IGCSE Environmental management -
Chapter 3: agriculture and the
environment Questions and answers
components of soil - correct answer-minerals, organic matter, water, air
types of soil - correct answer-sand, silt, clay
characteristics of sand - correct answer-large particles, gritty, drains well, large air spaces
characteristics of silt - correct answer-medium sized particles, silky texture, drains at medium
speed, low friction
characteristics of clay - correct answer-small particles, poor drainage, few air spaces, sticky
when wet, hard when dry
factors for growth of a plant - correct answer-presence of mineral ions, root anchorage,
oxygen around roots, water supply, soil ph
Mineral ions required by plants - correct answer-nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
magnesium, calcium
organic content found in soils - correct answer-earthworms break down vegetation, fungi
decompose dead organisms, bacteria
role of organic matter in soils - correct answer-increases water capacity, increases air
spaces, more decomposers
subsistence farming - correct answer-producing just enough to meet immediate needs
commercial farming - correct answer-the raising of crops and livestock for sale
arable farming - correct answer-production of crops
pastoral farming - correct answer-raising animals
extensive production - correct answer-large areas of land, low labor input, low yields per
hectare
intensive farming - correct answer-high yield per hectare, labor intensive
solutions to world hunger - correct answer-reduce population growth, higher yield crops,
ensuring food equality, eating less meat
Chapter 3: agriculture and the
environment Questions and answers
components of soil - correct answer-minerals, organic matter, water, air
types of soil - correct answer-sand, silt, clay
characteristics of sand - correct answer-large particles, gritty, drains well, large air spaces
characteristics of silt - correct answer-medium sized particles, silky texture, drains at medium
speed, low friction
characteristics of clay - correct answer-small particles, poor drainage, few air spaces, sticky
when wet, hard when dry
factors for growth of a plant - correct answer-presence of mineral ions, root anchorage,
oxygen around roots, water supply, soil ph
Mineral ions required by plants - correct answer-nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
magnesium, calcium
organic content found in soils - correct answer-earthworms break down vegetation, fungi
decompose dead organisms, bacteria
role of organic matter in soils - correct answer-increases water capacity, increases air
spaces, more decomposers
subsistence farming - correct answer-producing just enough to meet immediate needs
commercial farming - correct answer-the raising of crops and livestock for sale
arable farming - correct answer-production of crops
pastoral farming - correct answer-raising animals
extensive production - correct answer-large areas of land, low labor input, low yields per
hectare
intensive farming - correct answer-high yield per hectare, labor intensive
solutions to world hunger - correct answer-reduce population growth, higher yield crops,
ensuring food equality, eating less meat
