Consider the following statements : 1. A great circle is the largest possible circle that can be drawn on the surface of the sphere. 2. Every great circle divides the Earth into equal halves. 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
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, Both 1 and 2. A great circle is a circle on a sphere whose centre is the centre of the sphere itself, so both statements describe it correctly.
Because its plane passes through the centre of the Earth, a great circle has the same radius as the Earth and is the largest circle that can be drawn on the globe. For the same reason it cuts the Earth into two equal halves, or hemispheres. The Equator is a great circle, and every pair of opposite meridians together forms one. All other parallels of latitude are small circles that shrink towards the poles. The shortest route between two places on the Earth runs along a great circle, which is why long flights and ships follow great-circle routes.
A is wrong because statement 2 is also correct. B is wrong because statement 1 is also correct. D is wrong because both statements are true.
Exam tip: the Equator is the only parallel that is a great circle; every meridian pair forms one; a great-circle route is the shortest route.
Practice Questions
View allConsider the following statements regarding the Andaman and Nicobar Islands :
1. There are 836 islands/islets/rocky outcrops.
2. The group of islands is divided by the Ten Degree Channel.
3. The Union Territory is home to tribes such as Koya, Malmi, Melacheri and Aminidivi.
4. There are more than two major ports in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.1, 2 and 3
- D.2 and 4
Show answer
The islands number 836 by the Union Territory's own count, and the Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman group from the Nicobar group.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is the driest desert of the world?
- A.Atacama
- B.Gobi
- C.Sahara
- D.Kalahari
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The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the driest non-polar desert on Earth; some of its weather stations have recorded almost no rain for years.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following Indian states does NOT share international border with two or more countries?
- A.Arunachal Pradesh
- B.Assam
- C.Mizoram
- D.Tripura
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Tripura shares an international border with only one country, Bangladesh, which surrounds it on three sides. Tripura's border with Bangladesh is about 856 km long, and on its remaining side it touches only the Indian states of Assam and Mizoram.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements : 1. The doldrums is a low pressure area around Equator where the prevailing winds are calm. 2. Chinook is a hot and dry wind that blows in winter and therefore raises the temperature in a short time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
The doldrums are the calm equatorial low-pressure belt, and the chinook is a warm, dry winter wind that raises temperatures quickly.
Read the full explanation →Krishna Raja Sagara Dam/Reservoir is developed on
- A.river Krishna
- B.river Tungabhadra
- C.river Godavari
- D.river Kavery
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The Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam is built across the Kaveri near Mandya, close to Mysuru in Karnataka. The dam was built between 1911 and 1932 under the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, after whom it is named.
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