UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies
Question 101: Geography
The average annual temperature of a meteorological station is 26 °C, its average annual rainfall is 63 cm and the annual range of temperature is 9 °C. The station in Q is
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The figures describe a coastal low-latitude station: a high mean temperature (26 C) with a small annual range (9 C). That rules out Allahabad, which is continental with a wide range, and Cherrapunji, a cool hill station with over 1,000 cm of rain. Chennai and Kolkata remain; the given answer is Chennai, whose range is small and whose rain comes chiefly from the retreating monsoon in October-December.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Allahabad has a wide annual range, far more than 9 C.
- (b) Right as given: Chennai.
- (c) Cherrapunji is cool and gets over 1,000 cm of rain.
- (d) Kolkata has a wider annual range and gets about 160 cm of rain.
Worth knowing: The rainfall figure of 63 cm fits neither Chennai (about 130 cm) nor Kolkata (about 160 cm), so the data look misprinted.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.