Soils in India Questions and Answers – Page 3

Correct Answer: Option D — Arid Soil. Arid Soil is correctly identified as irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed. Arid Soil is also associated with a sandy soil of arid and semi-arid environments. Another identifying fact about Arid Soil is that low humus and moisture are common limitations. A further exam-relevant fact about Arid Soil is that irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed. Why the other options are incorrect: • Option A — Forest and Mountain Soil: Forest and Mountain Soil is terraced and valley areas may support tea, spices and temperate fruits. It is incorrect here because Forest and Mountain Soil is instead associated with a variable soil group formed under mountain vegetation and relief. • Option B — Saline and Alkaline Soil: Saline and Alkaline Soil is drainage, leaching and gypsum treatment can aid reclamation where appropriate. It is incorrect here because Saline and Alkaline Soil is instead associated with a soil containing excessive soluble salts or exchangeable sodium. • Option C — Peaty and Marshy Soil: Peaty and Marshy Soil is prolonged saturation slows decomposition of plant material. It is incorrect here because Peaty and Marshy Soil is instead associated with an organic-rich soil formed in waterlogged conditions. Exam Takeaway: Connect Arid Soil with “irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed” and “a sandy soil of arid and semi-arid environments” for revision.

Correct Answer: Option C — Arid Soil. Arid Soil is correctly identified as low humus and moisture are common limitations. Arid Soil is also associated with irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed. Another identifying fact about Arid Soil is that low humus and moisture are common limitations. A further exam-relevant fact about Arid Soil is that irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed. Why the other options are incorrect: • Option A — Forest and Mountain Soil: Forest and Mountain Soil is texture and humus content change markedly with altitude and slope. It is incorrect here because Forest and Mountain Soil is instead associated with terraced and valley areas may support tea, spices and temperate fruits. • Option B — Saline and Alkaline Soil: Saline and Alkaline Soil is reh, usar and kallar are regional names associated with salt-affected land. It is incorrect here because Saline and Alkaline Soil is instead associated with drainage, leaching and gypsum treatment can aid reclamation where appropriate. • Option D — Peaty and Marshy Soil: Peaty and Marshy Soil is it commonly has high humus and may be acidic. It is incorrect here because Peaty and Marshy Soil is instead associated with prolonged saturation slows decomposition of plant material. Exam Takeaway: Connect Arid Soil with “low humus and moisture are common limitations” and “irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed” for revision.

Correct Answer: Option B — Arid Soil. Arid Soil is correctly identified as prominent in western Rajasthan and adjoining dry regions. Arid Soil is also associated with low humus and moisture are common limitations. Another identifying fact about Arid Soil is that low humus and moisture are common limitations. A further exam-relevant fact about Arid Soil is that irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed. Why the other options are incorrect: • Option A — Forest and Mountain Soil: Forest and Mountain Soil is found across Himalayan and other highland regions. It is incorrect here because Forest and Mountain Soil is instead associated with texture and humus content change markedly with altitude and slope. • Option C — Saline and Alkaline Soil: Saline and Alkaline Soil is occurs in arid tracts, poorly drained plains and some coastal areas. It is incorrect here because Saline and Alkaline Soil is instead associated with reh, usar and kallar are regional names associated with salt-affected land. • Option D — Peaty and Marshy Soil: Peaty and Marshy Soil is found in parts of Kerala, coastal wetlands and other poorly drained depressions. It is incorrect here because Peaty and Marshy Soil is instead associated with it commonly has high humus and may be acidic. Exam Takeaway: Connect Arid Soil with “prominent in western Rajasthan and adjoining dry regions” and “low humus and moisture are common limitations” for revision.

