UPSC Prelims 2015 Q80: Geography – Atmosphere & Climatology
“Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the
Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and
lightning. But rain is soon over.”
Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?
- (a) Savannah
- (b) Equatorial
- (c) Monsoon
- (d) Mediterranean
Answer: (b) Equatorial
Explanation
Which region does the passage describe?
The passage describes the Equatorial region.
Its weather repeats every day with almost no seasons.
| Clue in the passage | Equatorial feature |
|---|---|
| 'Each day is more or less the same' | No seasons; temperature near 27 degrees Celsius all year |
| 'Heat mounts up, dark clouds form' | Strong heating causes convection |
| 'Rain comes with thunder and lightning' | Convectional rain, often at about four o'clock |
| 'Rain is soon over' | Short, heavy showers |
Why not the others:
| Region | Its rainfall pattern |
|---|---|
| Savannah | Distinct wet and dry seasons |
| Monsoon | Rain in one season, for weeks |
| Mediterranean | Winter rain, dry summer |
Answer: (b) Equatorial.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Savannah has a long dry season; days are not all alike.
- (b) CORRECT. Daily afternoon thunder showers are the mark of the Equatorial region.
- (c) Incorrect. Monsoon regions have seasonal rain, not the same weather each day.
- (d) Incorrect. The Mediterranean region has dry summers and wet winters.
Key point
Equatorial climate: uniform heat, daily convectional rain in the afternoon with thunder, no seasons; Amazon, Congo, Indonesia.
Remember
Equatorial = four o'clock rain, every day.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Monsoon because of the heavy rain.
- Forgetting that equatorial rain is convectional, not frontal or orographic.
- Missing the key phrase 'each day is the same'.
Exam tip
'Same every day' + 'afternoon thunderstorm' = Equatorial.
Sources
- G.C. Leong — Certificate Physical and Human Geography (The Hot, Wet Equatorial Climate)
- NCERT Class XI — Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Ch 12 (World Climate and Climate Change)