Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Ireland
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question combines cultural and political geography by asking about the country in which the city of Limerick is located. Limerick is a real city, and its name is also used for a type of short humorous poem with a fixed five line structure. Many people are familiar with limericks as a form of English verse but do not always remember that the name originally comes from a city in Ireland. Linking the literary form with the actual place helps students remember both a geographic fact and a cultural reference for general knowledge exams.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Limerick is a city situated in the mid west of Ireland, on the River Shannon. Historically, it has been an important commercial and cultural centre. Although the literary limerick is written in English, its name is widely believed to refer to this Irish city. The other options in the question are constituent parts of the United Kingdom or regions nearby, but they do not contain a city called Limerick. Therefore, the correct approach is to associate the name Limerick with the Republic of Ireland and not with any English, Welsh or Scottish location.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question asks for the country in which the city of Limerick is found.
Step 2: Recall that Limerick is located in the Republic of Ireland on the River Shannon.
Step 3: Recognise that Scotland and Wales are different parts of the United Kingdom and do not have a major city with this name.
Step 4: Note that England also has many historic cities but Limerick is not one of them.
Step 5: Conclude that Ireland is the correct country for the city of Limerick.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consider tourist information or maps of Ireland. Limerick appears as an important city on the River Shannon and is often highlighted in Irish travel guides. Sports fans may know Limerick because of Irish rugby and hurling teams that play there. Additionally, some explanations of the five line limerick poem explicitly mention that the name is linked to the city in Ireland. None of these references place Limerick in Scotland, Wales or England. These checks support the conclusion that the city belongs to Ireland and confirm the correct option for examinations.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Scotland has cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow but does not claim Limerick as one of them, so this option is incorrect.
Wales includes cities such as Cardiff and Swansea, but there is no major Welsh city named Limerick.
England is home to London, Manchester, Birmingham and many other cities, yet Limerick is not among them, which rules out this option.
Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to assume that any city associated with English language literature must be in England. This leads some students to choose England by habit. Others may confuse Ireland as part of the United Kingdom and not pay attention to the fact that Ireland is a separate country. To avoid errors, remember that the British Isles contain more than one country and that Limerick is specifically in the Republic of Ireland. Creating mental associations between cities and their countries, such as Dublin and Ireland, Limerick and Ireland, can make such questions easier to answer under time pressure.
Final Answer:
The city of Limerick is located in Ireland.
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