From the passage explaining the meanings of various cyclone names such as Aila, Phaillin, Hudhud and Nilofar, answer this specific question: “Which of the following cyclone names mentioned in the passage refers to a type of precious stone?”

Introduction / Context:
This question continues the passage about cyclone naming in the north Indian Ocean. After explaining which countries contributed names, the passage gives meanings of several specific cyclone names. Some names relate to fire, birds, or flowers, and one of them refers to a precious stone. The question tests whether you can recall exactly which name is associated with a precious stone and distinguish that meaning from the meanings of the other names mentioned.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The passage states that “Aila,” contributed by the Maldives, means fire.
• It says that “Phaillin,” from Thailand, means sapphire.
• It explains that “Hudhud,” from Oman, is the name of a bird, probably the hoopoe.
• It describes “Nilofar,” contributed by Pakistan, as the Urdu name for the lotus or water lily.
• Sapphire is widely known as a precious stone, a variety of mineral used in jewellery.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is again detail retrieval. The passage describes the meaning of each name, and you must link the correct English meaning to the category “precious stone.” You do not need any complex reasoning; you only need to carefully recall or recheck which cyclone name was translated as sapphire. Once you identify the correct meaning, you can connect it to the correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall or locate the part of the passage where the meanings of Aila, Phaillin, Hudhud, and Nilofar are given. Step 2: Note that Aila means fire and so is related to the element of fire, not to a stone. Step 3: Note that Hudhud is the name of a bird, which is clearly not a precious stone. Step 4: Note that Nilofar is the Urdu word for lotus or water lily, which is a flower, not a stone. Step 5: Observe that Phaillin is explicitly said to mean sapphire. Step 6: Recognize that sapphire is a precious gemstone, so the cyclone name associated with a precious stone must be Phaillin.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can mentally categorize each meaning: fire is an element, not a gem; a bird is a living creature; a lotus or water lily is a flower. Only sapphire fits the category of precious stones. Cross-check this with your general knowledge: sapphire is commonly known as a blue gemstone used in jewellery. Since the passage links sapphire to Phaillin, the answer is confirmed. No other option comes close to representing a precious stone, so there is no ambiguity.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Aila, meaning fire, belongs to the category of natural elements, not gemstones, so it does not answer the question. Nilofar denotes a lotus or water lily, a plant, and has nothing to do with precious stones. Hudhud refers to a bird, not to a mineral or jewel, so it cannot be the correct choice.

Common Pitfalls:
One common error is to confuse Nilofar with something precious because flowers like lotus are culturally significant and beautiful. However, the question specifically asks about a “type of a precious stone,” which is a narrower category. Another pitfall is not remembering the exact meaning of each name and guessing based on sound alone. Cyclone names like Phaillin can sound unfamiliar, which sometimes causes hesitation. Always rely on the passage’s explicit explanations instead of guessing, and pay close attention when the text provides definitions or translations.

Final Answer:
The cyclone name that refers to a precious stone is “Phaillin”, which means sapphire.