UPSC Prelims 2014 GS Paper I · Q3 of 100 Geography easy

Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the 'Ten Degree Channel'?

  1. (a) Andaman and Nicobar ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) Nicobar and Sumatra
  3. (c) Maldives and Lakshadweep
  4. (d) Sumatra and Java

Why the answer is (a)

• The Ten Degree Channel, about 150 km wide along the 10° N parallel, separates the Andaman Islands (north) from the Nicobar Islands (south) — option (a).

• The Great Channel separates Great Nicobar from Sumatra (b); the Eight Degree Channel separates Lakshadweep (Minicoy) from Maldives (c); the Sunda Strait separates Sumatra and Java (d).

• Hence option (a).

Why the other options are wrong

(b) Nicobar and Sumatra
Nicobar and Sumatra are separated by the Great Channel.
(c) Maldives and Lakshadweep
Maldives and Lakshadweep are separated by the Eight Degree Channel.
(d) Sumatra and Java
Sumatra and Java are separated by the Sunda Strait.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

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