Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important?

• A. It is the site of major naval bases only
• B. 1/3 of the world's oil passes through
• C. It is the only route for natural gas
• D. It has negligible traffic

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that some narrow waterways act as chokepoints for global energy flows, so what happens in them can ripple across the world. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the open sea and handles a huge portion of oil shipping from major producers in the region. Because so much oil passes through this narrow passage, disruptions there can affect supply and push prices higher worldwide. That’s why the correct choice highlights that about one-third of the world’s oil goes through Hormuz—the key factor making it so important. It’s not just about naval bases, and there are alternative routes for natural gas, plus the strait is far from negligible in traffic—it’s one of the busiest shipping lanes.