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 soils is very hard to cultivate?

  1. Red

  2. Alluvial

  3. Black

  4. Sandy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Red soil is often considered difficult to cultivate because it is typically low in nitrogen, phosphorus, and humus. It also has poor water-holding capacity compared to alluvial or black soils.

Multiple choice

Read the following information.

  1. It represents the upland alluvial tracts of the Great Plains of North India.
  2. It is well drained and the most productive part of the Great Plains of North India.
  3. It contains concretions and nodules of impure calcium carbonate, called Kankar.

Which of the following physiographic divisions of the North Indian Plains does the above given information refer to?

  1. Bhabar

  2. Tarai

  3. Khadar

  4. Bhangar
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

One of the divisions of the North Indian Plains is Bhangar, which is marked by given features:

  1. It represents the upland alluvial tracts of the Great Plains of North India.
  2. It is well drained and the most productive part of the Great Plains of North India.
  3. It contains concretions and nodules of impure calcium carbonate, called Kankar.
  4. The soil is dark in colour, rich in humus content and productive.
Multiple choice

Match the following ||| |---|---| |a. B-horizon|1. It contains the unconsolidated weathered rock fragments.| |b. C-horizon|2. It is composed of rock or unmodified parent material| |c. D-horizon|3. It is composed of mineral soil (subsoil)|

  1. a - 3, b - 1, c - 2

  2. a - 3, b - 2, c - 1

  3. a - 1, b - 2, c - 3

  4. a - 1, b - 3, c - 2

  5. a - 2, b - 1, c - 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. B-horizon is composed of mineral soil (subsoil). C-horizon contains the unconsolidated weathered rock fragments. D-horizon is composed of rock or unmodified parent material.

Multiple choice

Match the following ||| |---|---| |a. Black soil|1. It is rich in nutrients and is good for growing tea, coffee and cocunut. | |b. Red soil|2. It is porous, contains humus and is rich in iron, calcium, aluminium and magnesium. | |c. Laterite soil|3. It is poor in lime, magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen and contains very little quantity of humus. |

  1. a - 2, b - 1, c - 3

  2. a - 1, b - 2, c - 3

  3. a - 3, b - 2, c - 1

  4. a - 2, b - 3, c - 1

  5. a - 1, b - 3, c - 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. Black soil is porous, contains humus and is rich in iron, calcium, aluminium and magnesium. Red soil is poor in lime, magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen and contains very little quantity of humus. Laterite soil is rich in nutrients and is good for growing tea, coffee and coconut.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau. b. Red and yellow soils develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. c. Red and yellow soils are sticky when wet and difficult to work on unless tilled immediately after the first shower or during the pre-monsoon period.

  1. a, b and c

  2. a and b

  3. b and c

  4. a and c

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

This is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

a. Laterite soils are rich in soil nutrients, such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime. b. Laterite soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall. c. Laterite soils are mainly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of Odisha and Assam.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a and c

  5. b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

What is soil made of?

  1. Rocks and humus

  2. Gases

  3. Minerals and water

  4. Sand and minerals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Soil is formed from weathered rocks and humus (decomposed organic matter). While soil contains minerals and water, option A best captures the two fundamental components. The question could have been clearer.