World and Physical Geography Archives

251. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :

List-I		List-II
A. Isobars	1.	Lines of equal time
B. Isohels	2.	Lines of equal pressure
C. Isochrones	3.	Lines of equal salinity
	4.	Lines of equal duration of sun-light

Code :

	A	B	C
(a)	1	2	4
(b)	2	4	3
(c)	2	4	1
(d)	1	2	3

[amp_mcq option1=”1 2 4″ option2=”2 4 3″ option3=”2 4 1″ option4=”1 2 3″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The correct option is C) 2 4 1.

– **Isobars:** Lines connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure on a weather map. (Match with 2)
– **Isohels:** Lines connecting points that receive equal amounts of sunshine duration over a given period. (Match with 4)
– **Isochrones:** Lines connecting points where a phenomenon occurs simultaneously or which are reached at the same time (e.g., lines of equal travel time from a specific point). (Match with 1)
– Lines of equal salinity are called isohalines (Option 3).

Iso- lines (or isolines) are graphical representations used on maps and charts to connect points of equal value for a specific variable. Examples include isotherms (equal temperature), isohyets (equal rainfall), isobaths (equal depth of water), contours (equal altitude), etc.

252. Which of the following is/are coastal cities ? Hamburg Washington

Which of the following is/are coastal cities ?

Hamburg
Washington
Berlin
Cairo

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2, 3 and 4″ option3=”1 and 4″ option4=”1 only” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The correct option is D) 1 only.

1. **Hamburg:** A major port city in Germany, located on the River Elbe about 100 km from its mouth on the North Sea. It is considered a coastal city due to its significant port and direct access to the sea for large vessels.
2. **Washington D.C.:** Located on the Potomac River, significantly inland from the Atlantic coast (approx. 200 km). While it has a port, it is not typically classified as a coastal city in the same way as ports directly on the coast.
3. **Berlin:** The capital of Germany, located inland on the Spree River. It is a landlocked city.
4. **Cairo:** The capital of Egypt, located on the Nile River, far inland from both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. It is a landlocked city.
Based on the common understanding of “coastal city” (situated on the coast or with immediate access to the sea facilitating a major port), only Hamburg fits the description among the given options.

A coastal city is generally defined as a city adjacent to a coast or shore, or one whose economy and development are significantly tied to maritime activities facilitated by proximity to the sea. Port cities located on estuaries or rivers close to the sea are often included, provided they handle significant sea-going traffic. Hamburg is a prime example of this.

253. The lake Ontario and St. Lawrence of USA and Canada lie to the south-e

The lake Ontario and St. Lawrence of USA and Canada lie to the south-east of :

[amp_mcq option1=”Hudson Bay” option2=”Labrador Sea” option3=”Atlantic Ocean” option4=”New Foundland” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The correct option is A) Hudson Bay.

Lake Ontario is the southernmost of the Great Lakes, located on the border between the United States and Canada. The St. Lawrence River flows from Lake Ontario eastward towards the Atlantic Ocean. Hudson Bay is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada, located significantly to the northwest of the Great Lakes region. Therefore, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River lie to the south-east of Hudson Bay.

The Labrador Sea is northeast of the region. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east, where the St. Lawrence River empties. Newfoundland is an island off the eastern coast of Canada, also east of the St. Lawrence estuary. Geographically, the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence system is situated southeast relative to the vast expanse of Hudson Bay.

254. The antipodal position of a place located at 35° south and 80° west is

The antipodal position of a place located at 35° south and 80° west is :

[amp_mcq option1=”55° north and 80° east” option2=”35° north and 100° east” option3=”100° north and 80° east” option4=”55° south and 10° east” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The antipodal point of a location (Latitude X, Longitude Y) is found by taking the opposite latitude in the other hemisphere (X in opposite hemisphere) and the longitude that is 180 degrees away in the opposite direction ((180 – Y) in opposite direction). For a point at 35° South and 80° West: The latitude opposite to 35° South is 35° North. The longitude opposite to 80° West is (180° – 80°) = 100° East. Thus, the antipodal position is 35° North and 100° East.

To find the antipodal point: flip the hemisphere of the latitude and subtract the longitude from 180°, flipping the East/West direction.

The antipodal point is the point on the Earth’s surface that is diametrically opposite to a given point. If you were to drill a straight tunnel from one point through the Earth’s center, you would emerge at its antipodal point.

255. Which one of the following does not control climate ?

Which one of the following does not control climate ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Latitude” option2=”Altitude” option3=”Longitude” option4=”Forest cover” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2009

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Longitude does not directly control climate.

