Study Important Questions for class 8 Social Science (Resources and Development) Chapter

2 –Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

Very Short Answer Questions 1 Mark

1. Fill in the blanks:

i. A layer parallel to soil is called as ______.

Ans: Soil horizon

ii. Black soil is very suitable to grow _____.

Ans: Cotton

iii. Dams are built for ______ generation.

Ans: Electricity

iv. _______ helps to retain soil moisture.

Ans: Mulching

2. State true and false

(i) The plains of Ganga and Brahmpura basins are highly populated regions.
Ans: True

(ii) The availability of water is declining..

Ans: True

(iii) Intercropping is the plantation of trees to see the coastal wind direction.

Ans: False

(iv) The change in climate can maintain the ecosystem.

Ans: False

3. Match the following:

Ans:

4. Choose the correct option

i. Cotton Soil is also called as _______.

Laterite Soil

Red Soil

Black Soil

Alluvial Soil

Ans: c. Black Soil is also called cotton soil.

ii. Mountains are found in _____.

Ladakh

Tamil Nadu

Gujarat

None of the above

Ans: a.Ladakh is a place where mountains are found.

5. Define the Following

i. Mulching

Ans: Mulching is an important method for soil conservation. It helps the soil to retain its moisture.

ii. Evergreen Forests

Ans: Forests which never shed their leaves are called evergreen forests. These forests are often found in
tropical areas.

Short Answer Questions 2 Mark

6. Define land.

Ans: Land is an important natural resource. Most of our lives are land dependent. Approximately one third of
the total earth’s area is covered by land.
7. Define Wildlife.

Ans: Wildlife is the term used for the animal kingdom that consists of birds, animals, insects and aquatic
creatures.

8. What is alluvial soil?

Ans: Alluvial soil is fertile soil which is found near the plains formed by rivers. This soil is also found near Indo-
Gangetic plains.

9. Give any three methods to conserve soil.

Ans: Three methods to conserve soil are given below

i. Mulching

ii. Rock Dam

iii. Contour Barriers

10. How does a landslide take place?

Ans: Landslides take place in conjunction with volcanoes ,earthquakes, and floods.

Short Answer Question 3 Mark

11. Why do you think the water availability is declining in India?

Ans: The water availability of India is declining due to the steady growth in the population of India and the
absence of stringent measures to save and reuse water.

12. Why do you think the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins are highly populated?

Ans: Ganga-Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region. This is due to its even topography and the
availability of high fertility soil which attracts a huge population.

13. Which climatic factors are responsible for soil formation?

Ans: The two main climatic factors that are responsible for the formation of soil are temperature and rainfall.
Without these two factors, soil formation is not possible.

14. Describe some man-made causes for destruction.

Ans: Man-made cause for destruction are mentioned below-

i. Excess construction

ii. Soil Erosion

iii. Deforestation

iv. Expansion of agriculture

15. Describe some natural causes for destruction.

Ans: Some natural causes for destruction are given below-

i. Fires in Forests

ii. Landslides

iii. Floods

iv. Climate Change

v. Tsunamis

vi. Earthquakes

Long Answer Questions 5 Mark

16. How can we conserve water? Suggest any three ways.

Ans: The three ways to conserve water are based on the three Rs namely:

Reduce: Do not waste water and make it a point to use only as much water as you require.

Reuse: The water that is left after washing the vegetables can be used to water the plants and water from
washing machines can be used to flush the toilet.

Recycle: It is necessary to treat sewage water and effluents before they flow into rivers and ponds.
17. What are the main reasons for soil degradation?

Ans: Soil depletion and erosions are the main threat for soil as a resource. Human as well as natural factors can
lead to soil erosion. Overgrazing and deforestation are the major factors noticed for soil erosion and soil
degradation. Land degradation is noticed to a great extent these days owing to the increased population
density and the resulting deforestation on a large scale to make land and resources available to accommodate
the increasing population. The increased use of chemicals and fertilizers is another reason for land
degradation.

18. How can the government save the flora and fauna?

Ans: The government has taken several steps to conserve plants and animals. Some of them include the
creation of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are crucial to protect plants and animals by providing
them a safe natural habitat. The government has also raised awareness levels among the public about the
need to preserve plants and animals by programs such as Vanamahotsava and social forestry. Government
also conserves forests on its land by granting these forests as natural habitat of flora and fauna. For this the
government turns a natural forest into a wildlife sanctuary. These sanctuaries help to conserve the flora and
fauna as no humans are allowed to live in their habitat.

19. Why do you think land is an important resource?

Ans: Land is considered an important resource since we all require land for living, for agriculture, for
constructing buildings, houses, factories, industries, roads, bridges, etc. In the absence of this most valuable
resource, it would be impossible for us to live. Some physical factors such as soil, topography, minerals, climate
and availability of water determine the use of land. Human factors such as population and technology are also
important to determine the pattern of land to use. As we know that the availability of land is limited, people
and their demands are ever growing.

20. What are landslides? Describe its effects.

Ans: Landslides are described as the mass displacement of rock, debris or earth down a slope. Landslides take
place in conjunction with volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods. A continued stroke of rainfall can cause a heavy
landslide that can obstruct the flow of the river for quite some time. The creation of river blocks can cause
destruction to the towns downstream on its bursting. In the mountainous terrain, landslides have been a
major disaster that often strikes life and property and seize a position of major concern.

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