Q. Climate refers to:
A). The average weather conditions of a place over a long period
B). The daily changes in weather
C). The amount of rainfall in one day
D). The temperature at noon
Answer: A). The average weather conditions of a place over a long period
Q. The word “Monsoon” is derived from which language?
A). English
B). Sanskrit
C). Portuguese
D). Arabic
Answer: D). Arabic
Explanation: The word “Monsoon” comes from the Arabic word ‘Mausim’, which means season.
Q. Continentality refers to:
A). The effect of oceans on coastal climate
B). The effect of distance from the sea on climate
C). Seasonal changes in wind direction
D). Global warming effects
Answer: B). The effect of distance from the sea on climate
Explanation: Continentality is the effect of being located far from the sea on the climate of a place, usually causing extreme temperatures—hot summers and cold winters.
Q. Which mountain range protects India from the cold winds coming from Central Asia?
A). Aravalli Range
B). Western Ghats
C). Himalayas
D). Vindhya Range
Answer: C). Himalayas
Explanation: The Himalayas act as a massive barrier and prevent the icy cold winds from Central Asia from entering India, keeping temperatures comparatively higher in winter.
Q. What is a jet stream?
A). A type of monsoon wind
B). A river in the mountains
C). A fast-flowing narrow air current in the upper atmosphere
D). Ocean current near the equator
Answer: C). A fast-flowing narrow air current in the upper atmosphere
Explanation: The speed of Jet stream differs from nearly 110km/h in summer to about 184 km/h in winter.
Q. The Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream flows south of which major mountain range?
A). Western Ghats
B). Eastern Ghats
C). Himalayas
D). Aravalli
Answer: C). Himalayas
Explanation: The Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream is strongest in winter and brings Western Disturbances that cause winter rainfall (Rabi crops) in north and north western part of India.
Q. The Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream shifts northward during:
A). Summer
B). Winter
C). Monsoon withdrawal
D). Autumn
Answer: A). Summer
Explanation: During summer, the Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream shifts northward, weakening over India, which allows the Tropical Easterly Jet to dominate and influence the Southwest Monsoon.
Q. Which of the following statements about ITCZ is correct?
A). It remains fixed at the equator throughout the year
B). It moves north in summer and south in winter
C). It causes snow in equatorial regions
D). It is unrelated to monsoon winds
Answer: B). It moves north in summer and south in winter
Explanation: The ITCZ shifts northward in summer and southward in winter, following the Sun’s apparent movement, affecting rainfall and monsoon patterns.
Q. The low-pressure systems formed near Madagascar move towards:
A). Arabian Peninsula
B). Bay of Bengal
C). Indian subcontinent
D). Southeast Asia
Answer: C). Indian subcontinent
Explanation: The low-pressure systems formed near the east of Madagascar move towards India subcontinent in summer, strengthening the moist monsoon winds reaching India.
Q. How does the Tibetan Plateau influence the Indian Monsoon?
A). By creating a high-pressure area that blocks monsoon winds
B). By heating up in summer, creating a low-pressure area that draws moist air from the Indian Ocean
C). By deflecting the monsoon winds towards Africa
D). By preventing rainfall in northern India
Answer: B). By heating up in summer, creating a low-pressure area that draws moist air from the Indian Ocean
Explanation: During summer, the Tibetan Plateau heats up, creating a strong low-pressure area over northern India. This draws moisture-laden winds from the Indian Ocean, strengthening the Southwest Monsoon.
Q. Southern Oscillation primarily refers to:
A). Fluctuation in ocean currents between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans
B). Alternating pressure conditions between the eastern and western Pacific Ocean
C). Seasonal reversal of trade winds
D). Movement of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone
Answer: B). Alternating pressure conditions between the eastern and western Pacific Ocean
Q. During an El Niño event, which of the following is most likely to occur in the Pacific region?
A). Cooler waters near the South American coast
B). Higher pressure over the eastern Pacific
C). Warmer waters near the South American coast
D). Strengthened pressure gradient from east to west
Answer: C). Warmer waters near the South American coast
Explanation: El Niño causes warm water to accumulate near the coast of Peru and Ecuador, reducing the usual cold-water upwelling.
