2004 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2004 · General Studies
Question 64: Geography
Which one of the following statements is correct?
aCirrus clouds are composed of ice crystals
bCirrus clouds exhibit a flat base and have the appearance of rising domes
cCumulus clouds are white and thin and form delicate patches and give a fibrous and feathery appearance
dCumulus clouds are classified as high clouds
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Cirrus clouds are high, thin, wispy clouds made of ice crystals, found above about 6 km. The flat-based, dome-rising description belongs to cumulus clouds, and the white, thin, fibrous and feathery description belongs to cirrus. Cumulus clouds are low-level clouds, not high clouds.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct: cirrus clouds are made of ice crystals.
- (b) This describes cumulus, not cirrus.
- (c) This describes cirrus, not cumulus.
- (d) Cumulus clouds are low clouds.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2004, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.