Test is part of Rau’s IAS Test series f or Preliminary Exam 2024

Test ID
GENERAL STUDIES (PAPER–I) 0082
WORLD GEOGRAPHY-2

Time Allowed: 1 Hour Maximum Marks: 100

INSTRUCTIONS

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This test is part of Rau’s IAS Test series for Preliminary Exam 202 4
1. Consider the following statements: 4. Consider the following factors:
1. Maximum insolation is received over 1. Long winter nights
the sub-tropical deserts. 2. Cloudy sky
2. The Equator receives more insolation 3. Moving air
than the Tropics.
How many of the above factors can
3. At the same latitude, the insolation is contribute to ‘temperature inversion’?
more over the oceans, than over the
(a) Only one
continents.
(b) Only two
How many of the above statements is/are
correct? (c) All three

(a) Only one (d) None

(b) Only two

(c) All three 5. Consider the following statements
(d) None regarding climate of Indian subcontinent:
1. In January, the isotherms deviate to
2. Consider the following statements: the north over the ocean and to the
south over the continent.
1. The Earth’s surface receives most of
its energy in short wavelengths. 2. The isotherms are more parallel in the
2. The annual insolation received by the southern latitudes.
Earth on 3rd January is more than Which of the above statements is/are
the amount received on 4th July. correct?
Which of the statements given above (a) 1 only
is/are correct? (b) 2 only
(a) 1 only (c) Both 1 and 2
(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 6. Consider the following statements
regarding temperature inversion:
3. Consider the following statements 1. Surface inversion promotes instability
regarding ‘exfoliation’: in the lower layers of the atmosphere.
1. Solar insolation heats up the Earth’s 2. Dense fogs in the mornings are
surface and terrestrial radiation heats common occurrences due to
up the atmosphere.
temperature inversion.
2. The whole amount of heat received
3. It allows the wind to move and
from the Sun is returned to the space
disperse pollutants.
without there being any net
How many of the above statements is/are
absorption.
correct?
Which of the statements given above
is/are correct? (a) Only one

(a) 1 only (b) Only two

(b) 2 only (c) All three

(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) None
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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7. Consider the following statements: 10. Consider the following factors:
1. The pressure gradient is strong where 1. Latitudinal variation of atmospheric
the isobars are close to each other. heating.
2. The Frictional Force affects the speed 2. Emergence of pressure belts.
of the wind. 3. Migration of pressure belts.
3. The Coriolis Force deflects the wind to 4. Distribution of continents and oceans.
the left in the southern hemisphere. 5. Rotation of the Earth.
How many of the above statements is/are Which of the above factors govern the
correct? pattern of the planetary winds?
(a) Only one (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
(b) Only two (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) All three (c) 1, 2 and 5 only
(d) None (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

8. Consider the following factors: 11. Consider the following statements:

1. The rotation of the Earth on its axis. 1. Shifting of pressure belts is one of the
2. The angle of inclination of the Sun’s main reasons behind Monsoonal as
rays. well as Mediterranean types of
3. The length of the day. climate.
4. The transparency of the atmosphere. 2. Pressure belts are more uniform and
5. The configuration of land in terms of constant in the northern hemisphere,
its aspect. because of the presence of larger
Which of the above factors cause amount of landmass.
variation in the insolation on the Earth’s Which of the statements given above is/
surface? are correct?
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (a) 1 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 5 only (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

9. Consider the following statements 12. Consider the following statements

regarding the Coriolis Force: regarding the local winds:
1. It acts perpendicular to the pressure 1. Land breeze blows during daytimes.
gradient force. 2. During nights, the mountain breeze
2. It is zero at the Equator and the blows.
maximum at the Poles. 3. At the leeward side, the descending
3. It increases with the increase in the air cools down and freezes the valley
pressure gradient force. areas.
How many of the above statements is/are How many of the above statements is/are
correct? correct?
(a) Only one (a) Only one
(b) Only two (b) Only two
(c) All three (c) All three
(d) None (d) None

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13. Consider the following statements: How many of the above statements is/are
1. Sub-polar pressure belts record low correct?
temperature and high pressures. (a) Only one
2. Sub-tropical pressure belts record (b) Only two
high temperature and low pressures.
(c) All three
3. The Equatorial pressure belts record
(d) None
low pressure and high temperature.
4. The Polar pressure belts record low
temperature and high pressure. 16. With reference to the ‘troposphere’,
How many of the above statements is/are consider the following statements:
correct? 1. The troposphere is the upper-most
(a) Only one layer of the atmosphere.
(b) Only two 2. All changes in the climate and
(c) Only three weather take place in this layer.
(d) All four 3. The zone separating the troposphere
from the stratosphere is known as the
14. Consider the following statements: tropopause.
1. Carbon dioxide is opaque to the How many of the above statements is/are
incoming solar radiation and correct?
transparent to the outgoing terrestrial
(a) Only one
radiation.
(b) Only two
2. The volume of all the gases remains
constant in the atmosphere. (c) All three

3. Oxygen and water vapour are found (d) None

only upto 10 km from the surface of
the Earth. 17. With reference to the structure of the
How many of the above statements is/are atmosphere, consider the following
correct? statements:
(a) Only one 1. The stratosphere contains the ozone
(b) Only two layer which absorbs ultra-violet
(c) All three radiations from the Sun.
(d) None 2. In the stratosphere, temperature
starts decreasing with the increase in
15. Consider the following statements: altitude.
1. The proportion of water vapour 3. In the mesosphere, there is a constant
increases from the Equator towards increase in temperature with increase
the Poles.
in altitude.
2. A higher concentration of dust
How many of the above statements is/are
particles is found in the Equatorial
correct?
region due to the prevalence of the
trade winds. (a) Only one
3. Dust and salt particles act as (b) Only two
hygroscopic nuclei around which (c) All three
water vapour condenses to produce (d) None
clouds.

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18. Consider the following statements: 21. Consider the following statements:
1. Radio waves transmitted from the 1. Mist contains more moisture than fog.
Earth are reflected back to the Earth 2. Mists are frequent over the
by the ionosphere. mountains, as the rising warm air up
2. The exosphere, the upper-most layer the slopes meets a cold surface.
of the atmosphere, contains
3. Fogs are prevalent where warm
electrically charged particles.
currents of air come in contact with
Which of the statements given above
cold currents.
is/are correct?
How many of the above statements is/are
(a) 1 only
correct?
(b) 2 only
(a) Only one
(c) Both 1 and 2
(b) Only two
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) All three

19. Consider the following statements: (d) None

1. The temperature at which the water

starts evaporating is referred to as the 22. With reference to clouds, consider the
latent heat of vapourization. following statements:
2. Condensation, which transforms 1. Cirrus clouds, which are thin and
water vapour into water, is caused detached clouds, are formed near the
due to the absorption of heat. surface of the Earth.
3. Condensation takes place only when 2. Cumulus clouds have feathery
the dew point is lower than the appearance and are white in colour.
freezing point.
Which of the statements given above
How many of the above statements is/are
is/are correct?
correct?
(a) 1 only
(a) Only one
(b) 2 only
(b) Only two
(c) Both 1 and 2
(c) All three
(d) None (d) Neither 1 nor 2

