The most direct effect of India's longitudinal extent is seen in which form?

Correct answer: Difference in local time

The direct answer is C, difference in local time. Longitude means the angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. Earth rotates from west to east and completes about 360 degrees in 24 hours, so places at different longitudes face the Sun at different times. India extends considerably from west to east; therefore sunrise, noon and local clock time are not exactly the same everywhere. Option A, difference in soil colour, is mainly connected with soil-forming rocks, climate, vegetation and relief, not directly with longitude. Option B, difference in river length, depends on drainage, relief and the course of rivers. Option C is correct because longitudinal position directly produces a time difference; 1 degree of longitude represents about 4 minutes of solar time. Option D, difference in forest height, depends more on climate, species, soil and altitude. Exam cue: east-west extent means longitude and local time; north-south extent is more closely related to variation in climate and day length. The supplied answer is accurate.