Q1. With reference to the distribution of rainfall in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The intensity and amount of rainfall in India vary with the oscillation of the axis of the monsoon trough.
2. The rains over North Indian plains show a declining trend from the southeast towards the northwest.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer.C

o There seem to be two rain-bearing systems in India.

o First originates in the Bay of Bengal causing rainfall over the plains of north India.
o Second is the Arabian Sea current of the southwest monsoon which brings rain to the west coast
of India.
o The frequency of the tropical depressions originating from the Bay of Bengal varies from year to year.
Their paths over India are mainly determined by the position of ITCZ which is generally termed as the
monsoon trough. Monsoon Trough is a portion of the ITCZ and is somewhat like a convergence zone
between the wind patterns of the southern and northern hemispheres.

o As the axis of the monsoon trough oscillates, there are fluctuations in the track and direction of
these depressions, and the intensity and the amount of rainfall vary from year to year. Hence
statement 1 is correct.
o The rain which comes in spells displays a declining trend from west to east over the west coast, and
from the southeast towards the northwest over the North Indian Plain and the northern part of the
Peninsula. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Q2. Which of the following is not a characteristic feature of the Steppe type of Climate?
1. In the northern hemisphere, only continental grasslands are found.
2. Regions in Southern Hemisphere experiences precipitation all throughout the year due to maritime influence.
3. Chinook is a hot southerly wind in Switzerland providing relief from severe winters.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer.B

o Temperate Continental (Steppe) Climate

1. A steppe is a dry, grassy plain. Steppes occur in temperate climates, which lie between the tropics and
polar regions.
2. Temperate regions have distinct seasonal temperature changes, with cold winters and warm summers.
3. Though they lie in the Wes-terly wind belt, they are so remote from the maritime influence that the
grasslands are practically treeless.
4. In the northern hemisphere, the grasslands are far more extensive and are entirely continental. Hence
statement 1 is correct.

o 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, a distance of well over 2,000 miles.
o In the southern hemisphere, there is a maritime influence in the steppe type of climate.
○ Its annual precipitation is always more than the average 20 inches because of the warm ocean
currents that wash the shores of the steppe-lands here.
○ Pretoria, in South Africa, has an annual precipitation of 26 inches with the wettest months in
November, De-cember, January and February, the summer season of the southern hemisphere.
There are three months (June, July and August) without any rain. This is the period of drought.
The dry season is particularly pronounced in temperate grasslands adjoining deserts, for example
in Australia. Hence statement 2 is not correct.

o Chinook is a warm, dry wind descending the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in the USA, primarily
in winter. Hence statement 3 is not correct.
o Winds of the same kind occur in other parts of the world and are known generally as foehns.
○ It comes in a south--westerly direction to the Prairies and has a consider-able effect on the local
pastures. It melts the snow-covered pastures and animals can be driven out of doors to graze in
the open fields.
○ It actually comes with the depressions in winter or early spring from the Pacific coast ascending
the Rockies and then descending to the Prairies.
Q3. With reference to Rossby Waves, consider the following statements:
1. These are meanders in giant atmospheric winds or ocean currents.
2. If they remain stalled in the atmosphere for a long duration they can cause severe heatwaves and floods.
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

Answer.C
 Early summer heatwaves in Western Europe and North America set new temperature records in
2018, while other regions of the northern hemisphere were hit with torrential rain and severe
flooding.
 The northern jet stream is a river of fast-moving air that circles the northern hemisphere in the mid-
latitudes. Traveling from west to east at an altitude of around 10 km, these winds drive large-scale
weather systems around the globe.
 Jet-stream winds generally travel at the same latitude, but they can shift into a wave-like pattern, known
as Rossby waves, where they meander from north to south and back again. When this happens,
warm air fills the peaks of the wave, while cold polar airdrops into the troughs. Rossby waves normally
continue to move from east to west – shifting high- and low-pressure weather systems with them.
However, they can also stall – which can lead to heat waves, droughts and floods as the regions
of hot and cold air hover over the same regions for days or even weeks. Hence statements 1 and 2
are correct.
 Severe temperatures and rainfall June and July 2018 extreme heatwaves hit North America, Western
Europe, and the Caucasus, while south-east Europe and Japan experience heavy rain and flash flooding.
Norway set a new maximum temperature record and received just half of its average July rainfall, the
United Kingdom experienced the second hottest July since records began, and various locations in the
western United States broke temperature records. Meanwhile, in Japan, severe floods and landslides
caused by heavy rain destroyed more than 10,000 houses.
 In the past, it has been suggested that such simultaneous events could be caused by a pattern of
stationary Rossby waves around the northern hemisphere. Now, by studying climate data from the US
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Kai Kornhuber, a climate scientist at the University of
Oxford, and colleagues have shown that the heatwaves and floods of 2018 were linked by a stalled
pattern of seven peaks and troughs in the jet stream.

