Soils of India - 1 Class 4 Worksheet SST

Q1: Fill in the blanks.

(i) Alluvial soils allow the growth of _____________, _____________, ____________
Ans: rice, wheat, sugarcaneThey are mostly flat and regular soils and are best suited for agriculture. They are best suited to irrigation and respond well to canal and well/tube-well irrigation. They yield splendid crops of rice, wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, jute, maize, oilseeds, vegetables and fruits.

(ii) Health of the soil depends on ______________________
Ans: organic matter and minerals
The soil is made up of air, water, decayed plant residue, organic matter, and minerals, such as sand, silt, and clay. Increasing soil organic matter typically improves soil health, as this organic matter affects several critical soil functions.

(iii) Red soils allow the growth of _____________, _____________, ___________
Ans: cotton, wheat, pulses
Some of the crops suitable for red soils are cotton, wheat, rice, pulses, millets, tobacco, oilseeds, potatoes, and fruits. The red soils are mostly loamy and therefore cannot retain water like the black soils.

(iv) Soil is the upper layer________________________
Ans: Topsoil
Topsoil is the upper, outermost layer of soil.It has the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganisms and is where most of the Earth's biological soil activity occurs. Topsoil is composed of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air.

(v) Black soils allow the growth of _____________, _____________, ___________
Ans: wheat, jowar and castor
These soils are best suited for cotton crops. Hence these soils are called as regur and black cotton soils. Other major crops grown on the black soils include wheat, jowar, linseed, virginia tobacco, castor, sunflower and millets.

(vi) Mountain soils allow the growth of ____________, ____________, ________
Ans: rice, tea, beans
The mountain soil is highly rich soil that is composed of the fertile land tracks and crops like the rice, tea, beans corn and squash and various varieties of the vegetable are grown and these mountains.

Q2: True or False.

(i) Steep part of mountains does not allow any deposit of soil.
Ans: True
Deposits flow down the mountain, where they collect and stay in flatter, more level areas. This is why the soil on the steep parts of a mountain is thinner.

(ii) Potatoes are grown on slopes of a hill, as well as in a valley.
Ans: True
Potatoes are a staple crop that can feed you almost all year because they store well in a root cellar or cool basement.

(iii) Mountain Soils are formed from the small broken pieces of stones.
Ans: False
They are formed by the deposition of organic matter derived from forest growth and are heterogeneous in nature.

(iv) Contour ploughing and terracing are practiced to conserve soil.
Ans: True
Contour ploughing mitigates the impacts of floods, storms and landslides on the crops by reducing soil erosion up to 50 percent, controlling runoff water, increasing moisture infiltration and retention and thus enhancing soil quality and composition.

(v) Orchards can be planted even on the slope of a hill. 
Ans: False
Orchards are generally not planted on the slopes of hills. Planting orchards on steep slopes can pose challenges related to erosion, drainage, and access, as explained in a previous response. Orchards are typically established on relatively level terrain to provide better growing conditions and ease of maintenance.

Q3: Tick the correct word.

(i) Black soil is formed from _____________(broken stones, silt, volcanic lava)
Ans: volcanic lava
Black soil is formed by the weathering or breaking of igneous rocks and also by the cooling or solidification of lava from the volcano eruption. Therefore, it is also called lava soil.

(ii) Red soils are formed from _____________ (broken stones, silt, granite and other stones)
Ans: Granite and other stones
It is formed by the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks, particularly acid granites and gneisses, quartzitic rocks, and feldspathic rocks.

(iii) Alluvial soil is good to grow _____________ ( all the crops, cotton and onion)
Ans: all the crops
Alluvial soil is good for crop growth because it is fertilised and has minerals and nutrients in it.

(iv) Alluvial soil is formed from _____________(broken stones, silt, volcanic lava)
Ans: silt
Alluvial soils are formed mainly due to silt deposited by Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra rivers. It often contains gravel, sand and silt. Alluvial Soils – The fragmented sediments of rocks transported by water are settled on river bed and surroundings.

(v) Black soil is good to grow _____________ ( all the crops, cotton and onion)
Ans: cotton
Black soil is ideal for growing crops that are cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, wheat, millets, and oilseeds.

Q4: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

(i) What is soil?
(a) The core of the Earth
(b) The upper layer of the Earth composed of loose material
(c) A type of rock
(d) The atmosphere
Ans: (b)
Soil is the upper layer of the Earth's surface, composed of a mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. It is a vital component of the Earth's ecosystem and is essential for plant growth and agriculture.

(ii) Which of the following is not a component of soil?
(a) Minerals
(b) Water only
(c) Air
(d) Remnants of plants and animals
Ans: (b)
Water is present in soil, but it is not the only component. Soil consists of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. These components interact to create a complex and dynamic environment for plant growth.

