Q1. What is the most important natural resources?

ANS:Soil

Q2. What is the function of soil?

ANS:it provides anchorage to plants .It supplies water and nutrients .

It is home to many organisms.

Q3. Give reason soil is an inseperable part of our life?

ANS:1.Soil is one of the most important natural resources.

2. It provides anchorage to the plants and supplies water and nutrients.

3.It is the home for many organisms.

4. Soil is essential for agriculture.

5. Agriculture provides food, clothing and shelter for all.

6. Soil is thus an inseparable part of our life.

Q4. Give reason why the polythene bags should be baned and how do

plastic and polythene bags pollute the soil?

ANS:1. Polythene bags and plastics pollute the soil.

2.They also kill the organisms living in the soil.

3.They do not decay or decompose and remain as such for millions and

millions of years.

That is why there is a demand to ban the polythene bags and plastics.

Q5.What are the other products that pollute the soil?How should they be treated?

ANS:1. Other substances which pollute the soil are a number of waste products, chemicals and
pesticides.

2.Waste products and chemicals should be treated before they are released into the soil.

3.The use of pesticides should be minimised.

ANS:1. Polythene bags and plastics pollute the soil.

2.They also kill the organisms living in the soil.

3. They do not decay or decompose and remain as such for millions and

millions of years.

4.That is why there is a demand to ban the polythene bags and plastics.

5.Other substances which pollute the soil are a number of waste products, chemicals and pesticides.

6.Waste products and chemicals should be treated before they are released into the soil.

7.The use of pesticides should be minimised.

Q7.What is humus?

ANS: The rotting dead matter in the soil is called humus.

Q8.What is weathering?

ANS: The soil is formed by the breaking down of rocks by the action of wind, water and climate. This
process is called weathering.

Q9.What is soil profile?How many layers are found in the soil profile?

ANS: A vertical section through different layers of the soil is called the soil profile.

Each layer differs in feel (texture), colour, depth and chemical composition.

These layers are referred to as horizons.

There are three layers of horizons in the soil profile.

1.A-horizon[Topsoil] –

(i) The uppermost horizon is generally dark in colour as it is rich in humus and minerals.

(ii)The humus makes thesoil fertile and provides nutrients to growing plants.

(iii) This layer is generally soft, porous and can retain more water.

(iv) It is called the topsoil or the A-horizon.

(vi) The roots of small plants are embedded entirely in the topsoil.

2. B-horizon[middle layer]-

(i)The next layer has a lesser amount of humus but more of minerals.

(ii) This layer is generally harder and more compact and is called the B-horizon or the middle layer.

3. C-horizon –

(i) The third layer is the C-horizon, which is made up of small lumps of rocks with cracks and crevices.

(ii)Below this layer is the bedrock, which is hard and difficult to dig with a spade.

Q10. What is soil?

ANS: 1.The mixture of rock particles and humus is called the soil.

2.Living organisms, such as bacteria, plant roots and earthworm are also

important parts of any soil.

Q11.How is soil formed?

ANS: 1.Weathering of rocks produces small particles of various materials.

2.These include sand and clay.

3. The relative amount of sand and clay depends upon the rock from which the particles were
formed, that is the parent rock.

4. The mixture of rock particles and humus is called the soil.

Q12.What are the important living organisms in the soil?

ANS: 1.Living organisms, such as bacteria, plant roots and earthworm are also important parts of any
soil.

2. The soil is classified on the basis of the proportion of particles of various sizes.

Q13.What is sandy soil?

ANS: Soil contains greater proportion of big particles it is called sandy soil.

Q14.What is clayey soil?

ANS: The proportion of fine particles is relatively higher, then it is called clayey soil
Q15.What is loamy soil?

ANS: The amount of large and fine particles is about the same, then the soil is called loamy.

Q16.What is Sandy soil?

ANS: 1.Sand particles are quite large.

2. They cannot fit close together, so there are large spaces between them.

3. These spaces are filled with air.

4. We say that the sand is well aerated.

5. Water can drain quickly through the spaces between the sand particles.

6. So, sandy soils tend to be light, well aerated and rather dry.

Q17.What is clayey soil?describe?

ANS: 1.The proportion of fine particles is relatively higher, then it is called clayey soil.

2. Clay particles, being much smaller, pack tightly together, leaving little space for air.

3. Unlike sandy soil, water can be held in the tiny gaps between the particles of clay.

4. So clayey soils have less air.

5. They are heavy as they hold more water than the sandy soils.

Q18.What is Loamy soil? describe?

ANS: 1. The amount of large and fine particles is about the same, then the soil is called loamy.

2. The best topsoil for growing plants is loam.

3. Loamy soil is a mixture of sand, clay and another type of soil particle known as silt.

4. Silt occurs as a deposit in riverbeds.

5. The size of the silt particles is between those of sand and clay.

6. The loamy soil also has humus in it.

7.It has the right water holding capacity for the growth of plants.
Q19.What is soil erosion?

ANS: 1.The removal of land surface by water, wind or ice is known as erosion.

2. Plant roots firmly bind the soil.

3. In the absence of plants, soil becomes loose.

4. So it can be moved by wind and flowing water.

5. Erosion of soil is more severe in areas of little or no surface vegetation, such as desert or bare
lands.

6. So, cutting of trees and deforestation should be prevented and effort should be made to increase
the green areas.