A. Tick (œ“) the correct option:
1. In addition to the rock particles, the soil contains:
(a) air and water
(b) water and plants
(c) minerals, organic matter, air and water
(d) water, air and plants
2. The water holding capacity is the highest in:
(a) sandy soil
(b) clayey soil
(c) loamy soil
(d) mixture of sand and loam
3. Which of the following organisms contribute to soil formation?
(a) Bacteria
(b) Fungi
(c) Earthworm
(d) All of these
4. Which type of soil is good for farming?
(a) Clayey soil
(b) Sandy soil
(c) Loamy soil
(d) Both (a) and (c)
5. Which of the following cause soil pollution?
(a) Insecticides
(b) Manure
(c) Fertilizers
(d) Both (a) and (c)
B. Match the following:
| ‘A’ | ‘B’ |
| 1. A home for living organisms | a. Large particles |
| 2. Upper layer of the soil | b. All kinds of soil |
| 3. Sandy soil | c. Dark in colour |
| 4. Middle layer of the soil | d. Small particles and packed tight |
| 5. Clayey soil | e. Lesser amount of humus |
C. Answer the following questions in short:
1. Explain how soil is formed?
2. How is clayey soil useful for crops?
3. List the differences between clayey soil and sandy soil.
4. Sketch the cross section of soil and label its various layers.
5. Razia conducted an experiment in the field related to the rate of percolation. She observed that it took 40 min for 200 ml of water to percolate through the soil sample. Calculate the rate of percolation.
6. Explain how soil pollution and soil erosion could be prevented.
7. What is humus?
8. What is weathering?
9. What does soil consist of?
10. How is humus formed?
11. What is the role of A-horizon?
12. It is good practice to remove grass and small plants that are growing in an open, unused field? Give reason to support your answer.
13. Gardeners gently dig up the soil around the roots of garden herbs (plants) frequently. Give reasons.
D. Fill in the blanks:
1. Pesticide is a soil …………………….. .
2. Water logging takes place in ………………….. soil.
3. Soil is an important …………………. resource.
4. Soil supports the growth of …………………… .
5. We grow ………………….. in clayey soil.
E. State ‘True’ or ‘False’:
1. Earthworm’s excreta makes the soil fertile. ………………..
2. The breaking up of rock into small particles is called erosion. ………………
3. The first stage in soil formation is weathering. ………………..
4. Clayey soil becomes sticky on adding water. …………………….
5. Subsoil is rich in humus. ……………………
6. Terrace farming is a method of conserving soil. …………………
F. Solve the following crossword puzzle with the clues given:
Across (†’):
2. Plantation prevents it.
5. Use should be banned to avoid soil pollution.
6. Type of soil used for making pottery.
7. Living organism in the soil.
Down(†“):
1. In desert soil erosion occurs through.
3. Clay and loam are suitable for cereals like.
4. This type of soil can hold very little water.
5. Collective name for layers of soil.
G. Boojho would like to know the difference between raw and baked soil? Investigate how the soil from which matkas are made is different from the soil used to make statues.
H. Paheli is worried. She could see a brick kiln from her house. Bricks were being made there. There was so much smoke coming out of the kiln. She was told that the best quality of clay is required for making pottery, statues and bricks. She has seen truck loads of bricks being taken away for construction of buildings. At this rate, she fears, no soil will be left. Are her fears justified? Discuss this problem with your parents, teachers and other experts of your area and prepare a report.
I. Complete the following table. Add some soil sources yourself:
