Explanation : 

Statement-I: Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to poles.

– The troposphere is indeed thicker at the equator (about 16-17 km) compared to the poles (about 8-9 km)
– This makes Statement-I correct

Statement-II: At the equator, heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents.

– At the equator, there is intense solar heating of the surface
– This heating causes strong convection currents
– These convection currents carry heat and moisture to higher altitudes
– Statement-II is therefore correct

Now, let’s analyze the relationship between the statements:
– The strong convectional currents at the equator directly cause the greater thickness of the troposphere
– The heat transported upward by convection expands the air and pushes the tropopause (upper boundary of troposphere) higher
– This explains why the troposphere is thicker at the equator
– Therefore, Statement-II is the cause and Statement-I is the effect

The correct answer is (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.

Explanation : 

Products of Volcanic Eruptions

1. Pyroclastic debris
– This is definitely a volcanic product
– Consists of rock fragments, ash, and hot gases ejected during eruptions

2. Ash and dust
– Also a primary volcanic product
– Created when magma is explosively fragmented during eruptions

3. Nitrogen compounds
– Volcanoes do emit nitrogen compounds
– Mainly in the form of N2 and NOx compounds

4. Sulphur compounds
– Major volcanic emission
– Includes SO2 (sulfur dioxide) and H2S (hydrogen sulfide)

Answer: (d) All four

Explanation : 

1. “The isotherms deviate to the north over the ocean and to the south over the continent”

– ✓ This statement is CORRECT
– In January (winter in Northern Hemisphere):
– Oceans are relatively warmer due to high specific heat
– Continents are colder due to faster cooling
– This causes isotherms to bend northward over oceans and southward over continents

2. “The presence of cold ocean currents, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift make the North Atlantic Ocean colder and the isotherms bend towards the north”

– ✗ This statement is INCORRECT
– Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift are WARM currents
– They make the North Atlantic Ocean warmer, not colder
– The isotherms do bend towards north, but due to warming effect
– The statement incorrectly identifies these as cold currents

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation : 

1. Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

– World’s largest cocoa producer
– Produces ~40% of global cocoa
– Ideal climate conditions: tropical with adequate rainfall
– Strong historical tradition of cocoa farming

2. Ghana

– World’s second-largest cocoa producer
– Produces ~20% of global cocoa
– Similar favorable climate conditions
– Quality of Ghanaian cocoa is highly regarded

3. Other options analysis:
– Algeria and Morocco: Too arid for cocoa production
– Botswana and Namibia: Predominantly desert climate
– Madagascar and Mozambique: Produce some cocoa but not major producers

Answer: (c) Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana

Explanation : 

The correct sequence of Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from west to east is:

Gomati → Ghaghara → Gandak → Kosi

1. Gomati joins the Ganga near Saidpur, Ghazipur district (UP)
2. Ghaghara joins near Chhapra (Bihar)
3. Gandak joins near Patna (Bihar)
4. Kosi joins near Kursela (Bihar)

Therefore, the correct answer is option (b) Gomati – Ghaghara – Gandak – Kosi.

Explanation : 

1. First, let’s verify Statement-I:
– Rainfall is indeed one of the major causes of weathering of rocks
– This statement is correct as water is a key agent of both mechanical and chemical weathering

2. Let’s check Statement-II:
– Rain water does contain dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2)
– When CO2 dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid (H2CO3)
– This carbonic acid reacts with minerals in rocks, causing chemical weathering
– Statement-II is correct and helps explain Statement-I

3. Let’s examine Statement-III:
– Rain water does contain dissolved atmospheric oxygen
– Oxygen in rainwater can oxidize minerals, especially those containing iron
– This oxidation process contributes to chemical weathering
– Statement-III is also correct and helps explain Statement-I

4. Analyzing the relationships:
– Both Statements II and III are factually correct
– Both CO2 and O2 in rainwater contribute to chemical weathering of rocks
– Therefore, both statements help explain the weathering process mentioned in Statement-I

Looking at the given options, the answer would be (a): Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I.

Explanation : 

• Norway – YES, has a North Sea coast
• Germany – YES, has a North Sea coast
• Finland – NO, has coastline on Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia only
• Russia – NO, has no direct access to North Sea (its northern coast faces the Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean)

Explanation : 

1. Dhuandhar – Malwa – Narmada: The Dhuandhar Falls are indeed located on the Narmada River, but they are situated in the Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh, which is part of the Mahakoshal region, not Malwa. Therefore, this row is not correctly matched.

2. Hundru – Chota Nagpur – Subarnarekha: The Hundru Falls are located on the Subarnarekha River in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region of Jharkhand. This row is correctly matched.

3. Gersoppa – Western Ghats – Netravati: The Gersoppa Falls, also known as Jog Falls, are located on the Sharavathi River in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, not on the Netravati River. Therefore, this row is not correctly matched.

Explanation : 

1. Vosges Mountains are in Europe (not Central Asia), and are fold mountains. Incorrect.
2. Alps are in Europe, but are fold mountains (not block mountains). Incorrect.
3. Appalachians are in North America and are fold mountains. Correct.
4. Andes are in South America and are fold mountains. Correct.

Answer: (b) Only two

Explanation : 

Statement I: “There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region”

– This is correct. The Sahel region has been facing significant security challenges including terrorism, ethnic conflicts, and political instability.

Statement II: “There have been military takeovers/coups in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past”

– This is also correct. Several Sahel countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger have experienced military coups in recent years.

Relationship between the statements:
– The military coups (Statement II) are both a cause and symptom of the instability (Statement I)
– The coups have contributed to regional instability
– The existing instability also created conditions conducive to military takeovers
– Therefore, Statement II helps explain Statement I

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