CHAPTER 2 GEOGRAPHY

Q&A
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
 Develop an awareness towards resources conservation and take
initiative towards conservation process.
 Understand the importance of resources in our life.
 Learn the importance of proper use of resources for sustainable
development.
KEYWORDS:
i) Community Land: A part of land not owned by anyone but meant for use by a large
group of people living in a society, is called community land.
ii) Weathering: Weathering refers to the breaking up and decay of exposed rocks. This
breaking up and decay is caused by temperature fluctuations, frost action, plants,
animals and even human activity.
iii) Parent Rock: The original rock from which soil has been formed is called its parent
rock.
iv) Mulching: Mulching is the process of covering the bare ground between plants with
a layer of organic matter like straw.
v) Terrace Farming: Terrace farming is the method of farming in which broad flat steps
or terraces are made on the steep slopes so that flat surfaces are available to grow
crops.
vi) Intercropping: In intercropping, different crops are grown in alternate rows and are
sown at different times to protect the soil from being washed away by rain.
vii) Contour Ploughing: Ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to form a
natural barrier for water to flow down a slope is called contour ploughing.
viii) Shelter Belts: Rows of trees that are planted in certain areas to check wind
movement are called shelterbelts.
ix) Ecosystem: The supporting and interdependent life-system that exists in the
biosphere is called an ecosystem.
x) National Parks: A national park is a natural area supposed to be used to protect the
ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for the present and future generations.
xi) Wildlife Sanctuaries: A wildlife sanctuary is similar to a national park, but it is
supposed to protect a particular animal, in some cases, or wildlife in general, in other
cases.
xii) Biosphere Reserves: These are a series of protected areas linked through a global
network, intended to demonstrate the relationship between conservation and
development.

QUESTION & ANSWER:

Q.1) Which are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation?
Ans. The two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation are temperature and rainfall.

Q.2) Write any two reasons for land degradation today.

Ans. Two factors contributing to land degradation are as mentioned below :
I) Deforestation.
 II) Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural lands.
III) Overgrazing

Q.3) Why is land considered an important resource?

Ans. i) Land is considered as an important resource as it provides habitation to a wide variety
of flora and fauna.
ii) It is used by Human beings for various purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building
houses and roads, and setting up industries.

Q.4) Suggest three ways to conserve water.

Ans. Three ways to conserve water:
(i) Rainwater harvesting- It is a process of storing rainwater in vessels of a big surface area.
(ii) Increasing Forest cover and other vegetation to slow the surface runoff.
(iii) Preserving water bodies from factory wastes.
Iv) Canals for irrigation should be checked for water losses through seepage and promoting
sprinkler irrigation to check evaporation and seepage.

Q.5) Name any two steps that government has taken to conserve plants and animals.
Ans. The following steps are taken by the government to conserve plants and animals:
(i) It has set up national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for the protection of
natural vegetation and wildlife. Example: the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
(ii) It has banned the killing of tigers, deer, lions, peacocks and Indian bustards. It has also
prohibited the trade of the species of plants and animals protected under the international
agreement CITES(Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

Q.2) Tick the correct answer:

1. which one of the following is NOT a factor of soil formation?
a) Time
b) Soil texture
c) Organic matter

2. which one of the following methods is most appropriate to check soil erosion on steep
slopes?
a) Shelter belts
b) mulching
c) Terrace cultivation

3. which one of the following is NOT in favour of the conservation of nature?

a) Switch off the bulb when not in use
b) Close the tap immediately after use
c) Dispose polypacks after shopping

Q. Match the following:

 COLUMN A COLUMN B

LAND USE Prevent soil erosion (3)

HUMUS Land use for agriculture (4)

ROCK DAMS Productive use of land (1)

Arable Land Organic matter deposited on top soil (2)

Contour ploughing

Q) TRUE/FALSE

1. Ganga–Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region. (True)

REASON: [As river valley and plains offer suitable land for agriculture. Hence, they are
densely populated]
2. Water availability per person in India is declining. (True)
3. Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas to check the wind movement is called inter
cropping. (False)
REASON: [Rows of trees are planted to check the wind movement and protect oil cover
are called as shelterbelts]
4. Human interference and changes of climate can maintain the ecosystem. (False)
REASON: [Climate change and human interference can cause the loss of natural
habitats, and hence destroy the ecosystem]