2010 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies

Question 24: Geography

With reference to soil conservation, consider the following practices :

  1. 1.Crop rotation
  2. 2.Sand fences
  3. 3.Terracing
  4. 4.Wind breaks

Which of the above are considered appropriate methods for soil conservation in India ?

a1, 2 and 3 only
b2 and 4 only
c1, 3 and 4 only
d1, 2, 3 and 4

AnswerThe answer is (d).

All four practices conserve soil. Crop rotation keeps the soil covered and restores fertility; sand fences stabilise shifting dunes in desert areas such as Rajasthan; terracing slows run-off on slopes; wind breaks and shelter belts cut wind speed and wind erosion on plains. India uses all of these against water and wind erosion. Remember: soil conservation includes contour ploughing, terracing, strip cropping, shelter belts and dune stabilisation.

  • 1. Rotation keeps the soil covered and maintains fertility, reducing erosion.
  • 2. Fences trap blown sand and stabilise dunes.
  • 3. Steps cut into slopes slow run-off and check water erosion.
  • 4. Rows of trees reduce wind speed and wind erosion.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: Rotation keeps the soil covered and maintains fertility, reducing erosion.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: Fences trap blown sand and stabilise dunes.

  3. Then, if you were sure statement 4 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 4 out.

    What you needed to know: Rows of trees reduce wind speed and wind erosion.

Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Leaves out wind breaks, which cut wind erosion.
  • (b) Leaves out crop rotation and terracing.
  • (c) Leaves out sand fences.
  • (d) Right: all four are appropriate.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.