Which one of the following climatic regions of the world have a typical characteristic of seasonal reversal of wind?
- A.British type Climate
- B.Mediterranean Climate
- C.China type Climate
- D.Monsoon Climate
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, Monsoon Climate. The word monsoon comes from the Arabic 'mausim', meaning season, and the climate is defined by winds that reverse their direction between summer and winter.
In summer the land heats up faster than the sea, a low-pressure area forms over the land and moist winds blow in from the ocean, bringing heavy rain. In winter the land cools quickly, high pressure builds over it and dry winds blow out towards the sea. India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and much of South-East Asia show this pattern most clearly, with the south-west monsoon in summer and the north-east monsoon in winter.
A is wrong because the British type, or cool temperate western margin climate, has steady westerlies all year. B is wrong because the Mediterranean climate gets winter rain from shifting westerlies, not a reversal of winds. C is wrong because the China type, a warm temperate eastern margin climate, has only a weak monsoon influence and is not defined by it.
Exam tip: seasonal reversal of wind is the signature of the tropical monsoon climate; winter rain is the signature of the Mediterranean climate.
Practice Questions
View allIn which one of the following countries is intensive subsistence agriculture not predominantly practised?
- A.India
- B.Japan
- C.Canada
- D.Indonesia
Show answer
Canada has vast land and a small farming population, so it practises large-scale, mechanised commercial grain farming, not intensive subsistence farming.
Read the full explanation →A person had visited a region in India and found trees, such as Khair, Neem, Khejri and Palas. Which one of the following regions is she/he expected to have visited?
- A.Malabar Coast
- B.Garo Hills
- C.Sunderban Delta
- D.Desert Region
Show answer
Khair, neem, khejri and palas are typical trees of the tropical thorn forests and scrub of dry areas such as Rajasthan and the edges of the Thar.
Read the full explanation →The Indian Railways have gone in for qualitative improvements since independence. Which of the following have taken place in recent years ?
1. Gauge conversion
2. Track electrification
3. Automatic signals
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Gauge conversion, electrification of tracks and automatic signalling have all been part of the modernisation of Indian Railways. Gauge conversion: under Project Unigauge, started in 1992, metre-gauge and narrow-gauge lines have been steadily converted to broad gauge (1,676 mm) so that trains can run through without transhipment.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following clouds is a rain-bearing cloud?
- A.Cumulus cloud
- B.Stratus cloud
- C.Nimbus cloud
- D.Cirrus cloud
Show answer
The word nimbus means rain cloud: these dark, thick clouds bring steady rain or snow. Nimbus clouds form at low to middle heights and are so dense that sunlight hardly passes through them, which is why they look dark grey or black.
Read the full explanation →In India, rigid and stable elevated lands, denuded rocks and series of scarps are the features of which of the following?
- A.Northern mountains
- B.Peninsular plateau
- C.Northern plains
- D.Coastal plains
Show answer
The plateau is part of the ancient Gondwana landmass, so it is a rigid, stable block worn down by long erosion.
Read the full explanation →