Q4. Which of the following particulate pollutants is/are considered as the viable particulate pollutants of the
atmosphere?
1. Smoke
2. Dust
3. Mist
4. Fungi
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3 only

(d) 4 only

Answer.D
 Particulates pollutants are the minute solid particles or liquid droplets in the air. These are present in
vehicle emissions, smoke particles from fires, dust particles and ash from industries. Particulates in the
atmosphere may be viable or non-viable.
 The viable particulates e.g., bacteria, fungi, moulds, algae etc., are minute living organisms that
are dispersed in the atmosphere. Human beings are allergic to some of the fungi found in air. They
can also cause plant diseases. Hence the correct answer is option (d)
 Non-viable particulates may be classified according to their nature and size as follows:
○ Smoke particulates consist of solid or mixture of solid and liquid particles formed during the
combustion of organic matter.
○ Dust is composed of fine solid particles (over 1μm in diameter), produced during the crushing,
grinding and attribution of solid materials.
○ Mists are produced by particles of spray liquids and by condensation of vapours in air. Examples
are sulphuric acid mist.
○ Fumes are generally obtained by the condensation of vapours during sublimation, distillation,
boiling and several other chemical reactions.

Q5. A climatic region is characterized by the following features:

1. Warm moist summer and cool dry winter.
2. Very densely populated.
3. Supports luxuriant vegetation.
Which of the following climatic regions is described above?

(a) Warm Temperate Western Margin Climate

(b) Savanna Climate

(c) Warm Temperate Eastern Margin Climate

(d) Tropical Monsoon Climate

Answer.C
 World climates are generally divided into five large regions: tropical, dry, mid-latitude, high latitude, and
highland. The regions are divided into smaller subregions, some of which are described below.
 Warm Temperate Eastern Margin Climate
○ Different variants of Warm Temperate Eastern Margin Climate include the Temperate monsoon
Climate or China Type Climate, Gulf Type Climate and Natal Type Climate.
○ It is found between 20° and 35° N and S latitude (warm temperate latitudes just outside the
tropics); on the east coast in both hemispheres.
 ○ It is characterized by a warm moist summer and a cool, dry winter with one exception: i.e in
Natal Type where winters are also moist.
○ Rainfall is more than moderate, anything from 60 cm to 150 cm which is adequate for all
agricultural purposes and hence supports a wide range of crops.
○ These regions support luxuriant vegetation. The lowlands carry both evergreen broad-leaved
forests and deciduous tree
○ Areas that experience this climate are very densely populated. Hence, option (c) is the
correct answer.
 Tropical Monsoon Climate
○ Tropical humid climates occur within 5° to 30° N and S of the equator.
○ The overhead sun throughout the year and the presence of the InterTropical Convergence Zone
(ITCZ) make the climate hot and humid.
○ There are three seasons: cool, dry season (October to February), hot dry season (March to mid-
June), rainy season (mid-June to September)
○ The forests are more open and less luxuriant than the equatorial jungle and there are far fewer
species.
○ Monsoon climatic regions support high population density.
 Savanna Climate or Tropical Wet and Dry Climate or Sudan Climate
○ It has alternate wet and dry seasons similar to monsoon climate but has considerably less annual
rainfall.
○ There are two seasons – winter and summer.
○ Days are hot and nights are cold. This extreme diurnal range of temperature is another
characteristic feature of the Sudan type of climate.
○ It is typified by tall grass and short trees. The grasslands are also called as ‗bush-veld‘.
○ Many tribes live in savanna region. Tribes like the Masai tribes of the East African plateau are
pastoralists whereas Hausa of northern Nigeria are settled cultivators.
 Mediterranean Climate or Warm Temperate Western Margin Climate or Warm Temperate West
Coast Climate
○ It is confined to the western portion of continental masses, between 30° and 45° north and south
of the equator.
○ The basic cause of this type of climate is the shifting of the wind belts.
○ It experiences hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
○ Trees with small broad leaves occur with wide spacing and they are never very tall. The absence
of shade is a distinct feature of Mediterranean lands.
○ The Mediterranean lands are also known as the world‘s orchard lands. A wide range of citrus
fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, citrons and grapefruit are grown.
○ European Mediterranean has many ancient cities and are famous for their health and pleasure
resorts, frequented by millions all-round the year.

