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Topic Continentality
Asked 3 times across 2 UPSC exams over 10 years (2013–2023), peaking in 2013.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 2 of 3 PYQs
- Most asked in 2013
- Recurs across 3 years (2013–2023)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2013 → CAPF 2016
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (2 of 3) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CSE2023
Consider the following statements
Statement IThe temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter
Statement IIThe specific heat of water is more than that of land surface
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- A Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- B Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- C Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- D Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Climatology
CAPF2016
Which one of the following cities has greater annual range of temperature?
- A Kuala Lumpur
- B New Delhi
- C Shanghai
- D Ulaanbaatar ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Geography › Climatology
CSE2013
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.
- A 1 only ✓
- B 1 and 2 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1, 2, 3 and 4
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Geography › Climatology
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