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Geography [2 Mark Question Answer]

Soil Resources · ICSE STD 10 (ICSE - English Medium). 50 questions.

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[2 Mark Question Answer]

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50 questions · timed · auto-graded

Question 12 Marks
Soil is not a bunch of chemicals, it is a living organism," said Sadhguru stressing the importance of healthy soil biodiversity. The planet has enough soil for only another 80 to 100 crops, which will last 60 years at the most. Sadhguru, author and founder of the Isha Foundation, says that because we are removing organic content from the soil, 40% of the world's topsoil is gone. He says we still have 15 to 25 years to turn things around, otherwise we will soon be living in the desert.
(a) What are the possible reasons for the decreasing soil fertility and what is its result?
(b) What will you do to participate in conservation of soil?
Answer
(a) Deforestation, excessive irrigation and use of chemical fertilizers, excessive cultivation in the land etc.
(b) We can plant trees, make compost at home from kitchen waste and add to garden or in farm.
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Question 22 Marks
Soil erosion is a gradual process that occurs when the impact of water or wind detaches and removes soil particles, causing the soil to deteriorate. Soil deterioration and low water quality due to erosion and surface runoff have become severe problems worldwide. A research says in coming 45 to 50 years, the productivity of
the soil will completely finish.
(a) What are the various anthropogenic reasons for soil erosion?
(b) Why is this problem becoming serious?
(c) Suggest any one measure to control the deterioration and explain why should the method suggested by you be implemented.
Answer
(a) Mining, construction of road, buildings etc, deforestation, wrong agricultural practices etc.
(b) The problem is becoming severe that the land can no longer be cultivated and must be abandoned. Many agricultural civilizations have declined due to soil erosion. Even the fertility of the land, and hence the nutritive value of the crops grown in it is decreasing.
(c) Afforestation, reforestation are the major steps that should be taken as roots of the trees hold the soil and humus formed by the decaying of plant parts add to the soil.
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Question 32 Marks
A student of grade 10 went on vacation with his parents to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana after his board examination. On his journey he came across the large flat lands covered with lush green agricultural fields and mighty perennial rivers flowing across. He was amazed to see the agricultural development of the region. There he saw growth of variety of crops both cash crops and food crops and number of agro based industries.
(a) What are the possible reasons for the agricultural development?
(b) Identify the type of soil and state two physical characteristics of this type of soil.
Answer
(a) This region is covered with very fertile soil. The rivers like the Ganga, Sutluj, Yamuna and their tributaries supply abundant water for irrigation.
(b) It is alluvial soil.
1. The colour varies from light grey to deep black.
2. Coarse and dry in the upper course of the river and gets finer and moist in the lower course of the river.
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Question 42 Marks
Human beings are responsible for soil erosion.
Answer
(i) The human activities like mining loosens soil and increases the rate of erosion.
(ii) Deforestation for construction purpose reduce forest cover and cause increased soil erosion.
(iii) Activities like road construction, ploughing need loosening of soil.
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Question 52 Marks
In soil conservation why the use of organic fertilizers recommended.
Answer
(i) Maintaining high level of nutrients by adding organic fertilizers regularly is recommended because organic fertilizers are ecofriendly and have no side effects on soil.
(ii) Moreover, they improve the texture and quality of soil which help in better absorption of nutrients.
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Question 62 Marks
Plugging the gullies have double advantage.
Answer
(i) Plugging the gullies reduce the flow of water and thus controls the soil erosion. It is done by constructing the bunds.
(ii) It also helps in the more seepage of water in the ground and thus helpful in increasing the groundwater level.
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Question 72 Marks
We must control overgrazing.
Answer
(i) Grass holds the soil with their roots and also reduce the flow of water which is responsible for erosion. However, due to grazing, this grass over soil is lost and, hence, the rate of soil erosion increases.
(ii) Movement of cattle while grazing is also responsible for soil to become lose and get getting eroded. That is why we must control overgrazing.
