UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies
Question 42: Geography
Consider the following statements about the “Roaring Forties”: I. They blow uninterrupted in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. II. They blow with great strength and constancy. III. Their direction is generally from North-West to East in the Southern Hemisphere. IV. Overcast skies, rain and raw weather are generally associated with them. Which of these statements are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Roaring Forties are the strong westerlies of about 40° to 50° south, blowing from the north-west towards the east over the wide southern oceans. They are strong and steady, and bring cloud, rain and raw weather. They are not found in the Northern Hemisphere in the same way, since land masses break the winds there.
- I. They blow in the Southern Hemisphere over open ocean; land masses break them in the north.
- II. They are strong and steady.
- III. In the Southern Hemisphere they blow from the north-west towards the east.
- IV. Overcast skies, rain and raw weather go with them.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) I is false: the winds blow mainly in the Southern Hemisphere, since land breaks them in the north.
- (b) Right: II, III and IV are correct.
- (c) I is false, and it leaves out II.
- (d) I is false, and it leaves out III.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.