Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
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Correct Answer: Option (B) — 2 only
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference VerifiedStatement 1 is incorrect: The first formal BRIC Summit took place in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on June 16, 2009 (not Rio de Janeiro). Statement 2 is correct (as per the context of the question/2015 exam): South Africa joined the group in 2010, turning BRIC into BRICS, making it the last of the original five to join.
The inaugural BRIC summit was hosted by Russia in Yekaterinburg in 2009. Remembering the host country allows quick elimination of statement 1.
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