Which one of the following statements is correct?
- ACirrus clouds are composed of ice crystals.Correct
- BCirrus clouds exhibit a flat base and have the appearance of rising domes.
- CCumulus clouds are white and thin, and form delicate patches and give a fibrous and feathery appearance.
- DCumulus clouds are classified as high clouds.
Explanation
The correct statement is A because Cirrus clouds are found at very high altitudes, typically above 6000 meters, where temperatures are well below freezing. Due to these extreme heights, they are composed entirely of ice crystals rather than water droplets.
Statement B is incorrect because a flat base and rising dome appearance are characteristics of Cumulus clouds, not Cirrus. Statement C is incorrect because the description of thin, fibrous, and feathery patches actually defines Cirrus clouds. Statement D is incorrect because Cumulus clouds are generally classified as low clouds, though they can have great vertical extent, whereas Cirrus clouds are the ones classified as high clouds.
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