Answer: A

Explanation:

Rain starts suddenly during the south-west monsoon season. The effect of the first rain is that the temperature drops significantly. The sudden movement of these humid winds accompanied by violent thunder and lightning is often called the 'burst' of monsoon’. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Answer: C

Explanation:

The Eastern and Western Ghats are situated on the eastern and western ends of the Deccan Plateau respectively. The main hills of the Western Ghats are Sahyadri, Nilgiri, Annamalai, Cardamom (Cardamom), while the main ranges of the Eastern Ghats are Javadi Hills, Palakonda Range, Nallamala Hills and Mahendragiri Hills. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Black soils are found on most parts of the Deccan plateau. This includes some parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Deep black soil is found in the upper reaches of the Godavari and Krishna rivers and the north-western part of the Deccan plateau. These soils are also called 'regar' and 'cotton black soil'. Generally black soils are clayey, deep and impermeable. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

These soils swell and become sticky when wet. They shrink when dried. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Thus, during the dry season, wide cracks develop in these soils. At this time it seems as if 'automatic plowing' has taken place in them. Due to this characteristic of slow moisture absorption and moisture loss, black soil retains moisture for a long period. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Mettur Dam is one of the largest dams in India. It is in the state of Tamil Nadu and is on the Kaveri River. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.

Rihand Dam is located in Pipri Nagar in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh and is a reservoir created by damming the Rihand River amidst the Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar Pipri mountains. The 30 km long and 15 km wide reservoir built on the Son River is the largest artificial lake in India. Hence, pair 2 is not correctly matched.

Rana Pratap Sagar Dam is on Chambal River. It is situated near Chulia Falls in Rajasthan. The height of this dam is 54 meters. Hence, pair 3 is correctly matched.

Nagarjuna Dam is located on the Krishna River, 150 km from Hyderabad. Its construction was completed in 1966. Hence, pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Due to deforestation, the roots of plants are destroyed, making the soil unsafe and easily washed away by wind and water. Falling leaves and branches of forests increase the amount of humus in the soil, which increases soil fertility and prevents erosion. Hence, statements 1 and 2 both are correct.