Q66 · UPSC Prelims 2015 · Set A · Geography

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Consider the following statements:1.The winds which blow between 30 N and 60 S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies.2.The moist air masses that cause winter rains in North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A 1 only
B 2 only
C Both 1 and 2
D Neither 1 nor 2

Correct answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation

  1. A

    1 only

    Statement 1 is incorrectly worded: it places westerlies between 30°N and 60°S as if that were one belt blowing throughout the year. Westerlies occupy roughly 30°–60° latitude in each hemisphere, not a single 30°N–60°S corridor. Statement 1 is false, so 1 only is not the key.

  2. B

    2 only

    Statement 2 is correct: winter precipitation in north-western India is largely from western disturbances, which are extra-tropical cyclonic systems steered by the mid-latitude westerlies. Statement 1 is false. Hence 2 only is the official key.

  3. C

    Both 1 and 2

    Both would require statement 1 to be true. The latitude pairing in 1 is wrong. This option is not the key.

  4. D

    Neither 1 nor 2

    Neither would deny statement 2, which correctly links north-west winter rains to westerlies. This option is therefore wrong.

Summary. Official key is (b) 2 only. Western disturbances riding the westerlies bring winter rain and snow to north-west India. Statement 1 mixes the two hemispheres into one bogus belt. Westerlies exist in both hemispheres between about 30° and 60°, separately. Only statement 2 is therefore correct.

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