Which one among the following local winds is NOT related to Mediterranean Sea ?
- A.Harmattan
- B.Khamsin
- C.Sirocco
- D.Mistral
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, Harmattan. The Harmattan blows over West Africa towards the Gulf of Guinea, far from the Mediterranean.
The Harmattan is a dry, dusty north-easterly trade wind that blows from the Sahara across West Africa between November and March. Because it is dry and cooler than the humid coastal air, people on the Guinea coast call it the 'Doctor'. The other three winds belong to the Mediterranean basin: hot desert winds blowing north towards the sea and a cold wind blowing south into it.
B is wrong because the Khamsin is a hot, dusty southerly wind of Egypt that blows towards the Mediterranean coast.
C is wrong because the Sirocco is a hot wind from the Sahara that crosses the Mediterranean to Italy and southern Europe.
D is wrong because the Mistral is a cold, dry northerly wind that funnels down the Rhone valley of France into the Mediterranean.
Exam tip: Mediterranean winds are Sirocco, Khamsin, Mistral and Bora; the Harmattan is West Africa's 'Doctor'.
Practice Questions
View allAs per Census 2011, which one of the following is the correct descending order of States in India in respect of sex ratio (female per thousand of males)?
- A.West Bengal - Madhya Pradesh - Uttarakhand - Jammu and Kashmir
- B.Madhya Pradesh - West Bengal - Jammu and Kashmir - Uttarakhand
- C.Uttarakhand - West Bengal - Madhya Pradesh - Jammu and Kashmir
- D.West Bengal - Uttarakhand - Madhya Pradesh - Jammu and Kashmir
Show answer
In Census 2011 their sex ratios were about 963, 950, 931 and 889 females per 1,000 males. Census 2011 put India's overall sex ratio at 943.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements about a geographical feature :
1. The feature is in close proximity to the Malacca Strait.
2. The Government of India proposed an international container transhipment port in this region.
3. The region is one of the most critical nesting grounds for the endangered leatherback sea turtle.
4. The region is home to dense forest, rich coral reefs and sea grass meadows.
Which one among the following geographical features is described above?
- A.Galathea Bay
- B.Gulf of Mannar
- C.Gulf of Kutch
- D.Palk Strait
Show answer
Galathea Bay, on the south-east coast of Great Nicobar Island, fits all four clues. Great Nicobar is the southernmost island of India, and its tip, Indira Point, lies only about 150 km from the northern entrance of the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following pairs of Island and Sea/Ocean is NOT correctly matched?
- A.Cyprus : Mediterranean Sea
- B.Falkland : Atlantic Ocean
- C.Chagos : North Pacific Ocean
- D.Islas Cocos : Indian Ocean
Show answer
The Chagos Archipelago lies in the central Indian Ocean, not in the North Pacific. The Chagos Islands lie south of the Maldives, roughly 500 km away, and include Diego Garcia, the site of a major military base.
Read the full explanation →In which one of the following soils, the salt content is so high that common salt is obtained by evaporating the saline water in some areas?
- A.Peaty soil
- B.Alluvial soil
- C.Laterite soil
- D.Arid soil
Show answer
In parts of the dry west, arid soils hold so much salt that common salt is made by evaporating the saline water.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements about tropical rain forests are correct?
1. The soils of tropical rain forests are quite infertile.
2. The vegetation is evergreen, enabling photosynthesis to take place year around.
3. They have been described as 'deserts covered by trees'.
4. They are most productive land-based ecosystem.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.2 and 4 only
- B.1, 3 and 4 only
- C.1, 2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
All four statements are true of tropical rain forests. These forests grow near the Equator, in the Amazon, the Congo basin and South-East Asia, with heavy rain and high heat all year.
Read the full explanation →