GATE CSE 2014 Set 1 | Question: GA-6

Question

The Palghat Gap (or Palakkad Gap) , a region about $30\;\text{km}$ 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?

Select one:

• 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

Answer 1

The answer is C. The primary statement is about the Palghat Gap  being low lying which is mentioned in the first sentence. The second part mentions the results of that  causing lots of rain and unusual temperatures in the other areas. (Tamil Nadu and Kerala)

Answer 2

Here the passage is asking, " what can be inferred ? ", i.e. it's asking about the hidden conclusion of the passage. Why not Option A ? - because it is clearly given in the passage : "The exact reasons for the formation of this gap are not clear ". Why not Option B ? - because the passage no where talks about the low-lying regions of Kerala and Tamil Nadu near the Palghat Gap. Why not option D ? - Because the passage only says : "neighbouring regions of Kerala having higher summer temperatures", it doesn't say that this high temperature results in rainfall. Note: We have to think and conclude only from what is given in the passage. We can't make our own conclusions. Why Option C ? - because the passage says : " 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", hence we can conclude here that the weather is getting affected due to the Gap. Therefore, option C is correct.