1.

Consider the following statements:

1. Weather is the momentary state of the atmosphere while climate refers to the average of
the weather conditions.

2. Weather changes quickly whereas climate change takes long period of time.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Option(c) is correct:

Weather is the momentary state of the atmosphere while climate refers to the average of the
weather conditions over a longer period of time. Weather changes quickly, may be within a
day or week but climate changes imperceptively and may be noted after 50 years or even
more.

Source: India: physical environment, Chapter 4, page no. 2

2.Which among the following factors determine the climatic condition of India?

1. Altitude

2. latitude

3. longitude

4. Relief

Select the correct answers using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

Option (c) is correct:

Factors determining the climate of India: India’s climate is controlled by a number of factors
which can be broadly divided into two groups

factors related to location and relief, and factors related to air pressure and winds.

Factors related to Location and Relief

Latitude: northern part of the India lies in sub-tropical and temperate zone and the part
lying south of the Tropic of Cancer falls in the tropical zone. The tropical zone being nearer
to the equator, experiences high temperatures throughout the year with small daily and
annual range. Area north of the Tropic of Cancer being away from the equator, experiences
extreme climate with high daily and annual range of temperature.

The Himalayan Mountains: The lofty Himalayas in the north along with its extensions act
as an effective climatic divide. The towering mountain chain provides an invincible shield to
protect the subcontinent from the cold northern winds. These cold and chilly winds
originate near the Arctic circle and blow across central and eastern Asia. The Himalayas
also trap the monsoon winds, forcing them to shed their moisture within the subcontinent.

Distribution of Land and Water: India is flanked by the Indian Ocean on three sides in the
south and girdled by a high and continuous mountain-wall in the north. As compared to
the landmass, water heats up or cools down slowly. This differential heating of land and
sea creates different air pressure zones in different seasons in and around the Indian
subcontinent. Difference in air pressure causes reversal in the direction of monsoon winds.

Distance from the Sea: With a long coastline, large coastal areas have an equable climate.
Areas in the interior of India are far away from the moderating influence of the sea. Such
areas have extremes of climate. That is why, the people of Mumbai and the Konkan coast
have hardly any idea of extremes of temperature and the seasonal rhythm of weather. On
the other hand, the seasonal contrasts in weather at places in the interior of the country
such as Delhi, Kanpur and Amritsar affect the entire sphere of life.

Altitude: Temperature decreases with height. Due to thin air, places in the mountains are
cooler than places on the plains. For example, Agra and Darjiling are located on the same
latitude, but temperature of January in Agra is 16°C whereas it is only 4°C in Darjiling.

Relief: The physiography or relief of India also affects the temperature, air pressure,
direction and speed of wind and the amount and distribution of rainfall. The windward
sides of Western Ghats and Assam receive high rainfall during June-September whereas the
southern plateau remains dry due to its leeward situation along the Western Ghats.

Source: India: physical environment, Chapter 4, page no. 3

3. Consider the following statements with reference to Inter Tropical Convergence Zone
(ITCZ):

1. It is a low-pressure zone located at the equator where trade winds converge.

2. It is a zone where air tends to ascend.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Option (c) is correct:

The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a low-pressure zone located at the equator
where trade winds converge, and so, it is a zone where air tends to ascend. In July, the
ITCZ is located around 20°N-25°N latitudes (over the Gangetic plain), sometimes called the
monsoon trough. This monsoon trough encourages the development of thermal low over
north and northwest India. Due to the shift of ITCZ, the trade winds of the southern
hemisphere cross the equator between 40° and 60°E longitudes and start blowing
from southwest to northeast due to the Coriolis force. It becomes southwest monsoon.
In winter, the ITCZ moves southward, and so the reversal of winds from northeast to south
and southwest, takes place. They are called northeast monsoons.

Source: India: physical environment, Chapter 4, page no. 6

4.Consider the following pairs:

Local names Regions

1. Mango Shower Tamil Nadu

2. Blossom Shower Chhattisgarh

3. Nor Westers Assam

4. Bardoli Chheerha Bengal

Which of the pairs given above is /are correct?

(a) 3 only

(b) 2 and 3only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

Option(a) is correct:

Some Famous Local Storms of Hot Weather Season:

(i) Mango Shower: Towards the end of summer, there are pre-monsoon showers which
are a common phenomenon in Kerala and coastal areas of Karnataka. Locally, they are
known as mango showers since they help in the early ripening of mangoes.

(ii) Blossom Shower: With this shower, coffee flowers blossom in Kerala and nearby areas.

(iii) Nor Westers: These are dreaded evening thunderstorms in Bengal and Assam. Their
notorious nature can be understood from the local nomenclature of ‘Kalbaisakhi’, a
calamity of the month of Baisakh. These showers are useful for tea, jute and rice
cultivation. In Assam, these storms are known as “Bardoli Chheerha”.

