Q.1 Which soil type is rich in iron and aluminum but poor in organic matter?
Laterite
Chernozem
Black Soil
Alluvial Soil
Explanation - Laterite soils are found in tropical regions with high rainfall. They are rich in iron and aluminum oxides but low in organic content due to intense leaching.
Correct answer is: Laterite
Q.2 Which soil horizon is characterized by accumulation of organic material?
A horizon
B horizon
C horizon
R horizon
Explanation - The A horizon, or topsoil, is rich in humus and organic material, which supports plant growth.
Correct answer is: A horizon
Q.3 Podzols are commonly associated with which type of vegetation?
Tropical Rainforest
Coniferous Forest
Grassland
Desert Scrub
Explanation - Podzols develop under coniferous forests in cool, moist climates, often showing a leached, acidic profile.
Correct answer is: Coniferous Forest
Q.4 Which soil is known for its high clay content and ability to retain water?
Black Soil
Sandy Soil
Loamy Soil
Red Soil
Explanation - Black soils (Regur soils) are rich in clay, retain moisture well, and are ideal for crops like cotton.
Correct answer is: Black Soil
Q.5 Salinization is most likely to occur in which type of soil environment?
Arid and semi-arid regions
Tropical rainforest regions
Temperate grasslands
Permafrost areas
Explanation - Salinization occurs when evaporation exceeds precipitation, causing salts to accumulate in the soil, common in dry regions.
Correct answer is: Arid and semi-arid regions
Q.6 Chernozem soils are particularly fertile due to high content of:
Humus
Sand
Clay
Laterite
Explanation - Chernozem, or 'black earth', is rich in humus and nutrients, making it highly productive for agriculture.
Correct answer is: Humus
Q.7 Which soil-forming process involves the downward movement of dissolved materials from upper to lower horizons?
Podzolization
Leaching
Salinization
Calcification
Explanation - Leaching is the process by which water carries soluble nutrients and minerals from the upper layers to lower layers of the soil.
Correct answer is: Leaching
Q.8 Loamy soil is considered ideal for agriculture because it has:
Balanced sand, silt, and clay
High clay content only
High sand content only
Predominantly organic matter
Explanation - Loamy soil contains a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, offering good fertility, drainage, and water retention.
Correct answer is: Balanced sand, silt, and clay
Q.9 Gley soils are typically found in areas with:
Waterlogging
Desert conditions
High altitude
Tropical forests
Explanation - Gley soils are formed under waterlogged conditions and have a greyish color due to reduced iron.
Correct answer is: Waterlogging
Q.10 Which factor does NOT directly influence soil formation?
Parent material
Climate
Topography
Language of the region
Explanation - Soil formation depends on parent material, climate, organisms, topography, and time. Language has no effect.
Correct answer is: Language of the region
Q.11 Laterite soils are extensively used for which of the following?
Brick-making
Cotton cultivation
Rice cultivation
Tea plantations
Explanation - Laterite soils harden on exposure to air and are widely used for construction and brick-making.
Correct answer is: Brick-making
Q.12 Saline soils are characterized by:
High concentration of soluble salts
Excess organic matter
Low clay content
High nitrogen content
Explanation - Saline soils accumulate soluble salts in the root zone, making them less suitable for most crops.
Correct answer is: High concentration of soluble salts
Q.13 Which soil order is considered the most fertile?
Mollisols
Oxisols
Aridisols
Gelisols
Explanation - Mollisols, like Chernozem, have a thick, dark, humus-rich topsoil, making them very fertile.
Correct answer is: Mollisols
Q.14 The C horizon in soil profile represents:
Weathered parent material
Organic-rich topsoil
Subsoil with clay accumulation
Bedrock
Explanation - The C horizon consists of partially disintegrated and weathered parent material from which the soil develops.
Correct answer is: Weathered parent material
Q.15 Peat soils are rich in:
Organic matter
Sand
Clay
Iron
Explanation - Peat soils are formed in waterlogged conditions and are rich in partially decomposed organic material.
Correct answer is: Organic matter
Q.16 Which process leads to the accumulation of calcium carbonate in soil?
Calcification
Podzolization
Salinization
Laterization
Explanation - Calcification occurs in dry regions when water evaporates and leaves calcium carbonate deposits in the soil.
Correct answer is: Calcification
Q.17 Alluvial soils are mainly deposited by:
Rivers
Wind
Glaciers
Volcanic eruptions
Explanation - Alluvial soils are formed by the deposition of sediments transported by rivers and are highly fertile.
Correct answer is: Rivers
Q.18 Saline-alkali soils are also known as:
Sodic soils
Laterite soils
Chernozem soils
Podzol soils
Explanation - Sodic soils have high sodium content, which affects soil structure and fertility.
Correct answer is: Sodic soils
Q.19 Which soil type develops under temperate grasslands?
Chernozem
Laterite
Podzol
Gley
Explanation - Chernozem soils are formed under temperate grasslands, rich in organic matter and nutrients.
Correct answer is: Chernozem
Q.20 Which of the following is a characteristic of red soils?
High iron content
High organic matter
Waterlogging
Salinity
Explanation - Red soils get their color from iron oxide and are generally well-drained but less fertile.
Correct answer is: High iron content
Q.21 Which soil order is typical of tropical rainforests and is highly weathered?
Oxisols
Mollisols
Aridisols
Gelisols
Explanation - Oxisols are deeply weathered tropical soils rich in iron and aluminum oxides but low in nutrients.
Correct answer is: Oxisols
Q.22 Sandy soils are best known for:
Good drainage but poor nutrient retention
High fertility
Waterlogging
Rich humus content
Explanation - Sandy soils have large particles, which allow water to drain quickly but hold fewer nutrients.
Correct answer is: Good drainage but poor nutrient retention
Q.23 Salinity in soils can be reduced by:
Leaching with excess water
Adding lime
Intensive tillage
Burning the soil
Explanation - Excess water can dissolve and wash away salts, reducing soil salinity.
Correct answer is: Leaching with excess water
Q.24 Which soil is highly fertile due to volcanic ash deposits?
Andosol
Gleysol
Podzol
Laterite
Explanation - Andosols form from volcanic ash and are rich in minerals, making them very fertile.
Correct answer is: Andosol