[DAY 19] 60 DAY RAPID REVISION (RaRe) SERIES for UPSC Prelims 2022 – GEOGRAPHY, CURRENT AFFAIRS & CSAT; Test Series, Videos & Notes!

Solution (c)

Statement Analysis:

The tropopause is an important boundary layer in Earth’s atmosphere dividing the lowermost atmospheric layer, the troposphere, from the stratosphere.

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

-Cyclones are large scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure.  Based on the geographical location, the Cyclones are of two types namely Tropical
Cyclones and Temperate Cyclones.

Tropical Cyclones
-Tropical Cyclones are violent storms that originate over the seas in the Low Pressure belt of the tropical areas and move eastward over to the coastal areas.

-They bring about large scale destruction caused by violent winds, very heavy rainfall and storm surges which make them as one of the most devastating natural calamities.

-They are known as Cyclones in the Indian Ocean, Hurricanes in the Atlantic, Typhoons in the Western Pacific and South China Sea, and Willy-willies in the Western Australia.

-They originate only over the seas because of the need of continuous moisture to energize
the Cyclones regularly. This is why they dissipate once reaching the land.

-They are violent because of the energy coming from the condensation process in cumulonimbus clouds surrounding the Cyclones.

 –They move from east to west because they are facilitated by the Trade wind.

Temperate Cyclone
-This system develops in the mid and high latitude along the polar front (boundary between the warm air and cold air).

-As the polar front develops over entire polar frontal system, this cyclone affects a much larger area of around 2000 km. Also it develops over land and sea both as far as there is frontal system.

–It moves from west to east due to the influence of Westerlies.

Solution (d)

Basic Info:

World Distribution of Rainfall
-Different places on the earth’s surface receive different amounts of rainfall in a year and that too in different seasons.

–In general, as we proceed from the equator towards the poles, rainfall goes on decreasing steadily.

-The coastal areas of the world receive greater amounts of rainfall than the interior of the continents.

-The rainfall is moreover the oceans than on the landmasses of the world because of being great sources of water.

-Between the latitudes 35 degrees and 40 degrees N and S of the equator, the rain is heavier on the eastern coasts and goes on decreasing towards the west. But, between 45 degrees and 65 degrees N and S of equator, due to the westerlies, the rainfall is first received on the western margins of the continents and it goes on decreasing towards the east.

-Wherever mountains run parallel to the coast, the rain is greater on the coastal plain, on the windward side and it decreases towards the leeward side.

Solution (b)

Basic Info:

Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ):
–ITCZ is a low-pressure zone located at the equator where trade winds converge, and so, it is a zone where air tends to ascend.

–In July, the ITCZ is located around 20°N- 25°N latitudes, sometimes called the monsoon trough. This monsoon trough encourages the development of thermal low over north and northwest India.

-Due to the shift of ITCZ, the trade winds of the southern hemisphere cross the equator between 40° and 60°E longitudes and start blowing from southwest to northeast due to the Coriolis force. It becomes southwest monsoon.

-In winter, the ITCZ moves southward, and so the reversal of winds from northeast to south and southwest takes place. They are called northeast monsoons.

Solution (a)

Statement Analysis:

Solution (a)

Statement Analysis:

Solution (b)

Statement Analysis:

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

Vertical and Horizontal distribution of Pressure
-In the lower atmosphere, the pressure decreases rapidly with height. The decrease amounts to about 1 mb for each 10 m increase in elevation. It does not always decrease at the same rate.

–The vertical pressure gradient force is much larger than that of the horizontal pressure gradient. But, it is generally balanced by a nearly equal but opposite gravitational force. Hence, we do not experience strong upward winds.

–Horizontal distribution of pressure is studied by drawing isobars at constant levels.

-Isobars are lines connecting places having equal pressure.

-In order to eliminate the effect of altitude on pressure, it is measured at any station after being reduced to sea level for purposes of comparison.

Solution (b)

Basic info:

Factors controlling temperature distribution:

The temperature of the air at any place is influenced by the following factors:

The Latitude:
-The temperature of a place depends on the insolation received. Since the insolation varies according to the latitude, the temperature also varies accordingly.

