2003 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 113: Geography

Assertion (A): Areas lying within five to eight degrees latitude on either side of the equator receive rainfall throughout the year. Reason (R): High temperatures and high humidity cause convectional rain to fall mostly in the afternoons near the equator.

aBoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
bBoth A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
cA is true but R is false
dA is false but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Within roughly 5 to 10 degrees of the equator, the climate is hot and wet all year, with no dry season, so A is true. Strong heating makes moist air rise daily, cool and condense, giving convectional rain, typically in the afternoon, so R is true. R explains A because these daily showers are what keep the equatorial belt wet in every month.

  • A. The equatorial belt gets rain in every month.
  • R. Heat and humidity cause daily convectional rain, mostly in the afternoon, which explains A.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes. Then judge the second statement; if it is correct too, decide whether it explains the first.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Correct: both true and R explains A.
  • (b) R does explain A, so 'not the explanation' fails.
  • (c) R is true, so 'R false' fails.
  • (d) A is true, so 'A false' fails.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.