Q1: Which among the following is/are major components of soil?
1. Inorganic materials
2. Soil water
3. Soil air
4. All A, B, C
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Soils contain four major components: inorganic materials, soil water, soil air, and organic matter.
Q2: Which among the following is the finest of all soil fractions?
1. Gravel
2. Clay
3. Silt
4. Loamy soil
Show Answer
Answer: 2
Explanation: The finest of all soil fractions is clay.
Q3: Which soil is the one in which none of the three, sand, silt, and clay, dominates the other two?
1. Laterite soil
2. Peaty soil
3. Black soil
4. Loamy soil
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Loamy soil is the one in which none of the three (sand, silt, clay) dominates the other two. It has about 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay.
Q4: What is the volume of water which can be held within a soil called?
1. Fertility
2. Permeability
3. Porosity
4. Lineation
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: The volume of water which can be held within a soil is called its porosity. It is expressed as a ratio of volume of voids (pores) to the total volume of the material.
Q5: Which among the following statements is/are correct about the soil chemistry?
1. High pH values indicate an acidic soil.
2. A low pH indicates alkaline conditions
3. Both A & B
4. Neither A nor B
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: High pH values indicate an alkaline soil, not an acidic soil. On the other hand, low pH values indicate an acidic soil. Therefore, neither statement A nor statement B is correct.
Q6: Which among the following statements is/are correct about the soil chemistry? 1. In arid and semi-arid regions, soils tend to be alkaline.
2. Soils in humid regions tend to be acidic.
Choose the right option
1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 & 2
4. Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: 1. In arid and semi-arid regions, soils tend to be alkaline.
2. Soils in humid regions tend to be acidic.
3. Therefore, both statement 1 and statement 2 are correct.
Q7: Which among the following pairs of soil types is/are correctly matched?
1. Sandy soils – if the size of soil grain is in the range of 2 to 0.05 mm.
2. Loamy soils – if the size of soil grain is in the range of 0.05 to 0.002 mm.
3. Clayey soils – if the size of soil grain is less than 0.002 mm.
1. 1, 2 & 3
2. Only 1
3. Only 3
4. Only 2 & 3
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: The correct matching of soil types and their grain size range is: 1. Sandy soils – if the size of soil grain is in the range of 2 to 0.05 mm. 2. Loamy soils – if the size of soil grain is in the range of 0.05 to 0.002 mm. 3. Clayey soils – if the size of soil grain is less than 0.002 mm.
Q8: What is the topmost horizon of the soil called?
1. A – Horizon
2. B- Horizon
3. C- Horizon
4. E – Horizon
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: The topmost horizon of the soil is called the A – Horizon.
Q9: What is the middle layer of the soil called?
1. A – Horizon
2. B- Horizon
3. C- Horizon
4. E- Horizon
Show Answer
Answer: 2
Explanation: The middle layer of the soil is called the B – Horizon.
Q10: Which layer of the soil is also called as the bedrock?
1. A – Horizon
2. R- Horizon
3. E- Horizon
4. D- Horizon
Show Answer
Answer: 2
Explanation: R- Horizon is also known as bedrock, this forms the bottommost layer of the soil profile. It comprises largely unbroken rock strata, as a continuous hard mass. In situ, soils exhibit many features of the bedrock strata.
Q11: Which layer of soil lies below the A-horizon and the E-horizon?
1. B- Horizon
2. O- Horizon
3. E – Horizon
4. D- Horizon
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: B – Horizon, also known as the subsoil, lies below the A-horizon and the E-horizon. It contains minerals that reflect the physical and chemical alteration of the parent rock. It is a zone of illuviation, where the nutrients that are leached out of the A-horizon and E-horizon get accumulated.
Q12: What is the study of soils in their natural environment called?
1. Petrology
2. Genealogy
3. Pedology
4. Stratigraphy
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: Soil is the thin top layer on the earth’s crust comprising rock particles mixed with organic matter. Pedology is the study of soils in their natural environment. Pedogenesis is the natural process of soil formation that includes a variety of processes such as weathering, leaching, calcification, etc.
Q13: Which among the following layers of soil is dominated by organic matter?
1. O Horizon
2. E Horizon
3. D Horizon
4. A Horizon
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: The O Horizon is the layer dominated by organic matter. Some O layers consist of undecomposed or partially decomposed litter (such as leaves, needles, twigs, moss, and lichens). They may be on top of either mineral or organic soils.
Q14: Which among the following soils contains a greater proportion of big particles?
1. Loamy Soil
2. Silty Soil
3. Sandy Soil
4. Clayey Soil
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: The soil is classified based on the proportion of particles of various sizes. If the soil contains a greater proportion of big particles, it is called sandy soil. If the proportion of fine particles is relatively higher, then it is called clayey soil.
Q15: In which among the following soils the proportion of fine particles is relatively higher?
