Which country blocked access to Wikipedia in all language versions, effectively making the online encyclopaedia unavailable nationwide at the time of the ban referred to in this question?

Introduction / Context:
Wikipedia is a widely used online encyclopaedia, and restrictions on access to it are often seen as indicators of information control by governments. Some countries have implemented partial or complete blocks on Wikipedia for political, legal, or censorship reasons. This question asks which country blocked Wikipedia in all language versions, making the site unavailable to users within its borders at the time referred to by the exam item.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is a national level block on Wikipedia.
• The block applied to all language versions, not just one language.
• Options are China, Japan, India, and North Korea.
• The question revolves around a widely reported government action on internet access.

Concept / Approach:
China is known for its extensive internet censorship system, often called the Great Firewall. Over time, various global platforms and websites have been blocked there, including multiple language editions of Wikipedia. While other countries may restrict specific sites or pages, China is particularly associated with large scale restrictions on entire platforms. North Korea has extremely limited internet access overall but is not discussed in the same way regarding a policy of blocking Wikipedia in all languages, because most citizens have no general internet access in the first place. Japan and India do not typically impose nationwide blocks on Wikipedia.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider which of the listed countries is best known for having a wide reaching internet censorship regime affecting many foreign websites. Step 2: Identify China as the country operating the Great Firewall, which blocks or heavily filters many international online services. Step 3: Recall reports that China extended its block to cover Wikipedia in all language versions. Step 4: Observe that Japan and India do not feature in global news for completely blocking access to Wikipedia. Step 5: Note that while North Korea has very limited internet, the question in standard exam sets is usually answered with China as the nation that blocked Wikipedia widely.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think about how Wikipedia is used around the world and which countries have been frequently mentioned in connection with bans on major global platforms such as social media, search engines, and encyclopaedia sites. China is consistently cited as an example of such blocking measures. Exam oriented general knowledge materials almost always point to China when asking this specific question about blocking Wikipedia in all languages, reinforcing the correctness of this choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Japan has open internet access and no general ban on Wikipedia. India allows Wikipedia and has not implemented a total block on the site. North Korea restricts internet access so severely that most citizens cannot use global sites at all, but the question in typical exam sources is not framed in terms of that situation; instead, it focuses on formal firewall policies like those of China. Hence, these options do not match the intended answer.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may be tempted to choose North Korea because of its secretive nature and tight information control. However, standard general knowledge questions on this topic usually refer to China and its Great Firewall. Another mistake is to overthink the scenario and forget that exam questions often use the most well known example rather than the most technically nuanced one. Staying aligned with common GK references helps avoid confusion.

Final Answer:
The country that blocked Wikipedia in all language versions, as referred to in this exam style question, is China.