Question:
Consider the following statements:
(1) Soil is important for life on earth.
(2) Removal of land surface by ice is known as erosion.
(3) Clay and loam soil is used to make pots.
(4) Clayey soil is used to grow cotton crop.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) (1) and (2) only
(B) (2) and (4) only
(C) (1) and (3) only
(D) (1) and (4) only
Answer :
(A) (1) and (2) only
Analysis of the Statements
- (1) Soil is important for life on earth.
- Correct. This is a fundamental ecological fact. Soil supports plant life by providing nutrients and anchorage, which forms the base of most terrestrial food webs. It also serves as a habitat for countless organisms and is essential for agriculture.
- (2) Removal of land surface by ice is known as erosion.
- Correct. Erosion is the general term for the process where soil and rock are worn away and transported by natural forces like water, wind, or ice. The specific process involving ice (glaciers) is called glacial erosion, which is a type of erosion.
- (3) Clay and loam soil is used to make pots.
- Incorrect. Only clayey soil is suitable for making pots, bricks, and toys. This is because its fine particles give it high plasticity, allowing it to be molded and hold its shape when wet. Loam, a mixture of sand, silt, and clay, is ideal for farming but lacks the necessary plasticity for pottery.
- (4) Clayey soil is used to grow cotton crop.
- Incorrect. Cotton grows best in well-drained soil. While the famous black soil (Regur soil) used for cotton is clay-rich, it is not just any “clayey soil.” Heavy clay soils with poor drainage are unsuitable for cotton as they can become waterlogged and damage the roots. Cotton thrives in loamy or black soils that retain moisture but also drain well.