Q6. Which of the following is/are the ideal conditions for temperature inversion to occur?
○ Long summer days
○ Cloudy skies
○ Calm and stable air
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer.B
 Temperature Inversion- Temperature inversion is the reversal of the normal behavior of temperature in
the troposphere, in which a layer of cool air at the surface is overlain by a layer of warmer air. (Under
normal conditions, the temperature usually decreases with height).
 Ideal Conditions For Temperature Inversion
 Long winter nights, so that the outgoing radiation is greater than the incoming radiation. Hence, option 1
is not correct.
 Clear skies, which allow unobstructed escape of radiation. Hence, option 2 is not correct.
 Calm and stable air, so that there is no vertical mixing at lower levels. Hence, option 3 is correct.

Q7. Which of the following are the necessary conditions for the formation of a tropical cyclone?
1. Warm ocean waters
2. Atmospheric stability
3. Thermally contrasting air masses
4. Moisture in the mid-troposphere
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer.C
 Tropical cyclones form and intensify under a specific set of necessary conditions. These conditions must
be met in order to a tropical cyclone to form; however, the presence of these conditions does not
guarantee development. Necessary conditions for its development are discussed below.
 Warm ocean waters
○ Tropical cyclones thrive off the heat content of the warm tropical and subtropical oceans. Warm
ocean water (at least 26°C) evaporates from the surface and is taken in by the developing
cyclone. As the water vapor rises, it eventually condenses into liquid water, forming clouds and
releasing energy in the form of heat. Tropical cyclones use the released energy to gain
organization and strength.
○ Thus the warmer the water, the more energy can be extracted during condensation, and the
stronger the storm can grow. However, tropical cyclones require a large temperature difference
between the ocean surface and upper-level air to be most efficient at turning the heat energy into
mechanical energy (in the form of strong winds). Hence option 1 is correct.
 Moisture in the mid-troposphere
○ Tropical cyclones require a moist mid-troposphere to help keep their clouds and thunderstorms
intact. Dry air introduced into the mid-levels will begin eating away at the cyclone's clouds.
 Furthermore, the dry air can become wrapped into the circulation of the cyclone, disrupting the
thunderstorms and causing asymmetries in the structure of the cyclone. Hence option 4 is
correct.
 Unstable Conditions
○ Tropical cyclones contain thunderstorms, which ingest moist air near the surface. The most
effective way to bring the air near the surface up into the thunderstorms is if that air is unstable.
Unstable air is typically very warm, moist air (such as over the tropical oceans) that when lifted
will continue to rise on its own. The more unstable the air is, the more rapidly it will rise. Rapidly
rising air helps to create vigorous thunderstorms which contribute to the overall tropical cyclone.
Hence, option 2 is not correct.
 Pre-existing disturbance
○ A pre-existing disturbance can be considered a seedling that, if placed along with other favorable
conditions, may grow to be a tropical cyclone. It can exist in the form of easterly wave
disturbances in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Small local differences in the
temperature of the water and of air produce various low-pressure centers of small size. A weak
cyclonic circulation develops around these areas. Then, because of the rising warm humid air, a
true cyclonic vortex may develop very rapidly. However, only a few of these disturbances develop
into cyclones.
 Low vertical wind shear
○ Vertical wind shear is the difference in wind speed and direction at two different heights in the
atmosphere. An example of shear would be to have wind increasing rapidly with height. Tropical
cyclones have trouble developing in high shear environments because it displaces the
thunderstorms in the cyclone away from its center of circulation. The thunderstorms are the
primary location for the cyclone to gain energy through condensation (thinking back to the first
criteria). By moving the thunderstorms away from the center of circulation, the rotation weakens
because it is not receiving a steady supply of energy.
 At least 5° latitude from the equator
○ Tropical cyclones are well known for their rotation, which is easily visible from a satellite loop of
the storm. However, in order to acquire this spin, they must obtain it from the rotation of the earth.
At the equator, the influence of the earth's spin is zero and it increases moving toward the poles
(this is known as Coriolis force). While there is nothing magical about 5º degrees latitude, there is
just enough influence from the earth's spin to be favorable for tropical cyclone development.
○ Thermally contrasting air masses are a prerequisite for the formation of temperate cyclones.
Hence, option 3 is not correct.

