Previous Year Question

Pair 1: Aleppo—Syria — Correct

• Aleppo is an ancient and historically important commercial city in northern Syria.

• Since antiquity, it has stood at the crossroads of trade routes connecting the Mediterranean region, Mesopotamia and Central Asia.

• The Ancient City of Aleppo has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.

• It remained prominently in the news because of the intense Battle of Aleppo fought during the Syrian Civil War between 2012 and 2016.

Pair 2: Kirkuk—Yemen — Incorrect

• Kirkuk is not in Yemen; it is situated in northern/north-central Iraq.

• It is an important oil-rich region of Iraq and has a diverse population of Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen.

• Its oil resources and disputed administrative control have made Kirkuk a centre of political and territorial contestation.

Pair 3: Mosul—Palestine — Incorrect

• Mosul is not in Palestine; it is located in the Nineveh Governorate of north-western Iraq.

• Its Old City stands on the western bank of the Tigris River, opposite the archaeological remains of ancient Nineveh.

• The Islamic State captured Mosul in 2014. In July 2017, the Iraqi Government announced that the city had been liberated from its control.

Pair 4: Mazar-i-sharif—Afghanistan — Correct

• Mazar-i-sharif is the capital of Balkh Province in northern Afghanistan.

• It is an important commercial, transport and cultural centre of Afghanistan.

• Its famous Blue Mosque is also traditionally known as the Shrine of Hazrat Ali.

• Its strategic importance in northern Afghanistan and repeated security incidents have frequently brought it into the news.

Map recall: Aleppo–Syria | Kirkuk–Iraq | Mosul–Iraq | Mazar-i-sharif–Afghanistan