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 types of soil is gritty and pale brown in colour?

  1. Sandy soil

  2. Clayey soil

  3. Loamy soil

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

Sandy soil has the largest particle size among soil types, giving it a gritty texture when rubbed between fingers. The particles are primarily quartz and other minerals that are pale brown, yellowish, or whitish in color. Clayey soil feels smooth and sticky, loamy is a mixture with crumbly texture, and black soil is dark due to high organic content or basalt origin.

Multiple choice

Which of the following soils is the best for plant growth?

  1. Sandy

  2. Clay

  3. Loamy soil

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

Loamy soil is an ideal mixture of sand, silt, and clay (roughly 40-40-20%) that combines the best properties: good drainage from sand, moisture retention from silt, and nutrient-holding capacity from clay. Sandy soil (A) drains too fast, clay (B) holds too much water and becomes waterlogged, and gravel (D) lacks fine particles for nutrient retention. Most crops thrive in loam.

Multiple choice

Which type of soil is most fertile?

  1. Red soil

  2. Black soil

  3. Laterite soil

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

Alluvial soil is most fertile soil as it is loamy is texture and has plenty of humus.

Multiple choice

Which is the hardest layer of soil?

  1. Top soil

  2. Sub soil

  3. Bed rock

  4. Loam

  5. Gravel
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Bed rock is the bottom layer which is made up of solid rocks. This is the hardest layer of soil.

Multiple choice

Match the followings ||| |---|---| |1. Loam|A. Hardest layer of the soil.| |2. Top soil|B. The layer below the top soil.| |3. Sub soil|C. Best for the growth of the plants.| |4. Bed rock|D. Roots of the plant lies in this layer.|

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

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

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

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

  5. 1 - A, 2 - B, 3 - C, 4 - D
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is right answer as loam is best for the growth of the plant,  top soil is the place where roots of the plants lies,Sub soil is the layer below the top soil and bed rock is the hardest layer of the soil.

Multiple choice

Match the followings ||| |---|---| |A. Clay|1. Does not hold water| |B. Sand|2. Useful for making pots and toys| |C. Loam|3. Mostly found in desert| |D. Gravel|4. Best for the growth of the plants|

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

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

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

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

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

This is right options and all options are correctlymatched. Clay is used for making pots and toys as it has very smooth texture, sand is mostly found in deserts, loam is best for the growth of the plant because this layer contains humus, and gravel does not hold water as it is very loosly packed soil.