Which one of the following statements is not correct?

Statement 2 is incorrect because equatorial regions experience very little seasonal temperature variation between January and July [2]. Due to the sun being almost overhead throughout the year, these regions maintain a low-temperature gradient and consistent insolation [4]. In contrast, statement 1 is correct as average temperatures generally decrease from the equator toward the poles due to the angle of solar radiation [4]. Statement 3 is correct because large land masses in subarctic and arctic zones exhibit extreme continentality, leading to very low winter temperatures in their interiors [3]. Statement 4 is generally correct as temperatures normally decrease with increasing altitude in the troposphere at a rate of approximately 0.65°C per 100 meters, making highlands cooler than surrounding lowlands [4]. While temperature inversions can occur, the general climatic rule supports the statement.

Sources

1. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 21: Horizontal Distribution of Temperature > ity (far from the moderating effect of the seas). > p. 288
2. [4] https://gml.noaa.gov/outreach/lesson_plans/Teacher%20Background%20Information-%20Earth's%20Climate.pdf
3. [1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 25: The Arctic or Polar Climate > Climate > p. 233
4. [3] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 20: The Temperate Continental (Steppe) Climate > Climate > p. 190