Environmental Studies · Geography

Soil Science

1,537 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 geography abiotic resources: land, soil and water classification of soils abiotic resources soils in india

Laterite soil is developed in areas with _____.

  1. Low temperature and low rainfall

  2. High temperature and low rainfall

  3. Low temperature and heavy rainfall

  4. High temperature and heavy rainfall
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

  • Laterite soils are developed in the areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall.
  • Laterite soil is a rock type soil rich in iron and aluminium, and is commonly considered to have formed in hot and wet tropical areas.

Multiple choice geography abiotic resources: land, soil and water classification of soils abiotic resources soils in india

Red soil is mainly found in ________.

  1. Rajasthan

  2. Orissa

  3. Punjab

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

Red soil is widely distributed in the peninsular plateau, including states like Odisha (Orissa), Chhattisgarh, and parts of southern India. In contrast, Punjab and Haryana are dominated by alluvial soils, and Rajasthan has desert/arid soils.

Multiple choice geography abiotic resources: land, soil and water classification of soils abiotic resources soils in india

Which factors control the soil forming processes?

  1. Parent rock

  2. Climate

  3. Relief and Time

  4. Flora, fauna and micro-organism

  5. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The soil is a living system. It takes millions of years to form soil upto a few cm in depth. Relief, parent rock or bedrock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life and time are important factors in the formation of soil.

Multiple choice geography abiotic resources: land, soil and water classification of soils abiotic resources soils in india

Soil is the _____ which forms the upper most layers of the earth.

  1. Air

  2. Viscous material

  3. Loose material

  4. Fluid
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth is called soil. In the upper most layer of the earth it it is available in the loosey material form. Soil is made up of organic matter, minerals and weathered rocks found on the earth. This happens through the process of weathering.

Multiple choice geography abiotic resources: land, soil and water classification of soils abiotic resources soils in india

Which one of the following is not a factor of soil formation?

  1. Time

  2. Soil texture

  3. Organic matter

  4. Inorganic matter
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
  • Soil research has shown that soil profiles are influenced by five separate, yet interacting, factors: parent material, climate, topography, organisms, and time.
  •  Soil scientists call these the factors of soil formation.
Multiple choice geography abiotic resources: land, soil and water classification of soils abiotic resources soils in india

The alluvial soil is fertile because of the presence of ___________ in it.

  1. Organic nutrients

  2. Sand

  3. Clay

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

Alluvial soil is highly fertile because it is rich in organic nutrients, humus, and essential minerals deposited by river systems. This balanced composition supports a wide variety of crops.

Multiple choice geography abiotic resources: land, soil and water classification of soils abiotic resources soils in india

The soil found at the foothills of Himalayas is _________.

  1. Alluvial soil

  2. Mountain soil

  3. Laterite soil

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

Mountain soil is found in the hilly and mountainous areas of the Himalayas, including its foothills. This soil is formed by the accumulation of organic matter from forest growth and is rich in humus.

Multiple choice geography abiotic resources: land, soil and water classification of soils abiotic resources soils in india

In areas getting more than 200cms of annual rainfall, which type of soil is found?

  1. Black soil

  2. Red soil

  3. Laterite soil

  4. Alluvial soil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Laterite soil is formed in tropical areas with high rainfall (above 200 cm) and high temperatures. The heavy rain causes intense leaching, washing away silica and leaving behind iron and aluminum oxides.

Multiple choice geography abiotic resources: land, soil and water classification of soils abiotic resources soils in india

The mountains soil is rich in _______________ matter.

  1. Nitrogen and organic

  2. Sulphur and phosphorus

  3. Ferrous oxide and aluminium

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

Mountain soils are formed in forest areas and are rich in organic matter (humus) and nitrogen due to the decomposition of fallen leaves and forest litter. However, they are typically deficient in potash, phosphorus, and lime.