UPSC Prelims 2024 · GS Paper I
Question 15: Geography
On June 21 every year, which of the following latitude(s) experience(s) a sunlight of more than 12 hours ?
- 1.Equator
- 2.Tropic of Cancer
- 3.Tropic of Capricorn
- 4.Arctic Circle
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
On 21 June the sun is overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, so the northern hemisphere has days longer than 12 hours. The Tropic of Cancer gets more than 13 hours and the Arctic Circle gets 24 hours of daylight (the midnight sun). The equator has 12 hours on every day of the year, and the Tropic of Capricorn, in the southern hemisphere, has a day shorter than 12 hours. So only items 2 and 4 qualify.
- 1. The equator has about 12 hours of day throughout the year.
- 2. The Tropic of Cancer has more than 13 hours of daylight on 21 June.
- 3. The Tropic of Capricorn has less than 12 hours of daylight on 21 June.
- 4. The Arctic Circle has 24 hours of daylight on 21 June.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: The Tropic of Cancer has more than 13 hours of daylight on 21 June.
- Then, if you were sure statement 4 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 4 out.
What you needed to know: The Arctic Circle has 24 hours of daylight on 21 June.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 3.
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) Wrong: the equator has exactly 12 hours of daylight, not more.
- (b) Wrong: the Arctic Circle also has more than 12 hours.
- (c) Wrong: the Tropic of Capricorn has a short day on 21 June.
- (d) Right: the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle have more than 12 hours of sunlight.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.