Class 7 Social Science Part 2 Chapter 1 MCQs – The Story of Indian Farming

Agriculture includes more than growing crops. The chapter includes livestock, fisheries, forestry and other related activities within this broad field. Rearing animals can provide useful products and income, and often forms part of a family’s farming system.

Apiculture means beekeeping. The chapter lists it among activities related to agriculture, alongside fisheries and livestock rearing. Learning these terms helps students recognise the variety of work connected with farming and the different ways rural families earn income.

Threshing separates edible grain from straw or husk after harvesting. It may be performed manually or with a machine. The chapter mentions it among the many agricultural operations carried out by people working on farms.

Intercropping involves growing two or more different crops at the same time. The chapter illustrates it with sugarcane and pumpkin and discusses evidence from Kalibangan. This practice shows how a field can support more than one crop.

Grafting joins parts of plants so that they grow together as a single plant. It can combine desirable qualities, such as fruit sweetness or pest resistance. The chapter mentions a description of this technique in the Brihatsamhita.

Agroclimatic zones group areas using conditions such as climate, soils, terrain and vegetation. These categories help in planning suitable farming activities. Knowing local conditions supports decisions about what crops to grow, when to plant and how to cultivate them.

Kharif crops are associated with the monsoon season in most parts of India. Rice, maize and bajra are examples shown in the chapter. Their growth often depends on the arrival and distribution of seasonal rainfall.

Wheat and mustard appear among the rabi crops in the chapter. Rabi is associated with the cooler part of the year in most parts of India. The seasonal chart helps distinguish these crops from kharif and zaid examples.

Watermelon is listed as a zaid crop, along with cucumber, muskmelon and pumpkin. Zaid refers to the summer cropping season. The chapter uses these examples to show how agricultural activity continues across different parts of the year.

Humus is organic matter produced as plant and animal material decomposes. It contributes nutrients and helps soil retain moisture. The chapter explains that healthy soil contains several components, including minerals, organic matter, water, air and living organisms.

Alluvial soil forms from materials carried and deposited by rivers, including fine particles from mountains and plateaus. The chapter describes it as rich in nutrients. River deposits help explain the importance of many plains for cultivation.

Black soil is also called cotton soil. It forms through the weathering of volcanic rocks and can hold considerable moisture. The chapter connects soil properties with the crops that can grow well in different regions.

Crop rotation means growing different types of crops in the same field in different seasons. The chapter explains that it helps prevent repeated loss of particular soil nutrients. It is one way farmers work to maintain soil fertility.

Contour ploughing follows the natural curves of a hill slope. This helps reduce the washing away of soil by rainwater. The chapter includes it among techniques used to conserve soil and preserve the productivity of farmland.

Rain-fed agriculture relies entirely on rainfall for its water supply. Farmers using this system are affected by droughts and unpredictable monsoons. The chapter explains that suitable crop choices and water-harvesting practices can help them respond to these challenges.

Phad systems are community-based irrigation arrangements discussed in connection with Maharashtra. They use small canals to direct river water towards fields. The example shows how cooperation and local water management can support farming activities.

In parts of northeastern India, bamboo channels carry water from springs towards fields. The chapter presents this as a traditional irrigation method. It shows how farmers use locally available materials to respond to their surroundings and water needs.

Drip irrigation supplies water slowly near plant roots through tubes and small outlets. This targeted delivery helps use water efficiently. The chapter contrasts it with sprinkler irrigation, which sprays water into the air like artificial rain.

The Green Revolution introduced high-yielding seeds alongside greater irrigation, chemical inputs and mechanisation. It increased food-grain production, especially wheat and rice. The chapter also asks students to consider long-term effects on soil, water and the environment.

Hydroponics grows plants in nutrient-rich water solutions, with essential minerals supplied to the roots. The chapter describes its use in controlled environments. It offers an example of cultivation that does not depend on ordinary soil as the growing medium.

The farmer is changing crops across seasons in the same field, which is crop rotation. Different crops do not use soil nutrients in exactly the same way. This can help maintain fertility when combined with other suitable soil-care practices.

Terraces create flatter steps on a hillside, slowing the movement of water and reducing soil erosion. Terrace farming as useful in hilly areas. It helps farmers conserve soil and water while creating space for cultivation.

Drip irrigation directs small amounts of water close to roots, helping limit unnecessary water use. The chapter connects efficient irrigation with concerns about declining groundwater. Choosing a suitable system can support crops while conserving an important resource.

The chapter links crop growth to soil, temperature, rainfall, water availability and terrain. A crop suited to one region may not grow equally well elsewhere. Considering these conditions together helps farmers choose crops appropriate to their land.

Weak monsoon rainfall can reduce the water available to crops, especially on rain-fed farms. Lower harvests may affect the supply of foods people normally eat. The chapter’s activity connects rainfall patterns with farming and everyday meals.

Farming families often carry out several activities alongside growing crops. Different sources of income can improve resilience if one activity performs poorly. Such diversity can help, although it does not remove every difficulty farmers face.

Sustainable agriculture aims to meet food needs while protecting the resources farming depends on. The chapter supports combining useful modern innovations with suitable traditional practices. Soil health, efficient water use and reduced environmental harm are important parts of this balance.

It identifies small landholdings as a challenge for using machinery designed for larger farms. Buying or renting equipment can also be expensive. Suitable smaller machines may help, but equipment must match the farmer’s land and resource

Soil is a living system containing organisms as well as minerals, water and air. Decaying leaves contribute organic material, while organisms help break it down. The chapter explains that these processes support soil health and the growth of plants.

Weather information can help farmers plan activities such as sowing and irrigation around expected conditions. The chapter mentions access to forecasts as a form of support. Forecasts are useful for planning, although they cannot eliminate all uncertainty in farming.