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Indian Geography MCQs – 4 (Climate of India)

Climate of India MCQs with answers and explanations for preparation of UPSC, BPSC, UPPSC and other State PSC Examinations

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1. Type of climate in India is ?

(a) Temperate

(b) Continental

(c) Tropical Evergreen

(d) Tropical Monsoon

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer: (d) Tropical Monsoon

Climate is the average weather conditions in a place over a long period of time.
India has a tropical monsoon type of climate.
This type of climate is experienced in the tropical area roughly between 20° N and 20° S.
The word ‘monsoon’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘Mausim’ which means ‘Season’.

2. Major rainfall occurs in India due to ?

(a) Southwest monsoon winds

(b) Northwest monsoon winds

(c) Northeast monsoon winds

(d) None of the above

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer: (a) Southwest monsoon winds

Southwest monsoon winds cause widespread rain over most parts of India.
Since these winds are sea bearing and blow over warm water bodies before reaching land, they are moisture laden and cause plentiful rainfall in India.

3. The cause of western disturbances is ?

(a) Westerly Jet stream

(b) Easterly Jet stream

(c) Both of the above

(d) None of the above

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer: (a) Westerly Jet stream

Jet streams are a narrow belt of high altitude (above 12,000 m) winds in the troposphere. Their speed varies from about 110 km/h in summer to about 184 km/h in winter.
Jet streams in the upper air system influence the climate of India.
The Westerly Jet stream is responsible for bringing western disturbances from the Mediterranean region into the Indian subcontinent. It causes winter rain in the northwestern plains of India.
This rain is considered to be very beneficial for the wheat crops of northern plains.
These depressions are generally followed by cold waves which bring down temperatures considerably.

4. The El – Nino Effect causes ?

(a) Lower rainfall in India

(b) Higher rainfall in India

(c) Cyclones in India

(d) Has no impact

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer: (a) Lower rainfall in India

Weather conditions in India are influenced by the EI-Nino effect.
Irregular warming of tropical Pacific waters is known as the EL-Nino effect.
It affects the global pattern of pressure and wind systems including the southwest monsoon winds in the Indian Ocean.
Due to the EI-Nino effect, India receives lesser than expected rainfall and sometimes drought-like situations.

5. When India has winter, the sun vertically shines over ?

(a) Tropic of Capricorn

(b) Tropic of Cancer

(c) Equator

(d) None of the above

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer: (a) Tropic of Capricorn

In January, the sun shines vertically over the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere.
As the sun’s position is farthest, this causes very low temperatures in India. Temperature increases as one moves from north to south.
Opposite to this, In summers, shines vertically over the Tropic of cancer.

6. Consider the following sentences :

‘Loo’ is a hot dry wind.
It blows mainly in southern India during May and June.
It is good for wheat crops.

Select the correct statements:

(a) 1 Only

(b) 1 & 2 Only

(c) 1, 2 & 3 Only

(d) None of the above

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer: (a) 1 Only

‘Loo’ is a hot dry wind which blows mainly in the Northern plains of India during May and June.
It causes heat strokes and deaths every year.

7. Consider the following sentences :

Kerala lies in the Temperate zone.
New Delhi lies in the Tropical zone.

Select the correct statements:

(a) 1 Only

(b) 2 Only

(c) Both of the above

(d) None of the above

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer: (d) None of the above

The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of the country.
Areas lying south of the Tropic of Cancer till equator come under the Tropical zone. Hence, all south india comes under Tropical zone.
The northern part of India lying north of the Tropic of Cancer comes under the sub-tropical and temperate zone.
The tropical zone is nearer to the equator and hence experiences high temperatures throughout the year with a small daily and annual range.
The area north of the tropic of cancer being away from the equator experiences extreme climate with a high daily and annual range of temperature.

8. Pre-monsoon showers in Kerala are known as ?

(a) Kaal Baisakhi

(b) Bardoli Chheerha

(c) Mango showers

(d) Loo

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer: (c) Mango showers

Pre-monsoon showers are common in Kerala.
They are known as ‘Mango showers’ as they help in the ripening of mangoes.
‘Kaal Baisakhi’ and ‘Bardoli Cheerha’ are the localized thunderstorms which cause violent winds, torrential rainfall. It is called ‘Kaal Baisakhi’ in West Bengal and ‘Bardoli Cheerha’ in Assam respectively.

9. Which one of the following places receives the highest rainfall in the world?

(a) Silchar

(b) Mawsynram

(c) Cherrapunji

(d) Guwahati

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer: (b) Mawsynram

Mawsynram receives the highest rainfall in India.
It is also considered as the wettest place on Earth.

10. The Coriolis force is responsible for deflecting winds towards ?

(a) Right in the northern hemisphere

(b) Left in the northern hemisphere

(c) Has no effect on wind direction

(d) None of the above

Answer with detailed explanation

Correct Answer: (a) Right in the northern hemisphere

Coriolis force deflect the winds towards the right in the northern hemisphere and towards the left in the southern hemisphere.
This causes the wind from the equator to move towards India as Southwest Monsoon winds. Hence, Coriolis force plays a major role in India’s climate.