Date: 07/08/2023 Shift: 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM Q. No: 22

Seasonal winds are a natural phenomenon that (1)____________ weather patterns across the globe. These winds are caused by the sun’s unequal heating of the earth’s surface, which creates differences in temperature and pressure between different regions. The movement of air from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas causes seasonal winds to form, and their direction and intensity (2)_____________ depending on the region and season. One of the most significant seasonal winds is the monsoon, which affects large parts of South Asia during the summer months. This wind system brings much-needed rain to the region, but it can also cause flooding and landslides, leading to loss of life and property damage. Other seasonal winds include the harmattan in West Africa, which is a dry, dusty wind that blows from the Sahara Desert towards the Atlantic coast, and the mistral in southern France, which is a strong, cold wind that blows down the Rhone Valley towards the Mediterranean. Seasonal winds can have a significant (3)_________ on agriculture, particularly in regions where rainfall is limited. Farmers rely on the monsoon or other seasonal winds in these areas to bring moisture to their crops. However, changes in wind patterns due to climate change can (4)______________ these seasonal rains, leading to crop failures and food shortages. Overall, seasonal winds are a vital part of the earth’s weather system, and their effects are (5)_____________ across the globe.