eritrea.
- Mixing the Caspian with the Black Sea.
- Not knowing that Eritrea lies on the Red Sea.
Exam tip
Yellow Sea: China, North and South Korea.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Black Sea
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Yellow Sea
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Caspian Sea
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Red Sea