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Geography & Environment · Physical Geography

Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & Salinity: 89 previous year questions

UPSC has asked 89 questions on Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & Salinity between 1998 and 2026: CDS 27 · CAPF 23 · NDA 15 · CSE 15 · Geo-Scientist 6 · CISF (LDCE) 2 · EPFO (APFC) 1. 68 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 15 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.

Practise these 89, one at a timeRead the questions

Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.

CDS2026 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Consider the following statements regarding ocean currents: 1. Difference in water density is the main cause for the formation of ocean currents. 2. Density of water depends on temperature, salinity and pressure. 3. As a rule, ocean waters move from areas of higher density to areas of lower density as a current. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Density difference is the main cause of ocean currents and water density depends on temperature, salinity and pressure; ocean water moves from lower to higher density areas, not the reverse
CDS2026 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Consider the following statements about the Sargasso Sea: 1. It is the only sea without a land boundary. 2. The Sargasso Sea records the lowest salinity in the Atlantic Ocean. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)The Sargasso Sea is the only sea without a land boundary; it records high, not the lowest, salinity in the Atlantic
CDS2026 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Match List-I with List-II and select the answer using the codes given below the Lists : List-I (Type of Tide) List-II (Characteristic) A. Spring Tides 1. Low tides caused when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in the position of quadrature B. Neap Tides 2. Occur when the Moon is the farthest from the Earth C. Apogean Tides 3. Tides recurring at an interval of six months D. Equinoctial Spring 4. Very high tides caused when the Sun, Moon and Earth are Tides almost in the same line Codes : A B C D

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Spring tides - very high tides when Sun, Moon and Earth are in line; Neap tides - low tides at quadrature; Apogean tides - Moon farthest from Earth; Equinoctial spring tides - recur at six-month intervals
Geo-Scientist2026Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Consider the following statements regarding salinity of oceans : I. The North Sea records low salinity because of its location in higher latitudes. II. The Baltic Sea records low salinity due to influx of river waters. III. The Mediterranean Sea records higher salinity due to evaporation. IV. The Black Sea has high salinity due to lack of river water influx. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)The Baltic Sea has low salinity due to river water influx and the Mediterranean Sea high salinity due to evaporation; the North Sea is not low-salinity due to latitude and the Black Sea is not high-salinity (per key)
CAPF2025Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Consider the following statements with reference to neap tides: 1. Normally, there is a seven-day interval between two neap tides. 2. At this time, the Sun and the Moon are at right angles to each other. 3. The Moon‘s attraction is diminished by the counteracting force of the Sun‘s gravitational pull. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)At neap tides the Sun and Moon are at right angles and the Sun's pull counteracts the Moon's; the interval between two neap tides is not seven days (seven days separates spring and neap tides)
CDS2025 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Consider the following statements with regard to Australia : 1. The Coral Sea separates the Great Barrier Reef from the South Pacific. 2. The Great Dividing Range extends from Melbourne to Perth in Australia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)The Coral Sea separates the Great Barrier Reef from the South Pacific; the Great Dividing Range runs along eastern Australia, not from Melbourne to Perth
CISF (LDCE)2025Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Which of the following statements with reference to ocean crust is/are correct? 1. The ocean crust rocks are much younger than the continental rocks. 2. The ocean crust rocks equidistant on either side of the crest of mid-oceanic ridges show similarities in terms of magnetic properties. Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Ocean crust rocks are much younger than continental rocks, and rocks equidistant on either side of a mid-oceanic ridge crest show similar magnetic properties
CISF (LDCE)2025Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Which of the following statements with reference to tides is/are correct? 1. The time between the low tide and high tide, when the tide is rising, is called the flow or flood. 2. Tides are helpful in desilting the sediments. Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)The rising phase from low to high tide is called the flow or flood, and tides help in desilting sediments
NDA2025 · 2Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 4·3