The Altitude:
-The atmosphere is indirectly heated by terrestrial radiation from below. Therefore, the places near the sea-level record a higher temperature than the places situated at higher elevations. In other words, the temperature generally decreases with increasing height.

Distance from the Sea:
-Compared to land, the sea gets heated slowly and loses heat slowly. Land heats up and cools down quickly.

-Therefore, the variation in temperature over the sea is less compared to land. The places situated near the sea come under the moderating influence of the sea and land breezes which moderate the temperature

Air-Mass and Ocean Currents:
-The places, which come under the influence of warm air-masses experience higher temperature and the places that come under the influence of cold air masses experience low temperature.

-Similarly, the places located on the coast where the warm ocean currents flow record higher temperature than the places located on the coast where the cold currents flow.

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

The atmosphere is a huge blanket of air that surrounds the earth. It provides us the air we breathe and protects us from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.

Solution (d)

Basic Info:

Clouds are aggregates of innumerable tiny water droplets, ice particles or mixture of both
in air generally above ground surface. On the basis of height clouds are classified as under: 

High Clouds (mean height 6 to 13 km)

1. Cirrus: Detached clouds; fibrous (hair like) silky appearance composed of ice crystals
   do not give precipitation.
2. Cirro-cumulus: Thin, white patch, sheet layer of cloud, often connected with cirrus or cirro-stratus clouds, when arranged uniformly it forms a “mackerel sky”.
3. Cirro-stratus: Transparent, whitish cloud of fibrous or smooth appearance, produces
   “halo” phenomena around the sun and moon, mainly formed of ice-crystals.

Middle Clouds (mean height 2 to 6 kms):

Alto-cumulus, Alto-Stratus, Nimbo Stratus

Low Clouds (mean height 0 to 2 kms):

Strato-cumulus, Stratus, Cumulus, Cumulo-nimbus

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

There are variations in the amount of radiation received at the Earth’s surface. Some part of the Earth has surplus radiation balance while the other part has deficit. There is a surplus of net radiation balance between 40 degrees North and South and the regions near the poles have a deficit. The surplus heat energy from the tropics is redistributed pole wards and as a result the tropics do not get progressively heated up due to the accumulation of excess heat or the high latitudes get permanently frozen due to excess deficit. 

1. The amount of insolation received varies from latitude to latitude.
2. Regions within the  equator and 40° N and S latitudes receive abundant Sunlight and hence more heat will be gained than lost. Hence they are energy surplus regions.
3. Regions beyond 40° N and S latitudes lose more heat than that gained from Sunlight. Hence they are energy deficit regions (This is because of slant Sunlight and high albedo of polar regions).
4. Going by this logic, the tropics should have been getting progressively hotter and the poles getting progressively cooler and the planet would have been inhospitable except for few regions near mid-latitudes. But, in reality, this does not happen.
5. The atmosphere (planetary winds) and the oceans (ocean currents) transfer excess heat from the tropics (energy surplus region) towards the poles (energy deficit regions) making up for heat loss at higher latitudes.
6. And most of the heat transfer takes place across the mid-latitudes (30° to 50°)[more while studding jet streams and cyclones], and hence much of the stormy weather is associated with this region.
7. Thus, the transfer of surplus energy from the lower latitudes to the deficit energy zone of the higher latitudes, maintains an overall balance over the earth’s surface.

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

KOEPPEN’S SCHEME OF CLASSIFICATION OF CLIMATE

Koeppen identified a close relationship between the distribution of Vegetation and Climate. He selected certain values of Temperature and precipitation and related them to the distribution of Vegetation and used these values for classifying the climates. It is an empirical classification based on mean annual and mean monthly temperature and precipitation data. He introduced the use of capital and small letters to designate climatic groups and types. 

Koeppen recognised five major climatic groups, four of them are based on Temperature and one on precipitation. The capital letters: A, C, D and E are for humid climates and B dry climates. The climatic groups are subdivided into types, designated by small letters, based on seasonality of precipitation and Temperature characteristics. The seasons of dryness are indicated by the small letters: f, m, w and s, where f –> no dry season, m – monsoon climate, w- winter dry season and s – summer dry season. The small letters a, b, c and d refer to the degree of severity of Temperature. The B- Dry Climates are subdivided using the capital letters S for steppe or semi-arid and W for desserts. 