(iii) What is humus?
(a) A type of rock
(b) Lava soil
(c) Natural fertilizer from decomposed plant material
(d) Red soil
Ans: (c)
Humus is a dark, organic material that forms in soil as a result of the decomposition of plant and animal matter. It is a valuable component of soil because it provides nutrients to plants and improves soil structure.

(iv) Which type of soil is most fertile?
(a) Black soil
(b) Desert soil
(c) Red soil
(d) Alluvial soil
Ans: (d)
Alluvial soil, often found in river valleys, is generally considered the most fertile type of soil because it is rich in minerals and nutrients brought by river water and sediment deposition. It is highly suitable for agriculture.

(v) Which soil type is rich in iron and aluminum?
(a) Mountain soil
(b) Laterite soil
(c) Red soil
(d) Alluvial soil
Ans: (b)
Laterite soil is characterized by its high content of iron and aluminum oxides. It is typically found in tropical regions with heavy rainfall and intense weathering processes.

(vi) What causes soil erosion?
(a) Plant roots
(b) Proper land use
(c) Wind and rain
(d) Soil conservation
Ans: (c)
Soil erosion is the process by which soil is carried away by natural forces, including wind and rain. Erosion occurs when the topsoil is loosened and transported from one location to another.

(vii) Which activity can help prevent soil erosion?
(a) Overgrazing
(b) Deforestation
(c) Terracing
(d) Ignoring plant roots
Ans: (c)
Terracing is a land management practice that involves creating flat or gently sloping platforms on hilly terrain. It helps prevent soil erosion by reducing the speed of water runoff and allowing it to infiltrate the soil, reducing erosion.

(viii) Which soil type is found in arid regions?
(a) Mountain soil
(b) Laterite soil
(c) Desert soil
(d) Alluvial soil
Ans: (c)
Desert soil, also known as arid soil, is found in arid or dry regions characterized by low precipitation. It often contains less organic matter and moisture than other soil types.

(ix) What is the purpose of contour ploughing?
(a) Enhance soil fertility
(b) Prevent water erosion
(c) Encourage overgrazing
(d) Increase soil erosion
Ans: (b)
Contour ploughing is a farming technique that involves ploughing across the slope of the land, following its natural contours. Its primary purpose is to prevent water erosion by reducing the speed of water runoff and preventing soil from being carried away.

(x) Why is soil conservation important?
(a) To increase soil erosion
(b) To prevent water conservation
(c) To protect soil and its fertility
(d) To encourage deforestation
Ans: (c)
Soil conservation is essential to protect the soil from erosion and degradation, preserving its fertility and sustainability for agriculture and natural ecosystems. It helps maintain soil quality and prevent the loss of valuable topsoil.

Q5: Define the Following Words.

(i) Soil Fertility: Soil fertility refers to the ability of the soil to support plant growth by providing essential nutrients and minerals necessary for plants to thrive.

(ii) Alluvial Soil: Alluvial soil is a highly fertile type of soil formed by the deposition of fine sand and silt carried by rivers and streams. It is ideal for agriculture and supports the growth of various crops.

(iii) Black Soil: Black soil, also known as lava soil or regur soil, is a type of soil characterized by its dark color and high moisture retention capacity. It is rich in minerals and organic matter, making it suitable for cultivating crops like cotton, oilseeds, and millet.

(iv) Erosion: Erosion refers to the process of wearing away or removal of the Earth's surface materials, such as soil and rock, by natural forces like wind, water, glaciers, and gravity.

(v) Terracing: Terracing is a method of soil conservation in hilly or sloping areas where the land is transformed into a series of level steps or terraces. It helps to reduce soil erosion by slowing down the flow of water and preventing it from washing away the topsoil.

Q6: Answer the questions briefly.

(i) What natural forces erode mountain soils?
It is the natural process of wearing away of the topsoil, but human activities have accelerated the process. It is usually caused due to the removal of vegetation, or any activity that renders the ground dry. Farming, grazing, mining, construction and recreational activities are some of the causes of soil erosion.

(ii) What conservation methods are used in desert soils?
Ans: Conservation methods used in desert soils are:

• Afforestation: One of the best ways to conserve soil is to increase the area under forests.
• Checking Overgrazing
• Constructing Dams: One of the scientific methods to check soil erosion 
• Changing Agricultural Practices

(iii) How can soils on mountain slopes be conserved?
Ans: Terracing and contour bunding across the hill slopes is a very effective and one of the oldest methods of soil conservation.

(iv) List natural causes of soil erosion: 
Ans: Overgrazing, Deforestation 

(v) List man created causes of soil erosion:
Ans: Construction, Mining