Soil Pollution and Erosion - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Chapter: Natural Resources | Topic: Soil Pollution and Erosion
SOIL POLLUTION AND EROSION - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Topic: Soil Pollution and Erosion
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1. Soil erosion is mainly caused by:
- Planting more trees
- The removal of top fertile soil by wind and water, often made worse by deforestation
- Adding fertilisers to the soil
- Building terraces on hills
Q2. Which of the following is a major cause of soil pollution?
- Planting crops in rows
- Excessive use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and dumping of plastic waste
- Growing legumes
- Using compost
Q3. The practice of planting trees along the edges of agricultural fields to prevent wind from blowing away the topsoil is called:
- Terrace farming
- Shelter belts
- Crop rotation
- Contour ploughing
Q4. Soil erosion is more severe in hilly areas like the Himalayas than in plains because:
- Hills have more soil
- Rainwater flows faster down slopes, carrying away topsoil
- Hills have more trees
- Plains have more wind
Q5. Which farming practice helps in reducing soil erosion on sloped land by cutting steps into the hillside?
- Monoculture
- Terrace farming
- Shifting cultivation
- Intensive farming
Short Answer Questions
Q6. What is soil erosion? Name four factors that increase the rate of soil erosion.
Q7. What is soil pollution? List four human activities that pollute the soil and make it unfit for agriculture.
Q8. Explain how deforestation leads to soil erosion. Why do areas with dense forest cover, like the Western Ghats, experience less erosion than deforested areas?
Q9. Your village has a problem with soil washing away during every monsoon. Suggest two traditional and two modern methods to prevent this soil erosion.
Long Answer Questions
Q10. Explain soil erosion and soil pollution in detail. Describe the causes of soil erosion (deforestation, overgrazing, improper farming, construction), the effects on agriculture and water bodies, and methods to prevent it (afforestation, terrace farming, contour ploughing, shelter belts). Also discuss how excessive use of chemicals and plastic waste pollutes the soil.
Q11. "The Chipko Movement was not just about hugging trees - it was about protecting soil, water, and life." Discuss this statement by explaining: how deforestation in the Himalayas led to devastating soil erosion and floods, what the Chipko Movement did, how afforestation helps prevent erosion, and what lessons modern India can learn from this movement for sustainable land use.
APPLICATION / ANALYSIS
Q12. Case Study - Soil Erosion in Two Villages:
Two villages in Uttarakhand were compared after 20 years:
| Factor | Village A | Village B |
|---|---|---|
| Forest cover | 80% remaining | 20% remaining |
| Terrace farming | Practised | Not practised |
| Cattle grazing | Controlled | Uncontrolled |
| Soil depth | 2 metres | 0.3 metres |
| Crop yield | High and stable | Declining every year |
| Landslide risk | Low | Very high |
Answer the following:
(a) Why does Village A have 2 metres of soil while Village B has only 0.3 metres? Explain the role of forest cover and terrace farming.
(b) Why is Village B's crop yield declining every year? Connect this to soil depth and fertility.
(c) If you were the district magistrate, what urgent action would you take for Village B? Name one immediate and one long-term measure.
Q13. Real-Life Application - Farm Management Decision:
A farmer in Madhya Pradesh has 10 acres of land on a gentle slope. He currently:
Grows only wheat every year (monoculture)
Uses chemical fertilisers heavily
Leaves the field bare after harvest
Allows cattle to graze freely on the stubble
His neighbour's land shows:
Thicker, darker topsoil
More earthworms
Better water retention
Higher crop yield
The neighbour practises:
Crop rotation (wheat-legume-wheat)
Uses compost and organic manure
Plants cover crops after harvest
Builds small bunds (earthen barriers) across the slope
Answer the following:
(a) What are the three main mistakes the first farmer is making that lead to soil degradation?
(b) How does each of the neighbour's practices help protect the soil? Explain any two practices.
(c) If the first farmer adopts only ONE change this year, which should it be for maximum soil protection? Justify your choice.