Climatology PYQs

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1. Prelims 2025Q26Climatology

   Consider the following statements :

   Statement I :

   The amount of dust particles in the atmosphere is more in subtropical and temperate areas than in equatorial and polar regions.

   Statement II :

   Subtropical and temperate areas have less dry winds.

   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   aBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement IbBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement IcStatement I is correct but Statement II is not correctdStatement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
2. Prelims 2025Q27Climatology

   Consider the following statements :

   Statement I :

   In January, in the Northern Hemisphere, the isotherms bend equatorward while crossing the landmasses, and poleward while crossing the oceans.

   Statement II :

   In January, the air over the oceans is warmer than that over the landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere.

   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   aBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement IbBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement IcStatement I is correct but Statement II is not correctdStatement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
3. Prelims 2025Q29Climatology

   Consider the following statements :

   I.Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth’s surface.

   II.Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet’s average temperature.

   III.Atmosphere’s gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation.

   Which of the statements given above are correct?

   aI and III onlybI and II onlycI, II and IIIdII and III only
4. Prelims 2024Q1Climatology

   Consider the following statements :

   Statement-I :

   The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.

   Statement-II :

   Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation.

   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

   aBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-IbBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-IcStatement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrectdStatement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
5. Prelims 2024Q2Climatology

   Consider the following statements :

   Statement-I :

   Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to poles.

   Statement-II :

   At the equator, heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents.

   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

   aBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-IbBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-IcStatement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrectdStatement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
6. Prelims 2024Q4Climatology

   Which of the following is/are correct inference/inferences from isothermal maps in the month of January ?

   1.The isotherms deviate to the north over the ocean and to the south over the continent.

   2.The presence of cold ocean currents, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift make the North Atlantic Ocean colder and the isotherms bend towards the north.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
7. Prelims 2024Q12Climatology

   With reference to “water vapour”, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

   1.It is a gas, the amount of which decreases with altitude.

   2.Its percentage is maximum at the poles.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
8. Prelims 2024Q13Climatology

   Consider the following description :

   1.Annual and daily range of temperatures is low.

   2.Precipitation occurs throughout the year.

   3.Precipitation varies between 50 cm – 250 cm.

   What is this type of climate ?

   aEquatorial climatebChina type climatecHumid subtropical climatedMarine West coast climate
9. Prelims 2024Q14Climatology

   With reference to “Coriolis force”, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

   1.It increases with increase in wind velocity.

   2.It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
10. Prelims 2023Q62Climatology

    With reference to the Earth's atmosphere, which one of the following statements is correct?

    aThe total amount of insolation received at the equator is roughly about 10 times of that received at the poles.bInfrared rays constitute roughly two-thirds of insolation.cInfrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.dInfrared waves are a part of visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves of solar radiation.
11. Prelims 2023Q64Climatology

    Consider the following statements :

    Statement–I :

    The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.

    Statement–II :

    The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.

    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    aBoth Statement–I and Statement–II are correct and Statement–II is the correct explanation for Statement–IbBoth Statement–I and Statement–II are correct and Statement–II is not the correct explanation for Statement–IcStatement–I is correct but Statement–II is incorrectdStatement–I is incorrect but Statement–II is correct
12. Prelims 2022Q81Climatology

    Consider the following statements :

    1.High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.

    2.Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause warming effect.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
13. Prelims 2020Q99Climatology

    Consider the following statements :

    1.Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.

    2.Only some cyclones develop an eye.

    3.The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10°C lesser than that of the surroundings.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc2 onlyd1 and 3 only
14. Prelims 2019Q44ClimatologyAnswer disputed

    Why are dewdrops not formed on a cloudy night?

    aClouds absorb the radiation released from the Earth’s surface.bClouds reflect back the Earth’s radiation.cThe Earth’s surface would have low temperature on cloudy nights.dClouds deflect the blowing wind to ground level.
15. Prelims 2015Q5ClimatologyAnswer disputed

    In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the reason?

    aSea surface temperatures are lowbInter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurscCoriolis force is too weakdAbsence of land in those regions
16. Prelims 2015Q66Climatology

    Consider the following statements :

    1.The winds which blow between 30° N and 60° S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies.

    2.The moist air masses that cause winter rains in North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
17. Prelims 2015Q80Climatology

    "Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and lightning. But rain is soon over."

    Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?

    aSavannahbEquatorialcMonsoondMediterranean
18. Prelims 2014Q43Climatology

    The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of

    aEquatorial climatebMediterranean climatecMonsoon climatedAll of the above climates
19. Prelims 2013Q60Climatology

    The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons?

    1.Thermal difference between land and water

    2.Variation in altitude between continents and oceans

    3.Presence of strong winds in the interior

    4.Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    a1 onlyb1 and 2 onlyc2 and 3 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
20. Prelims 2013Q65Climatology

    “Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders.” The above statement best describes which of the following regions?

    aAfrican SavannahbCentral Asian SteppecNorth American PrairiedSiberian Tundra
21. Prelims 2013Q72Climatology

    During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the

    1.Meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky

    2.Lightning that separates the nimbus clouds

    3.Violent upward movement of air and water particles

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    a1 onlyb2 and 3c1 and 3dNone of the above produces the thunder
22. Prelims 2012Q49Climatology

    Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth's surface, because

    1.the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth's surface

    2.there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere

    3.the air is less dense in the upper atmosphere

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
23. Prelims 2012Q89Climatology

    Which one of the following is the characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region?

    aRainfall throughout the yearbRainfall in winter onlycAn extremely short dry seasondA definite dry and wet season
24. Prelims 2011Q52Climatology

    La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino ?

    1.La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

    2.El Nino has adverse effect on south-west monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
25. Prelims 2011Q89Climatology

    Westerlies in southern hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in northern hemisphere. Why?

    1.Southern hemisphere has less landmass as compared to northern hemisphere.

    2.Coriolis force is higher in southern hemisphere as compared to northern hemisphere

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
26. Prelims 2011Q94Climatology

    What could be the main reason/reasons for the formation of African and Eurasian desert belt?

    1.It is located in the sub-tropical high pressure cells.

    2.It is under the influence of warm ocean currents.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
27. Prelims 2011Q95Climatology

    The jet aircrafts fly very easily and smoothly in the lower stratosphere. What could be the appropriate explanation?

    1.There are no clouds or water vapour in the lower stratosphere.

    2.There are no vertical winds in the lower stratosphere.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
28. Prelims 2010Q4Climatology

    A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements:

    1.Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific ocean whereas El Nino Modoki forms in Eastern Pacific ocean.

    2.Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
29. Prelims 2010Q74Climatology

    Which one of the following reflects back more sunlight as compared to the other three?

    aSand desertbPaddy crop landcLand covered with fresh snowdPrairie land
30. Prelims 2010Q96Climatology

    A geographic region has the following distinct characteristics:

    1.Warm and dry climate

    2.Mild and wet winter

    3.Evergreen oak trees The above features are the distinct characteristics of which one of the following regions?

    aMediterraneanbEastern ChinacCentral AsiadAtlantic coast of North America