UPSC Prelims 2009 Q39: Geography – World Physical Geography
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :
List I (Geographic feature)
A. Great Victoria Desert
B. Grand Canyon
C. Lake Winnipeg
D. Southern Alps
List II (Country)
1. Australia
2. Canada
3. New Zealand
4. USA
Code :
- (a) A - 1 B - 2 C - 4 D - 3
- (b) A - 1 B - 4 C - 2 D - 3
- (c) A - 3 B - 2 C - 4 D - 1
- (d) A - 3 B - 4 C - 2 D - 1
Answer: (b) A - 1 B - 4 C - 2 D - 3
Explanation
Matching geographic features to their countries
Four famous natural landmarks are matched here to the countries where they're located.
| Feature | Country |
|---|---|
| A. Great Victoria Desert | 1. Australia |
| B. Grand Canyon | 4. USA |
| C. Lake Winnipeg | 2. Canada |
| D. Southern Alps | 3. New Zealand |
Why this matching is correct:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Great Victoria Desert | Located in Australia |
| Grand Canyon | Located in Arizona, USA |
| Lake Winnipeg | Located in Manitoba, Canada |
| Southern Alps | Located in New Zealand |
Answer: (b) A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. This swaps B and C's correct countries.
- (b) CORRECT. A-1 (Australia), B-4 (USA), C-2 (Canada), D-3 (New Zealand) is the accurate matching.
- (c) Incorrect. This misassigns A and D, swapping their correct countries.
- (d) Incorrect. This misassigns multiple pairs, reversing the correct countries.
Key point
Great Victoria Desert-Australia, Grand Canyon-USA, Lake Winnipeg-Canada, Southern Alps-New Zealand — the correct matching.
Remember
Landmark-country matching: Great Victoria Desert-Australia, Grand Canyon-USA, Lake Winnipeg-Canada, Southern Alps-New Zealand.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Lake Winnipeg (Canada) with a similarly-named US lake.
- Not knowing Southern Alps' specific New Zealand location, distinct from the European Alps.
- Mixing up different countries' famous natural landmarks.
Exam tip
Great Victoria Desert=Australia, Grand Canyon=USA, Lake Winnipeg=Canada, Southern Alps=New Zealand. Four distinct landmark-country pairings.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Great Victoria Desert
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Grand Canyon
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Lake Winnipeg