Which of the following statements, is accurate?

Analyze the question: We need to find the one true statement about latitude, longitude, and the sun's position.

Concept review:

• Earth's circumference is about 40,000 km, so 1° of latitude ≈ 40,000 ÷ 360 ≈ 111 km.
• Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, so 15° of longitude = 1 hour, and 1° = 4 minutes.
• A Great Circle divides the Earth into two equal halves (its plane passes through the Earth's centre). The equator is the only latitude that is a great circle. Every longitude pair (meridian and its opposite) forms one.
• The sun is overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (23½°N) on June 21, and at the Tropic of Capricorn (23½°S) on December 22.

Checking each option:

• A. 1° of latitude ≈ 111 km. True. Parallels of latitude are evenly spaced, so this holds everywhere.
• B. "4 minutes for every 15° of longitude" is false. The correct statement is 4 minutes for every 1° (or 1 hour for every 15°).
• C. Two opposite lines of latitude do not form a great circle, since latitudes (except the equator) are small circles. Opposite meridians of longitude do. False.
• D. On December 22 the overhead sun is at the Tropic of Capricorn, not Cancer. False.

Correct answer: A

Tip: Remember the numbers "111 km per 1° latitude" and "4 minutes per 1° longitude." Examiners often swap 4 minutes and 15° to trick you. Also remember: only the equator is a great circle among the latitudes, while all longitudes (in opposite pairs) are great circles.