Q121 · UPPSC Prelims 2021 · Set D · General Studies

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With reference to Mekong river, which of the following statement/s is/are correct?1.Mekong rises in Tibetan Plateau2.Mekong delta is situated in Southern Cambodia.Select the correct answer using the codes given below. Codes:

A 1 only
B 2 only
C Both 1 and 2
D Neither 1 nor 2

Correct answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation

  1. A

    1 only

    Statement 1 is correct: the Mekong rises on the Tibetan Plateau (Qinghai–Tibet highlands) and then flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Statement 2 is false because the Mekong Delta lies in southern Vietnam, not in southern Cambodia. Therefore only 1 is right, which is the official key.

  2. B

    2 only

    Only 2 would require the delta to sit in southern Cambodia. The lower Mekong does cross Cambodia, but the great delta that fans into the sea is in Vietnam. Statement 2 therefore fails, so ‘2 only’ cannot be the key.

  3. C

    Both 1 and 2

    Both 1 and 2 cannot stand together. The source on the plateau is true, but placing the delta in southern Cambodia is a standard map error. One true limb and one false limb is not ‘both’.

  4. D

    Neither 1 nor 2

    Neither 1 nor 2 would throw out the Tibetan-Plateau origin, which is geographically correct. The item is not a double-false pair.

Summary. Official key is (a) 1 only. The Mekong is a plateau-born river of mainland South-East Asia. Its delta, one of the world’s great rice bowls, is in Vietnam’s south, while Cambodia holds the Tonle Sap system and a long mid-course, not the delta. Examiners often swap Cambodia and Vietnam on this map. Honour the stored letter (a).