20. Consider the following statements:
1. For the formation of dew, it is
necessary that the dew point is above
the freezing point.
2. Frost forms on cold surfaces when
condensation takes place below the
freezing point.
3. Low humidity and cloudy night is the
ideal condition for the formation of
dew.
How many of the above statements is/are
correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
23. With reference to clouds, consider the
following statements:
1. Stratus clouds are layered clouds
which are generally formed either due
to loss of heat or the mixing of air
masses.
2. Nimbus clouds are dark gray clouds
which are extremely dense and
opaque to the rays of the Sun.
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

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24. With reference to precipitation, consider How many of the above statements is/are
the following statements: correct?
1. Precipitation is the release of moisture (a) Only one
after the process of condensation. (b) Only two
2. When a layer of air with the (c) All three
temperature above freezing point (d) None
overlies a sub-freezing layer near the
ground, precipitation takes place in 27. Consider the following winds:
the form of rainfall. 1. Mistral
Which of the statements given above 2. Sirocco
is/are correct? 3. Ghibli
(a) 1 only 4. Khamsin
How many of the above local winds of the
(b) 2 only
Mediterranean Sea is/are hot wind(s)?
(c) Both 1 and 2
(a) Only one
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (b) Only two
(c) Only three
25. With reference to rainfall, consider the (d) All four
following statements:
1. Orographic rainfall is common in the 28. With reference to the Savanna climate,
Equatorial regions and interior parts consider the following statements:
of the continents. 1. Prevailing westerlies in the region are
2. The area situated on the leeward side responsible for bringing rain to the
coastal regions.
remains rainless and dry during
orographic rainfall. 2. North-East Trades provide relief from
the damp air by increasing the rate of
Which of the above statements is/are evaporation, resulting in cooling
correct? effects.
(a) 1 only Which of the statements given above
(b) 2 only is/are correct?
(c) Both 1 and 2 (a) 1 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
26. With reference to the Mediterranean
climate regions, consider the following
29. With reference to the Savanna climate,
statements:
consider the following statements:
1. During the summer months, the 1. Trees grow the best along the river
prevailing on-shore Westerlies bring banks, and increase in height and
cyclonic rain to the countries density away from the Equator.
bordering the Mediterranean Sea. 2. Palms, which cannot withstand the
2. In winters, prevailing off-shore trade drought, are confined to the wettest
winds bring cyclonic rain to the areas or along the rivers.
countries bordering the Which of the statements given above
Mediterranean Sea. is/are correct?
3. Considering their mid-latitude (a) 1 only
position, these regions witness mild (b) 2 only
winters. (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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30. Consider the following deserts: 33. With reference to the Temperate
1. Mohave Continental (Steppe) Grassland, consider
2. Atacama the following statements:
1. It stretches across the Great Russian
3. Patagonian
Plain to the foothills of the Altai
4. Namib
Mountains.
How many of the above deserts is/are hot 2. The Grasslands are known as Prairies
desert(s)? in the Murray-Darling basin of
(a) Only one southern Australia.
(b) Only two 3. In the southern hemisphere, the
(c) Only three Grasslands are rather restricted and
(d) All four less continental.
How many of the above statements is/are
correct?
31. With reference to the vegetation in the
(a) Only one
desert areas, consider the following
statements: (b) Only two

1. Some forms of vegetation do exist in (c) All three

all the deserts. (d) None
2. Desert soils are deficient in humus, as
the absence of moisture retards the 34. With respect to the Temperate
rate of decomposition. Grasslands, consider the following
statements:
3. Most desert shrubs have short roots,
few or no leaves and thick succulent 1. The Pampas are fertile North
stems. American Low Grasslands.
2. In South Africa, these Grasslands are
How many of the above statements is/are
sandwiched between the Drakensberg
correct?
and the Kalahari Desert.
(a) Only one
3. The Manchurian Grasslands are
(b) Only two situated between the Siberian Conifer
(c) All three Forests and the Central Asian Rocky
(d) None Deserts.
How many of the above statements is/are
32. With reference to the desert inhabitants, correct?
consider the following pairs: (a) Only one
(b) Only two
S.N. Tribes Area
(c) All three
1. Bushmen Australia
(d) None
2. Bindibu Sahara Desert
3. Bedouin Arabia 35. With respect to the Cool Temperate
4. Tuaregs Kalahari Western Margin (British type) climate,
consider the following statements:
How many of the above pairs is/are
1. There is very less oceanic influence on
correctly matched?
both the temperature and the
(a) Only one precipitation.
(b) Only two 2. In the southern hemisphere, the
(c) Only three climate is experienced in southern
(d) All four Chile, Tasmania and most parts of
New Zealand.

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3. The Cool Temperate Western Margins 38. With respect to the Warm Temperate
are under the permanent influence of Eastern Margin (China type) Climate,
the Westerlies all-round the year. consider the following statements:
How many of the above statements is/are 1. Despite being on similar latitude, it
correct? has comparatively less rainfall than
the Mediterranean climate.
(a) Only one
2. This climate is also called Temperate
(b) Only two Monsoon and Gulf type climate.
(c) All three 3. There is rain every month including
(d) None the interior of central China.
How many of the above statements is/are
36. With respect to the Cool Temperate correct?
Western Margin (British type) climate, (a) Only one
consider the following statements: (b) Only two
1. Evergreen forests are the natural (c) All three
vegetation of this climatic type. (d) None
2. Unlike the Equatorial forests, the
deciduous trees occur in pure stands 39. With reference to the Hot, Wet Equatorial
and have greater lumbering value. Climate, consider the following
statements:
3. Some of the common species include
1. There is great uniformity of
poplar, elm and birch.
temperature through the year.
How many of the above statements is/are 2. There is no month without rain.
correct? 3. Regular land and sea breezes assist in
(a) Only one maintaining equable climate.
(b) Only two How many of the above statements is/are
(c) All three correct?
(d) None (a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
37. With respect to the Warm Temperate
(d) None
Eastern Margin Climate, consider the
following statements:
40. Consider the following statements:
1. The lowlands carry both evergreen
broad-leaved forests and deciduous 1. In the Amazon, the term ‘selvas’ is
used to describe the incredibly dense
trees.
and diverse forests.
2. The western margins of warm
2. The Equatorial vegetation comprises a
temperate latitudes have a much multitude of evergreen trees that yield
heavier rainfall than the eastern tropical softwood.
margins. 3. The trees of the tropical rainforests
3. Walnut, oak, hickory and maple are are not found in pure stands of a
some of the common species. single species.
How many of the above statements is/are How many of the above statements is/are
correct? incorrect?
(a) Only one (a) Only one
(b) Only two (b) Only two
(c) All three
(c) All three
(d) None
(d) None

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41. Consider the following statements:
1. The Equatorial regions are heavily
populated.
2. In the Amazon basin, the Indian tribes
collect wild rubber.
3. The ground layer of the forest is
rooted with ferns and herbaceous
plants, which can tolerate shades.
How many of the above statements is/are
correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
44. Consider the following statements:
1. A front is a weather system which
separates the two different air masses.
2. A stationary front means the
boundary between two air masses
does not move.
3. An occluded front forms if an air mass
is fully lifted above the land surface.
How many of the statements given above
is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

