Monsoon, Cyclone and Anticyclone - Practice Test 1

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The word 'Monsoon' is derived from which language?

   • A.Latin
   • B.Arabic✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Greek
   • D.Sanskrit

   Explanation: It comes from the Arabic word 'Mausim', meaning season.

2. Q2.Monsoon refers to:

   • A.Permanent winds
   • B.Seasonal reversal of winds✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Local storms
   • D.Sea breeze

   Explanation: Monsoons are characterized by a complete reversal of wind direction between seasons.

3. Q3.The primary cause of the Indian Monsoon is:

   • A.Differential heating of land and sea✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Ocean currents
   • C.Tides
   • D.Westerly winds

   Explanation: Land heats/cools faster than the sea, creating pressure differences that drive monsoon winds.

4. Q4.In summer, the South-West Monsoon winds blow from:

   • A.Land to Sea
   • B.Sea to Land✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Mountains to Plains
   • D.Plateau to Desert

   Explanation: High pressure over the ocean pushes moisture-laden winds towards low pressure over land.

5. Q5.The 'Burst of Monsoon' refers to:

   • A.Gradual rainfall
   • B.Sudden onset of heavy rainfall✓ Correct Answer
   • C.End of rainfall
   • D.Dry spell

   Explanation: The sudden arrival of intense rainfall in the first week of June is called the burst.

6. Q6.Which state in India receives the first monsoon rain?

   • A.Maharashtra
   • B.Kerala✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Tamil Nadu
   • D.West Bengal

   Explanation: The SW Monsoon hits the Kerala coast around June 1st.

7. Q7.The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifts northwards in summer over the:

   • A.Ganga Plain✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Indian Ocean
   • C.Deccan Plateau
   • D.Himalayas

   Explanation: This low-pressure trough over the Ganga plain attracts the monsoon winds.

8. Q8.The South-West Monsoon divides into how many branches?

   • A.Two✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Three
   • C.Four
   • D.One

   Explanation: It divides into the Arabian Sea Branch and the Bay of Bengal Branch.

9. Q9.Which branch of the monsoon brings rain to the Western Ghats?

   • A.Bay of Bengal Branch
   • B.Arabian Sea Branch✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Retreating Monsoon
   • D.Western Disturbance

   Explanation: The Arabian Sea branch strikes the Western Ghats, causing heavy orographic rain.

10. Q10.Which place receives the highest rainfall in the world?

    • A.Cherrapunji
    • B.Mawsynram✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Shillong
    • D.Mumbai

    Explanation: Mawsynram in Meghalaya records the highest average rainfall.

11. Q11.Tamil Nadu receives most of its rainfall during:

    • A.South-West Monsoon (Summer)
    • B.North-East Monsoon (Winter)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Pre-monsoon
    • D.Cyclones only

    Explanation: Tamil Nadu is in the rain shadow of SW monsoon but gets rain from retreating/NE monsoon.

12. Q12.The North-East Monsoon corresponds to which season?

    • A.Summer
    • B.Winter✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Spring
    • D.Autumn

    Explanation: It blows from land to sea during the winter months (Oct-Dec).

13. Q13.What is a 'Break' in the monsoon?

    • A.Continuous rain for 10 days
    • B.A dry spell with no rain during monsoon season✓ Correct Answer
    • C.End of monsoon
    • D.Floods

    Explanation: Breaks are rainless intervals that occur during the monsoon season.

14. Q14.El Nino generally causes what effect on the Indian Monsoon?

    • A.Excess rainfall
    • B.Deficit rainfall / Drought✓ Correct Answer
    • C.No impact
    • D.Cold waves

    Explanation: El Nino (warming of Pacific) usually weakens the Indian Monsoon.

15. Q15.La Nina generally results in:

    • A.Weak monsoon
    • B.Good / Excess monsoon rains✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Drought
    • D.Heatwaves

    Explanation: La Nina typically enhances the monsoon rainfall.

16. Q16.Jet Streams are fast flowing winds in the:

    • A.Lower Troposphere
    • B.Upper Troposphere✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ionosphere
    • D.Mesosphere

    Explanation: Jet streams flow in the upper troposphere near the tropopause.

17. Q17.The Tropical Easterly Jet Stream is responsible for:

    • A.Winter rain
    • B.Onset of SW Monsoon✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Retreat of Monsoon
    • D.Cyclones in Atlantic

    Explanation: It steers the monsoon depression into India during summer.

18. Q18.Western Disturbances cause winter rainfall in:

    • A.South India
    • B.North-West India✓ Correct Answer
    • C.North-East India
    • D.Coastal Odisha

    Explanation: They originate in the Mediterranean and bring rain to Punjab/Haryana.

19. Q19.Norwesters (Kalbaisakhi) are local storms occurring in:

    • A.Rajasthan
    • B.Bengal and Assam✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Kerala
    • D.Punjab

    Explanation: These are violent thunderstorms in the hot weather season.

20. Q20.Mango Showers are pre-monsoon showers in:

    • A.Kerala and Karnataka✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Bengal
    • C.Odisha
    • D.Gujarat

    Explanation: They help in the early ripening of mangoes.