Identify the cloud on the basis of the following characteristics relating to it : I. They look like cotton wool. II. They exist in patches and have flat base. III. They are generally formed at a height of 4 to 7 km. Select the answer using the code given below :

Based on the provided characteristics, the cloud type is Cumulus. Cumulus clouds are famously described as looking like cotton wool [2]. They are characterized by a flat base and typically exist in patches, appearing scattered across the sky [2]. While some sources categorize them as low clouds with bases below 2 km, standard NCERT geography texts specifically state they are generally formed at a height of 4,000 to 7,000 meters (4 to 7 km) [2]. These clouds are the result of vertical air currents and are often associated with fair weather, though they can develop into larger storm clouds like cumulonimbus [4]. In contrast, Cirrus clouds are high-altitude wispy ice clouds [5], Stratus are uniform layers [2], and Nimbus refers to rain-bearing clouds [6].

Sources

1. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 10: Water in the Atmosphere > Cumulus > p. 87
2. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 24: Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle) > Cumulus Clouds > p. 333
3. [3] https://www.weather.gov.sg/learn_clouds/
4. [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 24: Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle) > Types of Clouds > p. 335
5. [5] https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%2000-6A%20Chap%207-9.pdf
6. [6] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/cloud/