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Oceanic trenches are very significant in the study of plate movements 2. Oceanic trenches are associated with active volcanoes and strong earthquakes Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Oceanic trenches are significant in the study of plate movements and are associated with active volcanoes and strong earthquakes
NDA2025 · 2Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Consider the following statements with reference to sea waves: 1. The height of waves is determined by wind speed, wind duration, and fetch 2. The energy of a wave is proportional to the square of its height 3. Waves retain most of their energy as they travel across the deep ocean Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Wave height depends on wind speed, wind duration and fetch, wave energy is proportional to the square of its height, and waves retain most of their energy across the deep ocean
CAPF2024Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List I (Ocean Current) List II (Location) A. Kuroshio Current 1. Antarctic Ocean B. Agulhas Current 2. Pacific Ocean C. East Wind Drift 3. Atlantic Ocean D. Antilles Current 4. Indian Ocean

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Kuroshio - Pacific Ocean; Agulhas - Indian Ocean; East Wind Drift - Antarctic Ocean; Antilles - Atlantic Ocean
CAPF2024Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Which of the following statements are correct with regard to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ? 1. UNCLOS authorizes the UN Security Council to take a direct action in case of the disputes between States on sovereign rights over Exclusive Economic Zones 2. UNCLOS defines contiguous zones and specifies its functions 3. Both the US and India have ratified UNCLOS 4. UNCLOS grants certain rights to Landlocked States Select the answer using the code given below :

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Answer C (official UPSC key)UNCLOS defines contiguous zones and their functions and grants certain rights to landlocked States; it does not authorise direct UN Security Council action on EEZ disputes, and the US has not ratified it
CDS2024 · 2Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Consider the following statements : 1. Ocean currents are dominated by huge surface gyres that are driven by the global surface wind pattern. 2. Equatorial currents move cold water westward and then poleward along the east coasts of continents. With regard to the statements given above, which of the following is correct ?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Ocean currents are dominated by wind-driven surface gyres; equatorial currents move warm, not cold, water westward and then poleward along east coasts
CDS2024 · 2Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

With reference to the continent of ‗Antarctica‘ which of the following statements are correct ? 1. It is larger than Europe in terms of area. 2. It has the highest average elevation as compared to all other continents. 3. Mt. Ross is the highest peak of this continent. 4. Waters of the Southern Ocean (West Wind Drift) move in an anticlockwise direction around it. Select the answer using the code given below :

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Antarctica is larger than Europe and has the highest average elevation of all continents; Mt. Ross is not its highest peak and the statement on West Wind Drift direction is incorrect (per key)
CSE2024Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

Which of the following is/are correct inference/inferences from isothermal maps in the month of January ? 1. The isotherms deviate to the north over the ocean and to the south over the continent. 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. Select the answer using the code given below :

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Answer A (official UPSC key)In January isotherms deviate north over the oceans and south over the continents; the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift are warm currents that warm the North Atlantic
NDA2024 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Which of the following statements regarding neap tides is/are correct? 1. It occurs every 14-15 days, which coincides with the first and third quarter of the Moon. 2. This tide has a small tidal range because the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are in quadrature. Select the answer using the code given below:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Neap tides occur every 14-15 days at the first and third quarter of the Moon and have a small tidal range because the Moon's and Sun's forces are in quadrature
NDA2024 · 2Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

Which one among the following statements with reference to Benguela current is NOT correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)The Benguela current does not influence the West coast of North Africa; it is a cold South-to-North current in the Atlantic off south-western Africa
CAPF2023Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Which one of the following statements is correct about Spring tides ?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)During spring tides the high tide is higher and the low tide is lower than average
CAPF2021Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Which of the following factors are needed for the growth of corals? 1. Freshwater 2. Clear shallow salt water 3. Plenty of sunlight for photosynthesis 4. Warm water between 23 °C and 25 °C Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Corals need clear shallow salt water, plenty of sunlight for photosynthesis and warm water between 23 °C and 25 °C; they cannot grow in freshwater
CSE2021Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Consider the following statements: 1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds. 2. In the temperate Zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)In the tropical zone trade winds make the western sections of oceans warmer than the eastern; in the temperate zone westerlies make the eastern sections warmer than the western
Geo-Scientist2020Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

The salt in sea water comes from:

