Match List I and List II
| List-I | List-II |
| A. Simple microscope | I. Parabolic mirrors are used |
| B. Compound microscope | II. Only one convex lens is used |
| C. Telescope (reflecting) | III. Objective of large focal length and aperture is used |
| D. Telescope (refracting) | IV. Objective of small focal length and aperture is used |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
Each instrument is identified by what its objective has to do: a microscope magnifies a nearby small object, while a telescope must collect light from a distant object.
(A) Simple microscope — this matches (II) Only one convex lens is used. A simple microscope is a single converging lens with the object placed within its focal length.
(B) Compound microscope — this matches (IV) Objective of small focal length and aperture is used. A short focal length objective forms a large real image of a very close object, and the object is small, so a small aperture is enough.
(C) Telescope (reflecting) — this matches (I) Parabolic mirrors are used. A reflecting telescope uses a concave parabolic mirror as its objective, which is free from spherical aberration.
(D) Telescope (refracting) — this matches (III) Objective of large focal length and aperture is used. A large focal length gives a high magnifying power, and a large aperture collects more light and improves the resolving power.
Note: Items (A), (B) and (D) of this question are from the latest textbook (2026-27). Item (C), that a reflecting telescope uses parabolic mirrors, is printed only in the pre-rationalised textbook (2022-23). It was removed from the latest book, but reflecting telescopes are still in the CUET 2026 syllabus, so do not skip it.
NCERT (2026-27):
The Microscope – “A simple magnifier or microscope is a converging lens of small focal length (Fig. 9.23).”
The Microscope – “… Clearly, to achieve a large magnification of a small object (hence the name microscope), the objective and eyepiece should have small focal lengths.”
Telescope – “… But here, the objective has a large focal length and a much larger aperture than the eyepiece.”
NCERT (Pre-rationalised edition, 2022-23):
Telescope – “… Telescopes with mirror objectives are called reflecting telescopes. They have several advantages. First, there is no chromatic aberration in a mirror. Second, if a parabolic reflecting surface is chosen, spherical aberration is also removed.”