UPSC Prelims 2023 · GS Paper I

Question 64: Geography

Consider the following statements :

Statement-IThe temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.
Statement-IIThe specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

aBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

bBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

cStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

dStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

Statement II is correct: water has a higher specific heat than land, so it heats and cools more slowly. Statement I is wrong: the land-sea temperature contrast is larger in winter, when continents cool far more than oceans, which is why strong cold high-pressure cells form over Siberia and northern Canada. In summer land is warmer than the sea but the difference is smaller. So I is false and II is true.

I. The contrast is greater in winter than in summer.
II. Water's specific heat is higher than land's.

How you could have got this

If you were sure Statement-I is not correct, only (d) is left: every other option says it is correct.

What you needed to know: The contrast is greater in winter than in summer.

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) Statement I is false, so Statement II cannot explain it.
(b) Statement I is false, so 'both correct' fails.
(c) Statement I is false, so this option fails.
(d) Correct: Statement I is false, Statement II is true.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2023, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.