UPSC Prelims 2007 Q19: Current Affairs – Notable Personalities
Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List - I (Person)
A. Nancy Pelosi
B. Margaret Chan
C. Pascal Lamy
D. Steve Ballmer
List - II (Position/Organization)
1. WTO
2. Speaker, US House of Representatives
3. WHO
4. Microsoft
Codes:
- (a) A - 2 B - 1 C - 3 D - 4
- (b) A - 3 B - 1 C - 2 D - 4
- (c) A - 2 B - 3 C - 1 D - 4
- (d) A - 4 B - 1 C - 3 D - 2
Answer: (c) A - 2 B - 3 C - 1 D - 4
Explanation
Matching persons with their positions/organisations (2006-07)
| Person | Position/Organisation |
|---|---|
| Nancy Pelosi | Speaker, US House of Representatives |
| Margaret Chan | WHO (World Health Organization) |
| Pascal Lamy | WTO (World Trade Organization) |
| Steve Ballmer | Microsoft |
So the correct code is A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4.
Answer: (c) A-2 B-3 C-1 D-4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Mismatches Pelosi and Chan's codes.
- (b) Incorrect. Swaps Lamy and Chan's organisation codes.
- (c) CORRECT. A-2 (Pelosi-US House Speaker), B-3 (Chan-WHO), C-1 (Lamy-WTO), D-4 (Ballmer-Microsoft).
- (d) Incorrect. Reverses several codes entirely.
Key point
Pelosi-US House Speaker, Chan-WHO, Lamy-WTO, Ballmer-Microsoft.
Remember
Pelosi-US House, Chan-WHO, Lamy-WTO, Ballmer-Microsoft.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Pascal Lamy (WTO) with a WHO official, since both organisations deal with global policy.
- Not knowing Margaret Chan became WHO Director-General in 2006-07.
- Mixing up Nancy Pelosi's role as Speaker with another US political office.
Exam tip
Peg each name to one organisation: Pelosi-Congress, Chan-Health (WHO), Lamy-Trade (WTO), Ballmer-Tech (Microsoft).
Sources
- World Health Organization — Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General (elected November 2006)
- World Trade Organization — Pascal Lamy, Director-General (2005–2013)
- United States House of Representatives — Speakers of the House: Nancy Pelosi (110th Congress, 2007)