Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife Resources – MCQs Online Practice Test with Automatic scoring
Class 8
Geography — Chapter 2: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation & Wildlife Resources
30-question timed quiz (30 minutes) — NCERT-aligned MCQs with instant feedback and automatic scoring
CBSE Board Examinations — Systematic Order
- Periodic Tests / Formative Assessments
- Half-Yearly Examination
- Yearly (Annual) Examination
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Topic 1: Land (6)
1. Which landform is most suitable for intensive farming?
Answer: C. Plain
Plains have flat terrain and deep, fertile soils with good irrigation potential, making them ideal for intensive agriculture.
2. Why is land use planning important?
Answer: B
Planning ensures sustainable allocation for agriculture, housing, industry and conservation, minimising land-use conflicts and environmental damage.
3. What is land reclamation?
Answer: B
Reclamation involves drainage, soil improvement and planting to make marshes, degraded or mined lands productive again.
4. Which factor often leads to loss of agricultural land?
Answer: A
Urban expansion converts fertile fields into built-up areas, reducing farmland and altering drainage patterns.
5. How do coastal mangroves help local communities?
Answer: B
Mangroves trap sediments, reduce wave energy and provide nursery areas for fish, supporting livelihoods and protecting coasts.
6. What is the main aim of zoning laws?
Answer: A
Zoning assigns areas for specific uses (residential, commercial, agricultural) to manage growth sustainably and protect resources.
Topic 2: Soil (6)
7. Which soil component improves water retention and fertility?
Answer: B
Organic matter (humus) supplies nutrients, improves structure and increases soil's capacity to hold water and support microbes.
8. Which soil type is called regur and is ideal for cotton?
Answer: B
Black (regur) soil retains moisture and is rich in clay minerals—favourable for cotton cultivation.
9. Terracing primarily helps in:
Answer: B
Terraces create level steps that slow runoff and reduce loss of topsoil on hilly farmlands.
10. Salinisation of soil is caused by:
Answer: B
Using saline water or inadequate drainage causes salts to accumulate in the root zone, reducing fertility and crop yield.
11. Wind erosion is worst where the land is:
Answer: B
Without vegetation cover, wind picks up loose particles in dry regions leading to dust storms and loss of topsoil.
12. Adding compost primarily helps soil by:
Answer: B
Compost supplies humus and nutrients, improves soil structure and supports beneficial organisms, enhancing fertility and water retention.
Topic 3: Water (6)
13. Which percentage of Earth's water is found in oceans (saline)?
Answer: C
About 97% of Earth's water is saline in oceans; only a small fraction is accessible freshwater for human use.
14. Groundwater recharge is increased by:
Answer: B
Structures like percolation pits and check dams slow runoff and allow water to infiltrate, replenishing aquifers.
15. Eutrophication in lakes is caused primarily by:
Answer: A
Excessive nutrients cause algal blooms which deplete oxygen and harm aquatic life; controlling runoff and treating sewage reduces eutrophication.
16. Drip irrigation is effective because it:
Answer: B
Drip systems supply water slowly to the root zone, minimising evaporation and runoff and improving water efficiency.
17. Which human action reduces groundwater recharge?
Answer: B
Impermeable surfaces prevent infiltration, increasing surface runoff and reducing aquifer recharge.
18. Sewage treatment is important because it:
Answer: B
Treatment removes solids, pathogens and chemicals, protecting human health and aquatic ecosystems when water is released or reused.
Topic 4: Natural Vegetation (6)
19. Tropical evergreen forests are found in areas of:
Answer: B
Evergreen forests require abundant moisture throughout the year and support dense, multi-storeyed vegetation with great biodiversity.
20. Deciduous forests shed leaves to:
Answer: A
Shedding leaves reduces transpiration during unfavourable periods, conserving water and energy for the tree.
21. Mangroves protect shores by:
Answer: B
Their root systems stabilise sediments, reduce erosion, and act as buffers against storms, supporting coastal biodiversity and fisheries.
22. Non-timber forest products include:
Answer: B
NTFPs provide food, medicines and income while allowing sustainable forest use without cutting trees, supporting livelihoods and conservation.
Topic 5: Wildlife & Conservation (6)
23. Biodiversity is important because it:
Answer: B
Diverse species ensure pollination, nutrient cycling and stability—helping ecosystems withstand disturbances and provide services to humans.
24. Poaching affects wildlife by:
Answer: B
Poaching removes individuals faster than populations can recover and fuels illegal trade, threatening species survival and ecosystem balance.
25. Wildlife corridors are important to:
Answer: B
Corridors reduce isolation, enable migration, maintain genetic diversity and reduce human-wildlife conflicts by providing safe movement paths.
26. Protected areas help conservation but their limitation is often:
Answer: A
Many parks are small or isolated, limiting space for wide-ranging species; connectivity and buffer zones are needed for effectiveness.
27. Community participation in conservation is useful because it:
Answer: B
When communities share benefits and responsibilities they protect resources better, combine local knowledge with management and reduce conflicts.
28. Eco-tourism should primarily aim to:
Answer: B
Responsible eco-tourism minimises disturbance, involves locals and uses revenue to fund conservation and community development.
29. International cooperation like CITES helps by:
Answer: A
CITES sets rules for international trade to prevent exploitation of endangered species and reduce poaching-driven declines.
30. A simple action students can take to help conserve local resources is:
Answer: A
Local actions like tree planting, reducing waste and awareness campaigns help protect ecosystems and build stewardship from a young age.