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Question 82 Marks
We use organic fertilizers in laterite soil.
Answer
(i) Chemical fertilizers are made up of bases whereas laterite soil is acidic in nature. Due to the chemical reaction between them, salt and water are formed.
(ii) Salt is harmful to plant and has no nutritive value. Hence, we should use organic fertilizers which have no side effects.
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Question 92 Marks
Black soil is called as self-ploughing soil.
Answer
This soil develops cracks when moistures is lost from it.
That is why it is called self-ploughing soil.
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Question 102 Marks
Ploughing is difficult in black soil in rainy season.
Answer
(i) Black soil retains moisture.
(ii) It becomes sticky when it is wet and, thus, it gets stuck to the ploughs and ploughing becomes difficult.
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Question 112 Marks
Black soil is also called as lava soil.
Answer
(i) It is called as lava soil because it is formed from the basalt rocks which are formed by solidification of lava.
(ii) Basalt rock disintegrate into black soil.
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Question 122 Marks
Black soil also called as black cotton soil.
Answer
Black soil is excellent for the cultivation of cotton that is why it is termed as black cotton soil.
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Question 132 Marks
Irrigation is very much needed for red soil.
Answer
(i) This soil does not retain moisture.
(ii) This soil is friable soil which will make the water to get evaporated quickly and, hence, irrigation becomes important.
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Question 142 Marks
Red soil is not very good for agriculture
Answer
Red soil is not very good for agriculture due to the following reasons:
(i) It lacks the important minerals, like humus, phosphoric acid, lime, nitrogen, etc.
(ii) It does not retain moisture which is needed for plant growth.
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Question 152 Marks
The soil in the valley of the river Tapi different from that found in the valley of the river Satluj.
Answer
The soil found at a place depends on variety of factors:
(i) Soil found near the valley of the River Tapi is black soil. Black soil is formed due to disintegration of basalt.
(ii) Soil found near the valley of the River Satluj is alluvial soil. Alluvial soils are formed by the denudation of different types of rocks and the deposition of sediments by rivers.
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Question 162 Marks
Organic fertilizers must be used in laterite or red soil.
Answer
Both of these soils are acidic in nature. Chemical fertilizers are mainly consisting of bases in it and if used in these soils, the acid and base will combine to form salt and water. Thus, soil will become salty and will become useless for cultivation. That is why organic fertilizers must be used in laterite or red soil.
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Question 172 Marks
Deforestation and overgrazing are to be controlled.
Answer
(i) Roots of trees and grass hold the soil and, thus, prevent its erosion.
(ii) They reduce the speed of water and thus control the rate of erosion. Thus, to protect soil, deforestation and overgrazing are to be controlled.
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Question 182 Marks
Soil conservation is the need of hour.
Answer
(i) Soil formation is extremely slow process whereas soil erosion is much faster. Thus, the soil is getting eroded at much faster rate and its fertility is decreasing.
(ii) For cultivation, soil is must. That is why soil conservation is necessary.
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Question 192 Marks
Fertilizers need to be added to red soil to grow crops.
Answer
(i) Red soil is poor in nutrients like nitrogen, humus, lime, etc.
(ii) Moreover, it is slightly acidic in condition. That is why organic manuring is essential to grow crops in it.
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Question 202 Marks
Crop rotation is important for soil conservation.
Answer
(i) Crop rotation includes growing crops like wheat, rice, and millets, etc which exhaust soils by absorbing nutrients from it.
(ii) Leguminous plants have nodules on them in which rhizobium bacteria live which converts atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compound. By growing leguminous crops after these crops causes nitrogen to get added in soils once again for the next crops.
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Question 212 Marks
Laterite soil is less fertile.
Answer
(i) Laterite soil is formed by leaching where lot of nutrients gets lost from it either by percolation or by washing away with it.