1. Clayey Soil
2. Silt Soil
3. Loamy Soil
4. Sandy Soil
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: The soil is classified based on the proportion of particles of various sizes. If the soil contains a greater proportion of big particles, it is called sandy soil. If the proportion of fine particles is relatively higher, then it is called clayey soil.
Q16: Which among the following pairs of soils and the crops cultivated is/are correctly matched?
1. Paddy – soils rich in clay and organic matter and having a good capacity to retain water.
2. Cotton – sandy loam or loam, which drain water easily and can hold plenty of air.
Choose the right option:
1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 & 2
4. Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: For paddy, soils rich in clay and organic matter and having a good capacity to retain water are ideal. For cotton, sandy loam or loam, which drain water easily and can hold plenty of air, are more suitable. Therefore, both statements 1 and 2 are correctly matched.
Q17: Which among the following is/are the Macronutrients in the soil?
1. Chlorine
2. Nitrogen
3. Potassium
4. Both B and C
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Macronutrients in the Soil are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulphur. Chlorine is not a macronutrient in the soil.
Q18: Which ecologist suggested the word ‘Biome’?
1. Alexander Humboldt
2. F. Hoyle
3. Frederic Edward Clements
4. Jacques Jeans
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: The word Biome was suggested by an ecologist Frederic Edward Clements in the year 1916 which referred to the word biotic community.
Q19: On which of the following bases are the terrestrial or the land biomes categorised?
1. Climatic conditions
2. Climax Vegetation
Choose the right option:
1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 & 2
4. Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: The terrestrial or the land biomes are categorized and termed according to the climatic conditions and the climax vegetation of the region in which they are found.
Q20: Which among the following is the coldest of all biomes?
1. Tundra
2. Taiga
3. Grassland
4. None of the above
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: Tundra biome is the coldest of all the biomes. It is among the harshest biomes and is found in the arctic region and on top of mountains where the climate is cold and windy and the rainfall is scanty.
Q21: Which is the largest land biome on Earth?
1. Taiga
2. Tundra
3. Deciduous forest
4. Grassland
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: Taiga is the largest land biome and it makes up about 29% of the world’s forest cover; a large part of this biome is located in Russia and Canada. Taiga is found in the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. The climate of the taiga is very cold.
Q22: Which among the following biomes is normally situated between a forest and a desert?
1. Taiga
2. Tundra
3. Grassland
4. Rainforest
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: Grasslands are normally situated between a forest and a desert. They are characterized as lands dominated by grasses rather than large shrubs or trees.
Q23: What percentage of the Earth is covered by the grassland biome?
1. 45%
2. 10%
3. 5%
4. 25%
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Twenty-five percent of the Earth is covered by the grassland biome.
Q24: In which among the following continents is the Grassland Biome not present?
1. Arctic
2. Australia
3. Antarctica
4. South America
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: There is a grassland biome on each continent with the exception of Antarctica. Grasslands are characterized as lands dominated by grasses rather than large shrubs or trees. Twenty-five percent of the Earth is covered by the grassland biome.
Q25: Which among the following statements is/are correct about the Taiga Biome?
1. Taiga is the largest land biome and it makes up about 29% of the world’s forest cover.
2. The boreal forest occurs between 50 and 60 degrees of the north latitudes.
3. Taiga is found in the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Choose the right option:
1. Only 1
2. Only 1 & 3
3. Only 2 & 3
4. 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Taiga is the largest land biome and it makes up about 29% of the world’s forest cover; a large part of this biome is located in Russia and Canada. The boreal forest occurs between 50 and 60 degrees of the north latitudes. Taiga is found in the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Q26: In which among the following countries is a large part of the Taiga Biome found? 1. Russia
2. Australia
3. Canada
Choose the right option:
1. Only 1 & 2
2. Only 1
3. Only 1 & 3
4. 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: Taiga is the largest land biome and it makes up about 29% of the world’s forest cover. Taiga is found in the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. A large part of this biome is located in Russia and Canada.
Q27: Which among the following statements is/are correct about the Grassland Biome?
1. Grassland biomes are normally situated between a forest and a desert.
2. Twenty-five percent of the Earth is covered by the grassland biome.
3. There is a grassland biome on each continent with the exception of Antarctica.
Choose the right option:
1. Only 1
2. Only 3
3. Only 2 & 3
4. 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Grasslands are characterized as lands dominated by grasses rather than large shrubs or trees. Grassland biomes are normally situated between a forest and a desert. In fact, grasslands surround every desert in Asia. Twenty-five percent of the Earth is covered by the grassland biome. There is a grassland biome on each continent with the exception of Antarctica.
Q28: Which among the following statements is/are correct about the Tropical Rainforest Biome?
1. Rainforests only cover around 2 percent of the total surface area of the Earth.
2. They help to regulate the temperatures around the world and the weather patterns as well.
3. Tropical Rainforests are extremely humid, due to all the rainfall. The average humidity is between 77 and 88 percent.
Choose the right option:
1. Only 1
2. Only 2 & 3
3. Only 1 & 3
4. 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: Rainforests only cover around 2 percent of the total surface area of the Earth, but they play a crucial role as they help regulate the temperatures around the world and the weather patterns as well. Tropical Rainforests are extremely humid, due to all the rainfall, and the average humidity is between 77 and 88 percent. The Amazon Rainforest in South America is the largest tropical rainforest in the world.
