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Climatology — UPSC Prelims Geography previous year questions — page 6

212 solved previous year questions on Climatology, papers from 1993 to 2022, drawn from UPSC CDS, UPSC CAPF, State PCS. Each carries the printed answer key and the explanation from the source compilation.

1. #201Practice set
   Consider the following statements regarding the 'Mechanism of Weather in the Winter Season': 1. In winter season, high pressure centers are developed in the region lying to the north of the Himalayas. 2. The upper air circulation is governed by the variations in the atmospheric pressure closer to the surface of the earth. 3. The cyclonic disturbances are brought into India by the westerly jet stream in the winter months.How many of the statements given above are correct?
   • AOnly one
   • BOnly two
   • CAll three
   • DNone
   Answer: (B) Only two
   Explanation

   Option bis the correct Practkebook In winter months, the weather conditions over India influenced by the distribution of pressure and Western l is correct: A high pressure centre in the to the north of the Himalayas develops during centre of high pressure gives rise to the flow of air at level from the north towards the Indian of the mountain 2 is incorrect: Higher up in the lower three km above the surface of the earth, a of air circulation is observed. The variations in pressure closer to the surface of the no role to play in the making of upper air of Western and Central Asia remains under the westerly winds along the altitude of 9-13 km from east. These winds blow across the Asian continent north of the Himalayas roughly parallel to highlands. These are known as jet 3 is correct: The western cyclonic enter the Indian subcontinent from the west northwest during the winter months, orig

2. #202Practice set
   With reference to 'Inter Tropical Convergence Zone' (ITCZ), consider the following statements: 1. It is a low-pressure zone located on the equator where trade winds converge. 2. The position of ITCZ remains constant between and throughout the year. 3. It appears as a band of clouds consisting of showers with occasional thunderstorms.How many of the statements given above are correct?
   • AOnly one
   • BOnly two
   • CAll three
   • DNone
   Answer: (B) Only two
   Explanation

   Option bis the correct also convergence zone, belt of converging trade rising air that encircles the Earth near the 1 is correct: The Inter Tropical (ITCZ) is a low-pressure zone located at the trade winds converge, and so, it is a zone tends to ascend. In July, the ITCZ is located latitudes (over the Gangetic plain), the monsoon trough. This monsoon trough development of thermal low over north and 2 is incorrect: The ITCZ follows the sun the position varies seasonally. It moves north in Hemisphere summer and south in the winter. In July and August, over the Atlantic the ITCZ isbetween 5 and 15 degrees north of but further north over the land masses of Asia. In eastern Asia, the ITCZ may propagate up to north of the 3 is correct: The Inter-'fropical (ITCZ) appears as a band of clouds consisting with occasional thtmderstorms, that encircles near the equator. The solid band of clouds may m

3. #203Practice set
   With reference to 'El-Nino', consider the following statements: 1. It is associated with the appearance of warm currents off the coast of Australia in the Eastern Indian Ocean. 2. The presence of El Nino leads to strengthening of the trade winds in the equatorial region. 3. El Nino events are associated with weak monsoons and lower than average rainfall in Indian subcontinent.How many of the statements given above are correct?
   • AOnly one
   • BOnly two
   • CAll three
   • DNone
   Answer: (A) Only one
   Explanation

   Exp) Option a is the correct is a complex weather system that appears three to seven years, bringing drought, floods weather extremes to different parts of the l is incorrect: El Nino system involves atmospheric phenomena with the appearance of off the coast of Peru in the Eastern Pacific Indian Ocean) and affects weather in many India. EI Nino is merely an extension of the current which gets replaced temporarily by current or Humboldt current (locate these your 2 is incorrect: During an El Nino event westward blowing trade winds weaken along the Equator. in air pressure and wind speed cause warm to move eastward along the Equator, from the to the coast of northern South 3 is correct: The warming in the tropical because of El Nino weakens the southeast trade to the intertropical convergence zone over these winds are the main driving force of the monsoon, El Nino events are associated wit

4. #204Practice set
   Arrange the following regions of India in the increasing order of annual rainfall availability: 1. Western Uttar Pradesh 2. Ladakh Area 3. Hills of Meghalaya 4. Eastern Tamil Nadu CoastSelect the correct answer using the codes given below
   • A4-2-1-3
   • B2-4-1-3
   • C2-1-4-3
   • D4-1-3-2
   Answer: (C) 2-1-4-3
   Explanation

