ICSE YEAR QUESTIONS CLIMATE

2020
Question 3.

(a)

(i) Name one state in the north western part of India that receives rainfall during winter.

(ii) What is the source of this rainfall? [2]

(b) Give a reason for each of the following: [2]

(i) Rainy season in India is after the summer season.

(ii) Tamil Nadu has more rainy months than Kerala, yet, Kerala receives more rainfall than Tamil Nadu.

(c)

(i) What do you understand by the term ”Burst of Monsoon”? Name the state that experiences the
“Burst of Monsson”. [3]

(ii) Even though India gets abundant rainfall during the rainy season, yet, some places experience
drought. Explain giving suitable examples.

(iii) Why is Shimla colder than Delhi during summer?

(d) Study the climatic data given below and answer the questions that follow: [3]

Answer 3.

(a)

(i) Punjab

(ii) Westerly depressions or temperate cyclones is the reason for rainfall.

(b)

(i) It is so because the mainland of India experiences extremely high temperature that leads to
development of low-pressure trough.

(ii) Because Kerala experiences burst of monsoon and 85% of rain received in Kerala is contributed by
monsoon winds.

(c)

(i) “Burst of Monsoon” is when the intensity of rain suddenly increases at the arrival of monsoon and it
continues for several days. The state that experiences such situation is Kerala.

(ii) This condition happens because monsoon winds are highly unpredictable. It also varies direction and
moisture for example average annual rainfall received in Jaipur is 30 cm and in Bhopal is 140 cm.

(iii) The key factor behind this phenomenon is higher altitude. We know as the height increases,
temperature decreases.

(d)

(i) Annual range of temperature (max. temperature – min. temperature) 41—8.4 = 32.6°C.

(ii) The station is located in continental interior.

(iii) South-West monsoon.

2019
Question 3.
(a)
(i) What type of wind is ‘Monsoon‘ ? What is its direction during summer ?
(ii) Mention two characteristics of the Indian monsoon. [2]
(b) With reference to the summer season in India, answer the following questions : [2]
(i) Mention the duration of the summer season in India.
(ii) What is the atmospheric pressure condition during summer season over the central part of
India ?
(c) Give a reason for each of the following : [3]
(i) Goa receives heavier rainfall than Puducherry.
(ii) Mawsynram receives the highest average annual rainfall.
(iii) Mangaluru is cooler than Delhi in summer season.
(d) Study the data of distribution of temperature and rain for Station X and answer the
questions that follow : [3]

(i) Is Station X in the coastal area or in the interior of the country ?

(ii) Calculate the total annual rainfall for Station X.

(iii) Name the wind that brings most of the rainfall to Station X.

Answer 3.

(a)

(i) Monsoon wind is a periodic wind. It’s direction during summer is south-west to north-east.

(ii) The characteristics of Indian monsoon are :

1. South-West monsoon is erratic in nature.

2. Distribution of rainfall is uneven.

3. It is largely controlled by orography

i.e., the effects caused due to the presence of Himalayas and the Western Ghats on the amount of
rainfall.

(b)

(i) The summer season or hot dry season in India commences in March and continues till the end of
May.

(ii) During the summer season as the whole country simmers in heat, the low pressure conditions over
the central part of India become more severe and a low pressure trough develops between Thar Desert
and the Chotanagpur Plateau.

(c)

(i) Goa is located on the windward side of the Western Ghats so the Arabian Sea Branch of SW monsoon
brings heavier rainfall while Puducherry is located on the eastern coast and gets lighter rainfall from
North East monsoon.

(ii) Mawsynram receives orographic rainfall as it is situated along the edge of the Meghalaya Plateau and
stands at the end of a funnel-shaped valley, on the windward side of the Khasi hills which acts as a trap
for the rain-bearing Bay of Bengal branch of the SW monsoon forcing them to shed huge amounts of
moisture.

(iii) Mangaluru is situated on the western coast and thus, enjoys the influence of the sea and stays
relatively cooler. On the other hand, Delhi lies in the interior and experiences continental type of
climate. So, summers in Delhi are very hot.