Q. Which of the following correctly describes the impact of El Niño on Indian monsoon?
A). It generally enhances monsoon rainfall
B). It has no effect on monsoon rainfall
C). It is usually associated with weak monsoon rainfall
D). It always leads to drought in India
Answer: C). It is usually associated with weak monsoon rainfall
Explanation: El Niño years are often linked to weaker monsoon rainfall in India, though drought does not occur every time
Q. The Southwest Monsoon normally arrives in India around:
A). Early May
B). Mid May
C). Early June
D). Mid June
Answer: C). Early June
Explanation: The normal onset date of the Southwest Monsoon over India is early June in Kerala and by mid July it reaches rest of India.
Q. By which time does the monsoon usually retreat from the Northern Plains of India?
A). Late August
B). Mid-September
C). Early-October
D). Late November
Answer: C). Early-October
Explanation: The retreat of the Southwest Monsoon from the Northern Plains normally occurs by early-October, and in by early December from the rest of the country.
Q. Match the following:
1. Cold Weather Season
2. Hot Weather Season
3. Advancing Monsoon
4. Retreating Monsoon
a). October–November
b). March–May
c). June–September
d). December–February
Options
A) 1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a
B) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d
C) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d
D) 1-d, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a
Answer: D) 1-d, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a
Q. What is meant by the ‘burst’ of monsoon in India?
A). Abnormally high rainfall during winter months
B). Sudden and sharp increase in rainfall and remain constant for some day at the time of onset of monsoon
C). Gradual decrease in rainfall during retreating monsoon
D). Rainfall caused only by western disturbances
Answer: B). Sudden and sharp increase in rainfall and remain constant for some day at the time of onset of monsoon
Q. Match the following pairs regarding monsoon seasons and their wind directions:
1. Advancing Monsoon
2. Retreating Monsoon
a). Winds blow from South-West to North-East
b). Winds blow from North-East to South-West
Choose the correct match:
A). 1-a, 2-b
B). 1-b, 2-a
Answer: A). 1-a, 2-b
Q. Mahawat is caused due to the influence of which climatic system?
A). South-West Monsoon
B). Cyclones from Arabian Sea
C). Western Disturbances
D). Local Convectional Currents
Answer: C). Western Disturbances
Explanation: Mahawat occurs due to cold winds and rainfall brought by western disturbances in winter.
Q. What is ‘Loo’ in the context of Indian climate?
A). A cold wind blowing during winter
B). A hot, dry wind blowing during summer
C). A monsoon wind bringing heavy rainfall
D). A local thunderstorm in the Himalayas
Answer: B). A hot, dry wind blowing during summer
Explanation: Loo is a hot, dry, and strong wind that blows in North and North Western India during the summer season.
Q. Kal Baisakhi is most common in?
A). Rajasthan
B). West Bengal
C). Gujarat
D). Kerala
Answer: B). West Bengal
Explanation: Kal Baisakhi refers to violent thunderstorms that occur during the pre-monsoon month
Q. Mango Showers are most commonly experienced in which Indian state?
A). Gujarat – Maharashtra
B). Kerala – Karnataka
C). Bihar – Jharkhand
D). Punjab – Himachal Pradesh
Answer: B). Kerala – Karnataka
Explanation: Mango Showers occur mainly in Kerala during the pre-monsoon season.
Q. Which is the wettest place in the world in terms of average annual rainfall?
A). Mawsynram
B). Cherrapunji
C). Guwahati
D). Drass
Answer: A). Mawsynram
Explanation: Mawsynram in the southern ranges of the Khasi Hills gets the maximum average rainfall in the world, also known for stalagmite and stalactite cave.