UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I
Question 60: Geography
The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons?
- 1.Thermal difference between land and water
- 2.Variation in altitude between continents and oceans
- 3.Presence of strong winds in the interior
- 4.Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
Land heats and cools much faster than water, which has a high specific heat and spreads heat through currents. The interiors of continents therefore have hot summers and cold winters, a large annual range of temperature, while coasts are moderated by the sea. This thermal difference between land and water is the reason. Altitude differences between continents and oceans, strong winds and heavy rain in the interior are not the cause; interiors are usually drier.
- 1. Land heats and cools faster than water.
- 2. Altitude difference between continents and oceans is not the cause.
- 3. Strong winds do not explain the range.
- 4. Interiors are usually drier, not wetter, than coasts.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: Altitude difference between continents and oceans is not the cause.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 3 or 4.
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. Only the land-water thermal difference explains it.
- (b) Wrong. Altitude difference between continents and oceans is not the cause.
- (c) Wrong. Neither altitude difference nor strong winds explains it.
- (d) Wrong. Interiors are usually drier than coasts, not wetter.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.