Which strait separates the Indian subcontinent from the island nation of Sri Lanka?

Introduction / Context:
Straits are narrow stretches of water that connect two larger water bodies and often separate two land masses. They are important in political, economic and physical geography. India and Sri Lanka are separated by a narrow channel in the Indian Ocean region, and this waterway frequently appears in school geography and general knowledge exams. This question asks you to identify the correct name of the strait that lies between the southeastern coast of India and the northern coast of Sri Lanka.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The land masses involved are the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka.
The question specifically asks for the name of the strait separating them.
Options include the Strait of Gibraltar, Palk Strait, Strait of Hormuz and a generic none of the above choice.
Basic world map knowledge is assumed, particularly of important straits mentioned in textbooks.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is based on matching well known straits with their locations. The Strait of Gibraltar lies between Spain and Morocco, connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The Strait of Hormuz lies between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, near Iran and Oman. The strait between India and Sri Lanka is called the Palk Strait, which lies between the Tamil Nadu coast and the northern coast of Sri Lanka near Jaffna. By eliminating the other globally known straits that do not involve India and Sri Lanka, you can quickly identify Palk Strait as the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by visualising or checking a map of southern India. The south eastern coast of Tamil Nadu faces Sri Lanka across a narrow stretch of water. Geography textbooks typically label this narrowest point as Palk Strait, with the Gulf of Mannar located slightly to the south west. Many school level questions directly ask Which strait separates India and Sri Lanka, and Palk Strait is given as the standard answer. This repeated exposure helps confirm the correctness of option B.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may confuse different famous straits because they memorise names without linking them to maps. Seeing familiar terms like Strait of Gibraltar or Strait of Hormuz may cause hesitation, even though those straits are located in completely different parts of the world. To avoid such mistakes, always practise world map labelling, associating each strait with the specific land masses it separates and the seas it connects. This makes it easier to recall the correct location under exam pressure.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Palk Strait, which is the narrow stretch of water separating the south eastern coast of India from Sri Lanka.