Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📍 The Question

Consider the following statements:

I. Anadyr in Siberia and Nome in Alaska are a few kilometres from each other, but when people are waking up and getting set for breakfast in these cities, it would be different days.
II. When it is Monday in Anadyr, it is Tuesday in Nome.

Correct Answer: (a) I only

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🎯 Theme of the Question

Physical Geography | Earth Rotation | Time Zones | International Date Line (IDL)

UPSC uses such questions to test whether aspirants can apply time-zone logic spatially, not merely recall definitions of the International Date Line.

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🧠 Classroom Explanation

🌍 Locations in Question

• Anadyr
• Nome

These two towns lie very close geographically across the Bering Strait, yet they fall on opposite sides of the International Date Line.

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⏰ Statement I — Correct

• Anadyr is in Russia (UTC +12)
• Nome is in Alaska, USA (UTC −9)
• Time difference ≈ 20–21 hours

👉 Therefore, even though they are just a few kilometres apart, daily life (morning/breakfast time) can occur on different calendar days.

✔️ Statement I is correct

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📅 Statement II — Incorrect

Key rule of the International Date Line:

• Crossing westward → add one day
• Crossing eastward → subtract one day

Geographical logic:

• Anadyr lies west of the IDL
• Nome lies east of the IDL

So:

• If it is Monday in Anadyr, it is Sunday in Nome,
  ❌ not Tuesday

✔️ Statement II is incorrect

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❌ UPSC Elimination Logic

Statement	Verdict	Reason
I	✅ Correct	Huge time difference despite short distance
II	❌ Incorrect	Day goes backward, not forward

👉 Answer: (a) I only

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🧩 Memory Hook

“Across the Bering Strait — kilometres apart, but a day apart.”

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🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight

• UPSC loves IDL-based traps
• Watch for:
  • “Monday vs Tuesday” tricks
  • East vs West of IDL confusion
• Always anchor your logic to direction of date change

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🧭 IAS Monk Whisper
On Earth, distance is measured in kilometres — but time is measured in direction.