Environmental Studies · Geography

Soil Science

1,499 Questions

Soil Science examines the formation, classification, and properties of soil as a critical natural resource. This hub offers practice questions covering soil horizons, soil types like laterite and black soil, and regional soil characteristics. The content is highly useful for agriculture exams and civil services preparation.

Soil typesSoil horizonsSoil formation factorsAgricultural soil requirementsIndian soilsForest and mountain soils

Soil Science Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a layer of soil?

  1. Topsoil

  2. Humus

  3. Middle layer

  4. Horizon C

  5. Bedrock
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is correct. The topmost layer is dark in colour, and contains the remains of dead plants and animals. This rotting matter is called humus. Humus is thus, a part of topsoil, not a separate layer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following characteristic belongs to the horizon B layer?

  1. It is dark in colour and contains the remains of dead plants and animals.

  2. Many tiny organisms, such as beetles, worms and rodents, live in it.

  3. It has cracks running through it.

  4. It contains more minerals but less quantity of humus and is less porous.

  5. It is difficult to dig up this layer even with a spade.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

It is correct. The layer below the topsoil is called B-horizon or the middle layer. This is the middle layer or the horizon B characteristic feature.

Multiple choice

Match the two columns: Layers of the soil and their characteristic features

 
a. Top soil i. less porous and harder
b. Middle layer ii. cracks running through
c. Horizon c iii. more solid and very hard
d. Bedrock iv. humus and minerals

  1. a - i, b - ii, c - iii, d - iv

  2. a - iv, b - i, c - ii, d - iii

  3. a - iii, b - ii, c - iv, d - i

  4. a - ii, b - iv, c - iii, d - i

  5. a - ii, b - iii, c - iv, d - i
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, are all correctly matched. Top soil contains humus and minerals. Middle layer is less porus and harder. Horizon C has cracks running through it. Bedrock is more solid and very hard.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the statement carefully and answer the question that follows in light of the statement.Soil forms different layers of particles of different sizes.

Aneesh wants to set up a garden in his home. He wants to know what type of topsoil would be best for growing plants?

  1. Sandy

  2. Humus

  3. Silt

  4. Clayey

  5. Loamy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The best topsoil for growing plants is loam. Loamy soil is a mixture of sand, clay, humus and silt. It has the right water holding capacity for the growth of plants.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a property of sandy soil?

  1. This soil type lacks water retention capacity.

  2. The sand particles are relatively large and air is filled in these spaces.

  3. They have very less space between particles.

  4. The water absorption is very high as the water passes quickly.

  5. These soils are light, well aerated and dry.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer, as it is not the property of sandy soil. There are large spaces between the particles in sandy soil. These places are filled with air. Thus it will be wrong to say that they have less space between them. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. The components of the soil alone determine the types of vegetation and crops that grow in a particular area.

  2. Aforestation causes soil erosion.

  3. Soil erosion is slow in areas of little or no surface vegetation.

  4. The amounts of sand and clay in a soil depend on the rock from which the soil particles have been formed.

  5. The rate of absorption of a soil depends on the climactic factors.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 It is correct. The amounts of sand and clay in a soil depend on the rock from which the soil particles have been formed.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the following statements carefully

  1. Weathering is a swift process.
  2. Different types of soils are used to cultivate different types of crops.
  3. Various layers of soil are called horizons.Which of the above given statement/s is/are correct?

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Only 3

  4. Both 1 and 2

  5. Both 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Correct. Both the statements are correct. Different types of soils are used to cultivate different types of crops and also various layers of soil are called horizons.

Multiple choice

Which component of a place changes day after day and week after week?

  1. Soil texture

  2. Weather

  3. Vegetation

  4. Climate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The day to day conditions of atmosphere at a place with respect to temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed, etc. is called weather. The weather of a place keeps changing day after day and week after week, whereas climate, soil texture and vegetation are the factors particular of a place and do not change on a daily or weekly basis.