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UPSC Prelims 1992 · World Geography · Air, Winds and Climates
Water cycle refers to
- (a) An integrated attempt to recycle water in relatively arid regions
- (b) Constant movement of water from ocean to land and back to ocean again
- (c) Scientific management of water in areas excessively plagued with water logging
- (d) Planning of water distribution relatively dry areas
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Constant movement of water from ocean to land and back to ocean again
The water cycle is the continuous movement of water from the ocean to the air, land and back.
The idea
The water cycle moves water between reservoirs such as oceans, air, soil, rivers and ice. Solar energy drives evaporation, while gravity drives rain and much of the return flow. The cycle has several paths, not one compulsory route through the ocean. Water changes location and state as it circulates.
Sun supplies energy → Water evaporates and plants transpire → Vapour is transported and condenses → Precipitation reaches land or sea → Some water infiltrates or enters runoff → Rivers and groundwater return water towards the ocean
Why the others are wrong
(a) That is water recycling policy.
(c) That is drainage management.
(d) That is water planning.
Also know
Transpiration is water loss from plants; evapotranspiration combines it with evaporation. Infiltration enters soil, while percolation carries water deeper. Sublimation changes ice directly to vapour, and deposition makes ice directly from vapour. A watershed divides drainage basins, but atmospheric moisture can travel across that divide.
🔒 Evaporation → condensation → precipitation → runoff/infiltration.
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