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

Which of the following soils is most suitable for cultivation of cereals?

  1. Alluvial soils

  2. Red soils

  3. Laterite soils

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Alluvial soils as a whole are very fertile. Mostly these soils contain adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops.

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

The red soils develop a reddish colour due to __________.

  1. deforestation and over-grazing

  2. the presence of potash and magnesia

  3. tropical monsoonal climate

  4. a wide diffusion of iron in ancient crystalline and metamorphic Jacks
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Red soils develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.

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

Which of the following types of soils have a marked capacity to retain water?

  1. Desert soil

  2. Laterite soil

  3. Red soil

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

The black soils are made up of extremely fine i.e. clayey material. They are well-known for their capacity to hold moisture. In addition, they are rich in soil nutrients, such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime. 

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

Match the following.

A. Alluvial soil $1$. high land of soil of plateaus
B. Black soils $2$. on the periphery of plateaus
C. Red soil $3$. river basin sand coastal plains
D. Laterite soils $4$. deccan lava tract
  1. A-$3$, B-$4$, C-$2$, D-$1$
  2. A-$1$, B-$3$, C-$4$, D-$2$
  3. A-$3$, B-$4$, C-$1$, D-$2$
  4. A-$2$, B-$1$, C-$3$, D-$4$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Alluvial soils are deposited by rivers and are found in river basins and coastal plains. Black soils are formed from weathered volcanic basalt in the Deccan lava tract, red soils are found on the periphery of the plateau, and laterite soils develop on high-altitude plateau areas.

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

Which of the following characteristics is not true of alluvial soils?

  1. These vary from sandy loam to clay is texture

  2. These are generally rich in phosphorus but poor in potash

  3. These are usually fine grained

  4. There are by far the most fertile
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Alluvial soils are generally rich in potash but poor in phosphorus. Therefore, the statement claiming they are rich in phosphorus but poor in potash is incorrect.

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

Which of the following are true in respect of alluvial soil?
$1$. Generally confined to river basins.
$2$. It has been deposited by rivers.
$3$. It is rich in phosphorus and poor in potash.
$4$. It is the most fertile soil.

  1. I and II

  2. III and IV

  3. I, II and IV

  4. I, II and III
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Alluvial soils are highly fertile depositional soils confined to river basins and coastal plains. However, they are chemically characterized by being rich in potash and poor in phosphorus, making statement 3 incorrect.

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

Which of the following is/are not the characteristics of red soils?
$1$. They are derived from weathering of old crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
$2$. They contain iron oxides.
$3$. They have high water retention capacity.
$4$. They have high nitrogen content.

  1. II and III

  2. Only III

  3. Only IV

  4. III and IV
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Red soils are porous and coarse, which gives them a very low water retention capacity. Additionally, like most Indian soils, they are deficient in nitrogen, humus, and phosphoric acid, making statements 3 and 4 incorrect.

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

Which of the following soils are formed under typical monsoonal conditions?

  1. Black Soils

  2. Red Soils

  3. Laterite Soils

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The laterite soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall. This is the result of intense leaching due to heavy rain. Due to the dry climate, high temperature, evaporation is faster and the soil lacks humus and moisture.

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

Which of the following statements regarding red soils of India is/are correct?
$1$. The colour of the soil is red due to ferric oxide content.
$2$. Red soils are rich in lime, humous and potash.
$3$. Red soils look yellow when it occurs in hydrated form.
Select the correct answer using the codes given.

  1. $1$ only
  2. $1$ and $3$ only
  3. $2$ and $3$ only
  4. $1, 2$ and $3$ only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Red soils develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.

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

Match the following types of soil and regions where they are found in India:

List-I List-II
A. Alluvial Soils 1. Highland areas of the Plateau
B. Black Soils 2. Periphery of the Plateau
C. Red Soils 3. Deccan Lava Tracts
D. Laterite Soils 4. River Basins and Coastal Plains

  1. A - 4, B - 3, C - 1, D - 2

  2. A - 4, B - 2, C - 3, D - 1

  3. A - 1, B - 2, C - 3, D - 4

  4. A - 4, B - 3, C - 2, D - 1
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Alluvial soils are found in river basins and coastal plains (A-4). Black soils are found in the Deccan lava tracts (B-3). Red soils lie on the periphery of the plateau (C-2), and laterite soils are found in high-altitude plateau areas (D-1).

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

Consider the following statements.
$1$. Alluvial soil is rich in chemical properties and is capable of yielding Rabi and Kharif crops.
$2$. Black soil is suitable for cotton, groundnut.
$3$. Rabi crops are reaped in autumn after sowing in June.
Which of these statements are correct?

  1. $1, 2$ and $3$
  2. $1$ and $2$
  3. $2$ and $3$
  4. $1$ and $3$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
  • Alluvial soils as a whole are very fertile. Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated both in Kharif and Rabi seasons. 
  • Black soil is ideal for growing cotton and is also known as black cotton soil.
  • Rabi crops are sown in winter from October to December and harvested in summer from April to June.
Multiple choice geography abiotic resources: land, soil and water classification of soils abiotic resources soils in india

Consider the following statements about the soils of India __________.
$1$. high temperature during most of the year retards the formation of humus
$2$. soils which have humus require regularly applicable of chemical fertilizers to remove nitrogen deficiency
$3$. titanium salts in basalt impart black, colour to the soils of the Indian plateau
$4$. red soils are confined to the peripheral areas of the Indian plateau
Which of the statements given is/are correct?

  1. $1$ and $2$
  2. $1, 3$ and $4$
  3. $2$ and $3$
  4. $2$ and $4$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct because high temperatures accelerate the decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms, preventing humus accumulation. Statement 3 is correct because titaniferous magnetite (titanium salts) gives black soil its color, and statement 4 is correct as red soils surround the Deccan plateau. Statement 2 is incorrect because humus-rich soils actually have better nitrogen retention and require fewer chemical fertilizers.