UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies
Question 11: Geography
The standard time of the following countries is ahead or behind Greenwich Mean Time depending on whether they are east or west of the longitude passing through Greenwich: I. Cuba II. Greece III. Iraq IV. Costa Rica V. Japan Which one of the following sequential orders gives the correct arrangement of the countries according to their standard time from ahead to behind GMT?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Standard time follows longitude from Greenwich. Japan is 9 hours ahead of GMT, Iraq 3 hours ahead and Greece 2 hours ahead. Cuba is 5 hours behind and Costa Rica 6 hours behind. Arranged from most ahead to most behind this gives Japan, Iraq, Greece, Cuba, Costa Rica, that is V, III, II, I, IV. Remember: east of Greenwich is ahead of GMT, west is behind.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: Japan +9, Iraq +3, Greece +2, Cuba -5, Costa Rica -6.
- (b) Starts with Greece (+2) and puts Japan last, but Japan is the furthest ahead.
- (c) Starts with Costa Rica, the furthest behind, so the order is reversed.
- (d) Puts Iraq first, but Japan (+9) is further ahead than Iraq (+3).
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.