(d)

(i) Station X is situated in the interior parts of the country.

(ii) 321 cm.

(iii) SW monsoon winds.

2018
Question 3.
(a) How is the winter rainfall of the northwest part of India different from the winter rainfall of
the southeast part of India ? [2]
(b)
(i) Name a state that is first to experience the onset of the monsoon. [2]
(ii) How does the “Mango shower” influence the state of Karnataka ?
(c) Give a reason for each of the following : [3]
(i) Kanyakumari experiences equable climate.
(ii) Central Maharashtra gets less rainfall than the coastal area of Maharashtra.
(iii) Jaipur has a higher annual range of temperature than Mumbai.
(d) Write three differences between summer monsoon season and retreating monsoon season.
[3]
Answer 3.
(a)The winter rainfall of the north-west part of India is different from the winter rainfall of the
southeast part of India as the north-west part of India gets winter rain due to the temperate
cyclones whereas the south-east part of India gets rain due to winter monson or retreating
monsoon.
(b)
(i) Kerala
(ii) Mango showers are the name of the local winds that blow in South India, majorly in
Karnataka during the month of April/May. These winds bring a little rainfall and are good for
the growth & early ripening of the mangoes. Thus, influencing the trade of mangoes as well as
of tea and coffee in the state of Karnataka.
(c)
(i) Kanyakumari experiences equable climate as it lies in the coastal region of the subcontinent
of India and experiences moderating influence of the sea and the land breezes.
(ii) Central Maharashtra gets less rainfall than the coastal area of Maharashtra as it lies in the
rain shadow area of the south-west monsoon. Whereas coastal Maharashtra is on the
windward side of Western Ghats.
(iii) Jaipur has a higher annual range of temperature than Mumbai because it is an inland city
which is situated away from the coastal area. Thus, it is far from the moderating impact of the
ocean.

2017
Question 3.
(a) Mention the four seasons that prevail in India stating the months for each. [2]
(b) State the agricultural benefits derived from : [2]
(i) The Westerly Depressions in Punjab.
(ii) The Kalbaisakhi in Assam.
(c) Give a reason for each of the following : [3]
(i) Kolkata receives heavier rain than Lucknow.
(ii) The Summer Monsoon winds blows over the Arabian Sea from the South-West.
(iii) Thar is a desert.
(d) Study the climatic data given below and answer the questions that follow : [3]
Answer 3.

(a) Four seasons in India are :

1. Hot/Summer season (March–May).

2. The Rainy season or the season of South-West monsoon. (June–September).

3. The season of the Retreating South-West monsoon (October–November).

4. Cold/Winter season (December–February)

(b)

(i) Wheat and Barley in Punjab

(ii) Tea in Assam

(c)

(i) The Bay of Bengal branch of South-West monsoon is deflected towards the west along the Himalayas.
The rainfall goes on decreasing as it proceeds through the Ganga valley and on its way, it gives more
rainfall to Kolkata in West Bengal. By the time it reaches Lucknow in U.P., it has already shed its
moisture and hence gives less rainfall.

(ii) A high pressure gradient builds up between the hot North India with intense low pressure and cooler
water bodies surrounding it with high pressure. The low pressure area attracts the South-East trade
winds blowing in the Southern hemisphere. After crossing the equator, these winds are deflected
towards their right to the Indian subcontinent and they blow towards West coast from South West coast
over the Arabian Sea.

(iii) The Arabian Sea branch of SW monsoon blows parallel to the Aravalli that do not intercept the
winds. Therefore Thar desert, located in the east, does not offer any rain. Less than 25 cm rainfall occurs
in winter due to the westerly depressions. The Bay of Bengal branch of SW monsoon is exhausted by the
time it reaches the windward slopes of the Aravallis. These winds shed no rain on the leeward side
where the Thar Desert lies. Humidity is very low in summer. The moisture evaporates before it could
rain. The moisture laden winds blowing over Rajasthan do not saturate as the heat of the Thar region
increases the capacity to hold moisture, so there is no rainfall.

