The World Climate

Total Questions: 42

1. Given below are two statements one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R). [I.A.S. (Pre) 2003, I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]

Assertion (A) : Areas lying within five to eight- degree latitude on either side of the equator receive rainfall throughout the year.

Reason (R) : High temperature and high humidity cause convectional rainfall mostly in the noon near the equator. By using the codes given below, select the correct answer:

Code:

(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 the 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 climatic region of equatorial line spreads between 0°-10° latitudes in both the hemispheres. There are two important features of this climatic region:

(1) Constant high temperature throughout the year.

(2) Constant high rainfall throughout the year. Hence, assertion (A) is correct.

Due to high temperature throughout the year, there is high humidity which results in conventional rains mostly after noon. As the day progresses, the intensity of rain gets reduced. Hence, (R) is also correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

2. "Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then the rain comes with thunder and lighting. But the rain is soon over." [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?

(a) Savannah
(b) Equatorial
(c) Monsoon
(d) Mediterranean

Correct Answer: (b) Equatorial

Solution:The climatic region of equatorial line spreads between 0°-10° latitudes in both the hemispheres. There are two important features of this climatic region:

(1) Constant high temperature throughout the year.

(2) Constant high rainfall throughout the year. Hence, assertion (A) is correct.

Equatorial Climate Regions are hot and wet all year, resulting in a humid climate. Because it rains almost every day, the annual rainfall is high. Temperatures are fairly consistent all year, with only a few degrees of variation. Seasons do not exist.

The hot, wet equatorial climate is found between 5° and 10° north and south of the equator. Its maximum extent is located in the lowlands of the Amazon, the Congo, Malaysia, and the East Indies. Throughout the year, precipitation is abundant and evenly distributed. The annual average is always greater than 150 cm. In some areas, the annual average may reach 250-300 cm. There is no month that does not have rain. The monthly average is usually greater than 6 cm. There is a lot of evaporation, and convection air currents form, which leads to heavy thunderstorms in the afternoons.

The primary feature of this type of climate is its temperature uniformity throughout the year. This manifests in the form of no winter season. The mean monthly temperature hovers around 27°C with minimal variation. Cloudiness and heavy precipitation moderates the daily temperature. The diurnal temperature range is small, as is the annual temperature range. This climatic zone is subject to seasonal shifting due to seasonal shifts in pressure and wind belts caused by the sun's northward and southward migration.

Uniform and high temperature throughout the year, and Uniform and adequate rainfall throughout the year is received through the convective mechanism.

3. Which of the following continents has all types of climatic zones? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

(a) South America
(b) North America
(c) Australia
(d) Asia

Correct Answer: (d) Asia

Solution:Earth is divided into three types of climatic zones - Tropical, temperate and cold. These spread from the equatorial line to the poles, Asia is expanded from the Equatorial region to the North Pole, hence it is home to all types of climatic zones.

4. Which among the following countries doesn't come SIT under the category of equatorial climate? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Congo
(b) Ethiopia
(c) Gabon
(d) Zaire

Correct Answer: (b) Ethiopia

Solution:Ethiopia does not come under the category of equatorial climate. Congo (Republic of the Congo), Gabon and Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo) are situated on the equatorial line.

5. As geographic region has the following distinct characteristics: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]

1. Warm and dry climate.

2. Mild and wet winter.

3. Evergreen oak trees.

The above features are the distinct characteristics of which one of the following regions?

(a) Mediterranean
(b) Eastern China
(c) Central Asiaved
(d) Atlantic coast of North America

Correct Answer: (a) Mediterranean

Solution:Characteristics of warm and dry climate, mild and wet winter and evergreen Oak trees are related to the Mediterranean region. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

6. Which one of the following is the characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

(a) Rainfall throughout the year
(b) Rainfall in winter only
(c) An extremely short dry Season
(d) A definite dry and wet Season

Correct Answer: (d) A definite dry and wet Season

Solution:Tropical Savannah region's climatic features are - clear dry and wet season, the high temperature throughout the year and high insolation. Average annual rain in this region is between 500 mm to 2000 mm and no month of of the the year has a temperature less than 20°C.

7. Consider the following statements and answer the question with the help of codes given below: [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Mains) 2010]

Assertion (A): The environment of the equatorial regions is conducive for plants not for humans.

Reason (R) : The average annual temperature difference is very low in equatorial regions.

By using the code given below, select the correct answer:

(a) Both (A) and (R) are individually true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are individually true, but (R) is not the 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 individually true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Solution:The region between 0° to 10º latitude on north and south of the Equator is known as equatorial region. In this region, there is constant high temperature and heavy rainfall occurs throughout the year. The climate of this region is not conducive for humans but it is conducive for vegetation. Evergreen forests are found here. Humidity persists all day and hence the area becomes prone to disease.

8. Mediterranean climate is not found in which among the following town? [Uttarakhand U.D.A/L.D.A. (Pre) 2003]

(a) Los Angeles
(b) Rome
(c) Cape town
(d) New York

Correct Answer: (d) New York

Solution:Mediterranean climate extends 30°-40° latitudes around the Mediterranean Sea and is experienced in the western parts of continents besides Rome.

These areas are-

South California, Los Angeles in North America, Central Chile in South America, Cape Town in South Africa & South Australia.

Thus, it is clear that New York, located on the east coast of the USA does not fall under the Mediterranean climate.

9. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

Assertion (A): Rainfall occurs in the winter season in Mediterranean climate.

Reason (R): In summer these regions remain under the influence of dry terrestrial winds.

Select the correct answer from the code given below :

Code:

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

Correct Answer: (d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

Solution:The mediterranean climate has been developed between 30°- 40º latitudes in both the hemisphere. The mediterranean type of climate is characterised by dry summers and wet winters.

The basic caves of this type of climate is the shifting of pressure and wind belts. In summer, when Sun is overhead at Tropic of Cancer, the Westerlies belt is shifted poleward. The prevailing Trade winds are off-shore (terrestrial) and there is 'no rain'. The mediterranean lands receive most of their precipitation in winter when the westerlies shift equatorwards. The westerlies are associated with temperate cyclones and blow from sea surfaces, hence being moist yields sufficient rainfall in coastal areas

10. "Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders." The above statement best describes which of the following regions? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]

(a) African Savannah
(b) Central Asian Steppe
(c) North American Prairie
(d) Siberian Tundra

Correct Answer: (b) Central Asian Steppe

Solution:In Central Asian Steppes, the climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be a nomadic herder.

Climate is continental with extremes of temperature.
Temperatures vary greatly between summer and winter.
The summers are hot and the winters are cold.
Summers are very warm, over 18 -20° C.
The steppe type of climate in the southern hemisphere is never severe.
The average rainfall may be taken as about 45 cm, but this varies according to location from 25 cm to 75 cm.
The heaviest rain comes in June and July (late spring and early summer).
Most of the winter months have about an 2.5 cm of precipitation, brought by the occasional depressions of the Westerlies and coming in the form of snow.
The maritime influence in the southern hemisphere causes more rainfall.

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