Answer: Option A. ->
:

Justification: 1 Mark each

The statement is true, since each crop requires different things out of the soil and the weather around it. For example,
1. Cereals like wheat and gram are grow only in clayey and loamy soils, because these plants need the soil to have better water retention capacity.
2. Soils rich in clay and organic matter with good water retention capacity are ideal for paddy.
3. Loamy soils, which drain water easily, are suitable for lentils and other pulses, which don't need the water to stay in the soil for a longer time.
4. For cotton, loamy or sandy soils are more suitable, because of their water draining and air logging capacity.
5. Wheat requires soils that are rich in humus and fertile. So clayey soils are very good for wheat.

Answer: Option A. ->
:

Definition: 1 Mark
Explanation: 2 Marks
The removal of land surface by water, wind or ice is known as erosion.
Plant roots firmly bind the soil. In the absence of plants, the soil becomes loose. So it can be moved by wind and flowing water. Erosion of soil is more severe in areas of little or no surface vegetation, such as a desert. So, cutting of trees and deforestation should be prevented and effort should be made to increase the number of trees.

Answer: Option A. ->
:

a) 3 Marks
b) 2 Marks
a) Soil is our most important natural resource. It is useful to us in many ways:
(i) We depend on the soil for food, clothing and shelter- By supporting growth of plants, the soil provides us with food. Much of our clothing, such as cotton and wool, can be traced to the soil. Plants also provide us with the medicines, fuel, paper and wood which is used in making furniture and for constructing houses.
(ii) We depend on the soil for minerals- Industries use the minerals dug out from the earth.to extract metals, such as iron, gold, silver and so on. These are used in thousands of industries that produce various useful things for us.
(iii) We depend on the soil for water- Water that seeps into the soil is stored underground as subsoil water. We use this water for drinking and other purposes.
b) Earthworms make burrows in the soil. This makes the soil loose, allowing air into it and water to drain from it. Earthworm also forms channels in the soil for the root to spread through. For this reason, the earthworm is referred to as 'farmer's friend'. 

Answer: Option A. ->
:

Part 1: 2 Marks
Part 2: 3 Marks
1)The decay of the remains of plants and animals that forms humus mostly happens on top of the soil. Therefore the humus formed remains mostly on the top soil.

2) The importance of humus is as follows:
    a) Humus controls and regulates plant growth.
    b) The better the humus content in the soil, the healthier and more productive the soil will be.
    c) Good humus also reduces wind erosion of soil.