UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies
Question 29: Geography
Consider the following temperature and rainfall data: Month Temperature °C Rainfall cm January 6.7 14.0 February 6.7 13.2 March 7.2 11.4 April 8.9 9.4 May 11.1 8.1 June 13.9 8.1 July 15.0 9.6 August 15.0 12.2 September 13.9 10.4 October 11.1 14.4 November 8.9 14.0 December 7.8 16.8 The climate to which this data pertains is
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Winter temperatures stay above freezing (lowest 6.7 degrees C) and summers are cool (highest 15 degrees C), so the annual range is small. Rain falls in every month (8 to 17 cm), with a winter maximum. That is the West European (marine west coast) climate. St. Lawrence type has freezing winters, China type has hot wet summers, and the Mediterranean type has a dry summer. Remember: mild, narrow range, rain all year.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. St. Lawrence winters fall well below freezing, much colder than here.
- (b) Wrong. China type has hot rainy summers; this data tops out at 15 degrees C.
- (c) Right. Cool summers, mild winters and rain all year with a winter maximum.
- (d) Wrong. Mediterranean climate has a hot dry summer, but here July and August are not dry.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.