Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources mcqs & important questions geography | class 8th

Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources MCQ Questions Class 8 Social Science with Answers

Question. In which of the following continents is Tanzania situated?
(a) Europe
(b) Asia
(c) Africa
(d) South America

Answer :   C

Question. The main reason for land degradation in Uttar Pradesh is__________.
(a) Mining
(b) Excessive irrigation
(c) Salinity
(d) Dense population

Answer :   B

Question.Large scale destruction of forests cover and arable land has occured due to the following:
(a) Growing population
(b) Ever growing demand of the population
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these

Answer :   C

Question. What is a biosphere reserve?
(a) Protected area linked through global network
(b) Land use for production
(c) Farmers Land
(d) None of these

Answer :   A

Question.Peter belongs to which country?
(a) India
(b) USA
(c) Germany
(d) New Zealand

Answer :   D

Question. Choose the correct option to complete the sentences given below: Which one is not the Atmosphere layer?
(a) The Biosphere
(b) The Troposphere
(c) The Stratosphere
(d) The Mesosphere

Answer :   A

Question.Which of the following is a famous bird sanctuary?
(a) Kaziranga National Park
(b) Tiger Park at Dudhwa
(c) Gir forest
(d) Bharatpur Sanctuary

Answer :   D

Question. The example of common property resource is
(a) community landcorrect
(b) individual building
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of these

Answer :   A

Question. Which of the following is used of soil conservation?
(a) Mulching
(b) Shelter belts
(c) Contour ploughing
(d) All of these

Answer :   D

Question. Which one of the following is not a biosphere reserve?
(a) Dachigam
(b) Kanchenjunga
(c) Nanda Devi
(d) Sundarban

Answer :   A

Question. A few physical factors that determine the use of land are given below. Pick out the one that is not a physical factor
(a) Availability of capital
(b) Minerals and Availability of Water
(c) Topography and Soil
(d) Climate

Answer :   A

Question. is the use of land for different purposes like agriculture, forestry, mining, construction of buildings, houses, industries and road.
(a) Land degradation
(b) Land use
(c) Landfilling
(d) Land digging

Answer :   B

Question. 90% of the total world population resides in ……………… of the land area.
(a) 10%
(b) 20%
(c) 30%
(d) 40%

Answer :  C

Question. What determines the thickness of the soil profile?
(a) Time
(b) Climate
(c) Relief
(d) Formation

Answer :   A

Question- How much percent of earth’s area is occupied by land?
(a) 45
(b) 30
(c) 66
(d) 70

Answer :   B

Question. Why is it necessary to increase the area under forests?
(a) To maintain ecological balance
(b) Forest absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
(c) Forest help in raising the level of precipitation
(d) All of these

Answer :   D

Question- The type of soil is determined by
(a) landforms
(b) soil erosion
(c) water sources
(d) Globalisation

Answer :   A

Question. Natural Vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone called ………………
(a) Lithosphere
(b) Hydrosphere
(c) Atmosphere
(d) Biosphere

Answer :   D

Question. What percentage of the total area of the earth?s surface is covered by the most important natural resource Land?
(a) About 20 %
(b) About 30 %
(c) About 40 %
(d) About 70 %

Answer :   B

Question- Mass movement of rocks down the hills could be a sign of
(a) Landslides
(b) Floods
(c) Deforestation
(d) Weathering

Answer :   A

Question. Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?
(a) Intensive cultivation
(b) Deforestation
(c) Over irrigation
(d) Overgrazing

Answer :    C

Question- Overgrazing is responsible for causing
(a) soil depletion
(b) Floods
(c) earthquake
(d) andslide

Answer :   A

Question. Trees in these ……………… shed their leaves in a particular season in order to conserve loss of moisture through transpiration: (select the incorrect one)
(a) Evergreen Forests
(b) Tundra
(c) Deforestation
(d) Deciduous Forests

Answer :   D

Question. What does the term Land degradation refer to?
(a) Decline in the use of fertilizers
(b) The decline in the productivity of cultivated land or forest land
(c) Presence of rocks and minerals in the soil
(d) The slope of the land

Answer :   B

Question- The evaporation of water takes place due to
(a) Nitrogen Cycle
(b) Water Cycle
(c) Cooling of Ice
(d) Floods

Answer :   B

Question- Low-lying areas are susceptible to
(a) water logging
(b) landslides
(c) illegal mining
(d) Weathering

Answer :   A

Question- ____ is one of the ways to prevent soil erosion.
(a) Trees cutting
(b) clearing of forest for agriculture
(c) Counter ploughing
(d) building dams

Answer :   C

Question. It is the uppermost layer, Rich in humus & minerals and Consists of Sand, Silt & Clay.
(a) Sub Soil
(b) Top Soil
(c) Alluvial Soil
(d) Black Soil

Answer :   B

Question.What percentage of the total area of the earth’s surface is covered by the most important natural resource Land?
(a) About 20 %
(b) About 30 %
(c) About 40 %
(d) About 70 %

Answer :   B

Question. Name the term that can be given to Land that is suitable for crop production.
(a) Untilled Land
(b) Pasture Land
(c) Forest Land
(d) Arable Land

Answer :   D

class 8th Geography Chapter 2 Important Questions

Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. What are the possible reasons behind the uneven distribution of population around the world?
Answer: The reasons behind uneven population distribution are mainly the varied conditions of land and climate.