42. With reference to the Tropical Monsoon 45. With reference to extra tropical cyclones,
Forests, consider the following consider the following statements:
statements: 1. They developed in mid and high
1. The natural vegetation of this forest is latitudes along polar front.
adapted to the seasonal changes in 2. They have a clear frontal system
water availability. which is not present in the tropical
2. The forests are more open and less cyclones.
luxuriant than the Equatorial jungle. 3. They move from east to west in
3. Sal, acacia and some varieties of northern hemisphere.
eucalyptus are found in this forest. How many of the statements given above
How many of the above statements is/are is/are correct?
correct? (a) Only one
(a) Only one (b) Only two
(b) Only two (c) All three
(c) All three (d) None
(d) None
46. With reference to Tropical cyclones,
43. Consider the following statements: consider the following statements:
1. An air mass is a large body of air with 1. A pre-existing high-pressure is
generally uniform temperature and necessary for the formation of tropical
humidity. cyclones.
2. Polar air masses originate over the 2. They can originate over land and the
higher latitudes of both land and sea. sea.
3. The air mass forms over the Indian 3. The eye of a tropical cyclone is a calm
Ocean is cold and dry. region with subsiding air.
How many of the statements given above How many of the statements given above
is/are correct? is/are correct?
(a) Only one (a) Only one
(b) Only two (b) Only two
(c) All three (c) All three
(d) None (d) None

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47. Consider the following pairs: 49. Consider the following Countries:
S.N. Names of Tropical Regions 1. India
cyclones 2. Saudi Arabia
1. Hurricane Western 3. Iran
Pacific 4. Egypt
2. Willy – willy Western 5. Mexico
Australia Among the above-mentioned countries,
through how many of them does the
3. Typhoons Atlantic
Tropic of cancer pass?
How many of the pairs given above is/are
(a) Only two
correct?
(b) Only three
(a) Only one
(c) Only four
(b) Only two
(d) All five
(c) All three
(d) None
50. With reference to the lakes of African
continent, consider the following
48. The Equator is an imaginary line which statements:
divides Earth into the Northern and
1. Lake Tanganyika is a part of African
Southern Hemispheres. Consider the
Rift Valley and drains into Zambezi
following countries:
river.
1. Somalia
2. Lake Nyasa is the world’s deepest
2. Indonesia lake.
3. Brazil 3. Lake Victoria is world’s largest
4. Ecuador freshwater lake.
5. Morocco How many of the pairs given above is/are
Among the above-mentioned countries, correct?
through how many of them does the (a) Only one
equator pass? (b) Only two
(a) Only two (c) All three
(b) Only three (d) None
(c) Only four
(d) All five

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Answers &
Explanations
of

TEST ID: 0082

GENERAL STUDIES (PAPER – I)

