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UPSC Prelims 2025 GS Paper 1, question 27

Topic: World and physical geography

Q27

Consider the following statements :

Statement-I : In January, in the Northern Hemisphere, the isotherms bend equatorward while crossing the landmasses, and poleward while crossing the oceans.

Statement-II : In January, the air over the oceans is warmer than that over the landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-ICorrect answer
  2. (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  3. (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is not correct
  4. (d) Statement-I is not correct but Statement-II is correct

Solution.

Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

  1. Statement-I is correct: in January (Northern Hemisphere winter), isotherms deviate equatorward (southward) over cold continents and poleward (northward) over relatively warm oceans (such as the North Atlantic Drift).
  2. Statement-II is correct and explains Statement-I: because land loses heat much faster than water in winter, the air over the oceans in January is significantly warmer than the air over landmasses at the same latitude, causing isotherms to bend poleward over oceans and equatorward over continents.