- How will you define climate?
Ans. Climate refers to the sum total of weather conditions and variations over a large area for a long period of time.
- Which factor is responsible for the Indian sub-continent having milder winters when compared to locations in Central Asia?
Ans. The Himalayan mountains in the North act as a barrier for the cold winds of Central Asia and prevent them from reaching the Indian sub-continent, thus ensuring a milder winter.
- Why does Nasik receive much less rainfall than Mumbai?
Ans. Nasik is located on the leeward side of the Western Ghats, whereas Mumbai is located on the windward side. Leeward sides of mountain ranges receive much less rainfall than the windward sides.
- The leeward side of the Western Ghats is prone to drought. Why?
Ans. Western Ghats block the rain bearing winds to cross over the leeward side.So, on being rain shadpw zone of Western Ghats the leeward sides are prone to drought.
- Which force is responsible for the deflection of wind from its normal path?
Ans. The Coriolis force is responsible for the deflection of wind from its normal path.
- Name the sea which is responsible for the Western cyclonic disturbances in winter season.
Ans. Mediterranean sea is responsible for the Western cyclonic disturbances in winter season.
- What are the characteristic features of a tropical monsoon climate?
Ans. A ‘tropical monsoon climate’ results from the monsoon winds, which change direction according to the seasons. This type of climate has high temperature almost throughout the year. This climate has the driest month occurring near the winter solstice.
- The phenomenon of the monsoon is experienced in which range of latitudes?
Ans. The phenomenon of the monsoon is experienced in the equatorial regions from latitude 20°N to 20°S.
9. What is the effect of the presence of EL Nino in the Western Pacific Ocean?
Ans. In the Western Pacific Ocean, EL Nino has the effect of retarding the arrival of the monsoon.
10. Which feature of the Indian sub-continent does not allow the South-West monsoon winds to escape from India?
Ans. The Himalayan mountains do not allow the South-West monsoon winds to escape from India, as they act as a barrier to the monsoon winds and also deflect the monsoon winds Westwards from Assam.
11. What is the duration of the monsoon season in Western Rajasthan?
Ans. The advancing monsoon reaches Western Rajasthan in the beginning of July. Thus, the monsoon season in Western Rajasthan is from 1st July to 15th September.
12.Which season in Northern India has the characteristics of low humidity, weak winds and low temperature?
Ans. The winter season in North India has the characteristics of low humidity, weak winds and low temperature.
13. Why does Thiruvananthapuram have a moderate climate ?
Ans. Due to coastal location, Thiruvananthapuram has a moderate climate.
14. Define the term‘Loo’.
Ans. ‘Loo’ are strong, gusty, hot, dry winds blowing during the day over the North and North-Western India in summer season.
15. In which season does the heat belt shift Northwards?
Ans. The heat belt shifts Northwards during the summer season.
16. Which part of India receives maximum rainfall during the rainy season?
Ans. The North-Eastern part of India receives maximum rainfall during the rainy season.
- Is it correct that the maximum rainfall in the winter season in India occurs in Meghalaya?
Ans. No, it is incorrect. The maximum rainfall in Meghalaya occurs during June-September. The maximum rainfall in the winter season occurs in Tamil Nadu.
- Which area receives the highest rainfall in the world?
Ans. Mawsynram in the Southern region of Khasi hills of Meghalaya, receives the highest rainfall in the world.
- In which season does the rainfall in Ganga valley reduce from East to West?
Ans. Rainfall in Ganga valley reduces from East to West during the season of advancing monsoon.
- The phenomenon of ‘October Heat’ is the characteristic feature of which season?
Ans. The phenomenon of ‘October Heat’ occurs during the season of retreating monsoon.
- The heavy rainfall on the Coromandel coast is due to which weather phenomenon?
Ans. The heavy rainfall on the Coromandel coast is due to the cyclonic depressions originating over the Andaman sea, which occur during the selfcon of retreating monsoon.
- Which town out of Jaisalmer, Leh, Shillong and Thiruvananthapuram will be the hottest during daytime in June?
Ans. Jaisalmer will be the hottest because it is in Western Rajasthan (far away from the sea), which receives the monsoon in July only. Shillong and Leh are in mountainous regions, whereas Thiruvananthapuram is on the sea coast, the sea having a moderating influence on its temperature.
- Is it true that the monsoon winds are regular in arrival over India?
Ans. No, it is not true. The monsoon’s behaviour is very erratic, as it depends on many factors.
- Why do monsoon winds change their direction? Give one reason.
Ans. Due to unequal heating and cooling of land and ocean surface, the monsoon winds change their direction.
- Out of the towns/cities of Bhuj,Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram and Shillong, where will the monsoon arrive last?
Ans. Monsoon will arrive the last in Bhuj, as it is in the North part of Gujarat, where the Arabian sea branch of the monsoon will reach at the end. All other towns mentioned are falling near the starting points of the monsoon.
26. Which city out of Chennai,Guwahati, Jodhpur and Mumbai has the minimum rain?
Ans. Jodhpur has the minimum rain, as it is in Western Rajasthan (near the Indian Desert).The other cities mentioned have moderate to heavy rain.
- why is the unifying influence of the monsoon on the Indian sub-continent quite perceptible?
Ans. The monsoon provides water to set the agricultural activities in motion and as the major occupation of the people is agriculture, the monsoon acts as a unifying bond.