Cyclones & Anticyclones – NDA Geography PYQs

Question 1 [NDA 2009-I]
In the Northern Hemisphere, the winds of a cyclone blow:
(a) Clockwise and inward
(b) Anticlockwise and inward
(c) Clockwise and outward
(d) Anticlockwise and outward

Answer: (b) Anticlockwise and inward
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis Effect deflects air to the right as it flows toward the low pressure centre of a cyclone. This creates an anticlockwise rotation. The air flows inward because it is moving toward the low pressure centre. In the Southern Hemisphere, cyclones rotate clockwise.

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Question 2 [NDA 2009-II]
What is the name given to a tropical cyclone occurring in the China Sea?
(a) Hurricane
(b) Cyclone
(c) Typhoon
(d) Willy-Willy

Answer: (c) Typhoon
In the western Pacific Ocean — including the South China Sea, Philippines, and Japan — tropical cyclones are called typhoons. The same phenomenon is called a hurricane in the Atlantic and Caribbean, a cyclone in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, and a willy-willy in Australia.

Question 3 [NDA 2010-I]
Which of the following statements about a tropical cyclone are correct?

1. The centre of a tropical cyclone is known as the eye.
2. In the eye of a cyclone the weather is calm.
3. The temperature in the eye of a cyclone is lower than the surrounding regions.
4. A tropical cyclone originates over warm ocean water.

(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
Statement 1 is correct — the calm centre of a tropical cyclone is the eye. Statement 2 is correct — the eye has calm weather with clear skies and gentle winds. Statement 3 is wrong — the eye of a tropical cyclone is actually WARMER than the surrounding regions, not cooler. The eye is warm because of the subsiding, compressing air and also because of the enormous heat energy of the system. Statement 4 is correct — tropical cyclones require warm ocean water (at least 26–27°C) to form and sustain themselves.

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Question 4 [NDA 2014-II]
Which of the following statements about tropical cyclones is/are correct?

1. They rotate anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. They rotate clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. In the Northern Hemisphere, tropical cyclones rotate anticlockwise because the Coriolis Effect deflects air to the right as it moves toward the low pressure centre. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis Effect deflects air to the left, producing clockwise rotation.

Question 5 [NDA 2017-I]
Which one of the following is the name given to the tropical cyclone occurring over the North Pacific Ocean?
(a) Willy-Willy
(b) Typhoon
(c) Hurricane
(d) Cyclone

Answer: (b) Typhoon
Tropical cyclones in the North Pacific Ocean (western Pacific — including the Philippines, Japan, and South China Sea area) are called typhoons. Willy-Willy is the Australian term. Hurricane refers to the Atlantic and eastern Pacific. Cyclone refers to the Indian Ocean.

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Question 6 [NDA 2020-I]
Which of the following conditions are most favourable for the development of a thunderstorm?

1. Very cold conditions prevailing at high altitudes
2. Very warm conditions prevailing at the Earth’s surface
3. Hot and humid conditions near the Earth’s surface
4. Very strong winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
All four conditions together create the most favourable environment for a thunderstorm. Cold air aloft and warm air at the surface create instability — the atmosphere wants to overturn rapidly. Hot and humid conditions near the surface provide the moisture and energy (latent heat) needed for intense convection. Strong upper-level winds help tilt the storm and allow it to sustain itself by preventing the downdraft from cutting off the updraft.

Question 7 [NDA 2021-II]
Which one of the following is the local name given to the tropical cyclones that develop over Australia?
(a) Typhoon
(b) Hurricane
(c) Willy-Willy
(d) Tornado

Answer: (c) Willy-Willy
In Australia, tropical cyclones are locally called willy-willies. The same phenomenon is called a typhoon in the western Pacific, a hurricane in the Atlantic and Caribbean, and a cyclone in the Indian Ocean. A tornado is a completely different (and much smaller) phenomenon — a violently rotating column of air extending from a cloud to the ground.