Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Corsica
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This world geography question focuses on a colourful nickname given to a Mediterranean island. Some islands are associated with particular natural features, such as flowers, herbs, or forests, which give them a distinctive scent. Such nicknames are often tested in competitive exams to check your memory of unique identifying facts about different regions.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean, is famous for its aromatic shrubs, herbs, and maquis vegetation. The abundant fragrant plants such as lavender, thyme, and rosemary cause the air to carry a noticeable scent, especially in warm weather. For this reason, Corsica is popularly called the Scented Isle. The other islands listed have their own characteristics but are not commonly known by this specific nickname in standard GK sources.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify each island and its general location. All four options are Mediterranean islands.
Step 2: Recall nicknames. Corsica is often described in guidebooks and geography texts as the Scented Isle because of its fragrant vegetation.
Step 3: Sardinia, Sicily, and Crete are important islands but do not have this particular fragrance based nickname in standard references.
Step 4: Match the description Scented Isle with Corsica.
Step 5: Choose Corsica as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can double check by associating each island with its most famous geographic features. Sicily is well known for Mount Etna and Italian culture. Crete is known for ancient Minoan civilisation. Sardinia is known for beaches and rugged interior landscapes. Corsica, however, is repeatedly highlighted for its aromatic maquis shrubland and strong scents from wild herbs, which fits the nickname perfectly.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Sardinia, does not commonly carry the title Scented Isle in standard exam material. Option C, Sicily, is associated more with volcanoes and agriculture. Option D, Crete, is mainly known for its historical significance and rugged terrain. While all Mediterranean islands have vegetation and scents, the specific nickname Scented Isle is traditionally linked with Corsica in geography and general knowledge texts.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes pick Sicily or Crete simply because those islands are better known generally, forgetting that the question asks for a specific nickname. Another error is to ignore the word scented and focus only on the fact that all islands are in the Mediterranean. It helps to remember one or two unique keywords for each region, such as Scented Isle for Corsica, to avoid confusion during the exam.
Final Answer:
The Mediterranean island known as the Scented Isle is Corsica.
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