UPSC Prelims 2007 Q80: Geography – World Physical Geography
Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :
List - I (City)
A. Bangkok
B. Phnom - Penh
C. Hanoi
D. Yangon
List - II (River)
1. Irrawaddy
2. Mekong
3. Menam (Chao Phraya)
4. Red River
- (a) A - 3 B - 2 C - 4 D - 1
- (b) A - 4 B - 1 C - 3 D - 2
- (c) A - 3 B - 1 C - 4 D - 2
- (d) A - 4 B - 2 C - 3 D - 1
Answer: (a) A - 3 B - 2 C - 4 D - 1
Explanation
South-East Asian capitals and their rivers
| City | Country | River |
|---|---|---|
| A. Bangkok | Thailand | 3. Menam (Chao Phraya) |
| B. Phnom Penh | Cambodia | 2. Mekong (with the Tonle Sap) |
| C. Hanoi | Vietnam | 4. Red River (Song Hong) |
| D. Yangon | Myanmar | 1. Irrawaddy (delta; city on the Yangon River) |
Mekong flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
It also passes Vientiane (Laos).
Answer: (a) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Bangkok-Chao Phraya, Phnom Penh-Mekong, Hanoi-Red River, Yangon-Irrawaddy.
- (b) Incorrect. Bangkok is not on the Red River, and Phnom Penh is not on the Irrawaddy.
- (c) Incorrect. Phnom Penh is on the Mekong, not the Irrawaddy.
- (d) Incorrect. Bangkok is on the Chao Phraya, not the Red River.
Key point
Bangkok-Chao Phraya, Phnom Penh-Mekong, Hanoi-Red River, Yangon-Irrawaddy delta.
Remember
Phnom Penh is on the Mekong; Hanoi is on the Red River.
Common mistakes
- Linking Hanoi with the Mekong — the Mekong delta is in southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City side).
- Forgetting that Menam = Chao Phraya (two names for one river).
- Not knowing that Yangon sits on the Yangon River, part of the Irrawaddy delta.
Exam tip
Fix two anchors: Bangkok = Chao Phraya; Phnom Penh = Mekong. Only option (a) has both.
Sources
- Oxford School Atlas — South-East Asia
- NCERT Class XI — Fundamentals of Physical Geography (map work)
- Mekong River Commission