Physical Geography (UPSC) (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

41. Temperature and rainfall of a meteorological station are given below: [2001]

Month	Temperature (°C)	Rainfall (cm)
J	9.4	12.2
F	10.6	9.1
M	11.7	7.9
A	12.2	2.5
M	13.3	1.0
J	13.9	0.3
J	13.9	-
A	14.4	-
S	15.6	0.8
O	15.0	2.5
N	13.3	6.1
D	10.6	11.7

Average temperature: 12.8°C
Average rainfall: 54.9 cm per annum

Identify the region having the above climatic patterns from amongst the following:

(a) Mediterranean region
(b) Monsoon region
(c) Steppe region
(d) N.W. European region

Correct Answer: (a) Mediterranean region

Solution:The region will be Mediterranean according to the characteristics described by the climatic patterns. Mediterranean climate is characterised by hot, dry summers and warm, wet winters.

42. Assertion (A): During the neap tides, the high tide is lower and the low tide is higher than usual. [2001]

Reason (R): The neap tide, unlike the spring tide, occurs on the new moon instead of on the full moon.

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

Correct Answer: (c) A is true but R is false

Solution:The sun, the earth and the moon come in the position of quadrature (form-a right angle) on seventh and eighth day of every fortnight of a month and thus the tide producing forces of the sun and the moon works in opposite direction, causing low tide. This is lower in height than the normal tide and is called neap tide. But the spring tide occurs during full moon and are called high tides.

43. Sun's halo is produced by the refraction of light in: [2002]

(a) water vapour in Stratus clouds
(b) ice crystals in Cirro-Cumulus clouds
(c) ice crystals in Cirrus clouds
(d) dust particles in Stratus clouds

Correct Answer: (c) ice crystals in Cirrus clouds

Solution:Sun halo also known as 22 degree halo, the ring is caused by sunlight passing through ice crystals in cirrus clouds with in the Earth's atmosphere. The halos are caused by both refraction or splitting of light and also by reflection or glints of lights from these ice crystals.

44. Consider the following statements: [2002]

Ocean currents are slow-surface movement of water in the ocean.
Ocean currents assist in maintaining the Earth's heat balance.
Ocean currents are set in motion primarily by prevailing winds.
Ocean currents are affected by the configuration of the ocean.

Which of these statements are correct?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (b) 2, 3 and 4

Solution:Ocean currents are not slow most of the time and can be subsurface current also. So, statement '1' is wrong. But '2', '3' and '4' statements are correct.

45. Consider the following statements: [2002]

In equatorial regions, the year is divided into four main seasons
In Mediterranean region, summermonths receives more rain.
In China type climate; rainfall occurs throughout the year.
Tropical highlands exhibit vertical zonation of different climates.

(a) 1, 4, 3, 2
(b) 4, 1, 2, 3
(c) 4, 1, 3, 2
(d) 3 & 4

Correct Answer: (d) 3 & 4

Solution:1st statement is wrong: Equational region has only two seasons.
2nd statement: Mediterranean gets rainfall during winter season is also wrong.

46. Consider the following ecosystems: [2002]

Taiga
Tropical Evergreen
Tropical Deciduous
Tundra

The correct sequence in decreasing order of the Albedo values of these ecosystems is:

(a) 1, 4, 3, 2
(b) 4, 1, 2, 3
(c) 4, 1, 3, 2
(d) 1, 4, 2, 3

Correct Answer: (b) 4, 1, 2, 3

Solution:According to ecosystem, the maximum albedo would be of Tundra, then Taiga, then Tropical Deciduous then Tropical ever green.

47. Assertion (A): 60° 65° latitudes in both the hemispheres have a low pressure belt instead of high pressure. [2002]

Reason (R): The low pressure areas are permanent over oceans rather than on land.

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

Correct Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT a correct explanation of A

Solution:Sub-polar low pressure is located between 60-65° latitude in both hemisphere. Low pressure is produced in this area, because the surface air spreads outward from this zone due to rotation of earth.
The sub-polar low pressure-belt is more developed and regular in the Southern hemisphere, white it is Fragmented in the Northern hemisphere due to the dominant presence of water in the former.

48. Assertion (A): The surface winds spiral inwards upon the centre of the cyclone. [2002]

Reason (R): Air descends in the centre of the cyclone.

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

Correct Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Solution:The centre of cyclone is the eye of cyclone which is extreme high pressure area, surrounded by low pressure area. The surface winds spiral inwards upon the centre of cyclone due to low pressure developed around eye. Thus Ass is correct.
Where as there is high pressure inside the eye so the air desends there thus maintaining circulation of air. R is also correct.

49. Consider the following climatic and geographical phenomena: [2002]

Condensation
High temperature and humidity
Orography
Vertical wind

Thunder cloud development is due to which of these phenomena?

(a) 1 & 2
(b) 2, 3 & 4
(c) 1, 3 & 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 & 4

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 & 4

Solution:The thunder clouds develop by the above climatic and geographic phenomena. High temperature and humidity causes the wind to rise vertically up and due to orography and pressure of mountains these winds get condensed and form cumulonimbus clouds or thunder clouds.

50. For short-term climatic predictions, which one of the following events, detected in the last decade, is associated with occasional weak monsoon rains in the Indian sub-continent? [2002]

(a) La Nina
(b) Movement of Jet Stream
(c) El Nino. and Southern Oscillations
(d) Greenhouse effect at global level

Correct Answer: (c) El Nino. and Southern Oscillations

Solution:El Nino and Southern oscillation are the reasons associted with occasional weak monsoon rains in Indian sub-continent. El Nino is a warm oceanic current of pacific ocean, near Peru coast of S. America.

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