Q29: In which among the following grasslands, trees and shrubs are absent?
1. Temperate Grassland
2. Savannah Grassland
3. Only 1
4. Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: Temperate grasslands are characterized as having grasses as the dominant vegetation, and trees and large shrubs are absent. Temperatures vary more from summer to winter, and the amount of rainfall is less in temperate grasslands than in savannas.
Q30: What percent of the total surface area of the Earth does the tropical rainforest biome cover?
1. 2%
2. 10%
3. 25%
4. 50%
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: Tropical rainforests only cover around 2 percent of the total surface area of the Earth, but they host approximately 50 percent of the planet’s plant and animal species. The Amazon Rainforest in South America is the largest tropical rainforest in the world.
Q31: Which is the largest tropical rainforest in the world?
1. Amazon rainforest
2. African rainforest
3. Central American rainforest
4. Australian rainforest
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: The Amazon Rainforest in South America is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. Tropical rainforests only cover around 2 percent of the total surface area of the Earth, but they host approximately 50 percent of the planet’s plant and animal species.
Q32: Which among the following statements is/are correct about the Tropical Deciduous Biome?
1. Tropical Deciduous Forest has a warm summer and moderately cold winter.
2. Precipitation is abundant ranging from 75 cm to 150 cm.
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 & 2
4. Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: Tropical Deciduous Forest has a warm summer and moderately cold winter. Precipitation is abundant ranging from 75 cm to 150 cm. Bamboo, Sal, Shisham, Sandalwood, Khair, Kusum, Mulberry are other commercially important species, grown in most deciduous forests.
Q33: What is the terrestrial part of the Biosphere called?
1. Ecosystem
2. Ecotone
3. Biome
4. Ecotype
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: The terrestrial part of the biosphere is divisible into enormous regions called biomes. A natural ecosystem is an assemblage of plants and animals which functions as a unit and is capable of maintaining its identity. There are two main categories of ecosystems: Terrestrial ecosystem or Biomes and Aquatic ecosystem.
Q34: Which among the following statements is/are correct about Biomes?
1. The terrestrial part of the biosphere is divisible into enormous regions called biomes. No two biomes are alike.
2. They are characterized by distinct climate, vegetation, animal life, and general soil type.
3. The climate determines the boundaries of a biome and abundance of plants and animals found in each one of them.
Choose the right option:
1. Only 1
2. Only 2 & 3
3. Only 1 & 3
4. 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: The terrestrial part of the biosphere is divisible into enormous regions called biomes. No two biomes are alike. They are characterized by distinct climate, vegetation, animal life, and general soil type. The climate determines the boundaries of a biome and abundance of plants and animals found in each one of them.
Q35: Which among the following biomes is characterized by xerophytic vegetation?
1. Tropical rainforest
2. Deciduous forest
3. Desert
4. Taiga
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: In the Desert Biome, the predominant vegetation is xerophytic or drought-resistant. This includes cacti, thorny bushes, long-rooted wiry grasses, and scattered dwarf acacias. Plants have few or no leaves, and the foliage is either waxy, leathery, hairy, or needle-shaped to reduce the loss of water through transpiration.
Q36: Which among the following biomes is characterized by the Mediterranean Climate?
1. Temperate Deciduous Biome
2. Tropical Deciduous Biome
3. Taiga Biome
4. Temperate Rainforest Biome
Show Answer
Answer: 1
Explanation: Temperate Deciduous Biome (Mediterranean Climate) is characterized by trees with small broad leaves that are widely spaced and never very tall. Fire is an important hazardous factor in this ecosystem, and the adaptation of the plants enables them to regenerate quickly after being burnt.
Q37: Which among the following pairs of tribal groups in the Desert Biome is/are correctly matched?
1) Western Sahara – Tuaregs
2) Arabian Desert – Bedouins
3) Kalahari – Bushmen
4) None of the above
Choose the right option:
1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Only 1 & 3
4. 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Answer: 4
Explanation: In the Desert Biome, evaporation exceeds precipitation. Major Tribal groups: Western Sahara – Tuaregs, Arabian Desert – Bedouins, Kalahari – Bushmen, Australia – Bindibus.
Q38: Which among the following pairs of temperate grassland biomes is/are correctly matched?
1. Prairies – America
2. Pampas – Argentina
Choose the right option:
1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None of the above
Show Answer
Answer: 3
Explanation: Temperate grasslands are characterized as having grasses as the dominant vegetation. Trees and large shrubs are absent. Prairies – America, Pampas – Argentina, Pustaz – Hungary, Steppe – Russia, Veld – South Africa, Downs – Australia, Canterbury – NZ.