World Geography-2

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ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS OF
World Geography-2
GS Paper-I (0082)
1. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
The insolation received at the surface
varies from about 320 Watt/m2 in the
Tropics to about 70 Watt/m2 in the
Poles. Maximum insolation is received
over the sub-tropical deserts, where the
cloudiness is the least. The Equator
receives comparatively less insolation
than the Tropics. Generally, at the
same latitude, the insolation is more
over the continents, than over the
oceans. In winter, the middle and higher
latitudes receive less radiation than in
summer.
2. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The Earth’s surface receives most of its
energy in short wavelengths. The energy
received by the Earth is known as the
‘incoming solar radiation’, which, in
short, is termed as ‘insolation’. During its
revolution around the Sun, the Earth is
the farthest from the Sun (152 million
km) on 4th July. This position of the
Earth is called ‘aphelion’. On 3rd
January, the Earth is the nearest to the
Sun (147 million km). This position is
called ‘perihelion’. Therefore, the annual
insolation received by the Earth on 3rd
January is slightly more than the amount
received on 4th July.
3. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The insolation received by the Earth is in
short waves forms and heats up its
surface. The Earth, after being heated,
itself becomes a radiating body and it
radiates energy to the atmosphere in long
wave form. This energy heats up the
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atmosphere from below. This process is
known as ‘terrestrial radiation’. The long
wave radiation is absorbed by the
atmospheric gases, particularly by carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Thus, the atmosphere is indirectly heated
by the Earth’s radiation. The atmosphere,
in turn, radiates and transmits heat to
the space. Finally, the amount of heat
received from the Sun is returned to the
space, thereby maintaining constant
temperature at the Earth’s surface and in
the atmosphere.
4. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Normally, the temperature decreases with
increase in elevation. It is called the
‘normal lapse rate’. At times, the situation
is reversed and the normal lapse rate is
inverted. It is called the ‘inversion of
temperature’. Inversion is usually of short
duration, but quite common, nonetheless.
A long winter night with clear skies
and still air is an ideal situation for
inversion. The heat of the day is radiated
off during the night, and by early morning
hours, the Earth is cooler than the air
above. Over the Polar areas, temperature
inversion is normal throughout the year.
5. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
In January, the isotherms deviate to the
north over the ocean and to the south
over the continent. This can be seen on
the North Atlantic Ocean. The presence of
warm ocean currents, the Gulf Stream
and the North Atlantic Drift, makes the
Northern Atlantic Ocean warmer and the
isotherms bend towards the north. Over
the land, the temperature decreases
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sharply and the isotherms bend towards
south in Europe.
The effect of the ocean is well pronounced
in the southern hemisphere. Here the
isotherms are more or less parallel to the
latitudes and the variation in temperature
is more gradual than in the northern
hemisphere.
6. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Surface inversion promotes stability in
the lower layers of the atmosphere.
Smoke and dust particles get collected
beneath the inversion layer and spread
horizontally to fill the lower strata of
the atmosphere. Dense fogs in the
mornings are common occurrences,
especially during the winter season. This
inversion commonly lasts for few hours,
until the Sun comes up and begins to
warm the Earth.
7. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The difference in the atmospheric
pressure produces a force. The rate of
change of pressure with respect to
distance is the ‘pressure gradient’. The
pressure gradient is strong where the
isobars are close to each other and is
weak where the isobars are apart.
The Frictional Force affects the speed of
the wind. It is the greatest at the surface
and its influence generally extends upto
an elevation of 1 - 3 km. Over the sea
surface, the friction is minimal.
The rotation of the Earth about its axis
affects the direction of the wind. This
force is called the Coriolis Force, after the
French physicist, who described it in
1844. It deflects the wind to the right
direction in the northern hemisphere and
to the left in the southern hemisphere.
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8. Answer: (d)
Explanation:
The amount and the intensity of
insolation vary during a day, in a season
and in a year. The factors that cause
these variations in insolation are: (i) the
rotation of the Earth on its axis; (ii) the
angle of inclination of the Sun’s rays; (iii)
the length of the day; (iv) the
transparency of the atmosphere; and (v)
the configuration of land in terms of its
aspect.
The last two, however, have less
influence. The fact that the Earth’s axis
makes an angle of 66½ degrees with the
plane of its orbit round the Sun, has a
greater influence on the amount of
insolation received at different latitudes.
9. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The deflection is more when the wind
velocity is high. The Coriolis Force is
directly proportional to the angle of
latitude. It is the maximum at the Poles
and is absent at the Equator. The Coriolis
Force acts perpendicular to the pressure
gradient force. The pressure gradient
force is perpendicular to an isobar. The
higher the pressure gradient force, the
more is the velocity of the wind and the
larger is the deflection in the direction of
wind. As a result of these two forces
operating perpendicular to each other, in
the low-pressure areas, the wind blows
around it. At the Equator, the Coriolis
Force is zero and the wind blows
perpendicular to the isobars. The low
pressure gets filled, instead of getting
intensified.
10. Answer: (d)
Explanation:
The pattern of planetary winds largely
depends on: (i) the latitudinal variation of
atmospheric heating; (ii) the emergence of
pressure belts; (iii) the migration of belts
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following apparent path of the Sun; (iv)
the distribution of continents and oceans;
and (v) the rotation of the Earth. The
pattern of the movement of the planetary
winds is called the general circulation of
the atmosphere. The general circulation
of the atmosphere also sets in motion the
ocean water circulation, which influences
the Earth’s climate.
11. Answer – (a)
Explanation:
The pattern of wind circulation is
modified in different seasons due to the
shifting of the regions of maximum
heating, pressure and wind belts. The
most pronounced effect of such a shift is
noticed in the monsoons, especially over
south-east Asia.
The zonal wind belts are more uniform
and constant in the southern
hemisphere because there is little land
to disturb the circulation. In the
northern hemisphere, a number of large,
semipermanent high- and low-pressure
centres exist over the continents and
oceans during various parts of the year;
their winds prevent the zonal wind belts
from extending as uniformly around the
world.
12. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
The land and the sea absorb and transfer
heat differently. During the day, the land
heats up faster and becomes warmer
than the sea. Therefore, over the land the
air rises giving rise to a low-pressure
area, whereas the sea is relatively cool
and the pressure over the sea is relatively
high. Thus, pressure gradient from the
sea to the land is created and the wind
blows from the sea to the land as the sea
breeze. In the night, the reversal of
condition takes place. The land loses
heat faster and is cooler than the sea.
The pressure gradient is from the land
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to the sea and hence, land breeze
results.
In the mountainous regions, during the
day, the slopes get heated up and air
moves upslope and to fill the resulting
gap the air from the valley blows up the
valley. This wind is known as the ‘valley
breeze’. During the night, the slopes get
cooled and the dense air descends into
the valley as the mountain wind. The cool
air, of the high plateaus and ice fields
draining into the valley, is called the
‘katabatic wind’. Another type of warm
wind occurs on the leeward side of the
mountain ranges. The moisture in
these winds, while crossing the
mountain ranges, condenses and
precipitates. When it descends down
the leeward side of the slope, the dry
air gets warmed up by the adiabatic
process. This dry air may melt the
snow in a short time.
13. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The air at the Inter Tropical Convergence
Zone (ITCZ) rises because of convection
caused by high insolation and a low
pressure is created. The winds from the
Tropics converge at this low-pressure
zone. The converged air rises along with
the convective cell. It reaches the top of
the troposphere upto an altitude of 14 km
and moves towards the Poles. This causes
accumulation of air at about 30 degrees N
and S. Part of the accumulated air sinks
to the ground and forms a sub-tropical
high. Another reason for sinking is the
cooling of air when it reaches 30 degrees
N and S latitudes. Down below near the
land surface the air flows towards the
Equator as the easterlies. The easterlies
from either side of the Equator converge
in the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone
(ITCZ). Such circulations from the surface
upwards and vice-versa are called cells.
Such a cell in the Tropics is called the
Hadley Cell. In the middle latitudes, the
circulation is that of sinking cold air, that
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comes from the Poles and the rising warm
air that blows from the sub-tropical high.
At the surface, these winds are called the
westerlies and the cell is known as the
Ferrel Cell. At the Polar latitudes, the cold
dense air subsides near the Poles and
blows towards the middle latitudes as the
Polar easterlies. This cell is called the
Polar Cell. These three cells set the
pattern for the general circulation of the
atmosphere. The transfer of heat energy
from the lower latitudes to the higher
latitudes maintains the general
circulation.
14. Answer: (d)
Explanation:
 The atmosphere is composed of gases,
water vapour and dust particles. The
proportion of gases changes in the
higher layers of the atmosphere in
such a way that oxygen will be
almost in negligible quantity at the
height of 120 km. Similarly, carbon
dioxide and water vapour are found
only upto 90 km from the surface
of the Earth.
 Carbon dioxide is meteorologically a
very important gas, as it is
transparent to the incoming solar
radiation, but opaque to the
outgoing terrestrial radiation. It
absorbs a part of terrestrial radiation
and reflects back some part of it
towards the Earth’s surface.
15. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
 Water vapour is a variable gas in the
atmosphere, which decreases with
altitude. Water vapour also
decreases from the Equator towards
the Poles. It also absorbs parts of the
insolation from the Sun and preserves
the Earth’s radiated heat. It thus, acts
like a blanket, allowing the Earth
neither to become too cold nor too hot.
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 The atmosphere has a sufficient
capacity to keep small solid particles,
which may originate from different
sources and include sea salts, fine
soil, smoke-soot, ash, pollen, dust and
disintegrated particles of meteors.
Dust particles are generally
concentrated in the lower layers of the
atmosphere; yet convectional air
currents may transport them to great
heights. A higher concentration of
dust particles is found in the sub-
tropical and the temperate regions
due to dry winds, in comparison to