Q8. Which of the following is/are the characteristics of an air mass?

1. It has uniform physical properties throughout the horizontal and vertical dimensions.
2. Their properties are determined by the underlying region from where they originate.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer.B
 An air mass is a large volume of air in the atmosphere that is mostly uniform in temperature and moisture.
Air masses can extend thousands of kilometres in any direction and can reach from ground level to the
stratosphere—16 kilometres (10 miles) into the atmosphere.
 Air masses form over large surfaces with uniform temperatures and humidity, called source regions. Low
wind speeds let air remain stationary long enough to take on the features of the source region, such as
heat or cold. When winds move air masses, they carry their weather conditions (heat or cold, dry or moist)
from the source region to a new region. When the air mass reaches a new region, it might clash with
another air mass that has a different temperature and humidity. This can create a severe storm.
 It has uniform properties in the horizontal dimension. Air masses have fairly uniform temperature
and moisture content in the horizontal direction (but not uniform in vertical). Air masses are
characterized by their temperature and humidity properties. The properties of air masses are
determined by the underlying surface properties where they originate. An air mass can be described
as the air with similar properties of temperature and moisture which covers a large area.

Q9. Which of the following statements best describes a 'hydrological drought'?

(a) A prolonged period of inadequate rainfall along with maldistribution of rainfall over time and space.

(b) Drastic reduction in the availability of water in storages and reservoirs.

(c) Soil moisture stress causing crop failure.

(d) Decrease in productivity of the ecosystem due to a shortage of water.

Answer.B
 Hydrological Drought: It results when the availability of water in different storages and reservoirs
like aquifers, lakes, reservoirs, etc. falls below what the precipitation can replenish. Hence option
(b) is the correct answer.
 Meteorological Drought: It is a situation when there is a prolonged period of inadequate rainfall marked
with mal-distribution of the same over time and space.
 Agricultural Drought: It is also known as soil moisture drought, characterised by low soil moisture that is
necessary to support the crops, thereby resulting in crop failures. Moreover, if an area has more than 30
per cent of its gross cropped area under irrigation, the area is excluded from the drought-prone category.
 Ecological Drought: When the productivity of a natural ecosystem fails due to the shortage of water and
as a consequence of ecological distress, damages are induced in the ecosystem.

Q10. With reference to the composition of the atmosphere, consider the following statements:
1. Oxygen becomes negligible beyond the height of 120 km from the surface of the earth.
2. Carbon dioxide accounts for less than 1 per cent of the total volume of the atmosphere.
3. The atmosphere does not contain any inert gases.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 only

(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer.C
 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 up to 90 km
from the surface of the earth. Ozone is another important component of the atmosphere found between
10 and 50 km above the earth‘s surface and acts as a filter and absorbs the ultra-violet rays radiating
from the sun and prevents them from reaching the surface of the earth. Hence statement 1 is correct.

 An inert gas is a gas that has extremely low reactivity with other substances. The noble gases—helium,
argon, neon, xenon, krypton, radon are examples of inert gases. Hence statement 2 is correct and
statement 3 is not correct.

Q11. The air is said to be completely saturated when

3
(a) absolute humidity is 100gm/m .

(b) relative humidity is 100%.

(c) vapours condense into clouds.

(d) it begins to rain.