   Option c is the correct average annual rainfall in India is about 125 cm, has great spatial variations. A characteristic feature in India is its variability. Most of the rainfall in brought by south-west monsoon winds. Areas of Inadequate Rainfall: Parts of the Peninsula, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Ladakh and most of western Rajasthan receive rainfall below 50 cm. Areas of Low Rainfall: Western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, eastern Rajasthan, Gujarat and Deccan Plateau receive rainfall between 50- 100 cm. Areas of Medium Rainfall: Rainfall between 100-200 cm is received in the southern parts of Gujarat, east Tamil Nadu, northeastern Peninsula covering Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, eastern Madhya Pradesh, northern Ganga plain along the sub-Himalayas and the Cachar Valley and Manipur. Areas of High Rainfall: The highest rainfall occurs

5. #205Full-length test
   With reference to Polar Vortex, consider the following statements: 1. It is a whirling cone of high pressure over the poles. 2. When it becomes strong, a wave of cold air is pushed southwards. 3. The term vortex refers to counterclockwise flow of air.How many of the above given statements are correct?
   • AOnly one
   • BOnly two
   • CAll three
   • DNone
   Answer: (A) Only one
   Explanation

   Option a is the correct answer. Statement l is incorrect. Polar vortex is described as a whirling cone of low pressure over the poles. Statement 2 is incorrect. Normally, when the vortex is strong and healthy, it helps to keep a current of air (the jet stream) travelling around the globe in almost a circular path. This current keeps the cold air up north and warm air down south. When the vortex becomes weak there is a lack of a strong low-pressure system, resulting in jet stream losing the hold to keep it in line, and becoming wavy and all of a sudden, a river of cold air is pushed down south. Statement 3 is correct. The term vortex refers to counterclockwise flow of air that keeps the colder air near the poles

6. #206Full-length test
   In the context of 'break' in monsoon period, consider the following statements: 1. Heavy rainfall occurs during the monsoon break over the sub-Himalayan regions. 2. Monsoon breaks are caused by the southward shifting of the monsoon trough. 3. Tropical cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal can trigger monsoon break.How many of the above given statements are correct?
   • AOnly one
   • BOnly two - i - { } T
   • CAll three
   • DNone
   Answer: (B) Only two - i - { } T
   Explanation

   Option bis the correct I is correct. During July and August, there periods when the monsoons become weak. break period, there is a sharp decrease in rainfall parts of the country but heavy rainfall occurs sub-Himalayan regions and the southern slopes of 2 is incorrect. The monsoon break is believed brought about by the northward shifting of the (minimum low-pressure cells in ITCZ) to of 3 is correct. The breaks can occur due to which originate in the Bay of Bengal. Over coast the dry spells are associated with days when parallel to the coast

7. #207Full-length test
   Consider the following statements regarding permafrost: 1. It is defined solely based on temperature and duration. 2. It contains large quantities of organic leftovers from thousands of years. 3. In the northern hemisphere, it is found in higher latitudes only. 4. Thawing of permafrost is a major contributor to climate change.How many of the above given statements are correct?
   • AOnly one
   • BOnly two
   • COnly three
   • DAll four
   Answer: (C) Only three
   Explanation

   Option c is the correct l is correct - Permafrost is a ground that frozen at O degrees Celsius or below for at years. It is defined solely based on temperature 2 is correct - Beneath its surface, large quantities of organic leftover of years prior - dead remains of plants, microorganisms that got frozen before they could rot. holds a massive trove of 3 is incorrect - These grounds are known to 22 per cent of the land surface on Earth, mostly zones and regions with high mountains. They across 55 per cent of the landmass in Russia 85 per cent in the US state of Alaska, and entirety of Antarctica. At lower latitudes, found at high altitude locations such as the Alps Tibetan plateau. Thus, in the Northern is not confined to higher latitudes 4 is correct - When permafrost thaws, decomposing this carbon matter, releasing like methane and carbon dioxide. Researchers that for every I-degree Cels

8. #208Full-length test
   Consider the following statements: 1. Trade winds bring heavy rainfall to the east coast of the continents within the tropics. 2. Westerlies bring heavy rainfall to the west coast of the continents in temperate zone.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   • A1 only
   • B2 only
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2
   Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
   Explanation

   Option c is the correct 1 is correct. Winds blowing out from the High-Pressure Belt in the northern the Equatorial Low become North- East Trade those in the southern hemisphere become the Trade winds. These trade winds are the most all the planetary winds They blow with great force a constant direction. Since they blow from the latitudes to the warmer tropics, they have for holding moisture.They bring heavy rainfall east coasts of continents within the 2 is the Sub-Tropical High-Pressure Belts, winds the Temperate low-pressure belts in the Under the effect of Corolis force, they Westerlies in the northern hemisphere and in the southern hemisphere. Thry are in the Northern hemisphere, but they play role in carrying warm equatorial waters and Western coasts of temperate lands. This warming other local pressure differences have resulted in a climate in the temperate zones, dominated by the

