"Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun cl

Q: What is UPSC Prelims?

UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2015 UPSC Prelims Geography paper.

Q: How can I prepare for UPSC Prelims Geography?

To prepare for UPSC Prelims Geography, practice previous year questions (PYQs), understand concepts thoroughly, and solve mock tests regularly. This 2015 question covers Climate Classification & Koppen System topic.

Q: What is the difficulty level of this question?

This UPSC Prelims 2015 Geography question has a medium difficulty level and is marked as an important question.

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You can find more UPSC Prelims previous year questions on AspirantMitraa. Browse by subject, topic, year, and difficulty level to practice effectively.

Question

"Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and lightning. But rain is soon over."Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: B — EquatorialStep-by-step Solution:The passage describes the characteristic diurnal (daily) weather cycle of the equatorial climate (also called tropical wet climate or Af climate in the Köppen classification):Morning clear and bright with sea breeze — In equatorial regions, mornings are typically clear as convectional heating has not yet built up. Coastal locations experience the sea breeze (cooler air from ocean moving inland).As Sun climbs high, heat mounts, dark clouds form — Strong solar heating (the Sun is nearly overhead year-round in equatorial regions, just below 23.5°N/S) causes intense convective heating of the surface. Warm, moist air rises rapidly (convection), cooling adiabatically as it ascends, leading to condensation and formation of towering cumulonimbus clouds.Rain comes with thunder and lightning — The cumulonimbus clouds produce intense convective thunderstorms — characteristic of equatorial afternoons. These are highly localised, intense showers.Rain is soon over — Equatorial showers are brief but intense. After the convective storm passes, skies clear again. This is a daily pattern, repeated year-round without distinct seasons.Why other options are incorrect:Option A (Savannah): Savannahs have a distinct seasonality — a pronounced dry season and a wet season. The description of daily afternoon thundershowers without seasonal distinction is not characteristic of savannahs. Savannahs have grasses that dry up in winter.Option C (Monsoon): Monsoon climates have a distinct seasonality — a wet season (monsoon) and a dry season. Rain is not a daily afternoon occurrence throughout the year — it is concentrated in the monsoon season.Option D (Mediterranean): Mediterranean climate is characterised by dry, hot summers and mild, wet winters (rainfall is concentrated in winter). The description of daily afternoon thunder and rain is entirely atypical of Mediterranean climate, which has clear, dry summer days.Key Concept: Equatorial climate characteristics: located within ~5-10° of equator; temperature consistently ~26-28°C year-round; minimal annual temperature range (200 cm, evenly distributed; no dry season; high humidity year-round; daily (diurnal) temperature range (~10°C) greater than annual range; convective afternoon thunderstorms are the norm; ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) dominates; vegetation: tropical rainforest (high biodiversity, dense multi-layered canopy). Regions: Amazon Basin, Congo Basin, Indonesian Archipelago, parts of West Africa. Cities with equatorial climate: Iquitos (Peru), Manaus (Brazil), Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kisangani (DRC). This pattern of daily convective rain is a classic UPSC geography question.

"Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and lightning. But rain is soon over."Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?

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"Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and lightning. But rain is soon over."Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?

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