International Affairs, Geography, and Environment
What the examiner expects
This domain blends global institutions, political geography, and environmental science. On institutions, know the UN system (Security Council, General Assembly, ICJ, ICC), the Bretton Woods bodies (IMF, World Bank), the WTO, SAARC, BIMSTEC, ASEAN, the OIC, and the NAM. Know founding years, headquarters, and membership rules - especially the five permanent Security Council members and veto power. On geography, master latitudes and longitudes, the Tropic of Cancer, ocean currents, climate zones, rivers and deltas, and Bangladesh's position (between 20°34′ and 26°38′ N). On environment, understand the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, biodiversity hotspots, the Ramsar Convention, and the Paris Agreement.
Traps to watch
Examiners swap headquarters cities (Geneva vs New York vs Vienna), founding years, and membership counts. In geography, the trap is confusing longitude with latitude or Tropic of Cancer with the Equator. In environment, distinguish the greenhouse effect (heat trapping) from ozone depletion (UV penetration) - they are different problems with different causes.
Rule of thumb
For institution questions, recall the acronym → headquarters → founding year chain. For geography, sketch a mental map before answering; positions are easier to verify visually than verbally.
Worked example
Stem: 'Which line passes through Bangladesh?' Reasoning: the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) crosses Bangladesh near Dhaka and Jessore. The Equator does not. Answer: Tropic of Cancer.