Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Methods of Soil Conservation:

1. Contour Ploughing – Ploughing along contour lines decelerates the flow of water down slopes, reducing erosion.

1. Terrace Cultivation – Steps cut on slopes form terraces that restrict erosion. It is well-developed in the western and central Himalayas.

1. Strip Cropping – Large fields are divided into strips with grass grown between crops, breaking the force of wind.

1. Shelter Belts – Rows of trees planted to check wind erosion; they have helped stabilise sand dunes in western India.

1. Afforestation and Controlled Grazing – Planting trees and managing grazing prevents land degradation.

Importance for India's Agricultural Future:

India's 95% basic needs come from land. Soil takes millions of years to form, and erosion caused by deforestation, overgrazing, and faulty farming methods threatens agricultural productivity. Without conservation, fertile land turns into ravines and bad lands, endangering food security for India's vast population.

Source: Resources and Development, Chapter 1 — Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation; Land Degradation and Conservation Measures

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• Examiners expect at least 4 named methods with a one-line explanation each — these fetch the bulk of marks (3–4 marks).
• The "importance" part should link to facts from the chapter: soil formation time, land degradation causes, food security — 1–2 sentences suffice for the remaining mark.
• Avoid generic statements; always tie back to the textbook content (e.g., Chambal ravines, western India sand dunes).
• Underline/bold method names in the exam to make them stand out for the examiner.