ICSE Geography Class 10 Question Bank ICSE Geography Class 10 Question Bank Chapter 5

Questions Based on Soil

I. Name the following:

Question 1.
One important crop cultivated in:
(a) Alluvial soil
(b) Black soil
(c) Red soil
(d) Laterite soil
Answer:
(a) Rice is an important crop cultivated in alluvial soil.
(b) Cotton is an important crop cultivated in black soil.
(c) Ragi is an important crop cultivated in red soil.
(d) Coffee is an important crop cultivated in laterite soil.

Question 2.
The type of soil found in the following places:
(a) In the Indus and Gangetic Plains.
Answer:
Alluvial Soil.

(b) The Malwa Plateau.
Answer:
Black Soil.

(c) Crystalline rocky regions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.
Answer:
Red Soil.

Question 3.
Two major types of soil erosion in India.
Answer:
The removal of the top soil cover by water, wind and human activities are major type of soil erosion in India.

Question 4.
The causes of soil erosion in desert regions.
Answer:
The cattle freely graze in open lands making them bare of vegetation. Winds carry away dry soil particles from the bare landscape. Thus, soil erosion takes place.

II. Distinguish between:

Question 1.
Regur soils and laterite soils.
Answer:

Regur soils

Laterite soils
(i) Regur soils are black in colour. Laterite soils are red in colour
(ii) They are formed due to weathering of lava-flow rocks. They are formed due to weathering of lateritic rocks.
(iii) They are of fine texture. They are of coarse texture.
(iv) They are clayey in nature. They are soft and friable.
(v) They are rich in lime and magnesium They are deficient in lime and magnesium.
(vi) Retention of moisture is high They do not retain moisture.
(vii) Regur soils are very fertile. Laterite soils are not fertile.
(viii) They are suitable for cultivation of cotton sugarcane, wheat, jowar, gram and linseed. They are suitable only for special crops like coffee, cashew nuts, Tapioca etc.

Question 2.
Transported and ‘in-situ’ soils.
Answer:

Transported soils

In-situ soils
(i) These soils are carried down by the natural agents like water and winds. These soils are found where they are formed.
(ii) Alluvial soil is an example of transported soil. Black soil is an example of ‘in-situ’ soil.

Question 3.
Inland alluvium and Coastal alluvium.
Answer:

Inland Alluvium

Coastal Alluvium
(i) Inland alluvial soils are found in the Indus river plains and the Ganga-Brahmaputra river plains. Coastal alluvial soils are found on the coastal regions of peninsular India.
(ii) They are found in Punjab, Haryana, U.P., Bihar and West Bengal. They are found in the Gujarat plains.

Question 4.
Khadar and Bangar alluvial soils.
Answer:
Differences between the Bangar and Khadar are as follows:

Bangar

Khadar
(i) It is non-porous and clayey soil. It is porous and loamy soil.
(ii) It is found in the higher level in the plains at river terraces. It is found in the lower level in the plains near river’s new terrace.
(iii) It is less fertile as compared to Khadar. It is more fertile as compared to Bangar. This is due to deposition of new layers by floods during monsoon.

Question 5.
Soils of the Northern Plains and soils of the Deecan Plateau.
Answer:

Soils of the Northern plans

Soils of the Deccan plateau
(i) Soils of the Northern, plains are alluvial soils. Soils of the Deccan plateau are Black soil or red soil.
(ii) They are very fertile, suitable for the cultivation for rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, jute, oil -seeds etc. They are also fertile, suitable for the cultivation of cotton, rice, sugarcane, tobacco etc.

Question 6.
Wind erosion and water erosion of soils.
Answer:

Water

Wind
(i) Top soil cover is removed by the water. Movement and deposition of soil particles by wind.
(ii) Rainwater washes away the thin layer of bare soils. It occurs when soil devoid of vegetation is exposed to high-velocity wind.
(iii) Water removes nutrients and heavy load of loose soils making the soil unproductive. Wind moves soil particles 0.1-0.5mminsizein bouncing or hopping fashion than 0.5 mm by rolling.
(iv) Causes by flood and heavy downpour. Wind erosion is caused by dust storms.

III. Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

Question 1.
Different regions in India have different kinds of soil for .a agriculture.
Answer:
Different regions in India have different kinds of soil because of its variety of rocks, relief, vegetation and climatic conditions.

Question 2.
Alluvial soils are also called ‘Riverine Soils’.
Answer:
Alluvial soils are also called‘Riverine Soils’because it is originally found in river basins.

Question 3.
Khadar soils are preferred to Bangar Soils for agriculture.
Answer:
Khadar soils are preferred to Bangar soils because Khaddar soil is replenished every year by floods.

Question 4.
Deltaic alluvium is more fertile than the coastal alluvium.
Answer:
As the coastal alluvium being mixed with sands, has been lacked the meagre power of water preserving than its deltaic counterparts. The deltaic alluvium has been riched with newly river- deposited alluvial components.

Question 5.
Black soil is largely found in the Deccan Trap region.
Answer:
Black soil largely found in Deccan Trap region because the soil have been formed due to the withering of the lava spread over large area during volcanic activity to the Deccan Plateau.

Question 6.
Black soil is suitable for the growth of cotton.
Answer:
Black soil is suitable for growth of cotton because it is rich in iron, potash, calcium, magnesium, etc. It can retain moisture for long duration.

Question 7.
Red soil is red in colour
Answer:
Red soil is red in colour as they contain large amount of iron oxides.

Question 8.
Soils of the Western Ghats are affected by wind erosion.
Answer:
Soils of the Western Ghats are affected by wind erosion because the fertile western Gangetic plains are getting covered by sand carried by the wind from Rajasthan’s Thar desert during the early summer.

Question 9.
The need for conservation of soil as a natural resource.
Answer:
Soil is our precious natural resource. All life on the earth depends
on the soil. It take thousands years for the formation of a layer of soil. So, we conserve it.

Question 10.
Laterite soil is not suitable for cultivation
Answer:
Laterite soil is not suitable for cultivation because it is not moisture retentive and acidic.

Question 11.
Leached soils are red in colour.
Answer:
Leached soils are red in colour because of presence of iron oxide.

Question 12.
Soil erosion by wind is common in arid regions.
Answer:
Wind is a powerful agent of erosion in arid regions because of little rainfall and lack of vegetation.

IV. Short Answer Questions:

Question 1.
Name any four types of soils in India. Which one of them is the most important for agriculture?
Answer:
Six major groups of soil in India are as follows:

  1. Alluvial soil
  2. Black soil
  3. Laterite soil
  4. Red soil
  5. Mountain soil
  6. Desert soil.
    Alluvial soil is the most important for agriculture.

Question 2.
How are alluvial soils formed? Mention any two advantages of the alluvial soil.
Answer:
Alluvial soil:
Alluvial soil is made up of the fine silt found at higher altitudes which is brought down by the rivers and their tributaries.
Two advantages:

  1. It is light and porous, therefore easily tillable.
  2. It is suitable for the growth of a large variety of rabi and kharif crops.

Question 3.
Which minerals are found in regur soil? Name the most important crop grown on it
Answer:
Iron, lime, potash, calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate are found in regur soil.
Cotton is one of the most important crop grown on it.

Question 4.
Give two characteristic features of the soil found most suitable for growing cotton and sugarcane in Maharashtra.
Answer:
Following are the two characteristic features of the soil found most suitable for the growing cotton and sugarcane in Maharashtra.
(a) Well drained black soil
(b) It is rich in lime.

Question 5.
Which soil is suitable for growing coffee in Karnataka?
Answer:
Laterite soil is found suitable for growing coffee in Karnataka.

Question 6.
Name one soil of volcanic origin commonly found in India. Name one crop widely grown on this soil.
Answer:
Black soil is of volcanic origin commonly found in India. Cotton and tobacco are widely grown crops on this soil.

