NCERT Class 11 Geography – Chapter 6: Soils
Objective Type Questions
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
-
Which of the following soil is found in the Deccan Plateau?
– a) Alluvial Soil
– b) Black Soil
– c) Red Soil
– d) Laterite Soil
Answer: b) Black Soil
- Which soil is known for its self-ploughing nature?
– a) Black Soil
– b) Red Soil
– c) Alluvial Soil
– d) Desert Soil
Answer: a) Black Soil
- The most widespread soil in India is:
– a) Red Soil
– b) Black Soil
– c) Alluvial Soil
– d) Laterite Soil
Answer: c) Alluvial Soil
- Fill in the Blanks:
-
________ soil is rich in iron oxide and is reddish in color.
Answer: Red
- Laterite soil is found in areas of ________ rainfall.
Answer: high
- The soil that is rich in humus and found in the northern plains is called ________ soil.
Answer: Alluvial
- True or False:
-
Black soil is also known as Regur soil. (True/False)
Answer: True
- Desert soil is very fertile and supports high vegetation. (True/False)
Answer: False
- Red soil is formed due to the weathering of basalt rocks. (True/False)
Answer: False
Short Answer Questions
- What are the main characteristics of Alluvial Soil?
Answer:
– Found in river valleys and plains.
– Rich in potash and lime.
– Highly fertile and suitable for agriculture.
– Loamy and clayey in texture.
– Supports the growth of a variety of crops including rice, wheat, sugarcane, and cotton.
- Describe the formation of Black Soil.
Answer:
– Formed from the weathering of basalt rocks.
– Found in the Deccan Plateau and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
– Retains moisture and becomes sticky when wet.
– Contains adequate nitrogen and phosphorus for plant growth.
– Ideal for growing cotton, hence also known as cotton soil.
- What are the main uses of Laterite Soil?
Answer:
– Used for plantation crops like tea, coffee, and cashew nuts.
– Suitable for growing crops in regions with high rainfall and temperature.
– Used as building material due to its hardness when dry.
– Contains iron and aluminum oxides which are beneficial for plant growth.
Long Answer Questions
- Explain the distribution and characteristics of Red and Yellow Soil in India.
Answer:
– Distribution:
– Found in parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
– Also present in the northeastern states.
- Characteristics:
- Formed by the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
- Rich in iron oxide, giving it a reddish color.
- Poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, and humus.
- Coarse and porous with good drainage but low water-holding capacity.
- Suitable for crops like millet, pulses, and groundnuts.
- Discuss the significance and challenges of soil conservation in India.
Answer:
– Significance:
– Essential for maintaining soil fertility and agricultural productivity.
– Prevents soil erosion and loss of valuable topsoil.
– Supports sustainable agriculture and environmental balance.
- Challenges:
- Overgrazing and deforestation leading to soil degradation.
- Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
- Soil erosion due to water and wind.
- Lack of awareness and implementation of soil conservation techniques.
-
Conservation Measures:
- Afforestation and reforestation.
- Contour plowing and terrace farming.
- Use of organic fertilizers and crop rotation.
- Construction of check dams and bunds.
Map-Based Questions
- On a map of India, mark and label the regions where the following types of soil are predominantly found:
– Alluvial Soil
– Black Soil
– Red Soil
– Laterite Soil
Answer:
– Alluvial Soil: Northern plains (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal)
– Black Soil: Deccan Plateau (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh)
– Red Soil: Eastern and southern parts (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha)
– Laterite Soil: Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, parts of Assam, Karnataka, Kerala
This comprehensive set of questions and answers covers the key aspects of soil types in India, as presented in the NCERT Class 11 Geography textbook.