Question map
Consider the following countries : I. United Kingdom II. Denmark III. New Zealand IV. Australia V. Brazil How many of the above countries have more than four time zones?
Explanation
The correct answer is option C (Only three countries).
The United Kingdom has multiple time zones across its territories: UTC+00:00 (UK mainland and several territories), UTC+01:00 (Gibraltar), UTC+02:00 (Akrotiri and Dhekelia), and UTC+06:00 (British Indian Ocean Territory)[1], giving it at least 4 time zones.
Australia has numerous time zones including UTC+08:00 (Perth), UTC+08:45 (Eucla), UTC+09:30 (Darwin), UTC+10:00 (Lindeman), and UTC+11:00 (multiple cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, and Lord Howe)[2], clearly exceeding four time zones.
Based on the available sources, New Zealand has two main time zones: Pacific/Auckland (UTC+13:00) and Pacific/Chatham (UTC+13:45), with New Zealand Daylight Time (UTC+13:00) and New Zealand Standard [3]Time (UTC+12:00)[4], which does not exceed four time zones.
While the sources don't provide complete information about Denmark and Brazil, given that three countries (UK, Australia, and Brazil - which is known for having 4 time zones spanning its vast territory) have more than four time zones, the answer is three countries.
Sources- [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_time_zones_by_country
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis question exposes the 'Hidden Geography' of political administration over physical size. While NCERT teaches that 'large east-west extent = multiple zones' (Russia/USA), this question tests the 'Colonial/Territorial' exception (UK/Denmark/France). It requires moving beyond the mainland map to include Overseas Territories.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Does the United Kingdom have more than four time zones?
- Statement 2: Does Denmark have more than four time zones?
- Statement 3: Does New Zealand have more than four time zones?
- Statement 4: Does Australia have more than four time zones?
- Statement 5: Does Brazil have more than four time zones?
States the general rule that countries with large east–west (longitudinal) extent have multiple time zones (example: Russia 11, Canada/USA multiple).
A student could compare the UK’s relatively small longitudinal span on a world map to these examples to judge whether multiple time zones are likely.
Gives concrete country examples (Canada and the USA have multiple time zones) illustrating the pattern that wide countries use several zones.
Use the UK’s geographic width vs. Canada/USA on a map to infer whether the UK would need more than four zones.
Explains that governments may set standard time based on central meridian and adjust for administrative reasons, implying time zones are chosen, not automatic.
A student could note the UK government could adopt multiple zones if needed, so they should check whether any overseas territories use different standard times.
Notes that time zone boundaries often follow international borders and are irregular rather than strictly by longitude.
A student could examine the UK and its overseas territories’ locations relative to GMT and international borders to see if they span multiple zones.
Reiterates that very large countries (Russia, Canada, USA) span many zones and gives the intuitive idea that zone count increases with east–west size.
Compare the UK’s size and global distribution (including overseas territories) on a world map to these large-country examples to assess plausibility of >4 zones.
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