Climate is primarily controlled by factors that affect the distribution of solar radiation and heat transfer in the atmosphere and oceans. These include Latitude (influences angle of sun’s rays), Altitude (affects temperature and pressure), Proximity to water bodies, Ocean Currents, Prevailing Winds, Topography, and Vegetation Cover. Longitude primarily relates to position east-west and time zones and does not have a direct causal influence on climate.

While locations at similar longitudes might share similar climates if other factors are constant (e.g., coastal regions at the same latitude), longitude itself is not a climate-controlling factor like latitude or altitude are. Forest cover is considered a significant factor influencing local and regional climate, primarily through its effects on albedo, evapotranspiration, and carbon cycling.

256. Which one of the following is a planetary wind ?

Which one of the following is a planetary wind ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Monsoon” option2=”Trade” option3=”Chinook” option4=”Mistral” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2009

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Trade winds are a type of planetary wind.

Planetary winds, also known as prevailing winds, are large-scale, relatively constant wind patterns that blow across the globe due to differences in air pressure and the Earth’s rotation. Trade winds (blowing from subtropical high-pressure belts towards the equatorial low-pressure belt), Westerlies (blowing from subtropical highs towards subpolar lows), and Polar Easterlies (blowing from polar highs towards subpolar lows) are primary examples.

Monsoons are seasonal winds driven by differential heating of land and sea, not constant global patterns. Chinook and Mistral are examples of local winds influenced by topography and regional pressure systems.

257. Consider the following statements: 1. The Earth receives the Sun’s e

Consider the following statements:

1. The Earth receives the Sun’s energy at the infrared end of the spectrum.
2. The Earth re-radiates the Sun’s heat as ultraviolet energy.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2009

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Neither statement 1 nor statement 2 is correct.

The Earth receives energy from the Sun primarily in the form of visible light, with significant contributions from infrared and ultraviolet radiation. The peak emission of the Sun’s radiation is in the visible spectrum. The Earth, being much cooler than the Sun, re-radiates absorbed energy primarily as longwave infrared radiation.

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Earth receives energy across the solar spectrum, not just the infrared end. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Earth re-radiates energy as infrared (heat) radiation, not ultraviolet radiation. The greenhouse effect is caused by atmospheric gases absorbing this outgoing infrared radiation.

258. What happens to the water depth as the Tsunami waves approach the coas

What happens to the water depth as the Tsunami waves approach the coast ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Decreases” option2=”Increases” option3=”Increases and decreases alternatively” option4=”Neither increases nor decreases” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2009

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As Tsunami waves approach the coast, the water depth decreases.

Tsunami waves are long-period waves. As they move from the deep ocean into shallower coastal waters, their speed decreases due to friction with the seabed, but their height increases significantly due to the conservation of energy. This phenomenon is known as shoaling.

In the deep ocean, tsunamis have a long wavelength and small amplitude (height), making them often unnoticed by ships. As they enter shallow water, the wavelength shortens, the speed slows dramatically, and the wave height can build up to several meters or even tens of meters upon reaching the coast.

259. What happens to the soil, where soil water freezes and it tends to for

What happens to the soil, where soil water freezes and it tends to form ice layers parallel with the ground surface ?

[amp_mcq option1=”It heaves the soil upward in an uneven manner” option2=”It heaves the soil downward in an uneven manner” option3=”It heaves the soil both upward and downward in an even manner” option4=”It remains unaffected” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2009

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When soil water freezes and forms ice layers parallel to the ground surface, this process, known as frost heave, pushes the overlying soil upwards in an uneven manner.

Frost heave occurs when water in the soil pores freezes and expands, and further water is drawn towards the freezing front forming ice lenses. The formation and growth of these ice lenses cause the ground surface to rise.

The unevenness results from variations in soil type, moisture content, and temperature across the area. Frost heave can cause significant damage to roads, buildings, and infrastructure in areas with freezing temperatures and susceptible soils.

260. Through which one of the following continents, do the equator, the tro

Through which one of the following continents, do the equator, the tropic of cancer and the tropic of capricom pass through ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Africa” option2=”South America” option3=”North America” option4=”Australia” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2009

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Africa is the only continent through which the Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn pass.

The Equator passes through the central part of Africa. The Tropic of Cancer lies to the north of the Equator, crossing North Africa. The Tropic of Capricorn lies to the south, crossing Southern Africa.

South America is crossed by the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. North America is crossed by the Tropic of Cancer. Australia is crossed by the Tropic of Capricorn. Asia is crossed by the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer. Europe is not crossed by any of these lines.