Question 7.
Name the process by which Laterite soil is formed. Mention one disadvantage of the soil?
Answer:
Laterite soil is formed as a result of intense leaching. The laterite soil is formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods.
It does not retain moisture and hence is not fertile.

Question 8.
Mention two main characteristics of Laterite soil.
Answer:

  1. Coarse, porous leached soil.
  2. Poor in lime Nitrogen, Magnesium and low moisture retentive infertile soil.

Question 9.
State two methods of controlling the erosion of soil caused by running water.
Answer:
Methods of controlling the erosion of soil caused by running water are:

  • Growing trees
  • Plugging gullies
  • Construction of bunds „
  • Deepening of river beds and widening of river banks.

Question 10.
Name two important agents of erosion. For each, state one method of controlling the erosion caused.
Answer:
The two important agents of erosion are :

  1. Water
  2. Wind.

Methods of Controlling Erosion:
(i) Erosion by water: During heavy downpours deep ‘gullies’ are made on account of water run off. Gully erosion removes nutrients and a bulk of loose soils due to which soil becomes unproductive and it ultimately changes into ‘badland’. Gully erosion can be stopped by plugging it with stones and pebbles or quick growing grasses can be grown in gullies to stop its expansion.

(ii) Erosion by wind :
Wind erosion reduces the productive capacity of the soil by removing the loose particles of soil with the high velocity wind.The nutrients required by the plants are taken away by the wind. It occurs in those areas where the land is devoid of plants. Therefore more and more trees should be planted along the edges of the field, the waste land and also on the steep slopes. If it is difficult to grow trees, grass should be grown but no land should be left devoid of plants.

Question 11.
Name the states in which black soils are found.,
Answer:
Black soils are found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Question 12.
What are laterite soil? Why is Laterite soil unsuitable for agriculture?
Answer:
Laterite soils are those formed under alternating wet and dry
spells. They are composed of a mixture of hydrated oxides of aluminium and iron. They are poor in nitrogen, potash, lime. They are low in fertility but respond favourably to manuring and leaching of soil of its nutrients.

It is generally found unsuitable for agriculture due to its high content of acidity and inability to retain moisture. It is poor in nitrogen and lime.

Question 13.
Mention two differences in the alluvial soil of the northern plains and the alluvial soil on the coastal plains of India.
Answer:
Alluvial soil on the coasts is darker in colour and more clayey, than the alluvial soil of the norther plains.

V. Structured Questions:

Question 1.
With reference to alluvial soil, answer the following:
(a) State the two sub-categories into which alluvial soil is generally divided.
Answer:
Sub categories- Old alluvium / Bangar, New alluvium / Khadar.

(b) Where are they found in India?
Answer:
Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal have alluvial soils.

(c) Which one of them is superior to the other? Why?
Answer:
Khadar is more superior to them, as the floods replenish it.

(d) What are the characteristics of alluvial soil?
Answer:

  • It is formed by the deposition of the river load as it flows fiom its upper to its lower course.
  • In the upper reaches of the river valleys the soils are coarse. Soil particles are large and non-uniform. Such soils are predominant in piedmont plains. These soil are found up to a depth of500 metres.
  • It is light and porous, therefore easily tillable.
  • It is a fertile soil as it is rich in minerals, especially potash and lime.
  • It is deficient in nitrogen and humus, except the alluvium of the Ganga deltaic region which is rich in humus.
  • It is suitable for the growth of a large variety of rabi and kharif crops.
  • Soils in the drier areas are more alkaline.

Question 2.
With reference to the regur soil, answer the following questions:
(a) Name two States in India where this soil is found.
Answer:
Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat and Andhra Pradesh.

(b) Name the crops which grow well in this soil. In what way does it help agriculture?
Answer:
Besides cotton cultivation, these fertile soils are suitable for growing cereals, oilseeds, citrus fruits, vegetables, tobacco and sugarcane.
It has high quantities of lime, iron, magnesium, which is suitable for cultivation of cotton, jowar, wheat, sugarcane, linseed and gram.

