Critical Thinking Questions: Agriculture in India – II (Cash Crops)

Type I

Q1: Cash crops are mainly grown to:
(a) Meet family consumption needs
(b) Improve soil fertility
(c) Be sold in the market for profit
(d) Reduce labour requirement

Q2: Which of the following is NOT a cash crop?
(a) Cotton
(b) Tea
(c) Rice
(d) Sugarcane

Q3: Sugarcane requires a dry period mainly for:
(a) Germination
(b) Vegetative growth
(c) Ripening and harvesting
(d) Increasing rainfall

Type II

Q4: Which of the following conditions favour sugarcane cultivation?
A. Warm climate
B. Rich alluvial or black soil
C. Frost conditions
D. Adequate irrigation
(a) A, B and D
(b) B and C
(c) A and C
(d) C and D

Q5: Which of the following are advantages of the ratooning method of sugarcane cultivation?
A. Saves labour
B. Reduces cost
C. Requires replanting every year
D. Quick regrowth
(a) A, B and D
(b) B and C
(c) A and C
(d) C and D

Q6: Which factors explain the expansion of sugarcane cultivation in South India?
A. Frost-free climate
B. Maritime influence
C. Poor irrigation
D. Longer growing season
(a) A, B and D
(b) B and C
(c) A and C
(d) C and D

Type III 

Analogy Based

Q7: Sugarcane : Sugar :: Cotton :
(a) Jute
(b) Fibre
(c) Oilseed
(d) Rubber

Q8: Groundnut : Oil :: Jute :
(a) Sugar
(b) Fibre
(c) Beverage
(d) Latex

Q9: Tea plantation : Hillslopes :: Rubber plantation :
(a) Flood plains
(b) Desert areas
(c) Well-drained slopes
(d) River deltas

Type IV

Assertion-Reason

Q10: (A) Sugar mills are usually located close to sugarcane farms.
(B) Sugarcane loses sucrose content quickly after harvesting.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent

Q11: (A) Groundnut is damaged by stagnant water.
(B) Groundnut requires well-drained sandy loam soil.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is false but (B) is true
(d) (A) and (B) are independent

Q12: (A) Tea is grown on hill slopes.
(B) Waterlogging is harmful to tea plants.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent

Type V

Application-Based

Q13: A farmer growing cotton on black soil with moderate rainfall is MOST likely practising:
(a) Subsistence farming
(b) Dry farming
(c) Commercial farming
(d) Mixed farming

Q14: Which cash crop would be MOST suitable for an area with hot, humid climate and heavy rainfall?
(a) Wheat
(b) Jute
(c) Bajra
(d) Mustard

Q15: A crop grown under shade with intercropping of spices like pepper indicates:
(a) Tea cultivation
(b) Coffee cultivation
(c) Rubber cultivation
(d) Cotton cultivation

Type VI - Odd One Out / Incorrect Statement

Q16: Identify the odd one out related to oilseeds:
(a) Groundnut
(b) Mustard
(c) Soybean
(d) Jute

Q17: Which of the following is NOT a requirement for cotton cultivation?
(a) High temperature
(b) Moderate rainfall
(c) Frost conditions
(d) Black soil

Q18: Identify the incorrect statement about jute cultivation:
(a) Requires heavy rainfall
(b) Needs new alluvial soil
(c) Grows best in dry desert climate
(d) Retting is essential for fibre extraction

Q19: Which state contributes nearly 95% of India's rubber production?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Karnataka
(c) Kerala
(d) Assam

Q20: The main reason tea is plucked frequently is to:
(a) Increase plant height
(b) Encourage new leaf growth
(c) Reduce soil erosion
(d) Improve irrigation