Test: Climate- 1 - UPSC MCQ

Statement: The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country from Rann of Kuchchh in the west to Mizoram in the east.

The Tropic of Cancer is an imaginary line located at approximately 23.5 degrees north of the Equator. It marks the northernmost point where the sun appears directly overhead at noon during the summer solstice.
Here is a detailed explanation of why statement B is correct:
The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country from Rann of Kuchchh in the west to Mizoram in the east:
- The Rann of Kuchchh is a large salt marsh located in the state of Gujarat in western India.
- Mizoram is a northeastern state of India, sharing borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar.
- The Tropic of Cancer passes through multiple states in India, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
- Therefore, statement B is correct as it accurately describes the path of the Tropic of Cancer through the country.
Summary:
In summary, the Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country from Rann of Kuchchh in the west to Mizoram in the east. This statement accurately describes the path of the Tropic of Cancer in India.

Explanation:
The correct answer is Rabi.
Reasoning:
- Winter rainfall is most common in regions with a Mediterranean climate, where the rainy season occurs during the winter months.
- Rabi crops are sown in the winter season and harvested in the spring.
- These crops depend on the winter rainfall for growth and development.
- Some examples of Rabi crops include wheat, barley, mustard, peas, and gram.
Conclusion:
- Rabi crops are associated with the winter rainfall as they rely on it for their growth and development.

In March, the highest temperature recorded on the Deccan plateau is about 38 degrees Celsius.

• The Assertion is true as the monsoon winds indeed bring abundant moisture to the Indian subcontinent, as mentioned in the text.
• The Reason is also true, stating that these winds originate over warm subtropical areas and bring heavy rainfall.
• Therefore, in this case, the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion, making Option A the correct answer.

Parts of western coast and northeastern India receive over about 400 cm of rainfall annually.

Option A: (a) Monsoon - Derived from the Arabic word 'mausim': This option is correctly matched. The word 'monsoon' is indeed derived from the Arabic word 'mausim', which means season. Monsoon refers to the seasonal reversal in the wind direction during a year.

• Option A: Western Rajasthan - High Rainfall:
  This is incorrect. Western Rajasthan receives less than 60 cm of rainfall annually, making it one of the driest regions in India.
• Option B: Leh - Low Precipitation:
  This is correct. Leh in Jammu and Kashmir is a region with low precipitation, making it a suitable choice for the correctly matched pair.

• Option C: Chennai - High Summer Rainfall  Incorrect: Chennai primarily receives rainfall during the northeast monsoon in the winter, not in the summer.

• Option D: Northeastern India - Less than 60 cm Rainfall:
  This is incorrect. Northeastern India, particularly areas like Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, receives some of the highest rainfall in the world, exceeding 400 cm annually. Therefore, the correctly matched pair is Option B: Leh - Low Precipitation.

The significant weather phenomenon during the hot weather season in India is known as 'loo.' Loo refers to strong, gusty, hot, dry winds that blow over the north and northwestern parts of India, potentially proving fatal upon direct exposure. These winds are a characteristic feature of the hot weather season in the region.

Answer:
The state of the atmosphere at a place at any time is referred to as weather. Here is a detailed explanation:
Weather:
- Weather refers to the current state of the atmosphere, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, precipitation, and atmospheric conditions.
- It describes the short-term variations in the atmosphere that occur over hours, days, or weeks.
- Weather conditions can change rapidly and vary from one location to another.
Climate:
- Climate refers to the long-term average weather conditions of a specific region or area.
- It takes into account patterns and trends in temperature, precipitation, wind, and other atmospheric variables over a period of several decades.
- Climate is more stable and predictable compared to weather.
Atmosphere:
- The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
- It is composed of various gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other elements.
- The atmosphere plays a vital role in regulating Earth's temperature, protecting it from harmful radiation, and supporting life.
None of these:
- None of the other options (climate and atmosphere) accurately describes the state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place.
In conclusion, the state of the atmosphere at a place at any time is referred to as weather, which describes the current conditions and variations in temperature, precipitation, wind, and atmospheric conditions.

The primary factor influencing the climate of a place is latitude, as the amount of solar energy received varies according to latitude, affecting the air temperature. This variation leads to different climate zones across the globe.

The houses with thick walls and flat roof are formed in Rajasthan.
Some key points to support this answer are:
- Traditional Architecture: The houses in Rajasthan are built using traditional architecture techniques that are specific to the region.
- Climate: The thick walls and flat roofs are designed to suit the hot and arid climate of Rajasthan.
- Thermal Insulation: The thick walls help in providing insulation from the extreme temperatures outside, keeping the interiors cool during summers and warm during winters.
- Availability of Building Materials: Rajasthan is known for its abundant supply of locally available materials like stone, mud, and sand, which are used in constructing these houses.
- Strength and Durability: The thick walls provide strength and durability to the houses, making them capable of withstanding the harsh weather conditions of the region.
- Flat Roofs: The flat roofs are designed to prevent the accumulation of water during the rare instances of rainfall in Rajasthan.
- Traditional Aesthetics: The houses with thick walls and flat roofs reflect the traditional aesthetics and cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
Therefore, based on these factors, it can be concluded that the houses with thick walls and flat roofs are formed in Rajasthan.

States that receive winter rainfall:
- Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
Explanation:
- Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu receives winter rainfall due to the northeast monsoon, also known as the winter monsoon. This monsoon brings rainfall to the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, particularly in the months of October to December.
- Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh also receives winter rainfall from the northeast monsoon. The coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh experience rainfall during the winter months.
- Other options mentioned in the question are incorrect:
- Odisha and West Bengal: These states receive rainfall during the summer monsoon season, not winter.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B: Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The climate of India is characterized by several unique features:

• Statement (i) is correct because India's climate is indeed described as the 'monsoon' type, which is a defining feature of the region.
• Statement (ii) is correct since coastal areas generally experience less contrast in temperature due to the moderating influence of the sea.
• Statement (iii) is correct because in the Thar Desert, the day temperature can rise to 50°C and drop to around 15°C at night, indicating a significant difference in day and night temperatures.
• Statement (iv) is incorrect because precipitation in India is not uniform; it varies widely from place to place and season to season, as seen with the heavy rainfall in Meghalaya and the minimal rainfall in Ladakh and western Rajasthan.

Thus, the correct statements are (i), (ii), and (iii).

The Thar Desert experiences extreme temperature variations between day and night because of the high daytime temperatures which cause rapid cooling once the sun sets. This significant difference is due to the desert's dry conditions and lack of moisture to retain heat. Interestingly, such temperature swings are typical of desert climates, where the absence of cloud cover allows for swift heat loss at night.

The Southwest Monsoon winds are crucial in shaping India's monsoon climate. These winds, originating from the southern Indian Ocean, carry moisture and bring widespread rainfall to the Indian subcontinent. The monsoon's arrival and intensity are influenced by the reversal of these winds' direction from the high-pressure area over the southern Indian Ocean to the low-pressure areas over India.