Which of the following options correctly lists the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council?

Introduction / Context:
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the most powerful organ of the UN system because it can take binding decisions on international peace and security. It is composed of five permanent members and ten non-permanent members. Knowing the names of the five permanent members is a fundamental piece of world affairs general knowledge that appears very frequently in competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are asked to identify the correct list of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
• The options are different combinations of major powers including China, France, USSR, United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Germany and Canada.
• The question reflects the historical terminology where the Russian Federation seat was previously referred to as the USSR in many older GK sources.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is that the five permanent members, often called the P5, were the main victorious Allied powers of World War II. These are China, France, the former Soviet Union (USSR, whose seat is now held by the Russian Federation), the United Kingdom and the United States of America. No other country such as Japan, Germany or Canada has a permanent seat, though they may serve as non-permanent members from time to time.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the known five permanent members: China, France, Russia (historically referenced as USSR), United Kingdom and United States of America. Step 2: Examine each option and compare the list provided with this standard set of five countries. Step 3: Option A contains China, France, USSR, United Kingdom and United States of America, which matches exactly with the traditional names used in many GK questions. Step 4: Option B incorrectly includes Japan and West Germany, which are not permanent members. Step 5: Option C incorrectly includes Germany instead of France, and option D includes Canada instead of the United Kingdom, so these do not match the correct permanent membership.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can double check this fact by consulting any reliable description of the UN system. Every standard reference will confirm that only China, France, Russia (previously USSR), the United Kingdom and the United States of America hold permanent seats with veto power. The naming in older questions often still uses USSR, but for modern context it should be understood as the seat now held by the Russian Federation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Japan and West Germany (option B): These countries became major economic powers after World War II, but they were not given permanent seats; they have only served as non-permanent members.
Germany in place of France (option C): This combination wrongly excludes France, which is one of the original permanent five members.
Canada in option D: Canada is an important UN member and has been elected as a non-permanent member several times, but it is not a permanent member of the Security Council.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse economic power with permanent membership, assuming that countries like Germany or Japan must be permanent members because they are rich and influential. Another pitfall is forgetting that the term USSR in older exam questions corresponds to the Russian Federation today. To avoid confusion, memorise the five names as a fixed set and remember that any list containing additional or different countries is incorrect.

Final Answer:
The correct list of permanent members of the UN Security Council is China, France, USSR, United Kingdom and United States of America (with the USSR seat now represented by Russia).