Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

| Basis | Arid Soil | Laterite Soil |
|---|---|---|
| (i) Climatic reason for humus deficiency | Dry climate and high temperature cause rapid evaporation; moisture is absent, so organic matter cannot accumulate. | Under sparse vegetation and semi-arid conditions, humus is poor; heavy rainfall leaches away nutrients and organic matter. |
| (ii) Process degrading fertility | Kankar layer forms in lower horizons due to rising calcium content, restricting water infiltration and limiting root penetration. | Intense leaching due to heavy rain removes plant nutrients; soils become acidic (pH < 6.0) and prone to erosion. |
| (iii) Productive crop | After proper irrigation, crops can be grown — western Rajasthan is an example. | Tea and coffee (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu); cashew nut on red laterite soils. |

Source: Resources and Development, Classification of Soils — Arid Soils and Laterite Soil sections

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• The textbook gives two distinct reasons for humus deficiency: arid soils lack humus because of high temperature + evaporation + dry climate; laterite soils lack humus because of heavy leaching + sparse vegetation.
• For degradation: arid soils → Kankar layer blocks infiltration; laterite soils → leaching causes acidity and nutrient loss.
• Always name the specific crops the textbook mentions — examiners deduct marks for vague answers like "many crops."
• A table format is neat and saves time for comparison questions; it also makes each point clearly visible to the examiner.