(d)

(i) 36·2°C–12·0°C = 24·2°C.

(ii) 112·9 cm.

(iii) It is in the interior because its annual range of temperature is high, and rainfall is low, which is
expected to be pretty heavy on the coastal areas.

2016
Question 3.
(a) What is the name given to the climate of India ? Mention any two factors responsible for
such a type of climate. [2]
(b) Name the following : [2]
(i) The winds that bring heavy rain to Cherrapunji.
(ii) The local wind that brings a light rainfall to South India and is good for tea and coffee crops.
(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following : [3]
(i) Kanpur has extreme temperature conditions.
(ii) Kochi is warmer than Mumbai even though both lie on the western coast of India.
(iii)The Ganga Plain gets the monsoon rain much later than the west coast of India.
(d) Study the climatic data of station x given below and answer the questions that follow : [3]

Answer 3.
(a) Tropical Monsoon type of Climate. The factors which are responsible for such type of climate in
India :

1. Effect of Himalayas

2. Latitudinal extent

(b)

(i) Cherrapunji receives rains from the Bay of Bengal branch of South West Monsoon winds.

(ii) Mango Showers or Cherry Blossoms.

(c)

(i) Kanpur is situated in the interior part of the country and is away from the influence of the sea. So, it is
very cold in Winter and very hot in Summer.

(ii) Kochi is located closer to the equator, than Mumbai. So, Kochi experiences vertical rays of the Sun.

(iii) Ganga plain lies in North India and the SouthWest monsoon, first strikes the west coast of India
before North India.

(d)

(i) 128.7 cm

(ii) 32.5ºC – 24.5ºC = 8°C

(iii)The station lies on the East coast. As the station receives the bulk of its rainfall in the month of Oct.-
Nov. period which is due to the retreating monsoon and North-East Monsoon

2015

Question 3.

(a) Explain two factors that affect the climate of India giving a suitable example for each. [2]

(b) State two differences between the rainfalls that occur from June to September and that from
December to February in North India. [2]

(c) Give a geographic reason for each of the following :

(i) Kerala has the longest rainy season.

(ii) The Konkan coast experiences orographic rainfall.

(iii) The city of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh has a higher range of temperature than that of Chennai in Tamil
Nadu. [3]
(d) Study the climatic data given below and answer the questions that follow :

Answer 3.

(a) The factors that affect the climate of India are as follows :

(i) Altitude : Temperature decreases at the rate of 1ºC for every 166 m rise in height. Thus, the
mountains are always cooler than the plains. E.g. Darjeeling is cooler than Kolkata in summer.

(ii) Distance from the sea : The areas in the interior of the country have an extreme type of climate while
the coastal areas have a moderate climate. This is mainly due to the influence of land and sea breeze
caused by differential heating and cooling of land and sea. E.g. Delhi experiences an extreme climate
while Mumbai experiences an equable climate.

(b) The rainfall occurs during June-September is orographic, heavy, torrential and causes destruction.
The rainfall occurs during December to February is cyclonic, light and beneficial.

(c)

(i) Kerala lies on the Malabar Coast and on the windward side of the South-West Monsoon winds. As the
Western Ghats obstruct the monsoon winds, it causes very heavy monsoon rainfall for a long duration
along this coast.

(ii) Orographic rainfall is mainly caused by the presence of a relief barrier. The Konkan coast comprises a
part of the Western Ghats which obstructs the onshore Arabian Sea branch of the South-West monsoon
winds. This causes heavy rainfall on the western slopes of the Western Ghats which comprises the
windward side of the Konkan coast. While the Eastern slopes receive less rainfall resulting in a rain
shadow area. Hence, the Konkan coast receives orographic rainfall due to the influence of the Western
Ghats.

(iii) Kanpur has an interior location while Chennai has a coastal location. The areas in the interior of the
country have an extreme type of climate resulting in high annual range of temperature while the coastal
areas have a moderate climate. This is mainly due to the influence of land and sea breeze caused by
differential heating and cooling of land and sea. Therefore, Kanpur has a higher range of temperature
than Chennai.
(d)

(i) Hottest month is May.