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Answer B (official UPSC key)The salt in sea water comes mainly from chemical exchange between sea water and its substratum
CDS2019 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Which one of the following is not correct about Sargasso Sea?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)The Sargasso Sea lies east of the Gulf Stream and west of the Canary Current, not west of the Gulf Stream and east of the Canary Current
NDA2019 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Spring tides refer to

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Spring tides show the greatest difference in sea level between high and low tides
CDS2018 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

Consider the following statements Statement I: Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Statement II: The Earth rotates from west to east. Code:

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Tides are caused by the gravity of the Moon and Sun and the Earth's rotation, and the Earth rotates west to east, but Statement II does not explain Statement I
CAPF2017Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Which of the following are the necessary conditions for the growth of coral reefs ? 1. Photic conditions 2. Clean and sediment free water 3. Sea salinity of 6% 4. Tropical sea water with temperature of 20°C to 21 °C Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Coral reefs need photic conditions, clean sediment-free water and tropical sea water (20°C to 21 °C per key); a sea salinity of 6% is not a condition
CDS2017 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

The Gulf Stream is a poleward flowing current in the Atlantic Ocean. Which one of the following statements with regard to this is not correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)The Gulf Stream does not sustain the coral reefs of the West Pacific; it is a warm poleward Atlantic current similar to the Kuroshio and shapes weather on the USA east coast
CSE2017Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

At one of the places in India, if you stand on the seashore and watch the sea, you will find that the seawater recedes from the shoreline a few kilometres and comes back to the shore, twice a day, and you can actually walk on the seafloor when the water recedes. This unique phenomenon is seen at

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Answer C (official UPSC key)At Chandipur (Odisha) the sea recedes a few kilometres from the shore and returns twice a day, letting people walk on the seafloor
CAPF2016Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Consider the following statements relating to Sea Salinity : 1. The ocean salinity depends on evaporation and precipitation 2. Any change in the temperature or density influences the salinity 3. Major source of sea salinity is terrestrial discharge by rivers Which of the statements given above are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Ocean salinity depends on evaporation and precipitation and is influenced by changes in temperature or density; river discharge is not its major source (per key)
CDS2016 · 2Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List I (Ocean current) List II (Country) A. Agulhas Current 1. Peru B. Humboldt Current 2. South Africa C. Labrador Current 3. Argentina D. Falkland Current 4. Canada Code: A B C D

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Agulhas - South Africa; Humboldt - Peru; Labrador - Canada; Falkland - Argentina
CAPF2015Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 4·3

Which of the following statements with regard to the continental shelf is NOT correct ?

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Answer C (official UPSC key)Continental shelves have a gentle, not abrupt, fall towards the continental slope; they are highly sedimented rich fishing areas, absent close to plate boundaries
CDS2015 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

Consider the Following statements Statement I : Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun, and the rotation of the Earth. Statement II : Earth rotates from the West towards the East once in 24 hours with respect to the Sun. Code :

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Tides are caused by the gravity of the Moon and Sun and the Earth's rotation, and the Earth rotates west to east once in 24 hours, but Statement II does not explain Statement I
CDS2015 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Consider the Following statements Statement I : India's off shore and deep sea fish catch is very poor considering the marine potential. Statement II : Indian coast does not have many gulfs, bays, estuaries and backwaters. Code :

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Answer C (official UPSC key)India's offshore and deep sea fish catch is poor relative to its marine potential, but it is false that the Indian coast lacks gulfs, bays, estuaries and backwaters
CDS2015 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

In the absence of Cold Labrador Current, which one among the following would happen?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)Without the cold Labrador Current there would be no North-West Atlantic fishing grounds
CDS2015 · 1Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists : [2015-I] List I (Ocean current) List II (Coast) A. Humboldt 1. Namibia – Angola B. North Atlantic Drift 2. Chile – Peru C. Benguela 3. Mozambique – Madagascar D. Agulhas 4. United Kingdom – Norway

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Humboldt - Chile-Peru; North Atlantic Drift - United Kingdom-Norway; Benguela - Namibia-Angola; Agulhas - Mozambique-Madagascar
CDS2015 · 2Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

