UPSC Prelims 2013 · Question 10 of 99
UPSC Prelims 2013 question on Continentality Temperature Range
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2013
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectGeography
- TopicClimatology
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons?
1. Thermal difference between land and water
2. Variation in altitude between continents and oceans
3. Presence of strong winds in the interior
4. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Show answer
Answer: A. 1 only
Analysis
Land heats up and cools down much faster than water. Coastal areas experience the moderating influence of nearby oceans, which reduces temperature extremes, while continental interiors experience more extreme seasonal variations.
Statement by statement
Statement 2 is not a valid reason because altitude difference between continents and oceans does not explain continentality.
Statement 3 is incorrect because strong winds are not the primary cause of higher annual temperature range.
Statement 4 is also incorrect because coastal regions generally receive more rainfall than continental interiors. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.
Extra UPSC info
This phenomenon is known as continentality.