(iv) Loo : Hot, dry and oppressing winds blowing in the Northern plains from Punjab to
Bihar with higher intensity between Delhi and Patna

Source: India: physical environment, Chapter 4, page no Capter 4,Page no. 14

5. Which of the following is/are the possible results of significant increase in the
temperature of water on the Peruvian coast?

1. The distortion of equatorial atmospheric circulation.

2. Irregularities in the evaporation of sea water.

3. Reduction in the number of planktons which further reduces the number of fish in the
sea.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

Option(d) is correct:

EI-Nino and the Indian Monsoon EI-Nino is a complex weather system that appears once
every three to seven years, bringing drought, floods and other weather extremes to different
parts of the world. The system involves oceanic and atmospheric phenomena with the
appearance of warm currents off the coast of Peru in the Eastern Pacific and affects weather
in many places including India. EI-Nino is merely an extension of the warm equatorial
current which gets replaced temporarily by cold Peruvian current or Humbolt current. This
current increases the temperature of water on the Peruvian coast by 10°C. This
results in:

(i) the distortion of equatorial atmospheric circulation;

(ii) irregularities in the evaporation of sea water;

(iii) reduction in the number of planktons which further reduces the number of fish in
the sea.

Source: India: physical environment, Chapter 4-page no. 7

6. Which of the following reasons are responsible for break in the monsoon?

1. In northern India rains are likely to fail if the rain-bearing storms are not very frequent
along the monsoon trough or the ITCZ over this region.

2. Over the west coast the dry spells are associated with days when winds blow parallel to
the coast.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Option(c) is correct:

Break in the Monsoon: During the south-west monsoon period after having rains for a few
days, if rain fails to occur for one or more weeks, it is known as break in the monsoon.
These dry spells are quite common during the rainy season. These breaks in the
different regions are due to different reasons: (i) In northern India rains are likely to fail
if the rain-bearing storms are not very frequent along the monsoon trough or the
ITCZ over this region. (ii) Over the west coast the dry spells are associated with days
when winds blow parallel to the coast.
Source: India: physical environment, Chapter-4 Page no. 9

7. Consider the following statements:

1. The western cyclonic disturbances are brought into India by the westerly jet streams.

2. An increase in the prevailing night temperature generally indicates an advance in the

arrival of these cyclones’ disturbances.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Option (c) is correct:

The western cyclonic disturbances which enter the Indian subcontinent from the west and
the northwest during the winter months, originate over the Mediterranean Sea and are
brought into India by the westerly jet stream. An increase in the prevailing night
temperature generally indicates an advance in the arrival of these cyclones’ disturbances.

Source: India: physical environment, Chapter 4, Page No. 5

8. Consider the following statements:

1. EI-Nino is a complex weather system that appears every year.

2. EI-Nino is used in India for forecasting long range monsoon rainfall.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: EI-Nino is a complex weather system that appears once every
three to seven years, bringing drought, floods and other weather extremes to different parts
of the world.

The system involves oceanic and atmospheric phenomena with the appearance of warm
currents off the coast of Peru in the Eastern Pacific and affects weather in many places
including India. EI-Nino is merely an extension of the warm equatorial current which gets
replaced temporarily by cold Peruvian current or Humbolt current. This current increases
the temperature of water on the Peruvian coast by 10°C.
Statement 2 is correct: EI-Nino is used in India for forecasting long range monsoon
rainfall. In 1990-91, there was a wild EI-Nino event and the onset of southwest monsoon
was delayed over most parts of the country ranging from five to twelve days.

Source: https://ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/kegy104.pdf

9. Consider the following pairs with reference to Climatic Regions of India according to
Koeppen’s Scheme:

Type of Climate Areas

1. As West coast of India south of Goa

2. Amw Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu

3. Dfc Arunachal Pradesh

4. Bwhw Extreme western Rajasthan

Which of the pairs given above is /are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

Option (b) is correct:

Climatic Regions of India According to Koeppen’s Scheme:

Source: India: physical environment, Chapter 4, Page No 22

10. With reference to Extra Tropical Cyclones, Consider the following statements:
1. They cover a larger area and can originate over the land and sea.
2. They have a clear frontal system which is not present in the tropical cyclones.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:
The systems developing in the mid and high latitude, beyond the tropics are called the
middle latitude or extra tropical cyclones. The passage of front causes abrupt changes in
the weather conditions over the area in the middle and high latitudes.
Statement 1 is correct: Extra Tropical Cyclones covers a larger area and can originate
over the land and sea. Whereas the tropical cyclones originate only over the seas and on
reaching the land they dissipate.
Statement 2 is correct: The extra tropical cyclone affects a much larger area as compared
to the tropical cyclone. The wind velocity in a tropical cyclone is much higher and it is more
destructive. The extra tropical cyclones move from west to east but tropical cyclones move
from east to west. The extra tropical cyclones have a clear frontal system which is not
present in the tropical cyclones.
Source: Fundamentals of physical geography-page-90,91