1997 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies

Question 95: Geography

One will NOT have to pass through the Suez Canal while going from Mumbai to

aAlexandria
bSuez
cPort Said
dBenghazi

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Ships from Mumbai to Alexandria, Port Said and Benghazi, all on the Mediterranean, must pass through the Suez Canal. Suez itself lies at the southern end of the canal, at the head of the Gulf of Suez on the Red Sea, so a ship from Mumbai reaches it without entering the canal. Remember: Suez is the entrance, and the others lie beyond.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Alexandria is on the Mediterranean, beyond the canal, so a ship must go through it.
  • (b) Right: Suez lies at the Red Sea end, so no passage of the canal is needed.
  • (c) Port Said is at the Mediterranean end of the canal, so a ship must go through the canal.
  • (d) Benghazi, on Libya's Mediterranean coast, lies beyond the canal.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.