Question

1. Soil is your garden’s natural growing medium, so it’s vital for the health

and successful growth of your plants and crops that you keep it well

maintained. Soil is basically rock that’s been ground down by the effects

of the weather over a long period of time and made fertile by decayed

organic matter (derived from dead insects and leaves).

2. There are hundreds of different soil types, but they can broadly be

classified as sandy, loamy or clay, referring to their basic texture. It is the

texture that affects the drainage, aeration and nutrient content of the

soil and you may have to take steps to improve on this in certain types of

soil. Sandy soil feels gritty when dry and even its wet particles will not

Page 32 of 132 stick together.

3. Loams, on the other hand, can be moulded in the hand when moist, but

aren’t at all sticky and gritty and are fairly loose when dry. Clay soil is

sticky and smooth when wet, but becomes polished when rubbed and

baked hard when dry. Loamy soil is a well-balanced amalgamation of

sand, silt and clay, which combines excellent drainage with sufficient

moisture retention to assure good growing conditions for most plants.

It’s fairly easy to look after, although loamy soils do benefit from regular

applications of well-rotted organic matter to prevent getting tightly

packed.

4. Clay soil is most difficult to work, usually becoming waterlogged, so they

are virtually impossible to dig. Artificial drainage will probably be the

first step in improving the texture of the soil and various additives will

break down the structure to make use of its excellent food stocks. The

presence of chalk in the soil can also affect the growth of plants: some

prefer slightly acid (chalk-free) soils, while others grow more successfully

in alkaline, chalky soils. Most fruits and vegetables, however, growi. We should keep soil well maintained as:

a) it absorbs and retains water

b) it responds to the effects of weather

c) it raises water table

d) it is the garden’s natural growing medium.

ii. Soil is divided into various types on the basis of:

a) colour

b) drainage

c) texture

d) aeration

iii. Loamy soil is the best for plant growth because:

a) it is a well-balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay

b) it has weak drainage and retention

c) its texture responds slowly to decayed organic matter

d) it gets tightly packed unless looked after well

iv. Clay soils are the most difficult to work as:

a) they don't hold water well

b) they usually become waterlogged

c) the soil particles are not held together

d) they require natural drainage and additives​

Answer 1

Answer:

soil must be tested before growing fruits and vegetables because

Answer 2

Answer:

All answers to the passage are given below.

Explanation:

The main topic of the given passage is soil. We have to give the answers on the basis of the passage.

i) We should keep the soil well maintained as d) it is the garden’s natural growing medium.

ii) Soil is divided into various types on the basis of c) texture.

iii) Loamy soil is the best for plant growth because a) it is a well-balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay.

iv) Clay soils are the most difficult to work as b) they usually become waterlogged.