9. #209Full-length test
   With regard to influence of the hills on Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is correct?
   • AIt causes the monsoon winds to deflect towards the Western Ghats
   • BIt causes the monsoon winds to enter West Bengal and Bangladesh from the south and southeast
   • CIt causes the monsoon winds to reach the Punjab plains from Kathiawar coast
   • DIt results in heavy rainfall in the coastal region of Tamil Nadu
   Answer: (B) It causes the monsoon winds to enter West Bengal and Bangladesh from the south and southeast
   Explanation

   Option b is the correct 1 is incorrectly matched: In 1882, G Subramania the Tamil weekly known as Swadesamitran. It by G. Subramania Iyer four years after he The 2 is correctly matched: Henry Vivian Derozio Anglo-Indian poet and assistant headmaster of Kolkata. He was the editor of the daily The East 3 is correctly matched: Rast Goftar (The Truth an Anglo-Gujarati paper operating in Bombay. It in 1854 by Dadabhai Naoroji and Kharshedji championed social reform among Parsis in { } Press Act in people from spreading'' 1799 any news that was against the British government. Licensing John Adams if any newspaper were Regulation Act published without a 1823 license, it would be considered a serious criminal violation. Metcalfe Act Charles The act revoked the or Press Act Metcalfe (came License Regulations 1835 to be known as of 1823 which enabled, the liberator of the press to be more the pres

10. #210Full-length test
    Which of the following is not a correct statement with reference to the climate financing?
    • AWorld Bank administers the Global Environment Facility fund
    • BThe Strategic Climate Fund was established in 2008 by the United Nations Development Programme
    • CGlobal Environment Facility Funds are available both to developing countries and countries with economies in transition
    • DThe Strategic Climate Fund finances the Forest Investment Program to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
    Answer: (B) The Strategic Climate Fund was established in 2008 by the United Nations Development Programme
    Explanation

    Option b is the correct finance refers to local, national or that seeks to support mitigation and to address climate change. This recognizes that but differentiated responsibility and a is correct. Global Environment Facility established in 1991 by the World Bank in UNDP and UNEP, to provide funding to protect environment. World Bank serves as the GEF the bis incorrect. The Strategic Climate Fund a fund under the Climate Investment Funds. In 30 May International Bank for Reconstruction and and other few multilateral development an agreement to establishment of the Fund ("CIF") which comprises the Fund ("SCF") and the Clean Technology the Contributors. Hence, the SCF is not the c is correct. GEF Funds are available to and countries with economies in meet the objectives of the international and d is correct. Targeted programs under the Forest Investment Program (FIP), approved in aims to s

11. #211Full-length test
    Which of the following is a characteristic of retreating monsoon season in India?
    • ASudden withdrawal of monsoon frolll the sub-continent
    • BA significant decline in temperature
    • COccurrence of severe tropical cyclones
    • DAll of the above
    Answer: (C) Occurrence of severe tropical cyclones
    Explanation

    Option c is the correct the months of October-November, the winds become weaker and start to retreat from the { } of North India. This phase of the monsoon is known retreating c is correct: With the onset of retreating become clearer and clouds disappear. The clouds makes the climate of various places hotter tropical cyclones emerge from the Bay of Bengal. of October-November is prone to severe cyclones

12. #212Full-length test
    Which of the following conditions leads to favorable monsoon rain over India? 1. Blowing of easterly cold jet stream over Peninsular India. 2. Thick and widespread snow over Tibet during summer. 3. Development of warm current off the coast of Peru. 4. Northward displacement oflnter-Tropical Convergence Zone.Select the correct answer using the code below: 1 umllll
    • A1, 2 and 3 only
    • B1 and 4 only
    • C2, 3 and 4 only
    • D1, 2, 3 and 4
    Answer: (B) 1 and 4 only
    Explanation

    Option b is the correct I is correct. Westerly jet stream blows at a during winter over sub-tropical zone. upper air circulation takes place in summer due to shift of the Sun's vertical rays in the The westerly jet stream is replaced by jet stream which owes its origin to the heating Tibet Plateau..This leads to the development of cold jet centered around IS-degree and over peninsular India. This helps onset of the south-west monsoons. Thus, stream has favorable effect on 2 is incorrect. When summer temperature over Tibet remains high for a sufficiently long time, in strengthening of easterly jet stream and results rainfall in India. The easterly jet does not come if the snow over the Tibetan Plateau does i.e., there is thick and widespread snow. Thus, is not favorable for 3 is incorrect. Development of narrow off the coast of Peru in December is an El Nino weakens Indian 4 is correct. N

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