Solution (a)

Basic Info:

It is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles.

It always exists near the poles and weakens in summer and strengthens in winter.

The term “vortex” refers to the counterclockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Poles.

Many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward with the jet stream.

This occurs fairly regularly during wintertime and is often associated with large outbreaks of Arctic air in the US.

This is not confined to the US only. Portions of Europe and Asia also experience cold surges.

It is also not a feature that exists at the Earth’s surface, rather it exists tens of thousands of feet up in the atmosphere.

The only danger to humans is the magnitude of how cold temperatures will get when the polar vortex expands.

Solution (d)

Basic Info:

Inversion of Temperature:

Ideally, with an increase in height, temperature decreases. Under normal situations, in the troposphere, the temperature of the atmosphere decreases with an increase in the altitude at the rate of 1 degree for every 165 meters which are called normal lapse rate.

However, there are certain conditions when the temperature increases with height instead of decreasing which is contrary to the ideal situation. This contradictory phenomenon is called temperature inversion.

Inversion is usually of short duration but quite common nonetheless. A long winter night with clear skies and still air is ideal situation for inversion. The heat of the day radiated off during the night, and by early morning hours, the earth is cooler than the air above. Over polar areas, temperature inversion is normal throughout the year.

Solution (c)

Basic info:

Cloud formation
The formation of cloud starts from evaporation in which humidity of the air increases. After this, the condensation takes place.

First, air filled with moisture (due to evaporation) rise up to a point where its relative humidity should be more than the surrounding air.

Then, if the temperature of air is below the dew point (at that place), the moisture present in the air gets condensed around condensation nuclei (suspended micro particles).

Condensation takes place when the dew point is lower than the freezing point as well as higher than the freezing point. That is, the condensation does not depend on the freezing point. Rather, it depends on the condition that the temperature of the air must be below the Dew point.

After this, the condensation can take various forms like clouds, dew, frost etc.

Frost forms on cold surfaces when the dew point is at or below the freezing point.

For the formation of dew, it is necessary that the dew point is above the freezing point.

Solution (d)

Basic Info:

Mediterranean Climate:

The Warm Temperate Western Margin Climate/Mediterranean Climate is confined to the western portion of continental masses, between 30° and 45° north and south of the equator.

The basic cause of this type of climate is the shifting of the wind belts.

It is characterized by winter rains due to on-shore Westerlies and dry summer due to off-shore trade winds.

This climate is found in few regions of the world which are central Chile, California (around San Francisco), the south-western tip of Africa (around Cape Town), southern Australia (in southern Victoria and around Adelaide), and south-west Australia (Swanland).

The Mediterranean regions are often backed by mountains of some kind which act as barriers to oncoming Westerlies.

The Mediterranean lands are also known as the world’s orchard lands. A wide range of citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, citrons, and grapefruit are grown.

The mountain pastures, with their cooler climate, support a few sheep, goats and sometimes cattle. Transhumance is widely practiced.

Solution (c)

Basic Info:

Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
Thunderstorms and tornadoes are severe local storms.  They are of short duration, occurring
over a small area but are violent.

Thunderstorms are caused by intense convection on moist hot days.

 A thunderstorm is a well-grown cumulonimbus cloud producing thunder and lightning.
When the clouds extend to heights where sub-zero temperature prevails, hails are formed and they come down as hailstorm. If there is insufficient moisture, a thunderstorm can generate dust storms.

A thunderstorm is characterized by the intense updraft of rising warm air, which causes the clouds to grow bigger and rise to a greater height. This causes precipitation.

Later, downdraft brings down to earth the cool air and the rain.

From severe thunderstorms sometimes spiraling wind descends like a trunk of an elephant with great force, with very low pressure at the center, causing massive destruction on its way. Such a phenomenon is called a tornado.

Tornadoes generally occur in middle latitudes.  Rare in polar regions and infrequent at latitudes higher than 50° N and 50° S.

