2008 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies
Question 91: Geography
Which two countries follow China and India in the decreasing order of their populations?
aBrazil and USA
bUSA and Indonesia
cCanada and Malaysia
dRussia and Nigeria
AnswerThe answer is (b).
In 2008 the most populous countries were China, India, the USA and Indonesia, in that order, with Brazil next. So the two countries that follow China and India are the USA and Indonesia. Canada and Malaysia have far smaller populations, and Russia and Nigeria were then below Brazil. The USA had about 300 million people and Indonesia about 230 million.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Brazil comes after Indonesia, so the order is wrong.
- (b) The USA and Indonesia are third and fourth.
- (c) Canada and Malaysia have far smaller populations.
- (d) Russia and Nigeria were below Brazil and Indonesia.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.