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

What 5 combinations make up soil

  1. shells, water, air, plastic, leaves

  2. water, air, soil, peat moss, manure

  3. small rock particles, humus, air, water, and minerals

  4. bones, garbage, firecrackers, plastic, and water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Soil is a complex mixture consisting of weathered rock particles (minerals), organic matter (humus), air, and water, which together support plant life.

Multiple choice

A vertical section of soil from surface to bedrock

  1. horizon

  2. soil profile

  3. subsoil

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

A soil profile is a vertical cross-section of the soil that shows the different layers, or horizons, from the surface down to the underlying bedrock.

Multiple choice

Soil rich in minerals and humus

  1. topsoil

  2. humus

  3. horizon

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

Topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil, which is typically rich in organic matter (humus) and nutrients, making it the most fertile layer for plant growth.

Multiple choice

layer of soil different from the other

  1. humus

  2. permeability

  3. soli profile

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

A soil horizon is a distinct layer in the soil profile with different physical and chemical properties from adjacent layers. Humus is organic material, permeability is a property, and 'soli profile' appears to be a typo.

Multiple choice

What is the top layer of fertile soil?

  1. litter

  2. top soil

  3. bedrock

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

The topsoil, or A horizon, is the uppermost layer of mineral soil that contains high amounts of organic matter, making it the most fertile layer for plant growth. Litter is organic debris on top, while subsoil and bedrock lie deeper.

Multiple choice evs interdependence in our environment meaning of environment significance of biodiversity habitat and adaptation

Best soil for healthy and vigorous growth of a plant is

  1. Sandy soil

  2. Loam

  3. Clay

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Clay is rich in minerals but has poor aeration and sand has good aeration but lacks water holding capacity. The size of soil particles is largest in the case of sand and smallest in the case of clay. Loam is an ideal mix of clay and sand and it contains humus.

So, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice social science water: a natural resource water table groundwater and depletion of water table the water cycle

If we dig a hole in the ground near a water body we may find that the soil is ________.

  1. oily

  2. moist

  3. red
  4. both $A$ and $B$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

If we dig a hole in ground near a water body, the soil becomes moist. Because the ground water accumulated inside the ground provide moisture to the soil.

The soil cannot be find oily because oil is found in few regions and found deep inside the earth.
The soil cannot be find red as red soil is formed by crystalline rocks and these rocks are found very rarely. 

Multiple choice geography africa - the central continent cocoa cultivation in ghana study of africa africa - location, political divisions and physical features

What type of soil is best suitable for cacao cultivation?

  1. Red soil

  2. Alluvial soil

  3. Deep porous soil

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

Cocoa requires deep (porous soil) and well drained soils. Poorly drained soil affects growth of plants. Majority of area under Cocoa cultivation is on clay loam and sandy loam soil. It grows well in the pH range of 6.5 to 7.0.

Multiple choice chemistry soil- our life the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil

In which of the following soil the ratio of large particles are high?

  1. Clayey soil

  2. Sandy soil

  3. Muddy soil

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In sandy soil, the ratio of large particles are high as the sand is the large particle in soil than the clay and slit. So in sandy soil sand particles are more
Hence option B is correct.

Multiple choice chemistry soil- our life the soil soil erosion (geo) soil erosion, soil conservation and uses of soil

Which of the following characteristic property of clay soil make it useful to grow plants?

  1. Retain water and moisture

  2. Do not retain water and moisture

  3. Holds lot of sand

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

The particles size is very tiny and they are compact thereby retaining water and moisture, which helps the plants to grow well.

Multiple choice

What are the environmental benefits of gully plugging?

  1. It increases water pollution

  2. It reduces soil fertility

  3. It promotes biodiversity

  4. It increases the risk of flooding
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Gully plugging promotes biodiversity by creating a more stable and diverse habitat for plants and animals, as the accumulated sediment provides a suitable environment for vegetation growth and supports a variety of wildlife.