Correct Answer: Option A — Arid Soil. Arid Soil is correctly identified as a sandy soil of arid and semi-arid environments. Arid Soil is also associated with prominent in western Rajasthan and adjoining dry regions. Another identifying fact about Arid Soil is that low humus and moisture are common limitations. A further exam-relevant fact about Arid Soil is that irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed. Why the other options are incorrect: • Option B — Forest and Mountain Soil: Forest and Mountain Soil is a variable soil group formed under mountain vegetation and relief. It is incorrect here because Forest and Mountain Soil is instead associated with found across Himalayan and other highland regions. • Option C — Saline and Alkaline Soil: Saline and Alkaline Soil is a soil containing excessive soluble salts or exchangeable sodium. It is incorrect here because Saline and Alkaline Soil is instead associated with occurs in arid tracts, poorly drained plains and some coastal areas. • Option D — Peaty and Marshy Soil: Peaty and Marshy Soil is an organic-rich soil formed in waterlogged conditions. It is incorrect here because Peaty and Marshy Soil is instead associated with found in parts of Kerala, coastal wetlands and other poorly drained depressions. Exam Takeaway: Connect Arid Soil with “a sandy soil of arid and semi-arid environments” and “prominent in western Rajasthan and adjoining dry regions” for revision.

Correct Answer: Option D — Laterite Soil. Laterite Soil is correctly identified as with manuring it can support tea, coffee, rubber and cashew. Laterite Soil is also associated with a strongly leached soil formed under high temperature and heavy rainfall. Another identifying fact about Laterite Soil is that it is often rich in iron and aluminium oxides but poor in humus. A further exam-relevant fact about Laterite Soil is that with manuring it can support tea, coffee, rubber and cashew. Why the other options are incorrect: • Option A — Arid Soil: Arid Soil is irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed. It is incorrect here because Arid Soil is instead associated with a sandy soil of arid and semi-arid environments. • Option B — Forest and Mountain Soil: Forest and Mountain Soil is terraced and valley areas may support tea, spices and temperate fruits. It is incorrect here because Forest and Mountain Soil is instead associated with a variable soil group formed under mountain vegetation and relief. • Option C — Saline and Alkaline Soil: Saline and Alkaline Soil is drainage, leaching and gypsum treatment can aid reclamation where appropriate. It is incorrect here because Saline and Alkaline Soil is instead associated with a soil containing excessive soluble salts or exchangeable sodium. Exam Takeaway: Connect Laterite Soil with “with manuring it can support tea, coffee, rubber and cashew” and “a strongly leached soil formed under high temperature and heavy rainfall” for revision.

Correct Answer: Option C — Laterite Soil. Laterite Soil is correctly identified as it is often rich in iron and aluminium oxides but poor in humus. Laterite Soil is also associated with with manuring it can support tea, coffee, rubber and cashew. Another identifying fact about Laterite Soil is that it is often rich in iron and aluminium oxides but poor in humus. A further exam-relevant fact about Laterite Soil is that with manuring it can support tea, coffee, rubber and cashew. Why the other options are incorrect: • Option A — Arid Soil: Arid Soil is low humus and moisture are common limitations. It is incorrect here because Arid Soil is instead associated with irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed. • Option B — Forest and Mountain Soil: Forest and Mountain Soil is texture and humus content change markedly with altitude and slope. It is incorrect here because Forest and Mountain Soil is instead associated with terraced and valley areas may support tea, spices and temperate fruits. • Option D — Saline and Alkaline Soil: Saline and Alkaline Soil is reh, usar and kallar are regional names associated with salt-affected land. It is incorrect here because Saline and Alkaline Soil is instead associated with drainage, leaching and gypsum treatment can aid reclamation where appropriate. Exam Takeaway: Connect Laterite Soil with “it is often rich in iron and aluminium oxides but poor in humus” and “with manuring it can support tea, coffee, rubber and cashew” for revision.

Correct Answer: Option B — Laterite Soil. Laterite Soil is correctly identified as found on parts of the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and northeastern hills. Laterite Soil is also associated with it is often rich in iron and aluminium oxides but poor in humus. Another identifying fact about Laterite Soil is that it is often rich in iron and aluminium oxides but poor in humus. A further exam-relevant fact about Laterite Soil is that with manuring it can support tea, coffee, rubber and cashew. Why the other options are incorrect: • Option A — Arid Soil: Arid Soil is prominent in western Rajasthan and adjoining dry regions. It is incorrect here because Arid Soil is instead associated with low humus and moisture are common limitations. • Option C — Forest and Mountain Soil: Forest and Mountain Soil is found across Himalayan and other highland regions. It is incorrect here because Forest and Mountain Soil is instead associated with texture and humus content change markedly with altitude and slope. • Option D — Saline and Alkaline Soil: Saline and Alkaline Soil is occurs in arid tracts, poorly drained plains and some coastal areas. It is incorrect here because Saline and Alkaline Soil is instead associated with reh, usar and kallar are regional names associated with salt-affected land. Exam Takeaway: Connect Laterite Soil with “found on parts of the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and northeastern hills” and “it is often rich in iron and aluminium oxides but poor in humus” for revision.

