With reference to Socotra Island, which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?1.It is an island of Oman situated in the Arabian Sea.2.It was designated by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2008.Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. A

   Only 1

   (a) Only 1. Statement 1 is false: Socotra is part of Yemen, in the Arabian Sea / Guardafui Channel, not an island of Oman. So ‘only 1’ cannot be the key.

2. B

   Only 2

   (b) Only 2. UNESCO inscribed the Socotra Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2008 for its unique flora. Statement 2 is therefore true while statement 1 mis-assigns the island to Oman. That ‘only 2’ reading is the official key.

3. C

   Both 1 and 2

   (c) Both 1 and 2. Both cannot stand because the Oman claim is wrong even though the 2008 listing is right.

4. D

   Neither 1 nor 2

   (d) Neither 1 nor 2. This throws out the true 2008 UNESCO fact along with the false Oman claim.

Summary. Official key is (b) Only 2. Socotra belongs to Yemen, not Oman, so statement 1 falls. Statement 2 correctly records the 2008 World Heritage listing. Dragon’s-blood trees and high endemism are why the archipelago was listed. Neighbouring Omani islands such as Masirah must not be confused with Socotra.