Answer.B
 The actual amount of water vapour present in the air, which is expressed in grams per cubic metre, is
called the absolute humidity. But more important from the point of view of weather studies is the relative
 humidity. This is the ratio between the actual amount of water vapour and the total amount the air can
hold at a given temperature, expressed as a percentage.
 Warm air can hold more water vapour than cold air, so if it contains only half the amount it could carry, the
relative humidity is 50 per cent. In the equatorial regions, over 80 per cent is common in the morning,
'which means the air contains four-fifths as much water vapour as it can carry. When the relative
humidity reaches 100 per cent, the air is completely saturated. Hence option (b) is the correct
answer.
 The air temperature is said to be at dew-point. Further cooling will condense the water vapour into
clouds or rain. It is thus clear that when relative humidity is high the air is moist, as in the equatorial
regions; when it is low, the air is dry as in the deserts. For clouds to form and rain to start, the air does
have to reach 100% relative humidity, but only where the clouds are forming or where the rain is coming
from.

Q12. Which of the following weather phenomenon are observed during the winter season in India?
1. Development of high pressure in the region lying to the north of the Himalayas.
2. The inflow of dry surface winds from Central Asia.
3. The onset of an easterly jet stream over peninsular India.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer.A

 Winter season in India extends roughly from November to March. Winter Season is characterized by the
following weather phenomenon:
○ Development of high pressure in the region lying to the north of the Himalayas. Hence,
statement 1 is correct.
○ This centre of high pressure gives rise to the flow of air at the low level from the north towards the
Indian subcontinent, south of the mountain range. The surface winds blowing out of the high
pressure centre over Central Asia reach India in the form of a dry continental air mass. Hence,
statement 2 is correct.
○ All of Western and Central Asia remains under the influence of westerly jet streams winds along
the altitude of 9-13 km from west to east. Southern branch of the jet stream exercises an
important influence on the winter weather in India
○ The western cyclonic disturbances enter the Indian subcontinent from the west and the northwest
during the winter months.
○ Tropical cyclones originate over the Bay of Bengal and the Indian ocean.
○ An easterly jet stream flows over the southern part of the Peninsula in Summer month of June.
Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
Q13. Consider the following statements regarding forms of precipitation:
1. Snow is formed when the temperature is lower than 0-degree celsius and moisture is released in the form of
hexagonal crystals
2. Hailstones is formed when rainwater passes through successive layers of colder layers and forms several
concentric layers of ice.
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

Answer.C

 The precipitation in the form of water is called rainfall. When the temperature is lower than 0 degrees
Celcius and the precipitation takes place in the form of fine flakes of snow it is called snowfall. In
this, the moisture is released in the form of hexagonal crystals and these crystals form flakes of
snow.
 Sleet is frozen raindrops and refrozen melted snow-water. When a layer of air with a temperature
above freezing point overlies a subfreezing layer near the ground, precipitation takes place in the
form of sleet. Raindrops, which leave the warmer air, encounter the colder air below and reach the
ground as small pellets of ice not bigger than raindrops.
 Hailstones are formed by the rainwater passing through the colder layers become solidified into
small rounded solid pieces of ice. They have several concentric layers of ice one over the other.
Hence both the statements are correct.

Q14. With reference to the direction of wind movements, consider the following statements:
1. At the equator, the wind blows perpendicular to the isobars.
2. Geostrophic winds blow parallel to the isobars.
3. The Coriolis force acting on the winds increases from the equator to the poles.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer.D

 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 in the right direction in the
northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. The deflection is more when the wind
 velocity is high. The Coriolis force is directly proportional to the angle of latitude. It is maximum at
the poles and is absent at the equator. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
 The Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the pressure gradient force. The pressure gradient force is
perpendicular to an isobar (a line connecting points having the same atmospheric pressure). The higher
the pressure gradient force, the more is the velocity of the wind and the larger is the deflection in the
direction of the 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. That is the
reason why tropical cyclones are not formed near the equator. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
 The velocity and direction of the wind are the net results of the wind generating forces. The winds in the
upper atmosphere, 2 - 3 km above the surface, are free from frictional effect of the surface and are
controlled by the pressure gradient and the Coriolis force. When isobars are straight and when there is no
friction, the pressure gradient force is balanced by the Coriolis force and the resultant wind blows
parallel to the isobar. This wind is known as the geostrophic wind. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Q15. Consider the following statements with respect to the action of Coriolis force:
1. Usually if one stands with the back to the wind in the Northern hemisphere, the pressure to the left is lower than
to the right.
2. An object in motion in the Southern Hemisphere will deflect to its left.
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