2. Give three common forms of land use.
Answer: Three common land use forms are: (i) As cropland (ii) Pasture (iii) Forests.

3. What human factors determine land use pattern?
Answer: Human factors affecting land use pattern are population and technology.

4. Define soil.
Answer: The thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth is called soil.

5. What is required to make soil fertile?
Answer: The right mix of minerals and organic matter is needed to make soil fertile.

6. What is parent rock?
Answer: The rock from which soil is derived is called parent rock.

7. What are the factors threatening soil as a resource?
Answer: Two factors that threaten soil as a resource are soil erosion and its depletion.

8. What method of soil conservation may be used in coastal and dry regions?
Answer: Shelter belts are used to protect the soil in coastal and dry regions.

9. Why is the earth called the “water planet”?
Answer: The earth’s surface has about three- fourths water, so it is called “water planet”.

10. In what forms is fresh water found on the earth?
Answer: Fresh water is found in the forms of groundwater, water in rivers and lakes and as water vapour.

11. What is the name given to the process involved in rain formation?
Answer: The process involved in the formation of rain is called “water cycle”.

12. Name some regions of water scarcity in the world.
Answer: Africa, West Asia, South Asia, parts of western USA, northwest Mexico, parts of South America and Australia face water scarcity.

13. Name a method to save surface run-off.
Answer: Water harvesting is a method to save surface run-off.

14. How is a bird like vulture important for the ecosystem?
Answer: A vulture feeds on dead livestock and so it cleanses the environment.

15. What is the distinguishing feature between evergreen and deciduous forests?
Answer: Evergreen forests never shed their leaves whereas deciduous forests shed their leaves once a year.

16. What is the Vanamahotsava?
Answer: The social programme of planting trees, organised at community level is called vanamahotsava.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. How is land being degraded? Suggest methods to conserve land resource.

Answer: The ever-growing population has increased demand for living space, due to which forests are being destroyed, thus causing land degradation. The rate of degradation of land resources can be checked by promoting afforestation, land reclamation, regulated use of chemical pesticide and fertilizers and checking overgrazing.

2. What is weathering?

Answer: Weathering refers to the breaking up and decay of exposed rocks. This breaking up and decay is caused by temperature fluctuations between too high and too low, frost action, plants, animals and even human activity. Weathering is the major process involved in the formation of soil. It takes millions of years to form soil by this process.

3. How is water an important resource?

Answer: Water is an indispensable resource of life. Firstly water serves the most basic purpose of drinking, without which life is impossible. It is helpful in cleaning our bodies, clothes and utensils. Farmers depend on water for irrigation. Water is also used in cooking food. Water is a source of electricity as well. Plants require water for their growth. Water is required for various industrial purposes in factories.

4. Write a short note on wildlife.

Answer: The animal kingdom, which consists of animals, birds, aquatic creatures and insects, is called wildlife. These creatures provide us various important products such as milk, meat, hides and wool. Bees give us honey and help in pollination. They play the role of decomposers in the environment. Birds like the vulture are scavengers and they help in cleansing the environment. All forms of wildlife are an integral part of our ecosystem.

5. What are the major types of vegetation in the world? Describe vegetation in different rainfall conditions.

Answer: The major types of vegetation in the world are grouped as forests, grasslands, scrubs and tundra.” In areas of heavy rain, huge trees can be found. Forests are abundant in areas of heavy rainfall. With moisture and rainfall the density of forests declines. In moderate rainfall areas, grasslands are found. In dry areas we find thorny shrubs and scrubs. Plants here have deep roots and leaves have thorny surface to reduce loss of moisture. The tundra vegetation consists of mosses and lichens.

Long Answer Type Questions:

1. Describe methods of soil conservation.

Answer: Some common methods of soil conservation are mentioned below: Mulching. Mulching is the process of covering the bare ground between plants with a layer of organic matter like straw. It contributes in retaining soil moisture.
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 4 They reduce run-off and soil erosion. 

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.

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.

Shelter Belts: Rows of trees that are planted in certain areas to check wind movement are called shelter belts. Contour Barriers. Stones, grass and soil are used to build barriers along contours. Trenches are made in front of the barriers to collect water.

Rock Dams: This prevents gullies and further soil loss since rocks are piled up to slow down the flow of water. 

2. What is the threat to vegetation and wildlife? What is the need to conserve them? How can we do this? [V. Imp.]

Ans. Forests and wildlife are an important resource. Climate change and human interference in the animal kingdom can cause loss of natural habitat for plants and animals. Certain species have become endangered and many have become extinct now. Poaching incidents contribute to their extinction. Plants and animals are an important part of the ecosystem. Plants provide food, oxygen and shelter to humans and animals.

Animals provide us important products such as milk, meat, honey, etc. There exists a balance in the environment if we do not disturb the natural number of species living on the earth. A single extinction can affect the ecosystem badly. So animals and plants obviously need to be conserved. The government has introduced national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for this purpose. Poaching should be severely dealt with. Indiscriminate killings need to be discouraged. Social awareness must be created about importance of trees, social forestry. Students should be involved in vanmahotsavas at regional and community levels.