The Palghat Gap (or Palakkad Gap), a region about 30 km wide in the southern…
2014
The Palghat Gap (or Palakkad Gap), a region about 30 km wide in the southern part of the Western Ghats in India, is lower than the hilly terrain to its north and south. The exact reasons for the formation of this gap are not clear. It results in the neighbouring regions of Tamil Nadu getting more rainfall from the South West monsoon and the neighbouring regions of Kerala having higher summer temperatures.
What can be inferred from this passage?
- A.
The Palghat gap is caused by high rainfall and high temperatures in southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala
- B.
The regions in Tamil Nadu and Kerala that are near the Palghat Gap are low-lying
- C.
The low terrain of the Palghat Gap has a significant impact on weather patterns in neighbouring parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala
- D.
Higher summer temperatures result in higher rainfall near the Palghat Gap area
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Correct answer: C
Answer: The low terrain of the Palghat Gap has a significant impact on weather patterns in neighbouring parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Reasoning:
The passage describes the Palghat Gap as lower than the surrounding hills and states this produces more rainfall in neighbouring Tamil Nadu from the southwest monsoon and higher summer temperatures in neighbouring Kerala.
From this information it is reasonable to infer that the gap’s lower terrain affects local wind and moisture flow, thereby influencing weather patterns in nearby regions.
Why the other interpretations are not supported:
The claim that the gap is caused by high rainfall and high temperatures is not supported; the passage says the gap leads to rainfall and temperature differences, not that climate created the gap.
The statement that neighbouring regions are low-lying cannot be inferred from the passage, which only describes the gap itself as lower than nearby hills.
The idea that higher summer temperatures cause higher rainfall near the gap is not supported; the passage links the gap’s terrain to both rainfall and temperature patterns but does not assert that temperature causes rainfall.