Answer.C

 Buys Ballot‘s law is named on the Dutch meteorologist C.H.D. Buys Ballot, who first stated it in 1857. The
relationship states that in the Northern Hemisphere a person who stands facing away from the wind or the
wind coming behind his back, has high pressure on the right and low pressure on the left; in the Southern
Hemisphere, the reverse would be true.
  FERREL'S LAW: "If a body moves in any direction on the earth's surface, there is a deflecting force
arising from the earth's rotation, which deflects it to the right in the northern hemisphere and to
the left in the southern hemisphere." This law applies to every body that is set in motion upon the
surface of the rotating earth, but usually the duration of the motion of any body due to a single impulse is
so brief, and there are so many frictional disturbances, that it is not easy to observe the results of this
deflecting force. The movements of the atmosphere, however, are upon a scale large enough to make
this observation easy, and the simplest evidence is obtained from a study of the direction of the air
movements in the great wind systems of the globe.

Q16. With reference to thunderstorms, consider the following statements:

1. During thunderstorms, lightning is produced by the clashing of cumulonimbus clouds in the upper air.
2. During a thunderstorm, it is safer to stand below a tree than to sit inside a car.
3. Distance to the storm can be calculated by observing the time difference between lightning and thunder.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer.A

 Statement 1 is not correct: Lightning is produced by discharges of electricity from cloud to cloud
or from cloud to ground. A large positive charge builds up in the upper part of a thunder cloud and a
negative charge builds up near the base of the cloud. When the potential difference between the charged
areas becomes large enough, electrical energy is discharged and a flash of lightning occurs. Huge
quantities of electricity are discharged in lightning flashes and temperatures of over 30,000°C or more can
be reached!
  Statement 3 is correct: Thunder is the loud noise which follows a flash of lightning. Lightning can be
seen before thunder is heard as light travels faster than sound. The speed of sound in air is just over
300m/s. This means that if you count the seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the
thunder, and divide by three, you can work out how many kilometres away the storm is (for
example, if you start counting when you see the lightning and get to 9, then the storm is about 3km
away). The noise of thunder is caused by the rapid expansion of heating the air. You can normally hear
thunder up to 6 miles (10km) away from the lightning flash.
 Statement 2 is not correct: In a thunderstorm you should not stand under a tree! Lightning tends
to strike the highest point around and everything near this can be a target for the lightning too.
Very few people survive being hit by lightning. To increase your safety in a thunderstorm you should
avoid high ground, water, open spaces such as parks and golf courses, staying in a tent or shed, being
within 30m of wire fences or using your umbrella. You should make yourself as small as possible – curling
up in a ball is good. It is however safe to stay in the car because the car acts as what is known as a
Faraday cage, protecting you from the electric field generated by the storm.

Q17. "These clouds form at middle levels or very near to the surface of the earth. They are extremely dense and
opaque to the rays of the sun. They are shapeless masses of thick vapor. Which cloud form is described above?

(a) Stratus

(b) Nimbus

(c) Cirrus

(d) Cumulus

Answer.B

 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.
 Stratus 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.
 Cirrus clouds are formed at high altitudes (8,000 - 12,000m). They are thin and detatched 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.

Q18. Which of the following is/are valid reasons for the Tamil Nadu coast remaining dry during the southwest
monsoon?
1. It is situated parallel to the Bay of Bengal branch of southwest monsoon.
2. It lies in the rain-shadow area of the Arabian Sea branch of the southwest monsoon.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer.C

 The Tamil Nadu coast remains dry during the south-west monsoon season due to the following two
factors:
○ The Tamil Nadu coast is situated parallel to the Bay of Bengal branch of southwest monsoon.
○ It lies in the rainshadow area of the Arabian Sea branch of the south-west monsoon.
Hence, both statements are correct.

