In Great Britain, the Grand Union Canal connects the West Midlands with which broad metropolitan area?

Introduction / Context:
Canals played a vital role in the early industrial development of Great Britain by linking industrial regions with ports and major cities. The Grand Union Canal is one of the most important of these inland waterways. Questions about its route test geographical knowledge of British transport networks and industrial history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The Grand Union Canal is located in Great Britain.

• The question mentions the West Midlands as one end of the canal.

• Options offer different pairs of places that could be connected.

• Only one option correctly identifies its link to the London area.

Concept / Approach:
The Grand Union Canal links the industrial and inland region of the West Midlands, including Birmingham, to the national capital region around London. It provides a navigable waterway from the heart of England down towards the River Thames and the capital. Understanding this connection helps in visualising how goods once moved between factories and markets before the dominance of rail and road.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Grand Union Canal runs between the Birmingham area in the West Midlands and London. Step 2: Note that the West Midlands region includes major industrial cities such as Birmingham and Coventry. Step 3: Recognise that Liverpool, Hull, Cardiff, Glasgow, and Edinburgh are associated with other transport routes and not with the Grand Union Canal as described here. Step 4: Compare the options and identify option D as referring directly to the West Midlands and the London area. Step 5: Select option D as the correct description of the canal route.

Verification / Alternative check:
British canal maps show the Grand Union Canal running from Birmingham to London, passing through towns such as Leamington Spa and Northampton, and ultimately connecting with the River Thames near London. There is no commonly recognised Grand Union Canal running between the other city pairs listed in the options, which confirms that the West Midlands to London route is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Liverpool to Hull describes a trans north England route linking the Irish Sea to the North Sea but is not the route of the Grand Union Canal.

• Cardiff to Birmingham involves a cross border connection between Wales and England but is not represented by this canal.

• Glasgow to Edinburgh refers to cities in Scotland and is associated with different canals and routes, not the Grand Union Canal connecting to London.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may guess based on familiarity with city names or may assume that any canal with the word Union must connect two ports. It is useful to remember that the Grand Union Canal is specifically tied to the industrial Midlands and the capital region, serving as a main inland waterway corridor between these areas.

Final Answer:
The Grand Union Canal runs between The West Midlands and the London area.