Problem 2 - Entrance Test

At the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg in August 2023, BRICS leaders invited six countries to become new full members: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These countries formally joined on January 1, 2024. However, Argentina later declined the invitation. Thus, the effective new full members from Jan 1, 2024 are Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Iran. The question asks 'were admitted as new full members', implying the original invitation accepted by most, before Argentina's later withdrawal decision. Considering the options, the most accurate representation of the countries *admitted* (even if one later declined) is presented in option A, which was the original list of invited countries. However, if the question implicitly asks for *currently active* members from Jan 1, 2024, then Argentina should be excluded. Given the dynamic nature, if Argentina is included, it signifies the invitation. If excluded, it signifies the actual current state. Let's re-evaluate. The question states 'were admitted as new full members from January 1, 2024'. Argentina's new government stated it would not join *before* January 1, 2024. So, they were *not* admitted. Thus, the list should exclude Argentina. Option D is the correct one representing the countries that actually joined.