Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution
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Correct Answer: Option (A) — 1 only
Concept & Option Breakdown
Standard Reference VerifiedStatement 1 is correct: Land heats up and cools down much faster than water due to its lower specific heat capacity (continentality effect), resulting in high annual temperature ranges in continental interiors. Statement 2 is incorrect: Altitude modifies absolute temperature but is not the primary driver of horizontal annual temperature range between coastal and interior locations at similar latitudes. Statements 3 and 4 are incorrect: Continental interiors generally receive less rainfall than coastal areas, and interior windiness does not cause the large annual thermal range.
Apply continentality principles: the differential heating of land vs. water is the single most decisive factor causing wide annual temperature swings in landlocked interiors.
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