Which one of these served as secretary general of the League of nations?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which person served as Secretary-General of the League of Nations (not the United Nations). This is a common trap, because three of the four options were UN Secretary-Generals.

Step 2: Explain the concept

• The League of Nations was founded in 1920 after World War I and was the forerunner of the United Nations. It had three Secretaries-General: • Sir Eric Drummond (UK), 1920-1933 • Joseph Avenol (France), 1933-1940 • Seán Lester (Ireland), 1940-1946
• The United Nations was founded in 1945 after World War II. Its early Secretaries-General included: • Trygve Lie (Norway), 1946-1952, the first UN Secretary-General • Kurt Waldheim (Austria), 1972-1981 • Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (Peru), 1982-1991

Step 3: Solution by elimination

• A. Joseph Avenol: He was the second Secretary-General of the League of Nations. ✔
• B. Trygve Lie: He was the first UN Secretary-General, so this is wrong.
• C. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar: He was a UN Secretary-General, so this is wrong.
• D. Kurt Waldheim: He was a UN Secretary-General, so this is wrong.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A. Joseph Avenol.

Tip: Remember that the League of Nations had only three Secretaries-General, with names that go D-A-L: Drummond, Avenol, Lester. Any other name in the options is most likely a UN Secretary-General. Always check whether the question says "League of Nations" or "United Nations" before choosing.