 
                 
                InterviewSolution
This section includes InterviewSolutions, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.
| 1. | What is ‘oilcake’? What is its use? | 
| Answer» After oil has been extracted from the oilseeds, the remainder is made into a cake known as oil cake. It is used as cattle feed. | |
| 2. | State the economic importance of oilseeds in India. | 
| Answer» a. As agricultural produce, oil seeds rank second to food grains in the Indian economy. b. Oil-seeds provide vegetable oils which are being preferred to animal fats now-a-days, as people are becoming more and more health conscious. c. Edible oils form a necessary part of our diet and provide energy. d. Extraction of edible oil from oil-seeds in mills and ghanis gives employment to people. The oil industry provides employment to more than 10 million people. e. Oil-cake is used as cattle feed and also as fertilizer for crops like cotton, tobacco, tea, sugarcane, etc. f. Linseed oil and other vegetable oils are in demand in the manufacture of paints, varnishes and lubricants. | |
| 3. | Name the major jute producing regions of India. | 
| Answer» 62% of the total jute comes from West Bengal. Jute is also cultivated in Bihar, Assam and Orissa. | |
| 4. | State the distinctive feature of marketing raw cotton in Maharashtra? | 
| Answer» In Maharashtra, many co-operative societies have undertaken the marketing of cotton. They also undertake its ginning and processing. The government of Maharashtra also buys cotton from farmers at fixed guaranteed prices. This is to provide fair prices to the farmers and also to ensure the supply of unadulterated cotton to the consumers at reasonable prices. | |
| 5. | Why is jute called the ‘brown paper bag of wholesale trade’? | 
| Answer» Jute is called the ‘brown paper bag of wholesale trade’ due to the widespread use of the jute fabric for wrapping bales of cotton and wool and packing and storing of cereals, fertilisers, finished products, etc in jute sacks. | |
| 6. | State the geographical conditions essential for the growth of jute. | 
| Answer» The geographical conditions essential for the growth of jute. Soil - Deltaic alluvial soil renewed every year Temperature - 27 °C to 34°C Rainfall - 170 cm to 200 cm Additional - Relative Humidity of 80% to 90% | |
| 7. | State the geographical conditions essential for the growth of cotton. | 
| Answer» Soil - Black soil most suitable, but can grow on red soil and alluvial soil etc. Temperature - 21 °C to 27°C, abundant sunshine Rainfall - 50 cm to 80 cm well distributed during the growing season Additional - Warm days, cool nights; can be grown both as kharif and rabi crop Dry weather and sunny days at the time of harvesting of cotton help ripening and bursting of cotton balls. | |
| 8. | State the geographical conditions essential for the growth of sugarcane. | 
| Answer» Soil - Well drained, highly fertile soil like alluvial soil or black soil Temperature - 20 °C to 30°C Rainfall - 75 cm to 150 cm Additional - Alternating wet and dry conditions | |
| 9. | State the Scientific name of the rubber tree. | 
| Answer» Hevea Brasiliensis | |
| 10. | Why is taping of latex not done during the rains? | 
| Answer» Tapping of latex is not done during as it dilutes the latex. | |
| 11. | Why is tapping considered to be such a skilled job? | 
| Answer» Tapping of latex from a rubber tree is really a skilled job because a tapper has to make a cut which is only 2 mm deep. If the cut becomes deep, it will damage the cambium which is a paper-like thin skin between the bark and the wood of the tree. | |
| 12. | List the four criteria for tapping latex from the rubber tree. | 
| Answer» Tapping latex from the rubber tree would involve the following considerations. 1. The cut of groove has to be made 1.5 m above the ground. 2. The cut should be sloping towards the right. 3. The cut should be inclines at 30° with the horizontal. 4. The cut should be only 2 mm deep. | |
| 13. | What are ‘cover crops’ in the context of rubber cultivation? | 
| Answer» Some leguminous crops are sown between the seedling trees of rubber to conserve the soil by adding humus and nitrogen content to the soil. The cover crops become the source of income for farmers until the rubber trees become mature after 7 to 8 years and starts giving income. | |
| 14. | State the geographical conditions essential for the growth of rubber. | 