Solution (b)

Basic Info regarding Doldrums and Horse Laitudes:

Both doldrums and horse latitudes are ocean areas characterized by weak or nonexistent airflow for a prolonged period of time. Both areas are also located in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In addition, both places are near the equator.

Doldrums and horse latitudes are situated in different locations near the equator. Doldrums are placed at five degrees north and south of the equator. Meanwhile, horse latitudes are located at 30 degrees north and south latitude.  In this region of the subtropics, winds diverge and either flow toward the poles (known as the prevailing westerlies) or toward the equator (known as the trade winds). They are also known as subtropical ridges, or highs. It is a high-pressure area at the divergence of trade winds and the westerlies.

The air existing in doldrums is moist, while horse latitudes’ air is dry.

Doldrums can cause extreme weather like squalls, thunderstorms, and hurricanes. On the other hand, horse latitudes cause the formation of deserts and other hot and dry areas.

Solution (b)

Basic Info: 

The meandering jet streams are called Rossby Waves. Rossby waves are natural phenomenon in the atmosphere and oceans due to rotation of earth.

In planetary atmospheres, they are due to the variation in the Coriolis effect (When temperature contrast is low, speed of jet stream is low, and Coriolis force is weak leading to meandering) with latitude.

Rossby waves are formed when polar air moves toward the Equator while tropical air is moving poleward. The existence of these waves explains the low-pressure cells (cyclones) and high-pressure cells (anticyclones).

Solution (b)

Statement Analysis:

Context – The Union Cabinet has restored the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) that was suspended in April 2020 during the remaining part of Financial Year 2021-22 and to continue MPLADS up to 2025-26, co-terminus with the period of 15th Finance Commission.

Solution (b)

Statement Analysis:

Context – Fifteenth Finance Commission chairman NK Singh has called for a thorough review of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution

Solution (a)

Statement Analysis:

Context – 7th edition of IONS Conclave of Chiefs was hosted by French Navy at Paris.

Solution (c)

The Global State of Democracy Report, 2021 was released. It was released by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

Solution (d)

Statement Analysis:

Context – Green Grids Initiative As part of One Sun, One World, One Grid initiative was announced by India and the United Kingdom at COP26 to tap solar energy and have it travel seamlessly across borders.

Solution (a)

The remaining amount left after giving to his wife in percentage: 100 – 40 = 60% 

Percentage of money given to the 3 sons: 10% of 60% = 0.10 x 60 = 6% 

1 son  = 6% , 3 sons = 6 x 3 = 18% 

The remaining amount left after giving to his 3 sons in percentage: 60 – 18 = 42%

The remaining percentage after spending on miscellaneous items: 1/2 x 42% = 0.5 x 42 =21% 

The money he had originally: Percentage of money left = 21% 

Amount of money left = Rs 21000 

21% = 21000 

1% = 21000 ÷ 21 = Rs 1000 

100% = 1000 x 100 = Rs 100,000 

Answer: He had Rs 100,000 initially.

Solution (c)

Let the total number is x. 

Then, ( 100−25 ​ ) of ( 100−10 ​ )%x=4725

⇒75% of 90% of x=4725

⇒75/100 ​ × 90/100 ​ ×x=4725

⇒x=4725×40/27 ​ =7000 

Therefore, original inhabitants are 7000.

Solution (d)

Consider his original salary be Rs.100 

His new salary will be, 50% of (50% of Rs.100) = Rs.50

Now his new salary is hiked by 50% = 50 * (150/100) = Rs.75 

The difference between his original salary (Rs.100) and his latest salary (Rs.75) is 25 = 25%

Solution (c)

Let the maximum marks be m 

Then 92 % of m = 575 

⇒ 92/100 × m = 575

⇒ m = (575 × 100)/92 ⇒ m = 5750/92 ⇒ m = 625 

Therefore, maximum marks in the examinations are 625.

Solution (b)

From the options given, we can eliminate options c and d as they are unsupported by the facts given in the paragraph. Option ‘a’ is not an inference that can be built from the information given in the paragraph.

The paragraph states that animals, from elephants and beavers down to the bee, lose their spirit and intelligence when they are separated from the communities and their environments are invaded by humans. Hence, option b directly follows from this premise.