the Equatorial and the Polar
regions.
 Dust and salt particles act as
hygroscopic nuclei around which
water vapour condenses to produce
clouds.
16. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
 The troposphere is the lower-most
layer of the atmosphere. Its average
height is 13 km, and it extends
roughly to a height of 8 km near the
Poles and about 18 km at the
Equator.
 The thickness of the troposphere is
the greatest at the Equator, because
heat is transported to great heights by
strong convectional currents. This
layer contains dust particles and
water vapour.
 All changes in the climate and
weather take place in this layer. The
temperature in this layer decreases at
a rate of 1°C for every 165 m of
height. This is the most important
layer for all biological activities.
 The zone separating the troposphere
from the stratosphere is known as the
‘tropopause’. The temperature here is
nearly constant, and hence, it is
called the tropopause.
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17. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
 The stratosphere is found above the
tropopause and extends upto a height
of 50 km. One important feature of
the stratosphere is that it contains the
ozone layer. This layer absorbs ultra-
violet radiation and shields life on the
Earth from intense, harmful form of
energy.
 Temperature in this layer starts
increasing with increase in altitude.
 The mesosphere lies above the
stratosphere, which extends upto a
height of 80 km. In this layer, once
again, temperature starts
decreasing with the increase in
altitude and reaches upto minus
100°C at the height of 80 km. The
upper limit of the mesosphere is
known as the ‘mesopause’.
18. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
 The ionosphere is located between
80 and 400 km above the
mesopause. It contains electrically
charged particles, known as ions,
and hence, it is known as the
ionosphere. Radio waves transmitted
from the Earth are reflected back to
the Earth by this layer. Temperature
here starts increasing with height.
 The upper-most layer of the
atmosphere above the thermosphere
is known as the exosphere. This is the
highest layer, but very little is known
about it. Whatever contents are there,
these are extremely rarefied in this
layer, and it gradually merges with the
outer space.
19. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
20. Answer: (b)
 Evaporation is a process by which
water is transformed from liquid to
gaseous state. Heat is the main cause
for evaporation.
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 The temperature at which the water
starts evaporating is referred to as the
latent heat of vapourization.
 Increase in temperature increases
water absorption and retention
capacity of the given parcel of air.
 The transformation of water vapour
into water is called condensation.
Condensation is caused by the loss
of heat.
 When moist air is cooled, it may reach
a level when its capacity to hold water
vapour ceases. Then, the excess water
vapour condenses into liquid form. If
it directly condenses into solid form, it
is known as sublimation.
 Condensation also takes place when
moist air comes in contact with some
colder object and it may also take
place when the temperature is close to
the dew point.
 Condensation, therefore, depends
upon the amount of cooling and the
relative humidity of the air.
Condensation is influenced by the
volume of air, temperature, pressure
and humidity.
 Condensation takes place: (i) when
the temperature of the air is reduced
to dew point with its volume
remaining constant; (ii) when both the
volume and the temperature are
reduced; (iii) when moisture is added
to the air through evaporation.
However, the most favourable
condition for condensation is the
decrease in air temperature.
 Condensation takes place when the
dew point is lower than the freezing
point, as well as higher than the
freezing point.
Explanation:
 When moisture is deposited in the
form of water droplets on the cooler
surfaces of solid objects (rather than
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nuclei in the air above the surface),
such as stones, grass blades and
plant leaves, it is known as dew. The
ideal conditions for its formation
are clear sky, calm air, high relative
humidity, and cold and long nights.
For the formation of dew, it is
necessary that the dew point is above
the freezing point.
 Frost forms on cold surfaces when
condensation takes place below the
freezing point (0°C), i.e., the dew point
is at or below the freezing point. The
excess moisture is deposited in the
form of minute ice crystals, instead of
water droplets. The ideal conditions
for the formation of white frost are the
same as those for the formation of
dew, except that the air temperature
must be at or below the freezing point.
21. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
 When the temperature of an air mass,
containing a large quantity of water
vapour, falls all of a sudden,
condensation takes place within itself
on fine dust particles. So, fog is a
cloud with its base at or very near to
the ground.
 In the urban and the industrial
centres, smoke provides plenty of
nuclei, which help the formation of fog
and mist. Such a condition, when fog
is mixed with smoke, is described as
smog.
 The only difference between mist and
fog is that mist contains more
moisture than fog.
 In mist, each nuclei contains a thicker
layer of moisture. Mists are frequent
over the mountains, as the rising
warm air up the slopes meets a cold
surface.
 Fogs are drier than mist and they are
prevalent where warm currents of air
come in contact with cold currents.
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 Fogs are mini clouds in which
condensation takes place around the
nuclei provided by dust, smoke and
salt particles.
22. Answer: (d)
Explanation:
 Cirrus clouds are formed at high
altitudes (8,000 - 12,000 m). They
are thin and detached clouds
having a feathery appearance. They
are always white in colour.
 Cumulus clouds look like cotton wool.
They are generally formed at a height
of 4,000 - 7,000 m. They exist in
patches and can be seen scattered
here and there. They have a flat base.
23. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
 Stratus clouds are layered clouds
covering large portions of the sky.
These clouds are generally formed
either due to loss of heat or the mixing
of air masses with different
temperatures.
 Nimbus clouds are black or dark gray.
They form at middle levels or very
near to the surface of the Earth. These
are extremely dense and opaque to
the rays of the Sun. Sometimes, the
clouds are so low that they seem to
touch the ground. Nimbus clouds are
shapeless masses of thick vapour.
24. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
 The process of continuous
condensation in free air helps the
condensed particles to grow in size.
When the resistance of the air fails to
hold them against the force of gravity,
they fall on to the Earth’s surface.
 So, after the condensation of water
vapour, the release of moisture is
known as precipitation. This may take
place in liquid or solid form.
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 The precipitation in the form of water
is called rainfall. When the
temperature is lower than 0°C,
precipitation takes place in the form of
fine flakes of snow and is called
snowfall.
 Besides rain and snow, other forms of
precipitation are sleet and hail,
though the latter is limited in
occurrence and is sporadic in both
time and space.
 Sleet is frozen raindrops and refrozen
melted snow-water. When a layer of
air with the temperature above
freezing point overlies a sub-
freezing layer near the ground,
precipitation takes place in the
form of sleet.
 Raindrops, which leave the warmer
air, encounter the colder air below. As
a result, they solidify and reach the
ground as small pellets of ice, not
bigger than the raindrops from which
they are formed.
 Sometimes, the drops of rain, after
being released by the clouds, become
solidified into small rounded solid
pieces of ice and which reach the
surface of the Earth, are called
hailstones. These are formed by the
rainwater passing through the colder
layers. Hailstones have several
concentric layers of ice one over the
other.
25. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Convectional Rain:
 The air on being heated, becomes light
and rises up in convection currents.
As it rises, it expands and loses heat
and consequently, condensation takes
place and cumulous clouds are
formed. With thunder and lightning,
heavy rainfall takes place, but this
does not last long. Such rain is
common in the summer or in the
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hotter part of the day. It is very
common in the Equatorial regions
and interior parts of the
continents, particularly in the
northern hemisphere.
Orographic Rain:
 When the saturated air mass comes
across a mountain, it is forced to
ascend and as it rises, it expands; the
temperature falls, and the moisture is
condensed. The chief characteristic of
this sort of rain is that the windward
slopes receive greater rainfall. After
giving rain on the windward side,
when these winds reach the other
slope, they descend, and their
temperature rises. Then their capacity
to take in moisture increases and
hence, these leeward slopes remain
rainless and dry. The area situated on
the leeward side, which gets less
rainfall, is known as the ‘rain-shadow
area’. It is also known as the ‘relief
rain’.
26. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
The Mediterranean type of climate is
characterised by very distinctive climatic
features:
● A dry, warm summer with off-shore
trades: In summers, when the Sun is
overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, the
belt of influence of the Westerlies is
shifted a little Pole-wards. Rain
bearing winds are, therefore, not likely
to reach the Mediterranean lands.
The prevailing trade winds are off-
shore and there is practically no
rain. The air is dry, the heat is intense
and the relative humidity is low. Days
are excessively warm and in the
interiors, prolonged droughts are
common. At night, there is rapid
radiation, but frosts are rare.
● A concentration of rainfall in winter
with on-shore Westerlies: The
Mediterranean lands receive most of
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their precipitation in winter when the
Westerlies shift Equator-wards. In the
northern hemisphere, the
prevailing on-shore Westerlies bring
much cyclonic rain from the
Atlantic to the countries bordering
the Mediterranean Sea. This is the
rainy season and is the most
outstanding feature of the
Mediterranean climate. The rain
comes in heavy showers and only on a
few days with bright sunny periods
between them. This is another
characteristic feature of the
Mediterranean winter rain.
● Bright, sunny weather with hot dry
summers and wet, mild winters:
Considering its mid-latitude position,
the Mediterranean regions have a very
favourable climate, unrivalled by any
other climatic regions. The climatic
features are transitional between
those of the Trade Wind Hot Desert in
the south and the Cool Temperate
Maritime Climate in the north.
Summers are warm and bright, and
winters are so mild and cool that
many tourists come at all times of the
year. The sky is almost cloudless and
sunshine is always abundant.
27. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Many local winds, some hot, others cold,
are common around the Mediterranean
Sea. The causes are many and varied.
The passing cyclones from the Atlantic,
the anti-cyclones from the north, and the
cold air masses from the continental
interiors are often interrupted or
channelled by relief features, resulting in
the birth of local winds around the
Mediterranean. These winds, varying in
strength, direction and duration, affect
the lives, crops and activities of the
people there.
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Some of these local winds are:
● Hot: Leveche, Sirocco, Chili, Ghibli,
Khamsin and Gharbi.
● Cold: Levante, Tramontana, Mistral,
Bora and Gregale.
28. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
● The prevailing winds of the region
are the ‘trade winds’, which bring
rain to the coastal districts.
● They are the strongest in the summer,
but are relatively dry by the time they
reach the continental interiors or the
western coasts of the continents, so
that grass and scattered short trees
predominate.
● In West Africa, the North-East Trades,
in fact, blow off-shore from the Sahara
Desert and reach the Guinea Coast as
a dry, dust-laden wind, locally called
the Harmattan, meaning ‘The Doctor’.
It is so dry that its relative humidity
seldom exceeds 30%.
● The ‘doctor’ provides a welcome relief
from the damp air of the Guinea lands
by increasing the rate of evaporation
with resultant cooling effects, but it is
such a dry dusty wind that, besides
ruining the crops, it also stirs up a
thick dusty haze and impedes the
inland river navigation.
29. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
● The savanna landscape is typified by
tall grass and short trees. It is rather
misleading to call the savanna
‘tropical grassland’, because the trees
are always present with the luxuriant
tall grass. The terms ' parkland' or '
bush- veld' perhaps describe the
landscape better.
● Trees grow the best towards the
Equatorial humid latitudes or along
the river banks, but decrease in
height and density away from the
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Equator. They occur in clumps or as
scattered individuals. The trees are
deciduous, shedding their leaves in
the cool, dry season to prevent
excessive loss of water through
transpiration, e.g., acacias. Others
have broad trunks, with water-storing
devices to survive through the
prolonged drought, such as baobabs
and bottle trees.
● Trees are mostly hard, gnarled and
thorny, and may exude gum like gum
arabic. Many trees are umbrella
shaped, exposing only a narrow edge
to the strong winds.
● Palms, which cannot withstand the
drought, are confined to the wettest
areas or along the rivers.
● Vegetative luxuriance reaches its peak
in the rainy season, when the trees
renew their foliage and flower. In true
savanna lands, the grass is tall and
coarse, growing 6 to 12 feet high. The
elephant grass may attain a height of
even 15 feet! The grass tends to grow
in compact tufts and has long roots
which reach down in search of water.
It appears greenish and well-
nourished in the rainy season, but
turns yellow and dies down in the dry
season that follows.
● The grass lies dormant throughout
the long, rainless period and springs
up again in the next rainy season.
● In between the tall grass are scattered
short trees and low bushes. As the
rainfall diminishes towards the
deserts, the savanna merges into
thorny scrub. In Australia, this
scrubland is particularly well
represented by a number of species:
mallee, mulga, spinifex grass and
other bushes.
30. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The major hot deserts of the world are
located on the western coasts of the
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continents between latitudes 15° and 30°
N and S. They include the Sahara Desert.
The next biggest desert is the Great
Australian Desert, which covers almost
half of the continent. The other hot
deserts are the Arabian Desert, Iranian
Desert, Thar Desert, Kalahari and
Namib Deserts.
In North America, the desert extends from
Mexico into the USA, and is called by
different names at different places, e.g.,
the Mohave, Sonoran, Californian and
Mexican Deserts. In South America, the
Atacama or the Peruvian Desert is the
driest of all deserts, with less than 0.5
inches of rainfall annually.
Amongst the mid-latitude deserts, many
are found on the plateaus and are at a
considerable distance from the sea. These
are the Gobi, Turkestan and Patagonian
Deserts. The Patagonian Desert is more
due to its rain-shadow position on the
leeward side of the lofty Andes, than to
continentality.
31. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
All deserts have some form of vegetation,
such as grass, scrub, herbs, weeds, roots
or bulbs. Though they may not appear
green and fresh all the time, they lie
dormant in the soil awaiting rain, which
comes at irregular intervals or once in
many years. The environment, so lacking
in moisture and so excessive in heat, is
most unfavourable for plant growth and a
significant vegetation cannot be expected.
But, very rarely, there are deserts where
nothing grows.
The predominant vegetation of both hot
and mid-latitude deserts is xerophytic or
drought-resistant scrub. Plants that exist
in deserts have highly specialised means
of adapting themselves to the arid
environment. Intense evaporation
increases the salinity of the soil, so that
the dissolved salts tend to accumulate on
the surface, forming hard pans. Absence
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of moisture retards the rate of
decomposition and desert soils are very
deficient in humus. Plants, whether
annuals or perennials, must struggle for
survival against both aridity and poor
soil.
Most desert shrubs have long roots and
are well spaced out to gather moisture,
and search for ground water. Plants
have few or no leaves and the foliage is
either waxy, leathery, hairy or needle-
shaped to reduce the loss of water
through transpiration. Some of them are
entirely leafless, with pricks or thorns.
Others, like the cacti, have thick
succulent stems to store up water for
long droughts. There are still others that
shed their leaves during droughts. The
seeds of many species of grasses and
herbs have thick, tough skins to protect
them while they lie dormant. They
germinate at once when their seeds are
moistened by the next rain. In short, all
plants must adapt themselves to survive
in such an inhospitable region as the
desert.
32. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Despite its inhospitality, the desert has
always been populated by different
groups of inhabitants. They struggle
against an environment deficient in
water, food and other means of livelihood.
● The Bushmen roam the Kalahari
Desert with their bows and poisoned
arrows, spears, traps and snares.
● The Bindibu or Aborigines of
Australia live in very much the same
way as the Bushmen. They are lean
and dark, but healthy. They are
skilled trackers and some of them use
wooden throwing sticks or
boomerangs and spears.
● The Bedouin of Arabia ride on horses
and live in tents.
● The Tuaregs of the Sahara are camel
riders and dwell in grass zeriba.
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● The Gobi Mongols ride on horses to
herd their yaks and live in portable
yurts (a kind of tent).
33. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Bordering the deserts, away from the
Mediterranean regions and in the
interiors of the continents are the
Temperate Grasslands. Though, they lie
in the Westerly Wind Belt, they are so
remote from the maritime influence that
the Grasslands are practically treeless.
In the northern hemisphere, the
Grasslands are far more extensive and
are entirely continental. In Eurasia,
they are called the Steppes, and stretch
eastwards from the shores of the Black
Sea across the Great Russian Plain to the
foothills of the Altai Mountains. They are
broken in a few places, being interrupted
by the highlands. There are isolated
sections in the Pustaz of Hungary and the
plains of Manchuria. In North America,
the Grasslands are also quite
extensive, and are called Prairies.
In the southern hemisphere, due to the
narrowness of the temperate portions
of the southern continents, the
Grasslands are rather restricted and
less continental. In the case of the
Pampas of Argentina and Uruguay, the
Grasslands extend right to the sea and
enjoy much maritime influence. In South
Africa, the Grasslands are sandwiched
between the Drakensberg and the
Kalahari Desert, and are further sub-
divided into the more tropical Bush Veld
in the north, and the more temperate
High Veld in the south. The word ‘Veld’ is
a Dutch word given by the early pioneer
Dutch farmers, who came to settle here.
It means ‘field' and is pronounced as ‘felt’.
In Australia, the Grasslands are better
known as Downs and are found in the
Murray-Darling basin of southern
Australia.
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34. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
In Eurasia, the Temperate Grasslands are
called the Steppes, and stretch eastwards
from the shores of the Black Sea across
the Great Russian Plain to the foothills of
the Altai Mountains, a distance of well
over 2,000 miles. They are broken in a
few places, being interrupted by the
highlands. There are isolated sections in
the Pustaz of Hungary and the plains of
Manchuria. In North America, the
Grasslands are also quite extensive,
and are called Prairies.
In the southern hemisphere, due to the
narrowness of the temperate portions of
the southern continents, the Grasslands
are rather restricted and less continental.
In the case of the Pampas of Argentina
and Uruguay, the Grasslands extend
right to the sea and enjoy much maritime
influence. In South Africa, the Grasslands
are sandwiched between the Drakensberg
and the Kalahari Desert, and are further
sub-divided into the more tropical Bush-
Veld in the north, and the more
temperate High Veld in the south. The
word ‘Veld’ is a Dutch word, given by the
early pioneer Dutch farmers, who came to
settle here. It means ‘field' and is
pronounced as ‘felt’. In Australia, the
Grasslands are better known as ‘Downs’
and are found in the Murray-Darling
basin of southern Australia.
The Mongolian-Manchurian Grassland
eco-region is one of the largest, most
intact grassland ecosystems on the Earth,
lying between the Siberian Conifer
Forests, the Central Asian Rocky Deserts,
and the Manchurian Hills of north-
eastern China. Mongolian gazelle survives
here in numbers that exceed one million,
despite hunting pressure and a need to
co-exist with the legions of domestic
livestock.
35. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The Cool Temperate Western Margins are
under the permanent influence of the
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Westerlies all-round the year. They are
also the regions of much cyclonic activity,
typical of Britain, and are, thus, said to
experience the British type of climate.
From Britain, the climatic belt stretches
far inland into the lowlands of north-west
Europe, including such regions as
northern and western France, Belgium,
the Netherlands, Denmark, western
Norway and also north-western Iberia.
There is so much oceanic influence on
both the temperature and the
precipitation that the climate is also
referred to as the North-West European
Maritime Climate. In North America, the
high Rockies prevent the on-shore
Westerlies from penetrating far inland
and the British type of climate is confined
mainly to the coastlands of British
Columbia. In the southern hemisphere,
the climate is experienced in southern
Chile, Tasmania and most parts of New
Zealand, particularly in the South Island.
36. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The Cool Temperate Western Margin
(British type) Climate: The natural
vegetation of this climatic type is
deciduous forest. The trees shed their
leaves in the cold season. This is an
adaptation for protecting themselves
against the winter snow and frost.
Shedding begins in autumn, the ‘fall'
season, during which the leaves fall and
are scattered by the winds. The golden-
brown leaves and the ‘naked’ branches
present a very interesting scene. When
they are in leaf the deciduous trees have
typical rounded outines with thick trunks
and out-spreading branches that yield
valuable temperate hardwood. Some of
the more common species include oak,
elm, ash, birch, beech, poplar and
hornbeam. In the wetter areas grow
willows, alder and aspen. Elsewhere are
found other species, e.g., chestnut,
sycamore, maple and lime. Unlike the
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Equatorial forests, the deciduous trees
occur in pure stands and have greater
lumbering value from the commercial
point of view. The open nature of the
forests is useful in logging operations.
