UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 100
The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons?
- Thermal difference between land and water
- Variation in altitude between continents and oceans
- Presence of strong winds in the interior
- Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A
Explanation: Land heats and cools much faster than water, giving continental interiors stronger summer–winter temperature contrasts than maritime coasts.
Statement/Pair-wise Analysis:
Statement/Item 1: Correct - The different thermal capacities and mixing of land and ocean drive greater seasonal temperature amplitude over land.
Statement/Item 2: Incorrect - Altitude differences can affect local temperature but do not generally explain continent-versus-coast annual ranges.
Statement/Item 3: Incorrect - Strong interior winds are not a general causal explanation of larger annual temperature range.
Statement/Item 4: Incorrect - Heavy interior rainfall relative to coasts is not a general continental-climate feature or principal cause.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Correct - selects all and only the accurate statements/pairs.
B: Incorrect - includes false item 2.
C: Incorrect - includes false items 2, 3 and excludes true item 1.
D: Incorrect - includes false items 2, 3, 4.