The Great Smog of 1952 was a famous severe air pollution event that affected which major world city?

Introduction / Context:
The Great Smog of 1952 is an important historical example in environmental science and public health. It serves as a classic case of how industrial emissions and weather conditions can combine to create a catastrophic air pollution episode. General knowledge questions often ask which city experienced this event, because it led to major changes in air quality laws and awareness around the world.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The event mentioned is the Great Smog of 1952.
• We need to identify the city where this smog episode occurred.
• Options list Paris, London, New York and Delhi.

Concept / Approach:
The Great Smog of 1952 occurred in London in early December. A combination of cold weather, windless conditions and smoke from coal burning created a dense smog that covered the city for several days. It caused thousands of deaths and serious respiratory problems. This tragedy is repeatedly cited in environmental science texts as a turning point that pushed the United Kingdom towards stronger clean air legislation, especially the Clean Air Acts. The association of this event with London is therefore strong and widely known.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the Great Smog of 1952 refers to a historical pollution episode, not a normal fog or seasonal haze. Step 2: Recall from environmental studies that this specific event is linked to coal burning and weather conditions in London. Step 3: Remember that thousands of people in London suffered respiratory ailments and many deaths were later attributed to this smog. Step 4: Compare the options Paris, London, New York and Delhi and identify the one commonly paired with the phrase Great Smog of 1952. Step 5: Select London as the only option that matches the historical event.

Verification / Alternative check:
You may recall that London has historically been associated with pea soup fogs and smog due to coal burning, especially before stricter pollution control laws. In contrast, New York, Paris and Delhi have their own pollution issues but are not connected to this specific 1952 disaster in textbooks. Many exam guides explicitly state that the Great Smog of 1952 occurred in London, which confirms the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Paris: While Paris is a major city, it is not the location associated with the Great Smog of 1952 in standard environmental history questions.
New York: This city has faced environmental challenges, but the famous Great Smog event of 1952 did not occur there.
Delhi: Modern discussions often mention Delhi pollution, but the specific historical episode in 1952 was not in Delhi but in London.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse different pollution episodes or associate the word smog mainly with cities they hear about in current news. This can cause them to incorrectly link the 1952 event with a modern polluted city. To avoid this, remember the timeline and historical context: the Great Smog of 1952 is tied to post war London and coal burning, not to present day pollution in other cities.

Final Answer:
The Great Smog of 1952 was a severe pollution disaster that affected the city of London.