(ii) Total annual rainfall is 131.9 cm.

(iii) Retreating Monsoon

2014

Question 3.
(a) Mention the different sources of rain in Punjab and Tamil Nadu during the winter season. [2]
(b) State the benefits that are derived from the local winds that blow in summer in the
following states :
(i) Kerala
(ii) West Bengal [2]
(c) Mention a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Patna receives heavier rain than Delhi.
(ii) Western Rajasthan receives no rain from the Arabian Sea branch of the South-West
Monsoon winds.
(iii) Mangalore is not cold even in the month of December. [3]
(d) Study the climatic data given below and answer the questions that follow :

Answer 3.
(a) Punjab receives rainfall due to the western disturbances that originate over the Eastern
Mediterranean Sea during the winter season. Tamil Nadu receives rainfall from the North-East Monsoon
winds during the winter season.

(b)

(i) Kerala : The local wind is called Mango Showers . They bring little rain in April and May, which is
helpful in the early ripening of mangoes, tea and coffee plants.

(ii) West Bengal : The local wind is called Nor’ westers or Kalbaisakhi. The rain is useful for rice and jute
in West Bengal.

(c)

(i) Patna receives heavier rain than Delhi because the Bay of Bengal branch of South-West Monsoon
sheds its moisture goes up the Ganga plain. As it proceeds up the Ganga valley, the amount of rainfall
keeps decreasing East to West. Since Patna is located to the East of Delhi, it receives 102 cm of rainfall
while Delhi gets 50 cm of rainfall, annually.

(ii) The Arabian Sea branch of South-West Monsoon strikes the Saurashtra peninsula and passes over
the Western Rajasthan, parallel to the Aravalli range. It hardly causes any rain in the Western Rajasthan
because it undergoes thermal heating on blowing over the hot sands and gets unsaturated. As the area
lies on the leeward side of the Aravalli range, no rain is caused.

(iii) Mangalore is located at the south of Tropic of Cancer along the Western Coast of India and enjoys
the moderating influence of land and sea breeze throughout the year. The climate over there being
equable or maritime type, the place does not experience any winter.

(d)

(i) Annual Range of temperature = 36·2°C – 24·6°C = 11·6°C.

(ii) Total Annual Rainfall = 24.5 + 23.1 + 15.0 + 2.4 + 0.1 + 11.0 + 9.3+ 7.2 + 4.0 + 9.4 + 14.5 + 20.4 = 140.9
cm

(iii) The station is located on the East coast of India because heavy rainfall is observed in winter season.

2013
Question 3.
(a) Name two types of cyclonic systems that affect India and two areas that receive rainfall from
these systems. [2]
(b) Give two important characteristics of the South West Monsoon rainfall. [2]
(c) Give reasons for the following :
(i) When the Malabar coast is receiving heavy rainfall in July, the Tamil Nadu coast is
comparatively dry.
(ii) The Northern Plains of India have a Continental type of climate.
(iii) Central Maharashtra receives little rainfall. [3]
(d) Study the climatic data given below and answer the questions that follow :

Answer 3.

(a) Two cyclonic systems that affect India are :

(i) Temperate cyclones – Region – North-west of India (Punjab, Haryana)

(ii) Tropical cyclones – Region – Eastern coast of India (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal).

(b) Characteristics of SW monsoon rainfall are :

(i) Orographic in nature. (ii) Uncertain in amount and time.

(c)

(i) When the Malabar coast is receiving heavy rainfall in July, the Tamil Nadu coast is dry because it lies
in rain shadow region of Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal is parallel to the coast.

(ii) Northern Plains have continental climate because they are away from the moderating influence of
the sea.

(iii) Central Maharashtra receives little rainfall because it lies in the rain shadow region of the Western
Ghats when Arabian Sea branch strikes it.

(d)

(i) Annual rainfall is 114·3 cm.

(ii) Suggested name is Chennai because the station is receiving most of its rainfall in October and
November.

(iii) Retreating monsoon season.

