The Hindu Kush, neighbor to the western Karakoram Range and the wester

Question

The Hindu Kush, neighbor to the western Karakoram Range and the westernmost extension of the Pamir Mountains in Pakistan—and sometimes broadly grouped with the Himalayas—forms parts of both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Running northeast to southwest from the  Karambar  Pass in northern Pakistan to close to the Iranian border of Afghanistan, the mountains have historically created significant obstacles to trade, transportation, and communication, while certain passes, such as the  KhyberPass  and Bolan Pass, have formed traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and India.

The Hindu Kush also effectively isolates the north- ern provinces of Afghanistan from the rest of that country; a similar effect is seen in Pakistan but on a smaller relative area. The highest peaks of the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan are in the Vakhan or Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan, which separates Afghanistan from Tajikistan. The highest peak of the entire range, at 25, 230 feet, is Mount Tirich Mir, which is near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the central part of the Hindu Kush. It is this extremely rugged central area of the Hindu Kush where both the highest peaks and most of the glaciers, including Tirich, Niroghi, and Kotgaz, are located.

A watershed region, the Hindu Kush divides the Amu Darya valley, or the ancient Oxus River valley, in the north from the Indus River valley in the south. Many rivers of the region, which depend greatly on snow and glacial melt, run in a generally northeast to southwest direction, and many eventually join with the Kabul River. Decreasing volumes of flow currently threaten the valleys, which are heavily populated and use the river waters for irrigation.    1 
 1. Based on the passage information, which of the following characterizes the start of the Hindu Kush?

(A) Location in the Vakhan Corridor 
(B) Proximity to the Pamir Mountains 
(C) Passes such as the Khyber 
(D) Large glaciers 
(E) Population density

2 
 2. Based only upon the information in the passage, which of the following distinguishes the Hindu Kush in Pakistan from the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan?

(A) Passes that facilitated historic invasions
(B) Northeast to southwest flowing rivers
(C) More rugged, higher peaks
(D) A greater threat to water resources
(E) An isolating effect on a larger area

3 
 3. Which of the following statements about the geography of the Hindu Kush is most strongly supported by the passage?

(A) Densely populated areas exist only in the Indus River Valley of Pakistan.
(B) Those most dependent on the water resources of the watershed live mainly in Pakistan.
(C) The most rugged geography of the Hindu Kush is shared equally between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
(D) The Hindu Kush runs almost the entire east west length of Afghanistan.
(E) The Hindu Kush runs almost the entire north south length of Pakistan.

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Passage # 176 Date: 04-May-2021
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Pranjal3107 · Answer

Can you share the OE for Q3 ? How can we infer that it runs almost the entire east west length of Afghanistan. Found this very difficult. Not sure if this is a 600-level RC.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. Which of the following statements about the geography of the Hindu Kush is most strongly supported by the passage?

Explanation

The passage makes it clear that the range, which begins in Pakistan, at the eastern border of Afghanistan and runs into Afghanistan, goes almost all the way to the Iranian, or westernmost border, of Afghanistan. The passage contains numerous clues to this geography, including the facts that the mountains run northeast to southwest and that Pakistan borders Afghanistan to the east.

The correct answer is (D).

Lamiya1029 · Answer

Could you please provide OE for 2nd question?

carcass · Answer

The Hindu Kush also effectively isolates the northern provinces of Afghanistan from the rest of that country;    a similar effect is seen in Pakistan but on a smaller relative area .

(E) An isolating effect on a larger area

E is the answer

Lamiya1029 · Answer

As I understand in the passage it is said that in Afganistan it isolates larger area. But in question we are asked to find answer which is about Hindu Kush in Pakistan. Please correct me if I am wrong.

carcass · Answer

Based only upon the information in the passage,  which of the following  distinguishes  the Hindu Kush in Pakistan from the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan?

The Hindu Kush isolates in both countries certain areas from the rest.

However, in Afghanistan, the result is more evident and marked than in Pakistan

The Hindu Kush also effectively isolates  the  northern provinces   of Afghanistan from the rest of that country;

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. Based only upon the information in the passage, which of the following distinguishes the Hindu Kush in Pakistan from the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan?

Difficulty Level:   650

Explanation

The last sentence of  paragraph 1  explicitly states this effect.

Running northeast to southwest from the  Karambar  Pass in northern Pakistan to close to the Iranian border of Afghanistan, the mountains have historically created significant obstacles to trade, transportation, and communication, while certain passes, such as the  KhyberPass  and Bolan Pass, have formed traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and India.

The correct answer is (E).

KaushalKhatri · Answer

Hey, Can someone explain how the answer to Q1 is option (B)? The passage does not relate it to the start of Hindu Kush.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. Based on the passage information, which of the following characterizes the start of the Hindu Kush?

Difficulty Level:   650-700

Explanation

The passage marks the beginning of the Hindu Kush as Karambar Pass in northern Pakistan; it also says the Kush forms the western extension of the Pamir range in Pakistan.

The correct answer is (B).

VerbalBot · Answer

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The Hindu Kush, neighbor to the western Karakoram Range and the wester

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The Hindu Kush, neighbor to the western Karakoram Range and the wester

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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