(ii) As the nutrients are less in it, it is less fertile. Moreover, it is acidic in nature.
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Question 222 Marks
Khadar is more fertile than Bhangar soil.
Answer
(i) Khadar is new alluvial soil which gets renewed every year. Hence, it is more fertile as its minerals are not been used by crops much.
(ii) Bhangar soil is old alluvial soil which is been used for long time for growing crops and, hence, its fertility is less. Moreover, it is not renewed every year.
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Question 232 Marks
Variety of soils are found in India.
Answer
(i) Soil formation depends upon parent rock, relief features, climatic conditions, plant and animal life of that place, etc.
(ii) As these conditions are not same throughout India, the soils are of different types.
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Question 242 Marks
Explain the role of parent rock and relief in soil formation.
Answer
(i) The Parent rock: The physical and chemical composition of the parent rock determines the relative proportion of different minerals in the soil layers.
(ii) Relief features: Steep slopes usually have a thin Soil layer because the rate of erosion is higher and eroded material flows down quickly.
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Question 252 Marks
What is strip cropping?
Answer
(i) Strip cropping is a practice of growing field crops in narrow strips generally at right angles to the direction of the prevailing wind to reduce soil erosion.
(ii) This helps in controlling erosion as crops obstruct flow of water and wind.
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Question 262 Marks
Mention two ways by which soil can get nitrogen.
Answer
(i) By growing leguminous plants like peas, moth, etc., by crop rotation, by adding nitrogenous fertilizer or by adding manure.
(ii) Plant and animal wastes decompose, adding nitrogen to the soil. Bacteria in the soil convert those forms of nitrogen into forms plants can use. Plants use the nitrogen in the soil to grow.
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Question 272 Marks
Suggest the mechanical measures to control the soil erosion.
Answer
Mechanical Measures include:
(i) Plugging of gullies.
(ii) Constructing check dams across the rivers and watershed management.
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Question 282 Marks
Explain the formation of red soil.
Answer
(i) Red soil is in situ soil.
(ii) It is formed by the disintegration of ancient metamorphic crystalline rocks.
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Question 292 Marks
Write about the fertility of black soil.
Answer
(i) On the whole black soil in uplands is low in fertility but they are dark, deep and rich in valleys.
(ii) On the whole it is fertile and responds to fertilizers and hence suitable for growing variety of crops.
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Question 302 Marks
Which crops can be grown in black soil?
Answer
(i) Food crops like wheat, rice, millets such as ragi, bajara and jowar
(ii) Cash crops like sugarcane, cotton, linseed tobacco, vegetables, fruits, etc.
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Question 312 Marks
Write in short about the distribution of black soil.
Answer
(i) It is mainly found in Deccan Trap region.
(ii) Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, southern Uttar Pradesh and northern part of Karnataka are the major states where it is found.
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Question 322 Marks
State the chemical characteristics of black soil.
Answer
(i) It is rich in Lime, iron, magnesium, potash, alumina and calcium (LIMPAC).
(ii) It is deficient in nitrogen, humus and phosphates.
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Question 332 Marks
Explain :
(i) Ploughing is difficult in black soil in rainy season.
(ii) Black soil is called as self-ploughing soil.
Answer
(i) Black soils becomes sticky when it is wet and thus its gets stuck to the ploughs and ploughing becomes difficult.
(ii) This soil develops cracks when moistures is lost from it. That is why it is self-ploughing soil.

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Question 342 Marks
State the physical characteristics of black soil.
Answer
(i) Its colour varies from black to chestnut brown.
(ii) It retains moisture and becomes sticky when wet.
(iii) It develops cracks when moisture is lost from it.
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Question 352 Marks
Black soil is called in situ soil. Explain.
Answer
(i) Because it is found where it is formed.
(ii) For example, in Maharashtra we have basalt rock which disintegrates into black soil.
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Question 362 Marks
Explain the formation of black soil?
Answer
(i) Black soil is in situ soil.