Consider the following statements. Statement I: The Kuroshio is a warm north-flowing ocean current on the west side of the North Pacific Ocean. Statement II: Presence of a number of volcanoes at the bottom of the Sea of Japan is responsible for the Kuroshio becoming warm. Code:

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Answer C (official UPSC key)The Kuroshio is a warm north-flowing current on the west side of the North Pacific; its warmth comes from tropical waters, not volcanoes in the Sea of Japan
CSE2015Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Tides occur in the oceans and seas due to which among the following? [2015 - I] 1. The gravitational force of the Sun 2. The gravitational force of the Moon 3. The centrifugal force of the Earth Selects the correct answer using the code given below

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Tides are caused by the gravitational force of the Sun and the Moon and the centrifugal force of the Earth
CAPF2014Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

The Kuroshio is a north flowing Ocean current on the west side of the North Pacific Ocean. Which one among the following statements regarding this is not correct ?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)The Kuroshio does not begin off the coast of Japan; it carries warm tropical water northward past Japan, is similar to the Gulf Stream and sustains Japan's coral reefs
CAPF2014Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 4·3

The Mariana trench is the deepest part of the Oceans. Which one among the following statements regarding this is not correct ?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)The Mariana Trench lies east, not west, of the Mariana Islands in the Western Pacific; it was first sounded by the Challenger expedition in 1875
CAPF2014Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

The Saragasso Sea is a vast patch of Atlantic Ocean characterized by an abundance of floating brown seaweed called ‘Sargassum’. This is formed due to the deposit of marine plants and refuse carried by the : 1. North Atlantic current 2. Canary current 3. North Atlantic Equatorial current Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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Answer D (official UPSC key)The Sargasso Sea's Sargassum collects from material carried by the North Atlantic, Canary and North Atlantic Equatorial currents
CAPF2010Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·1

Consider the following statements Statement I : Despite the northerly latitude, the climate of U.K. is generally mild. Statement II : Warm air from North Atlantic Drift and Western Africa combines with cold wet air from the Arctic and Iceland. Code :

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Answer B (official UPSC key)The U.K. climate is mild despite its northerly latitude, and warm North Atlantic Drift air mixes with cold Arctic air, but Statement II does not explain Statement I (per key)
CSE2005Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Consider the following statements: 1. Total land area of the earth is approximately 1475 lakh square kilometers. 2. Ratio of land area to water area of the earth is approximately 1: 4. 3. Maximum percentage of earth's water is in the Pacific Ocean. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)The Earth's land area is about 1475 lakh square kilometres and the Pacific Ocean holds the maximum percentage of its water; the land-to-water ratio is not 1:4
CSE2004Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

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Answer A (official UPSC key)High tides occur in gulfs with wide fronts and narrow rears (funnelling), not narrow fronts and wide rears
CSE2002Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·3

Consider the following statements: 1. Ocean currents are slow-surface movement of water in the ocean. 2. Ocean currents assist in maintaining the Earth's heat balance 3. Ocean currents are set in motion primarily by prevailing winds 4. Ocean currents are affected by the configuration of the ocean Which of these statements are correct?

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Answer B (official UPSC key)Ocean currents help maintain the Earth's heat balance, are set in motion primarily by prevailing winds and are affected by the configuration of the ocean; they are not merely slow surface movements
CSE2001Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Assertion (A): During the neap tides. The high tide is lower and the low tide is higher than usual. Reason (R): The neap tide, unlike the spring tide, occurs on the new moon instead of on the full moon.

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Answer C (official UPSC key)A is true, R is false: neap tides have lower high tides and higher low tides, but they occur at the quarter moons, not on the new moon (spring tides occur at new and full moon)
CSE2000Oceanography: Relief, Currents, Tides & SalinityOn card GEO 10·2

Consider the following statements: 1. Tides are of great help in navigation and fishing. 2. High tide enables big ships to enter or leave the harbor safely 3. Tide prevents siltation in the harbors 4. Kandla and Diamond Harbour are tidal ports Which of these statements are correct?

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Answer D (official UPSC key)Tides help navigation and fishing, high tide lets big ships enter or leave harbours, tides prevent siltation in harbours, and Kandla and Diamond Harbour are tidal ports

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