Q4 · UPSC Prelims 2024 · Set A · Geography

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Which of the following is/are correct inference/inferences from isothermal maps in the month of January ?1.The isotherms deviate to the north over the ocean and to the south over the continent.2.The presence of cold ocean currents. Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift make the North Atlantic Ocean colder and the isotherms bend towards the north. Select the answer using the code given below :

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

Correct answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation

  1. A

    1 only

    1 only. In January, isotherms bend north over oceans and south over continents in the northern mid-latitudes.

  2. B

    2 only

    2 only. Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift are warm, not cold; they do not make the North Atlantic colder.

  3. C

    Both 1 and 2

    Both. Statement 2 reverses warm and cold.

  4. D

    Neither 1 nor 2

    Neither. Statement 1 is the correctly keyed inference.

Summary. Official key is (a) 1 only. January isotherms in the northern hemisphere typically bulge north over oceans (water still relatively warm) and south over continents (land much colder). Statement 2 calls the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift cold currents and says they make the North Atlantic colder — both claims are wrong. Those are warm currents that pull isotherms north. So only 1 is a correct inference.

Same topic · past papers

UPSC has asked this before

These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.

  1. 2015 · Q5 · General Studies · 2 marks

    In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the reason?

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