Consider the following statements about the 'Roaring Forties': Which of these statements are correct?

Answer: (b) 2, 3 and 4

Strength, direction and stormy weather are right.

Statement by statement

1. ✗ WRONG They blow uninterrupted only in the SOUTHERN hemisphere (little land); in the north, continents break them.

2. ✓ CORRECT They are strong and steady.

3. ✓ CORRECT In the southern hemisphere they blow from the north-west towards the east.

4. ✓ CORRECT They bring cloud, rain and rough weather.

The idea

The Roaring Forties belong to the Southern Hemisphere’s mid-latitude westerly belt. A broad ocean path lets these winds continue with relatively few land interruptions. In the south, air moving poleward from subtropical highs bends left and gains an eastward component. Frequent depressions bring cloudy and rough weather.

Air moves poleward from subtropical highs → Southern Coriolis deflection turns it left → The flow gains an eastward component → A wide ocean belt offers few obstacles → Strong westerlies and passing depressions bring rough conditions

Why the others are wrong

(a) Accepts “both hemispheres”.

(c) Accepts “both hemispheres”.

(d) Accepts “both hemispheres”.

The trap

“Both hemispheres” — the northern westerlies are broken up by land.

Elimination technique

Statement 1 extends uninterrupted flow to both hemispheres, despite the northern continental barriers. Remove every code containing 1; only (b), containing 2, 3 and 4, remains.

Also know

Furious Fifties and Screaming Sixties are names for the belts farther south. Cape Horn lies near the southern stormy ocean route. Northern westerlies exist too, but major continents disrupt their continuity. The names describe broad wind belts, not uniform wind strength every day or a single permanent storm.