MCQ
upsc-p1-geography-india-climate-monsoon MCQ - Practice Questions with Answers
Solve 13 upsc-p1-geography-india-climate-monsoon questions for RAS/RPSC preparation.
Practice questions
Q1Consider the following two statements: Statement I: During a break in the southwest monsoon, rainfall may decrease over the northern plains while increasing along the Himalayan foothills and in northeast India. Statement II: Such a break can occur when the monsoon trough shifts northwards towards the Himalaya. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Both statements are correct, and Statement II explains Statement I. The northward displacement of the monsoon trough towards the Himalaya weakens rainfall over much of the plains but can concentrate rainfall near the foothills and in northeast India. A break is an intra-seasonal shift, not necessarily a season-long drought.
Q2With reference to the southwest monsoon mechanism, consider the following statements: 1. Southeast trade winds crossing the equator turn right under the Coriolis effect and appear as southwesterlies. 2. The Somali jet helps transport moisture towards India's west coast. 3. A normal monsoon onset over Kerala guarantees normal seasonal rainfall throughout India. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Cross-equatorial southeast trade winds are deflected to become southwesterlies, while the low-level Somali jet supplies moisture towards the west coast. Statement 3 is incorrect because onset over Kerala is an operational regional declaration; weekly and spatial distribution, active spells and breaks determine the seasonal outcome.
Q3Consider the following statements about monsoon forecasting and warnings: 1. Nowcasts, short-range forecasts and seasonal outlooks answer questions at different time horizons. 2. Seasonal forecasts are probabilistic and large-scale; they cannot specify the exact rainfall on every farm. 3. Colour-coded warnings communicate expected impacts and preparedness, rather than define rainfall climatology or legally declare a disaster. Which of the statements given above are correct? Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All three statements are correct. Forecast products differ by time horizon and scale. Seasonal outlooks express large-scale probabilities, while colour codes are impact-communication tools; neither provides field-level certainty nor constitutes a legal disaster declaration.
Q4Consider the following statements about climate, soil and agriculture in India: 1. The moisture-retaining capacity of the Deccan's black soils supports cotton cultivation. 2. Rabi crops depend exclusively on southwest monsoon rainfall received during their growing season. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct. Black soil supports cotton because it retains moisture. Statement 2 is incorrect: rabi crops depend on residual soil moisture, irrigation and winter precipitation; western disturbances can provide useful winter rain in northwest India.
Q5Consider the following statements about the controls of India's climate: 1. The Himalaya checks cold Central Asian air and helps keep the subcontinent's winter less severe than that of many places at comparable latitudes. 2. The Western Ghats cause heavy rainfall on their windward side and a rain shadow to the east of the crest. 3. Coastal areas generally have a lower annual temperature range than the continental interiors. Which of the statements given above are correct? Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All three statements are correct. The Himalayan barrier limits the entry of cold Central Asian air. The Western Ghats force moist Arabian Sea air to rise, producing windward rain and a leeward rain shadow. Maritime influence also moderates the annual temperature range along the coast.
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More questions
6Arrange the following events in their normal broad chronological order during the southwest monsoon cycle over India: 1. The monsoon normally covers the whole country around 8 July. 2. Withdrawal begins from northwestern India under persistent dry anticyclonic conditions. 3. The southwest monsoon normally reaches Kerala around 1 June. 4. The advancing monsoon spreads across different regions in surges and pauses. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
7Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below. List I (Sector) A. Agriculture B. Cities C. Energy D. Coasts List II (Sensitive monsoon variable and typical consequence) 1. Cyclones and high waves — fishing restrictions and port disruption 2. Onset and weekly distribution — sowing success and irrigation demand 3. Reservoir storage and heat stress — hydropower and peak electricity demand 4. Short-duration intensity — waterlogging and transport disruption
8Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I (a) Somali jet (b) Western disturbance (c) Rain-shadow (d) Monsoon trough List II 1. Extra-tropical westerly system bringing winter rain or snow to northwest India and the Himalaya 2. Dry leeward zone formed after orographic rainfall 3. Low-level fast flow over the western Arabian Sea that feeds west-coast moisture transport 4. Regional low-pressure trough whose position influences active and break spells
9Consider the following statements about the southwest monsoon mechanism: 1. Southeast trade winds cross the equator and turn right under the Coriolis effect, appearing as southwesterlies north of the equator. 2. The Somali Jet is a low-level flow over the western Arabian Sea that transports moisture toward India's west coast. 3. The Bay of Bengal branch curves toward northeast India and then moves westward along the Ganga plains. Which of the statements given above are correct? Select the correct answer using the code given below.
10Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below. List I (System) A. Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone B. Monsoon trough C. Somali Jet D. Western disturbance List II (Description) 1. Extra-tropical westerly system bringing winter rain or snow to northwest India and the Himalaya 2. Low-level fast flow over the western Arabian Sea transporting moisture toward the west coast 3. Migrating low-pressure convergence belt where trade winds meet 4. Regional low-pressure trough over northern India whose position shapes active and break spells
11Consider the following statements about active and break phases of the southwest monsoon: 1. When the monsoon trough lies south of its normal position, central India often receives widespread rainfall. 2. When the trough shifts north toward the Himalaya, many plains may experience a break while the Himalayan foothills and northeast India receive heavy rainfall. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Select the correct answer using the code given below.
12Consider the following statements regarding rainfall distribution in India: 1. The windward Western Ghats receive heavy orographic rainfall, while parts of the peninsular interior lie in a rain-shadow. 2. Tamil Nadu receives a large part of its annual rainfall from the northeast monsoon. 3. Very high rainfall in northeast India necessarily ensures uniform water security because rapid runoff is absent there. Which of the statements given above are correct?
13Consider the following statements about the spatial distribution of rainfall in India: 1. Western Rajasthan, Ladakh and the rain-shadow interiors of the peninsula all receive low rainfall, but for different geographical reasons. 2. Bay of Bengal depressions and low-pressure systems often move west-northwest across Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. 3. Very high rainfall makes water security spatially uniform across northeast India. Which of the statements given above are correct? Select the correct answer using the code given below.