What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north? 1. Bangkok 2. Hanoi 3. Jakarta 4. Singapore

Answer: (c) 3 – 4 – 1 – 2

Jakarta 6°S → Singapore 1°N → Bangkok 14°N → Hanoi 21°N.

The idea

For a south-to-north sequence, treat southern latitudes as negative and northern latitudes as positive. Arrange the cities from the lowest latitude to the highest. Longitude and capital status do not affect this order.

Identify each city’s hemisphere → Put the southern-hemisphere city first → Place the near-equatorial northern city next → Compare the remaining northern latitudes → Finish with the highest northern latitude

Why the others are wrong

(a) Jakarta is south of Singapore, and Hanoi is the northernmost.

(b) Hanoi is not second — it is the furthest north.

(d) Jakarta, not Singapore, is the southernmost.

The trap

Singapore feels like the “bottom” of South-East Asia on a map. Jakarta, on Java, is further south — across the equator.

Elimination technique

Jakarta is the only listed city south of the equator, so it must come first. This removes (a) and (d); placing Hanoi at the northern end then removes (b).

Also know

Bangkok lies on the Chao Phraya river, while Hanoi lies by the Red River. Jakarta lies on Java; Singapore lies off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. The Strait of Malacca lies between the peninsula and Sumatra, while the Sunda Strait separates Sumatra and Java.