In international currency terminology, the “Sheqel” or “New Shekel” is the official currency of which of the following countries?

Introduction / Context:
Different countries use different currencies, each with its own name, symbol, and history. Some currency names are widely known, such as dollar or euro, while others are less familiar to many learners. The Sheqel or New Shekel is one such name that often appears in questions on world currencies. This question tests whether you know which country uses the Sheqel as its official currency.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The currency name is Sheqel or New Shekel.
• We must identify the country that officially uses this currency.
• Options include Israel, Kenya, Iraq, and Iran.
• Only one option corresponds to the Sheqel based currency system.

Concept / Approach:
The New Israeli Shekel is the official currency of the State of Israel and is often abbreviated as ILS in foreign exchange markets. It replaced earlier forms of Israeli currency and is used for all standard financial transactions in the country. Kenya uses the Kenyan Shilling, Iraq uses the Iraqi Dinar, and Iran uses the Iranian Rial. None of these match the name Sheqel. Therefore, Israel is the correct answer when asked which country's currency is the Sheqel.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the specific currency name Sheqel or New Shekel. Step 2: Recall that this name is tied to Israel, where the official currency is the New Israeli Shekel. Step 3: Compare this with Kenya, whose currency is the Shilling, and with Iraq and Iran, which use Dinar and Rial respectively. Step 4: Confirm that only Israel remains as a valid match for the Sheqel currency. Step 5: Choose Israel as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you look at lists of world currencies, Israel is always listed with the New Shekel, while Kenya is associated with the Kenyan Shilling, Iraq with the Iraqi Dinar, and Iran with the Iranian Rial. News about Israeli economic issues also mention prices and amounts in shekels. This repeated association across reliable sources confirms that Israel is the country connected to the Sheqel.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kenya uses the Shilling and has no official currency called Sheqel. Iraq uses the Dinar, and Iran uses the Rial. Although these countries also have unique currency names, none of them use Sheqel or New Shekel, so they cannot be correct answers to this question.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may confuse similar sounding names such as Sheqel and Shilling or mix up Middle Eastern currencies like Dinar and Rial. Another pitfall is to associate Sheqel with any Middle Eastern country without being precise. Knowing a few of the less common currency names and matching them accurately with their countries is important for success in currency related general knowledge questions.

Final Answer:
The Sheqel or New Shekel is the official currency of Israel.