Q1. With reference to Alluvial soils in India, consider the following statements:
- Alluvial soils cover about 22% of India’s total geographical area.
- Alluvial soils are mainly found in the northern plains and coastal plains.
- Khadar soils are old alluvium rich in humus.
- Alluvial soils are deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus but rich in potash and lime.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
- Statements 1 & 2: Correct — formed by river deposition in plains, deltas and valleys.
- Statement 3: Incorrect — Khadar is new alluvium, Bangar is old.
- Statement 4: Correct — nutrient profile as stated.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding soil classification in India:
- Zonal soils develop in situ and reflect the characteristics of the parent rock.
- Azonal soils are formed by deposition by agents of erosion.
- Intrazonal soils develop due to chemical weathering such as dissolution.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 2 and 3 only
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
- Zonal soils: red, black, laterite.
- Azonal soils: alluvial, loess.
- Intrazonal soils: limestone soils formed by chemical processes.
Q3. With reference to soils and crops in India, consider the following statements:
- Jute grows best in black soil regions of the Deccan Plateau.
- Cotton is an indigenous crop of India and is mainly grown as a kharif crop.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Incorrect — Jute prefers alluvial/loamy soils.
- Statement 2: Correct — Cotton is indigenous, tropical, rain-fed/irrigated kharif crop.
Q4. Assertion (A): Black soils retain moisture for a long time.
Reason (R): Black soils are clayey, deep and have slow absorption and loss of moisture.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is correct but R is incorrect
D. A is incorrect but R is correct
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
- Clayey texture, swelling–shrinking nature explains high moisture retention.
- Favourable for rain-fed crops like cotton and jowar.
Q5. With reference to Red and Yellow soils, consider the following statements:
- They are formed from the weathering of granite and gneiss.
- They are confined only to high rainfall areas of Western India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct — igneous and metamorphic origin.
- Statement 2: Incorrect — also found in eastern Deccan, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, southern Ganga plains.
