Answer: (C)

Explanation:

• Evaporation: The process of water changing from a liquid to a gaseous state is indeed evaporation. It occurs when water molecules gain enough energy to escape the liquid phase and enter the atmosphere as water vapor. Hence, pair 1 is correct.
• Stratocumulus Clouds: Stratocumulus clouds are low-level layered clouds with some vertical development. They often appear as a series of rounded, lumpy cloud masses. These clouds are typically found at lower altitudes and are known for their flat and uniform appearance. Hence, pair 2 is correct.
• Conventional Rainfall: Conventional rainfall, also known as convective rainfall, is indeed caused by the uplift of air due to temperature differences. When the surface of the Earth is heated, it warms the air above it, causing the air to rise. As the air rises, it cools and condenses, forming clouds and eventually leading to precipitation in the form of rainfall. Hence, pair 3 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The rotation of the Earth does not affect the amount of precipitation that falls in a particular area. The other three options are all factors that affect the amount of precipitation that falls in a particular area.

Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

• An inversion of temperature refers to a reversal in the normal vertical temperature distribution of the atmosphere. Normally, the temperature of the air decreases with altitude. However, in an inversion, the temperature of the air increases with altitude. Hence, statement-I is correct.
• Inversions occur due to the presence of warm air masses overlying cooler air masses. This can happen when cold air sinks and warm air rises. Inversions can also occur when there is a lot of moisture in the air, as the moisture can trap heat and prevent the air from cooling down. Hence, statement-II is correct.
• Statement-II is the correct explanation of Statement-I because it explains why inversions occur.

Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

• Coral polyps are tiny animals that secrete calcium carbonate to build a hard exoskeleton, which forms the structure of the reef. They have a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae, which live inside their tissues. The algae provide food through photosynthesis and in return, the coral polyps provide shelter and nutrients to the algae. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• When the water temperatures rise, coral reefs can experience coral bleaching, a phenomenon where the coral expels the symbiotic algae, causing the coral to turn white and potentially leading to its death. Pollution from factors like sedimentation, nutrient runoff and chemical contaminants can also harm coral reefs. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The Great Barrier Reef being the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world, located off the coast of Australia, is correct. The Great Barrier Reef is renowned for its vast size and biodiversity, stretching over 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) along the northeastern coast of Australia. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

• The Mariana Trench is located in the western Pacific Ocean and is the deepest part of the world's oceans. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.
• The Puerto Rico Trench is located in the Atlantic Ocean, to the north of Puerto Rico, and is the deepest part of the Atlantic Ocean. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.
• There is no such feature as the Java Trench in the Indian Ocean. The Java Trench is a non-existent trench. Hence, pair 3 is not correctly matched.
• The Kuril-Kamchatka Trench is located in the northwest Pacific Ocean, not the Arctic Ocean. It stretches from the Kuril Islands to the Kamchatka Peninsula. Hence, pair 4 is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.