Correct Answer: Option A — Laterite Soil. Laterite Soil is correctly identified as a strongly leached soil formed under high temperature and heavy rainfall. Laterite Soil is also associated with found on parts of the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and northeastern hills. Another identifying fact about Laterite Soil is that it is often rich in iron and aluminium oxides but poor in humus. A further exam-relevant fact about Laterite Soil is that with manuring it can support tea, coffee, rubber and cashew. Why the other options are incorrect: • Option B — Arid Soil: Arid Soil is a sandy soil of arid and semi-arid environments. It is incorrect here because Arid Soil is instead associated with prominent in western Rajasthan and adjoining dry regions. • Option C — Forest and Mountain Soil: Forest and Mountain Soil is a variable soil group formed under mountain vegetation and relief. It is incorrect here because Forest and Mountain Soil is instead associated with found across Himalayan and other highland regions. • Option D — Saline and Alkaline Soil: Saline and Alkaline Soil is a soil containing excessive soluble salts or exchangeable sodium. It is incorrect here because Saline and Alkaline Soil is instead associated with occurs in arid tracts, poorly drained plains and some coastal areas. Exam Takeaway: Connect Laterite Soil with “a strongly leached soil formed under high temperature and heavy rainfall” and “found on parts of the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and northeastern hills” for revision.

Correct Answer: Option D — Red and Yellow Soil. Red and Yellow Soil is correctly identified as it is generally deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus. Red and Yellow Soil is also associated with a soil whose colour is linked mainly to iron compounds. Another identifying fact about Red and Yellow Soil is that it forms largely from weathering of ancient crystalline rocks. A further exam-relevant fact about Red and Yellow Soil is that it is generally deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus. Why the other options are incorrect: • Option A — Laterite Soil: Laterite Soil is with manuring it can support tea, coffee, rubber and cashew. It is incorrect here because Laterite Soil is instead associated with a strongly leached soil formed under high temperature and heavy rainfall. • Option B — Arid Soil: Arid Soil is irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed. It is incorrect here because Arid Soil is instead associated with a sandy soil of arid and semi-arid environments. • Option C — Forest and Mountain Soil: Forest and Mountain Soil is terraced and valley areas may support tea, spices and temperate fruits. It is incorrect here because Forest and Mountain Soil is instead associated with a variable soil group formed under mountain vegetation and relief. Exam Takeaway: Connect Red and Yellow Soil with “it is generally deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus” and “a soil whose colour is linked mainly to iron compounds” for revision.

Correct Answer: Option C — Red and Yellow Soil. Red and Yellow Soil is correctly identified as it forms largely from weathering of ancient crystalline rocks. Red and Yellow Soil is also associated with it is generally deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus. Another identifying fact about Red and Yellow Soil is that it forms largely from weathering of ancient crystalline rocks. A further exam-relevant fact about Red and Yellow Soil is that it is generally deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus. Why the other options are incorrect: • Option A — Laterite Soil: Laterite Soil is it is often rich in iron and aluminium oxides but poor in humus. It is incorrect here because Laterite Soil is instead associated with with manuring it can support tea, coffee, rubber and cashew. • Option B — Arid Soil: Arid Soil is low humus and moisture are common limitations. It is incorrect here because Arid Soil is instead associated with irrigation can make suitable areas productive but may increase salinity if poorly managed. • Option D — Forest and Mountain Soil: Forest and Mountain Soil is texture and humus content change markedly with altitude and slope. It is incorrect here because Forest and Mountain Soil is instead associated with terraced and valley areas may support tea, spices and temperate fruits. Exam Takeaway: Connect Red and Yellow Soil with “it forms largely from weathering of ancient crystalline rocks” and “it is generally deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus” for revision.