Easy penetration means much cost can
be saved in the movement of the logs. The
deciduous hardwoods are excellent for
both fuel and industrial purposes. In
Tasmania, the temperate eucalypts are
also extensively felled for the lumbering
industry.
37. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The eastern margins of warm
temperate latitudes have a much
heavier rainfall than either the western
margins or the continental interiors
and, thus, have a luxuriant vegetation.
The lowlands carry both evergreen broad-
leaved forests and deciduous trees, quite
similar to those of the tropical monsoon
forests.
On the highlands are various species of
conifers, such as pines and cypresses,
which are important soft woods.
The forests of China and southern Japan
also have considerable economic value
and include oak, camphor, camelia and
magnolia.
The Gulf states of the USA have lowland
deciduous forests. The trees grow close
together with thick undergrowth and leafy
branches. Walnut, oak, hickory and
maple are some of the more common
species, while in the more sandy regions
grow pines.
38. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
The Warm Temperate Eastern Margin
(China type) Climate: This type of
climate is found on the eastern margins
of the continents in warm temperate
latitudes, just outside the tropics. It has
comparatively more rainfall than the
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Mediterranean climate in the same
latitudes, coming mainly in the
summer.
It is, in fact, the climate of most parts of
China, a modified form of monsoonal
climate. It is, thus, also called the
Temperate Monsoon or China type of
Climate. In south-eastern USA, bordering
the Gulf of Mexico, continental heating in
summer induces an inflow of air from the
cooler Atlantic Ocean. Though less
pronounced, the overall climatic features
resemble those of the China type. It is
sometimes referred to as the Gulf type of
climate.
Rainfall is more than moderate, anything
from 25 inches to 60 inches. This is
adequate for all agricultural purposes
and the Warm Temperate Eastern Margin
Climate supports a wide range of crops.
Areas which experience this climate are
very densely populated. Another
important feature is the fairly uniform
distribution of rainfall throughout the
year. There is rain every month, except
in the interior of central China, where
there is a distinct dry season.
39. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Precipitation of the hot, wet equatorial
climate is heavy, between 60 inches and
100 inches, and well distributed
throughout the year. There is no month
without rain, and a distinct dry season,
like those of the Savanna or the Tropical
Monsoon Climates, is absent. Instead,
there are two periods of maximum
rainfall, in April and in October, which
occur shortly after the equinoxes.
There is great uniformity of temperature
through the year in this region.
Least rain falls at the June and December
solstices. The double rainfall peaks,
coinciding with the equinoxes, are a
characteristic feature of the Equatorial
climates, not found in any other type of
climate. But this simple pattern may be
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upset by the local conditions, e.g., Kota
Bharu, Kelantan receives most of its
rainfall from the north-east monsoon at
the end of the year and Yangon
(Myanmar), from the south-west monsoon
between June and September.
Due to the great heat in the Equatorial
belt, mornings are bright and sunny.
There is much evaporation and
convectional air currents are set up,
followed by heavy downpours of
convectional rain in the afternoons from
the towering cumulonimbus clouds.
Thunder and lightning often accompany
the torrential showers and the amount of
rainfall recorded in one single afternoon
may be as much as the deserts receive for
the entire year! Besides the convectional
rainfall, the mountainous regions also
experience much orographic or relief rain.
In addition, there are some intermittent
showers from the cyclonic atmospheric
disturbances, caused by the convergence
of air currents in the Doldrums.
40. Answer: (a)
Explanation:
The Equatorial regions with high
temperatures and abundant rainfall
support a luxuriant type of vegetation,
the tropical rainforest.
In the Amazon, the term 'selvas' is used
to describe the incredibly dense and
diverse forests. These Equatorial forests
are home to numerous evergreen tree
varieties, collectively yielding tropical
softwood, and are characterized by mixed
species, rather than pure stands.
Unlike the temperate regions, the growing
season here is all the year round-seeding,
flowering, fruiting and decaying do not
take place in a seasonal pattern, so some
trees may be in flower, while the others
only a few yards away may be bearing
fruit. There is neither drought nor cold to
check growth in any part of the year.
A great variety of vegetation: The
Equatorial vegetation comprises a
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multitude of evergreen trees that yield
tropical hardwood, e.g., mahogany,
ebony, greenheart, cabinet woods and
dyewoods. There are smaller palm trees,
climbing plants, like the lianas or rattan,
which may be hundreds of feet long and
epiphytic and parasitic plants that live on
other plants. Under the trees grow a wide
variety of ferns, orchids and lalang.
From the air, the tropical rain forest
appears like a thick canopy of foliage,
broken only where it is crossed by large
rivers or cleared for cultivation. All plants
struggle upwards for sunlight, resulting
in a peculiar layer arrangement. The
tallest trees attain a height of an over 150
feet.
Unlike the temperate forests, where only
a few species occur in a particular area,
the trees of the tropical rainforests are
not found in pure stands of a single
species.
41. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The Equatorial regions are generally
sparsely populated. In the forests, most
primitive people live as hunters and
collectors, and the more advanced ones
practise shifting cultivation. Food is so
abundant in such a habitat that many
people worry very little about the life of
the next day.
There are numerous animals, birds and
reptiles that can be hunted to serve the
needs of the community. The ever-flowing
rivers and streams provide an
inexhaustible supply of fish that the
people spear or trap. From the forest,
they gather leaves, fruits, nuts and other
forest products.
In the Amazon basin, the Indian tribes
collect wild rubber, in the Congo Basin,
the Pygmies gather nuts and in the
jungles of Malaysia the Orang Asli make
all sorts of cane products and sell them to
the people in the villages and towns. In
the clearings for shifting cultivation,
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crops like manioc (tapioca), yams, maize,
bananas and groundnuts are grown.
With the coming of the
Europeans, many large plantations have
been established, especially in Java,
Sumatra, Malaysia, West Africa and
Central America.
The climate has proved to be very
favourable for the cultivation of certain
crops that are highly valued in the
industrial West, the most outstanding is
natural rubber, called ‘hevea brasiliensis’.
The ground layer of the forest is rooted
with ferns and herbaceous plants, which
can tolerate shades.
42. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The plant species in the tropical monsoon
forests are adapted to the seasonal
changes in water availability. The natural
vegetation of tropical monsoon lands
depends on the amount of summer
rainfall. Trees are normally deciduous,
because of the marked dry period, during
which they shed their leaves to withstand
the drought.
Where the rainfall is heavy, e.g., in
southern Myanmar, peninsular India,
northern Australia and coastal regions
with a tropical marine climate, the
resultant vegetation is forest. The forests
are more open and less luxuriant than
the Equatorial jungle, and there are far
fewer species.
Most of the forests yield valuable timber
and are prized for their durable
hardwood. Amongst these, teak is the
best known. Myanmar alone accounts for
as much as three-quarters of the world's
production. It is such a durable timber
that it is extensively used for ship
building, furniture and other
constructional purposes.
Other kinds of timber include sal, acacia
and some varieties of eucalyptus in
northern Australia. Together with the
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forests are bamboo thickets, which often
grow to great heights.
43. Answer: (b)
Explanation:
 An air mass is a large volume of air in
the atmosphere that is mostly
uniform in temperature and
moisture.
 Air masses form over large surfaces
with uniform temperatures and
humidity, called source regions.
 There are four categories for air
masses: arctic, tropical, polar and
equatorial.
 Arctic air masses form in the Arctic
region and are very cold.
 Tropical air masses form in low-
latitude areas and are moderately
warm.
 Polar air masses take shape in high-
latitude regions and are cold. They
originate over both land and sea.
 Equatorial air masses develop near
the Equator, and are warm.
 Air masses are also identified based
on whether they form over land or
over water.
 Maritime air masses form over water
and are humid. Continental air
masses form over land and are dry.
 Therefore, an air mass that develops
over northern Canada is called a
continental polar air mass and is cold
and dry. One that forms over the
Indian Ocean is called a maritime
tropical air mass and is warm and
humid.
44. Answer: (c)
Explanation:
 When two different air masses meet,
the boundary zone between them is
called a front. The process of
formation of the fronts is known as
frontogenesis.
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 There are four types of fronts: (a) Cold; 46. Answer: (a)
(b) Warm; (c) Stationary; (d) Occluded. Explanation:
 When the front remains stationary, it  Tropical cyclones are violent storms
is called a stationary front.
that originate over oceans in tropical
 When the cold air moves towards the
areas and move over to the coastal
warm air mass, its contact zone is
areas bringing about large-scale
called the cold front, whereas if the
warm air mass moves towards the destruction caused by violent winds,
cold air mass, the contact zone is a very heavy rainfall and storm surges.
warm front.  The tropical cyclones originate only
 If an air mass is fully lifted above over the seas and on reaching the
the land surface, it is called the land they dissipate.
occluded front.
 Tropical cyclones originate and
 The fronts occur in middle latitudes
intensify over warm tropical oceans.
and are characterised by steep
The conditions favourable for the
gradient in temperature and pressure.
They bring abrupt changes in formation and intensification of
temperature and cause the air to rise tropical storms are: (i) Large sea
to form clouds and cause surface with temperature higher than
precipitation. 27° C; (ii) Presence of the Coriolis
force; (iii) Small variations in the
45. Answer: (b) vertical wind speed; (iv) A pre-
Explanation: existing weak low-pressure area or
 The systems developing in the mid low-level-cyclonic circulation; (v)
and high latitude, beyond the tropics Upper divergence above the sea level
are called the middle latitude or system.
extra tropical cyclones.
 A mature tropical cyclone is
 Extra tropical cyclones form along
characterised by the strong spirally
the polar front.
circulating wind around the centre,
 The extra tropical cyclone differs from
called the eye. The diameter of the
the tropical cyclone in number of
ways. The extra tropical cyclones circulating system can vary between
have a clear frontal system which is 150 and 250 km.
not present in the tropical  The eye is a region of calm with
cyclones. subsiding air. Around the eye is the
 They cover a larger area and can eye wall, where there is a strong
originate over the land and sea.
spiralling ascent of air to greater
Whereas the tropical cyclones
height reaching the tropopause.
originate only over the seas and on
reaching the land they dissipate. Torrential rain occurs here.