Q19. Which of the following phenomena is/are associated with the Indian monsoon during an El Nino year?
1. Decrease in normal temperature of Lakshadweep Sea.
2. Reduction in the amount of moisture carried by trade winds coming from South America
3. Strengthening of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) across Northern Plains.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer.B

 El Nino phenomenon in which a warm ocean current flows past the Peruvian Coast, in place of the cold
Peruvian current, every 2 to 5 years. The changes in pressure conditions are connected to El Nino. This
is a name given to the periodic development of a warm ocean current along the coast of Peru as a
temporary replacement of the cold Peruvian current. ‗El Nino‘ is a Spanish word meaning ‗the child‘, and
refers to the baby Christ, as this current starts flowing during Christmas. The presence of the El Nino
leads to an increase in sea-surface temperatures and a weakening of the trade winds in the region.
 During El Niño episodes, the tropical Indian Ocean exhibits two types of sea surface Temperature(SST)
response: a uniform ―basinwide warming‖ and a dipole mode—the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Typically,
when El Niño develops in the middle of the year, the related anomalous Walker circulation generates an
easterly wind stress anomaly over the equatorial Indian Ocean, so that the western Indian
Ocean(including Lakshadweep sea) becomes warm. This warming of sea affects the walker-cell
formation resulting in weakning of monsoon and draught in worse case. Recently, Lakshadweep corals
have been severly damaged due to SST rise in the El Nino year. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
 
 The atmospheric subsidence induced during the peak of El Niño events (i.e., November–December)
reduces convection and cloud cover over the eastern Indian Ocean, thus increasing the net heat flux
into the ocean.
 Generally, El Nino and the Indian Monsoon rains are inversely related. Tradewinds coming from South
America normally blow westward towards Asia during Southwest Monsoon. Warming of the Pacific Ocean
results in weakening of these winds. Therefore, moisture and heat content gets limited and South West
Monsoon (SWM) might reduce in intensity in August resulting in reduction and uneven distribution of
rainfall across the Indian sub-continent .Hence statement 2 is correct.
 Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ ) is the zone of confluence of the southeast trade winds from
southern hemisphere and the northeast trade winds from the northern hemisphere near the equator. This
convergence zone is region of ascending air, maximum clouds and heavy rainfall. The location of ITCZ
shifts north and south of equator with the change of season. The southeast trade winds of the southern
hemisphere cross the equator and start blowing in southwest to northeast direction under the influence of
Coriolis force.These displaced trade winds are called south-west monsoons when they blow over the
Indian sub-continent.The front where the south-west monsoons meet the north-east trade winds is known
as the ITCZ and rainfall occurs along this front. Due to El nino,southeast trade winds from southern
hemisphere are supressed resulting in weakning of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) across
Northern plains. Hence statement 3 is not correct.

Q20. In the neighbourhood of the Aleutian Islands in the Pacific Ocean and between Greenland and Iceland in the
Atlantic Ocean low-pressure centres are found due to which pressure belt?

(a) Equatorial low pressure belt

(b) Sub-tropical high pressure belt

(c) Sub-Polar low pressure belt

(d) Polar High pressure belt

Answer.C

 Sub-Polar low-pressure belt is located between 60-65 degree latitudes in both the hemispheres.
The low-pressure belt does not appear to be thermally induced because there is low temperature
throughout the year. The surface air spreads outward from this zone due to the rotation of the earth and
 low pressure is caused. Instead of a regular and continuous belt, there are well-defined low-pressure
centres or cells over the oceans in the northern hemisphere e.g. in the neighbourhood of the Aleutian
Islands in the Pacific Ocean and between Greenland and Iceland in the Atlantic Ocean. Hence
option (c) is the correct answer.
 The sub-tropical highs extend from near the tropics to about 35°N and S. After saturation (complete
loss of moisture) at the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), the air moving away from equatorial low
pressure belt in the upper troposphere becomes dry and cold. This dry and cold wind subsides at 30°N
and S. So the high pressure along this belt is due to subsidence of air coming from the equatorial region
which descends after becoming heavy.
 Equatorial Low Pressure Belt lies between 10°N and 10°S latitudes. This belt is the zone of
convergence of trade winds from two hemispheres from sub-tropical high pressure belts. As this region
lies along the equator, it receives highest amount of insolation. Due to intense heating, air gets warmed
up and rises over the equatorial region (convection).Whenever there is vertically upward movement of air,
the region at the surface will be at low pressure. Thus the belt along the equator is called equatorial low
pressure belt.
 The polar highs are small in area and extend around the poles. They lie around poles between 80 –
90° N and S latitudes. The air from sub-polar low pressure belts after saturation becomes dry. This dry air
becomes cold while moving towards poles through upper troposphere. The cold air (heavy) on reaching
poles subsides creating a high pressure belt at the surface of earth.