 2012
Question 3.
(a)
(i) Name the type of climate prevailing over India.
(ii) Mention any two factors responsible for it. [2]
(b) What is the direction of the summer monsoon ? Why ? [2]
(c) Give geographical reasons for the following :
(i) Even in summer, Shimla is cooler than Delhi.
(ii) The northern plains of India do not freeze in winter.
(iii) Kochi has a lesser annual range of temperature than Agra. [3]
(d) Study the climatic data given below and answer the questions that follow :

Answer 3.

(a) (i) and (ii) Refer to ICSE Paper 2016, Answer 3 (a).

(b) South-West. The intense heat that prevails over India causes the development of low pressure over
the northern plains. It attracts the moisture bearing South-East Trade winds from the southern
hemisphere. After crossing the equator they are deflected to the right and blow over India as the South-
West monsoon winds.

(c)
(i) Shimla is cooler than Delhi in summer as it is located at a higher altitude than Delhi. Thus, due to
Normal Lapse Rate, Shimla enjoys a cooler climate than Delhi.

(ii) The Himalayas prevent the bitterly cold winds of the north from entering into India and helps to keep
the temperature of the northern plains at a moderate level.

(iii) Kochi has a coastal location while Agra has a continental location. Due to the influence of the moist
winds from the sea, it experiences moderate climatic conditions throughout the year. Whereas, Agra has
extreme temperature conditions resulting in high annual range of temperature.

(d)

(i) 28 °C

(ii) 180·5 cm.

(iii) The station has a maritime climate as the range of temperature is very low i.e., 6·6°C.

2011
Question 3.
(a) Give two important characteristics of the summer monsoon rainfall in India. [2]
(b) ‘Rainfall in India is Orographic in nature.’ Give an example with reference to the distribution
of rainfall and the effect of relief on its distribution. [2]
(c) Give a reason to explain why :
(i) The coastal areas of India do not experience a significant variation in temperature between
summer and winter months.
(ii) The annual rainfall in Rajasthan is less than 25 cm.
(iii) The Coromandel coast gets most of its rain during the winter season. [3]
(d) Study the climatic data given below and answer the questions that follow :
Answer 3.

(a) Two important characteristics of the summer monsoon rainfall in India are as follows :

(i) The monsoon rainfall in India is unevenly spread and sporadic. Thus, places like the Western Ghats
receive heavy rainfall of more than 200 cm, whereas, the desert regions of Rajasthan receive scanty
rainfall of less than 50 cm a year.

(ii) Monsoon rainfall in India is orographic in nature. Thus, the windward slopes of the Western Ghats
receive more rain than the leeward slopes.

(b) Relief plays a very important role in the distribution of rainfall in India. The windward slopes of the
Western Ghats obstruct the moist winds from the sea and cause heavy rainfall. While the leeward slopes
remain dry.

(c)

(i) The coastal areas of India do not experience a significant variation in temperature between summer
and winter months due to the effect of land and sea breeze caused by differential rate of heating and
cooling of the land and sea which results in an equable and moderate climatic conditions.

(ii) The Arabian Sea branch of the South-West Monsoon which blows towards the Gujarat coast goes
unhindered towards the Himalayas. The Aravalli Hills lie parallel to the winds and offer no obstacle to
the winds. Rajasthan, therefore, remains dry. The Bay of Bengal branch which blows from the east,
sheds its rain on the way and gets dry by the time it reaches the west. Rajasthan also lies in the rain
shadow of the Aravalli range. Hence Rajasthan gets little rain, overall about 25 cm.

(iii) The Coromandel coast remains dry during the Summer Monsoon season because it is located
parallel to the Bay of Bengal branch and lies in the leeward side of the Arabian Sea branch. However,
during the Retreating Monsoon Season, a low pressure condition prevails in the centre of Bay of Bengal
and is marked by cyclonic depressions. These cyclonic depressions move from the northeast to the
south-west and results in heavy rainfall.

(d)

(i) The driest month is March (1·3 cm).

(ii) The annual rainfall experienced by the station is 129·2 cm.

(iii)The annual range of temperature is 12·1°C.