 The extra tropical cyclone affects a

much larger area as compared to the 47. Answer: (a)
tropical cyclone. The wind velocity in a Explanation:
tropical cyclone is much higher and it
Tropical cyclones are known as Cyclones
is more destructive. The extra
tropical cyclones move from west in the Indian Ocean, Hurricanes in the
to east but tropical cyclones, move Atlantic, Typhoons in the Western
from east to west. Pacific and South China Sea, and Willy-
willies in the Western Australia.

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48. Answer: (c) 50. Answer: (d)

Explanation: Explanation:
Equator passes through the following:  Lake Tanganyika is a part of African
African Continent: Somalia, Kenya, Rift Valley and drains into Congo
Uganda, Democratic republic of Congo, river.
Gabon  Lake Nyasa (also known as Lake
South American Continent: Brazil, Malawi) is the second deepest lake
Ecuador, Colombia in Africa. Lake Malawi is a
Western Pacific: Indonesia meromictic lake, meaning that its
Note: Equator does not pass through water layers do not mix.
Morocco.  Lake Victoria is the second largest
freshwater lake in the world by
surface area.
49. Answer: (c)
Note: Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in
Explanation:
the world and Lake Superior is the
Tropic of Cancer passes through: India,
world’s largest freshwater lake.
China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Oman,
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Algeria,
Mexico.
Note: Tropic of cancer does not pass
through Iran.

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