Fill in the blank with the most appropriate conjunction: India is the second most populous country ______ the seventh largest country by area in the world.

Introduction / Context:

This question checks your understanding of conjunctions used to join two related facts about the same subject. The sentence presents two positive statements about India: one about population rank and one about area rank. You must choose the conjunction that links these two facts smoothly without creating unnecessary contrast or complexity.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Sentence: India is the second most populous country ______ the seventh largest country by area in the world.

- Options: but, however, and, while.

- The subject of both clauses is India.

- Both clauses state factual rankings, and neither clause contradicts the other.

Concept / Approach:

Conjunctions like and, but, and while have different discourse functions. And is the simplest coordinator used to add information of the same general type, without contrast. But introduces contrast or exception. However is usually used as a sentence connector, not as a simple conjunction in the middle of a sentence. While can introduce a contrast or indicate simultaneous actions. Since the two facts about India are both neutral and compatible, the conjunction should simply add one fact to the other, making and the most suitable choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Imagine writing a geography textbook sentence: India is the second most populous country and the seventh largest country by area in the world. This is exactly how such information is normally presented. If we replace and with but, the sentence sounds as if being large in area clashes with being populous, which is not logical. Similarly, inserting however in the middle without punctuation breaks the normal grammatical pattern. While implies a contrast or simultaneous action, which is not the focus here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

But is wrong because it signals contrast or unexpected information, which does not apply between the two factual ranks. However is wrong in this slot because it functions as a conjunctive adverb and usually needs punctuation, not a simple blank within a sentence. While is wrong because it tends to introduce a contrasting or background clause and would make the sentence sound awkward and less direct. None of these options provides the straightforward addition that is needed.

Common Pitfalls:

A common error is to overuse while or however whenever there are two clauses, even when no contrast is implied. Another pitfall is to think that using but or while makes sentences sound more advanced, which leads to unnecessary complexity and incorrect logic. A good rule is to choose and when you are simply adding another similar fact about the same subject and there is no contrast or condition.

Final Answer:

The correct conjunction is and, giving the sentence: India is the second most populous country and the seventh largest country by area in the world.