CH. 8: SOILS OF INDIA
A.
Fill in the blanks.
1.
Soil is the uppermost layer of
the Earth’s surface.
2.
Alluvial is the
most fertile soil in India.
3.
Black soil is formed by breaking down of rocks
made from lava.
4.
Bricks are made using laterite soil.
5.
Loss of top layer of soil is called erosion.
B.
Strike out the incorrect
option.
1.
The laterite/
alluvial soil is the most fertile soil in India.
2.
The soil made from breaking of rocks made of lave
is found in Deccan Plateau/ Northern Plains.
3.
Apple is grown in Kashmir in red/ mountain soil.
4.
Afforestation prevents loss/ formation of
soil.
5.
Groundnuts and millets are grown in alluvial/ red soil.
C.
Write true of false for the
given statements.
1.
Humus is a natural fertilizer formed by the breakdown
of animal and plant matter. (True)
2.
Soil is formed in layers. (False)
3.
Alluvial soil is found in the desert region of
Rajasthan. (False)
4.
Laterite soil is used for making bricks for
constructing houses. (True)
5. Mountain soil is the most fertile soil of India. (False)
D.
Answer the following questions.
1.
What is soil? What is it composed
of?
The uppermost layer of the
Earth’s surface is called soil. It is an important natural resource.
Soils are made of different kinds of rocks having
different kinds of minerals and chemicals.
2.
Explain the process of soil
formation.
The process of soil formation takes thousands of years.
Factors like wind, moisture, heat, plants and animals break down rocks into
smaller parts. The heat of the sun and rain break them even smaller and the
pieces are spread out and as sand and silt. Finally it is deposited as soil.
3.
Write three points each of
alluvial, black and laterite soils.
Alluvial:
It is the most fertile soil found
in India.
It is found in the Northern
Plains and some parts of Coastal Plains.
It is rich in humus.
Black Soil:
It is formed by breaking up of
rocks made from lave.
It can hold a large amount of
moisture for a long time.
It is found in the Deccan Plateau
region.
Laterite Soil:
It is formed when heavy rains
wash away the minerals from the soil.
This soil is generally infertile.
It is found in most parts of
southern India and West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya.
4.
List some causes of soil erosion.
When top layer of soil is blown
or washed away by wind or water, it causes soil erosion.
The excessive cutting down of
trees can also cause soil erosion.
5.
How can soil be conserved?
We must do the following to
conserve soils…
Reduce cutting down of trees and
plant more trees.
Prevent overgrazing of land.
Use natural fertilisers and manure.
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