2004 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2004 · General Studies
Question 66: Geography
Which one of the following statements is not correct?
aGulfs with narrow fronts and wider rears experience high tides
bTidal currents take place when a gulf is connected with the open sea by a narrow channel
cTidal bore occurs when a tide enters the narrow and shallow estuary of a river
dThe tidal nature of the mouth of the river Hooghly is of crucial importance to Kolkata as port
AnswerThe answer is (a).
A gulf that is wide at the mouth and narrow at the head funnels the incoming tide and raises its height, as in the Bay of Fundy. Statement (a) reverses this by saying narrow fronts and wider rears, so it is the incorrect one. Tidal currents occur in narrow channels, tidal bores in shallow estuaries, and the tides at the Hooghly mouth matter to Kolkata port.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect: high tides occur in gulfs with wide fronts and narrow rears.
- (b) Correct: tidal currents occur through narrow channels.
- (c) Correct: a tidal bore occurs in a narrow, shallow estuary.
- (d) Correct: the tides help Kolkata as a port.
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.