(ii) It is formed by the disintegration of lava rock called basalt.
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Question 372 Marks
Write in short about the distribution of alluvial soil.
Answer
(i) It is mainly found in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
(ii) It is also found in the deltas of river Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi and Kaveri.
(iii) Coastal alluvial soil is found in narrow strips of the eastern and the western coastal region of India.
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Question 382 Marks
Which crops can be grown in alluvial soil?
Answer
Alluvial soil is very fertile soil and it is suitable for both kharif and rabi crops.
We can grow following crops in it.
(i) Cereals like wheat and rice.
(ii) Oilseeds like soya bean, groundnut, mustard, linseed and sesame.
(iii) Pulses like black gram and green gram.
(iv) Commercially important crops like sugarcane, jute, cotton and tobacco.
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Question 392 Marks
What are the types of alluvial soil?
Answer
Alluvial soil is mainly of two types - Khadar and Bhangar.
(i) Khadar is the new alluvium and occupies the Northern plains of India near the rivers.
(ii) Bhangar is the old alluvium, deposited away from the river up to the height of 30 m.
(iii) Coastal alluvial soil is found in narrow strips of the eastern and the western coastal region of India.
(iv) Deltaic alluvial soil is found at the mouth of rivers Ganga, Kaveri, Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna.
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Question 402 Marks
What are the chemical characteristics of alluvial soil?
Answer
(i) It is rich in iron, potash, lime and in some places in humus.
(ii) It is deficient in nitrogen and phosphoric acid.
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Question 412 Marks
What are the physical characteristics of alluvial soil?
Answer
(i) It is light to dark in colour. It is darker in southern India compared to northern India.
(ii) It is ex situ soil.
(iii) It is very fertile soil and is found up to the depth of 500 m.
(iv) Varies greatly in texture from coarse to fine.
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Question 422 Marks
How is alluvial soil formed?
Answer
(i) Soil is formed by the transported alluvium brought by the rivers. It is thus ex situ or transported soil.
(ii) It is also termed as riverine soil.
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Question 432 Marks
Name the major soils of India in the decreasing order of their proportion in India.
Answer
Alluvial soil (45.6%)
Red Soil (18.5%)
Black Soil (15%)
Laterite soil (4.30%)
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Question 442 Marks
What is soil erosion? What are the factors that causes it?
Answer
(i) It is process of removal of topsoil from the earth's surface.
(ii) Running water, blowing wind, overgrazing, faulty agricultural practices, human activities like mining, construction, etc. are the factors that lead to soil erosion.
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Question 452 Marks
What is humus? State its importance.
Answer
(i) Humus refers to the organic component of soil, which is formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms.
(ii) Fertility of soil is basically determined by organic content that is humus.
(iii) It helps the plants to absorb nutrients and water and also helps in retaining moisture.
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Question 462 Marks
Define fertility of soil.
Answer
(i) Soil fertility refers to the ability of the soil to sustain plant growth.
(ii) A soil is said to be fertile if it is rich in minerals, has good aeration, water holding capacity and good texture. Humus basically determines the fertility of soil.
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Question 472 Marks
Name the major factors that determine the characteristics of soil.
Answer
The major factors that determine soils' characteristics are parent material, climate, relief, vegetation, time and some other life-forms.
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Question 482 Marks
What are the major constituents of soil?
Answer
Soil is basically composed of silica, clay, chalk (Calcium carbonate), humus, moisture and microorganisms in various proportions.
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Question 492 Marks
Define the terms:
(i) Pedogenesis
(ii) Pedology
Answer
(i) The process of soil formation is known as pedogenesis.
(ii) Pedology is scientific study of the genesis, nature, distribution and use potentiality of soil resources.
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Question 502 Marks
What is soil?
Answer
(i) It is the loose surface material that covers most land.
(ii) It is a mixture of sand, clay, moisture, microorganisms, minerals, etc in various proportions.
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