(c) Besides the colour, give two other characteristics of this soil.
Answer:
(i) It is very clayey (up to 50% clay content) and, therefore, highly retentive of water. Because of high clay content, these soils expand when wet and become difficult to plough. During the dry season, the black soils shrink and develop big cracks which help in air circulation.

(ii) It has high quantities of lime, iron, magnesium and generally poor percentage magnesium and generally poor percentage of phosphorous, nitrogen and organic matter.

(d) How are these soils formed? In what way do they help agriculture?
Answer:
Regur soils (black soils) are formed in situ, that, is formed where they are found. These soils are formed from solidificationi of basic lava spread over large areas of Deccan Plateau during volcanic activity. Hence, these are formed by weathering of Deccan Trap.

Since regur soil has moisture stored in its subsoil, it is very fertile in nature. It is suitable to cultivate cotton, jowar, wheat, sugarcane, linseed and gram.

Question 3.
With reference to Red soils in India, answer the following questions:
(a) Name two states where this soil is found.
Answer:
Red soil is found in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

(b) Mention two important crops grown in this soil.
Answer:
Wheat, rice, cotton, pulses and sugar cane are the crops grown in red soil.

(c) State three advantages of this type of soil.
Answer:

  • It is light in texure rich in iron.
  • It is loamy in deep depressions and in uplands it consists of loose gravel.
  • It is ideal for dry farming as it is formed in poor rainfall areas.

(d) How is this soil formed? How suitable is this soil for agriculture?
Answer:
Most of the red soils have come into existence due to weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks. Red soil is ideal for dry farming because it does not require much moisture. Red soils are most suitable for growing vegetables, rice, ragi and tobacco. Groundnut and potatoes can be grown on coarse soils at higher levels and sugarcane on heavy clays at lower levels.

Question 4.
With reference to laterite soil, answer the following:
(a) State two main disadvantages of laterite soil?
Answer:

  • It is not fertile as it does not retain moisture.
  • It is suitable for the cultivation of only special crops like, topioca, cashewnuts, tea, coffee etc.
  • It is acidic in nature as alkalis are leached.

(b) Name two States in India, which have large areas of this soil?
Answer:
They are found in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and on the summits of Eastern and Western Ghats.

(c) Name the crops that can be grown on this soil?
Answer:
Ragi, rice and sugarcane. Paddy is grown on lower elevations, whereas tea, cinchona, rubber and coffee are grown on higher elevations.

(d) How is this soil formed? How suitable is this soil for agriculture?
Answer:
These soils are formed as a result of atmospheric weathering of rocks under conditions of high rainfall and temperature with alternate wet and dry periods.

It is not much suitable for agriculture as the laterite soils have low fertility because of high acidity and low moisture retention, manuring and other activities are required to make them suitable for growing crops such as ragi, rice and sugarcane.

Question 5.
With reference to the type of soil only, state why:
(a) Jowar is grown in Maharashtra;
Answer:
Jowar is grown in Maharashtra because of its black soil.

(b) Bajra is grown in Rajasthan;
Answer:
Bajra is grown in Rajasthan because of desert soil.

(c) Sugarcane is grown in Uttar Pradesh.
Answer:
Sugarcane is grown in Uttar Pradesh because of well-drained alluvial soil.

(d) Jute is cultivated in West Bengal?
Answer:
Jute is cultivated in West Bengal. As Jute requires a hot and humid climate with temperature between 24°C and 35°C and relative humidity of 90 per cent.
The annual rainfall should be more than 150 cm. About 2.5 cm to 7.5 cm of rain distributed in a month during sowing period is sufficient. Occasional showers (varying from 2 cm to 3 cm) at intervals of about a week, are most beneficial for it.

Question 6.
With reference to the soil erosion, answer the following questions:
(a) What is soil erosion?
Answer:
The removal of the uppermost cover of the soil by natural agencies such as water and wind or by human activities is known as soil-erosion.

