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GeographyEasyAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2025, GAT

Which of the following factors influence the ocean currents? 1. Coriolis force 2. Gravity 3. Heating by solar energy 4. Wind Select the answer using the code given below:

  1. A.1 and 4 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1,2 and 3 only
  4. D.1,2,3 and 4

Correct answer

D. 1,2,3 and 4

Explanation

The correct answer is D, 1, 2, 3 and 4. Ocean currents are set off by solar heating and wind, while gravity and the Coriolis force shape how the water moves.

Heating by the Sun makes water near the equator expand, so the sea surface there stands slightly higher and water tends to flow down the gentle slope towards the poles. Planetary winds drag the surface water along with them, which is why currents broadly follow the wind belts. Gravity pulls the water down that slope and makes cold, dense water sink and spread along the ocean floor. The Coriolis force, caused by the Earth's rotation, deflects moving water to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, producing the large circular gyres.

A is wrong because it leaves out gravity and solar heating. B is wrong because it leaves out the Coriolis force and wind. C is wrong because wind, the main driver of surface currents, is missing.

Exam tip: primary forces of ocean currents, solar heating, wind, gravity and Coriolis force; secondary ones are salinity and temperature differences.

Practice Questions

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Q2.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Himalayan rivers have their origin in the snow-covered areas, hence are dry in winter season. 2. Rivers of the Peninsular Plateau have reached maturity. 3. Himalayan rivers depict all the three stages of normal cycle of erosion. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.2 only
  2. B.1 and 3 only
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 2 and 3 only

Himalayan rivers are perennial, so statement 1 is wrong, while statements 2 and 3 are correct. Himalayan rivers such as the Ganga, Indus and Brahmaputra rise from glaciers and snowfields and also get monsoon rain, so they flow all year round, including in winter.

Q3.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following statements related to latitude are true? 1. Rainfall, temperature and vegetation vary with latitude. 2. The difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases with latitude. 3. Indira Point is located approximately at 6°45' N latitude. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.1 and 3 only
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

All three statements about latitude are true. Latitude decides how directly the Sun's rays strike a place, so temperature, rainfall and the type of vegetation change from the equator towards the poles, from hot, wet rainforests to cold tundra.

Q4.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following lakes is/are situated in Ladakh? 1. Tso Kar 2. Pangong Tso 3. Tsomgo 4. Tso Moriri Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 and 3
  3. C.1, 2 and 4
  4. D.2 and 4 only
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 1, 2 and 4

Tso Kar, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are high-altitude lakes of Ladakh, while Tsomgo lies in Sikkim. Pangong Tso, at about 4,350 metres, is a long, narrow lake that stretches from Ladakh into Tibet, and most of its length lies on the Chinese side.