Question : Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
In Andhra Pradesh, low rainfall and increased (1) ______ on borewells have led to soil aridity, while (2) ______ snow and more rainfall has (3) ______ the desertification crisis in Himachal Pradesh. On the other (4) ______, in Rajasthan, canals, tube-well irrigation and shelterbelts have (5) ______ to an increase in the green cover.
Question:
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank number 3.
Option 1: deepen
Option 2: deepened
Option 3: deeper
Option 4: deep
Correct Answer: deepened
Solution : The correct choice is the second option.
Deepened is the past tense of deepen, indicating an action that has already occurred. It fits well in this context to indicate the escalation or worsening of the crisis due to increased precipitation.
Question : In India, the irrigation of agricultural land is carried out maximum by
Option 1: Canals
Option 2: Wells
Option 3: Tubewells
Option 4: Tanks
Correct Answer: Wells
Solution : The correct option is wells.
In India, irrigation of agricultural land is done to a significant extent by the use of wells. Wells give access to groundwater, which is an important water resource for irrigation, especially in locations where surface water supplies are scarce or unreliable. Farmers in various parts of India rely on wells to irrigate their crops, which helps to sustain agriculture and food production.
Question : The irrigation facilities in Vijayanagar were developed to support:
Option 1: Drinking water supply
Option 2: Recreational activities
Option 3: Agricultural activities
Option 4: Industrial activities
Correct Answer: Agricultural activities
Solution : Correct Option: 3
Explanation: The irrigation facilities in Vijayanagar were primarily developed to support agricultural activities, ensuring a consistent water supply for farming in the region.
Question : Which of these is true about the second phase of the green revolution?
Option 1: It covered the period of the 1980s.
Option 2: It was introduced in areas without irrigation facilities.
Option 3: It covered the period of the 1960s and 1970s.
Option 4: It was introduced in the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh regions.
Correct Answer: It covered the period of the 1980s.
Solution : The correct option is It covered the period of the 1980s.
The second phase of the Green Revolution, often known as the "Evergreen Revolution", extended during the 1980s. The second Green Revolution was focused on increasing agricultural productivity in areas with existing irrigation facilities, as these areas had the potential for yield gains. The first Green Revolution covered the period of the 1960s and 1970s. It was implemented in the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh regions.
Question : Which of these is not true about the Green Revolution?
Option 1: It was funded by international agencies.
Option 2: It was a private-sector programme for agricultural modernisation.
Option 3: It was targeted mainly in the wheat and rice-growing areas.
Option 4: It was introduced only in areas that had assured irrigation.
Correct Answer: It was a private-sector programme for agricultural modernisation.
Solution : The correct option is It was a private-sector programme for agricultural modernisation.
The Green Revolution in India was not exclusively a private-sector programme; it involved a combination of public and private efforts to achieve agricultural modernisation. The Indian government played a pivotal role in promoting the Green Revolution.
Question : The irrigation systems in Vijayanagar were advanced for their time because of their:
Option 1: Use of solar energy
Option 2: Gravity-based water flow
Option 3: Automated water gates
Option 4: Integration with urban planning
Correct Answer: Gravity-based water flow
Solution : Correct Option: 2
Explanation: The irrigation systems in Vijayanagar were advanced for their time because of their gravity-based water flow, which allowed efficient distribution of water for agriculture without the need for mechanical pumps.
Question : The significance of irrigation in Vijayanagar was primarily for:
Option 1: Beautification of the city
Option 2: Supporting agriculture
Option 3: Religious rituals
Option 4: Industrial purposes
Correct Answer: Supporting agriculture
Solution : Correct Option: 2
Explanation: The significance of irrigation in Vijayanagar was primarily for supporting agriculture, as it provided a reliable water source for crops in the arid region.
Question : Statement 1: The Green Revolution focused on the use of high-yielding varieties of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation techniques.
Statement 2: The Green Revolution primarily aimed at increasing the production of cash crops.
Option 1: Both statements are true.
Option 2: Both statements are false.
Option 3: Statement 1 is true, and statement 2 is false.
Option 4: Statement 1 is false, and statement 2 is true.
Correct Answer: Both statements are true.
Solution : The correct answer is (a) Both statements are true.
Statement 1 is true. The Green Revolution did indeed focus on the use of high-yielding varieties of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation techniques. These advancements in agricultural technology helped increase crop productivity and played a crucial role in transforming agriculture in various parts of the world, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s.
Statement 2 is also true. While the Green Revolution aimed at increasing overall agricultural productivity, it did have a significant focus on increasing the production of cash crops. The adoption of high-yielding varieties and modern agricultural practices led to a boost in the production of crops such as wheat, rice, and maize, which are often considered cash crops due to their market value and economic importance.
Therefore, the correct answer is that both statements are true.
Question : Which of the following is a method of water conservation?
Option 1: Deforestation to increase water runoff
Option 2: Constructing large dams in every river
Option 3: Using drip irrigation in agriculture
Option 4: Increasing industrial water discharge
Correct Answer: Using drip irrigation in agriculture
Solution : Using drip irrigation in agriculture is a method of water conservation, as it delivers water directly to the roots of plants, reducing evaporation and wastage.
Question : The sustainability of Vijayanagar's agriculture was enhanced by:
Option 1: Terraced farming
Option 2: Crop rotation
Option 3: Advanced irrigation techniques
Option 4: Genetic modification of crops
Correct Answer: Advanced irrigation techniques
Solution : Correct Option: 3
Explanation: The sustainability of Vijayanagar's agriculture was enhanced by advanced irrigation techniques, which ensured a consistent water supply for farming and helped prevent soil erosion.