UPSC Geography of India – Chapter 13: Soils of India (25 MCQs)

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UPSC Geography of India – Chapter 13: Soils of India (25 MCQs) – 25 questions, subject: Geography. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The soil group that covers the largest area of India is:

Correct Answer: A [alluvial soil]

Explanation:

about 40 per cent.

2.  

The new alluvium of the floodplains of the Ganga plain is called:

Correct Answer: D [khadar]

Explanation:

Khadar is the new alluvium of the active floodplains, renewed by floods almost every year.

3.  

Lime nodules called kankar are characteristic of:

Correct Answer: B [bhangar and arid soils]

Explanation:

Bhangar (old alluvium) and arid soils accumulate calcium in lower layers, forming lime nodules called kankar.

4.  

Saline soils are usually reclaimed by adding:

Correct Answer: D [gypsum]

Explanation:

Gypsum supplies calcium that replaces excess sodium; with good drainage the salts are then washed out.

5.  

Black soils are called "self-ploughing" because they:

Correct Answer: A [swell when wet and crack deeply when dry]

Explanation:

Their clay swells when wet and shrinks into deep cracks when dry, turning the soil over by itself.

6.  

Black soils are generally poor in:

Correct Answer: D [nitrogen and phosphorus]

Explanation:

NCERT notes black soils are rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina but lack phosphorus, nitrogen and organic matter.

7.  

The red colour of red soils is due to:

Correct Answer: D [diffusion of iron through the crystalline rock]

Explanation:

Iron diffused through crystalline and metamorphic rock gives red soils their colour; hydrated iron makes them yellow.

8.  

The word "laterite" comes from a Latin word meaning:

Correct Answer: B [brick]

Explanation:

Laterite comes from the Latin later, meaning brick, because the hardened soil is cut into building blocks.

9.  

Laterite soils form mainly through:

Correct Answer: A [intense leaching under high temperature and heavy rain]

Explanation:

Heavy rain and heat leach away lime and silica, leaving iron and aluminium oxides that form laterite.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Peaty soils are found in the Kuttanad region of Keralam.
2. Over-irrigation has created saline soils in parts of Punjab and Haryana.
3. Arid soils are rich in humus.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Kuttanad has peaty kari soils and over-irrigation salinised Punjab and Haryana, but arid soils are low in humus.

11.  

Assertion (A): The soils of tropical rainforests are generally poor in nutrients.

Reason (R): High temperature and moisture make dead organic matter decompose quickly, and the nutrients are quickly taken up or leached.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Rapid decomposition in heat and moisture means nutrients are quickly absorbed or leached, so rainforest soils stay poor.

12.  

The ravines of the Chambal valley are an example of:

Correct Answer: C [gully erosion]

Explanation:

Running water deepens rills into gullies and ravines; the Chambal ravines are the classic Indian example.

13.  

The main human cause of soil erosion in India is:

Correct Answer: A [deforestation]

Explanation:

Removing forest cover exposes topsoil to rain and wind; deforestation is the main human cause of erosion in India.

14.  

Shelter belts of trees are used to check soil erosion mainly in:

Correct Answer: B [the desert margins of Rajasthan and Gujarat]

Explanation:

Rows of trees break strong winds on the sandy desert margins of Rajasthan and Gujarat, checking wind erosion.

15.  

The Soil Health Card scheme was launched in:

Correct Answer: C [2015]

Explanation:

The Prime Minister launched the Soil Health Card scheme at Suratgarh, Rajasthan, on 19 February 2015.

16.  

World Soil Day is observed on:

Correct Answer: B [5 December]

Explanation:

The UN General Assembly designated 5 December as World Soil Day in 2013; it was first observed in 2014.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Soil Health Card scheme launched
2. ICAR founded
3. India hosts UNCCD COP-14
4. NBSS&LUP set up as an ICAR institute

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-1-3]

Explanation:

1929, 1976, 2015, 2019.

18.  

India's target under the UNCCD is to restore degraded land by 2030 to the extent of:

Correct Answer: A [26 million hectares]

Explanation:

At UNCCD COP-14 in 2019 India raised its land-restoration target to 26 million hectares by 2030.

19.  

Which crops grow well on laterite soils when manured?

Correct Answer: D [Cashew and tapioca]

Explanation:

Leached, nutrient-poor laterite supports tree and root crops such as cashew and tapioca when manured.

20.  

The fine, fertile alluvium of the floodplains that is renewed almost every year by floods is:

Correct Answer: C [khadar]

Explanation:

Khadar is the newer floodplain alluvium, fine and fertile, renewed almost every year by floods.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

Consider the following statements

Statement-I:

The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.

Statement-II:

The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Correct Answer: D [Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct]

Explanation:

rainforest soils are poor; decomposition is rapid.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of

Correct Answer: B [fissure volcanic rock]

Explanation:

Deccan basalt.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?

1. Terrace cultivation
2. Deforestation
3. Tropical climate

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: B [2 only]

Explanation:

Deforestation exposes soil to erosion, whereas terrace cultivation reduces it and climate is not the listed human cause.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

Contour bunding is a method of soil conservation used in

Correct Answer: D [None of the above]

Explanation:

contour bunding is for sloping land.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct?

1. They are generally red in colour.
2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash.
3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP.
4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1 and 4]

Explanation:

Laterite is generally red and grows tapioca and cashew; it is poor in nitrogen and needs heavy rain absent in Rajasthan.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U09 · Geography of India (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-geography-of-india

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