(b) List any two areas badly affected by soil erosion. Mention the cause for soil erosion in each?
Answer:
Two badly affected areas by soil erosion are:

  1. The Chotanagpur plateau region.
  2. The dry area of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Causes :
(i) Overgrazing:
The number of domestic animals particularly the cattle in India is the highest in the world, the cattle freely graze in open lands making them bare of vegetation. Winds carry away dry soil particles from the bare landscape. Thus, soil erosion takes place. In many parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, excessive grazing by cattle has resulted in the exposure of the top soil to elements of denudation.

(ii) Old Farming Techniques:
The poor farmers plough fields in traditional ways. The farming techniques and small size of holdings lead to soil erosion on a large scale. The absence of terracing, contour cultivation, crop rotation and the improper use of manure etc., have caused serious problems of soil erosion.

(c) Why has soil erosion become a pressing problem in India
Answer:

  • The loss of forest cover in India is estimated at 47.500 hectares. This loss of vegetation cover leads to Sheet erosion on hilly slopes because water instead of sinking into the ground washes the soil down.
  • In the absence of vegetation cover and washing off of the absorbent top soil, rills begin to appear on the landscape. In the third stage, the water run off during heavy rains may develop deep grooves causing Gully Erosion.

(d) Give three methods used to prevent soil erosion.
Answer:
Soil can be conserved by the following methods:

  • reforestation
  • cover plants
  • shelter belts
  • terraced cultivation

Or
The three methods of soil conservation are- Contour binding/ planting of more trees/ Overgrazing to be stopped, (any one)

Question 7.
With reference to soil conservation, answer the following questions :
a. List four measures taken by farmers to conserve soil?
Answer:
Four measures taken by farmers are as below :

  1. Terrace Farming :
    Prevent the soil from being washed away by running water.
  2. Shelter Belts :
    Farmers Plant trees in several rows to check wind erosion. They are known as wind breaks.
  3. Contour Ploughing :
    Ploughing along contours on a slope prevents soil being washed away by rainwater or by surface run off.
  4. Strip Cropping :
    Crops are grown in alternate strips of land to check the impact of the winds.

(b) Why do we need to prevent soil erosion?
Answer:
There is an acute need to prevent soil erosion, because of its adverse effects which include the following :

  1. Loss of fertile top soil together with its mineral nutrients, from the upper surface lead to gradual loss of soil fertility and agricultural productivity.
  2. Lowering of the underground water table and decreasing soil moisture.
  3. Drying of vegetation and extension of arid lands. Increase in the frequency of droughts and floods.
  4. Silting of river and canal beds ; Recurrence of landslides ; Adverse effect on economic prosperity and cultural development

(c) How would rural development influence soil conservation?
Answer:
In India, from the very First Five Year Plan, soil conservation measures were launched, with emphasis on development of technology for problem identification, formulation and implementation of schemes.

The programmes under rural development plan aim at conservation of soil mainly on agricultural lands with some components of land reclamation, soil and land use survey, raising of utility trees on private and common lands.

(d) What is water harvesting? How would water harvesting aid in soil conservation?
Answer:
Water harvesting means understanding the value of rain and making optimum use of rainwater at the place where it falls. Water harvesting is the activity of direct collection of rainwater that can be stored for direct use or can be used to recharge groundwater.

Water harvesting aid in soil conservation in following way :
(i) Integrated Watershed Management in the catchments of flood-prone rivers was launched during the Sixth Plan in eight flood-prone rivers of the Gangetic Basin covering seven States and one Union Territory. It aims at enhancing the ability of the catchment by absorbing larger quantity of rainwater, reducing erosion and consequent silt load in the stream and river beds and thus helping to mitigate the fury of floods in the productive plains.

(ii) In urban areas, rainwater harvesting is a means of checking soil erosion, besides recharging ground water.

ICSE Geography Class 10 Question Bank

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