Which member of the Commonwealth has the largest populations?

Analyze the question: You're asked which Commonwealth member country has the largest population.

Explain the concept: The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of mostly former British territories. Membership matters here, so check each option:

• India is a member, with about 1.4 billion people (the most populous country in the world today).
• Indonesia is not a Commonwealth member. It was a Dutch colony, not a British one.
• Ireland left the Commonwealth in 1949 when it became a republic. Its population is also small, about 5 million.
• Pakistan is a member, with about 240 million people.
• Sri Lanka is a member, with about 22 million people.

Solution:

1. Remove Indonesia (never a member) and Ireland (left in 1949).
2. Compare the remaining members: India (~1.4 billion), Pakistan (~240 million), Sri Lanka (~22 million).
3. India has the largest population.

Answer: A. India

Tip: For "largest/most populous Commonwealth member" questions, think India first, then Pakistan, then Nigeria. Nigeria is the most populous African member and the third largest in the Commonwealth. Also remember that a country must have a British colonial link, with a few exceptions like Mozambique and Rwanda, to be in the Commonwealth. That quickly eliminates options like Indonesia.