| Answer» Soil - Porous, well-drained laterite soil Temperature - 21 °C to 35°C Rainfall - 200 cm to 400 cm well distributed throughout the year. Additional - Hot, humid and wet conditions throughout the year. | |
| 15. | Why is rubber grown on gently sloping land? | 
| Answer» Due to the following considerations rubber is grown on gentle slopes: 1. On flat or gentle slopes, machines can be used to clear the original vegetation. 2. Soil erosion becomes less on relatively gentle slopes, whereas on steep slopes soil erosion has turned out to be a major problem. 3. Terraced farming on steeper slopes may add to the cost of rubber cultivation because the formation of terraces requires additional labour. 4. Tapping of latex becomes easier on gently sloping land. | |
| 16. | Name of the following:a. One state in south India which produces sugarcane in large quantities. b. Largest sugarcane-producing state of India. | 
| Answer» (a) Maharashtra (b) Uttar Pradesh | |
| 17. | List three ways in which sugarcane can be propagated. | 
| Answer» a. Sowing of seeds b. Growing from short stalks of sugarcane (setts) c. Growing from stumps of existing harvested sugarcane crop (ratooning) | |
| 18. | Which characteristics of rubber make it such an important substance? | 
| Answer» Rubber is elastic, water proof, air tight and insulates electricity. These characteristics of rubber have made it an important material. | |
| 19. | Name of the following:(a) Oil used as a lubricant for high-performance engines and airplanes. (b) Oil equal to olive oil in quality. | 
| Answer» (a) Castor Oil (b) Sunflower Oil | |
| 20. | What steps has the government taken to help sugarcane farmers? | 
| Answer» The government has taken the following steps to help sugarcane-growing farmers. 1. The government has set up several fertiliser units like GSFC, IFFCO, GNFC, etc. 2. By constructing multi-purpose projects, the government has ensured a dependable supply of water. 3. In the Ganga Plains, the government has provided loans to the farmers for the construction of tube wells. 4. Co-operative societies have been established to provide support to the farmers and help solve many of the problems that they face. 5. The Sugarcane Research Institute at Coimbatore has been established by the government to develop hybrid varieties with much higher sugar content. | |
| 21. | State the problems faced by sugarcane farmers in India. | 
| Answer» Sugarcane farmers in India face the following problems : a. Canal irrigation is ideal for providing alternating dry and wet conditions for sugarcane. But in India, canals are often non-perennial. This factor makes the supply of water uncertain. b. In south India digging of canals is very difficult. Also, rainfall received is low in interior parts of the Deccan. c. Sugarcane cultivation requires a large quantity of manure and fertilizers as it is a soil-exhausting crop. d. Cultivation of sugarcane on very small farms becomes highly uneconomic. e. In many cases, farms growing sugarcane are away from the factories. A delay of more than 2 days, i.e., 48 hours between harvesting and crushing of sugarcane gives decreased sugar content of the sugarcane. f. The support price determined by the government for sugarcane does not consider the quality of sugarcane. So, there is no incentive for better crop. | |
| 22. | How is coffee processed? | 
| Answer» The processing of coffee involves the following steps. 1. The upper parchment is removes (parching). This can be done in one of the following ways. a. Wet or Parchment method: In this method, coffee beans are fermented and washed in tanks several times. Then they are dried and cured. Machines remove the thin skin of the berries called parchment. b. Dry or Native method: The outer covering of berries is removed in this method by drying them under the sun. Seeds are pounded to remove their parchment. 2. The coffee beans are then roasted. 3. The beans are then sorted according to quality and size. | |
| 23. | Why is the yield of sugarcane higher in the southern states? | 
| Answer» In the southern states the sugarcane yield per hectare is higher due to the following reasons. 1. The farmers have consolidated their farms and hence reduced the cost of cultivation. 2. As a result of consolidation, the farmers are able to invest in better quality fertilisers, irrigation facilities, machines and setts of high yielding varieties of sugarcane. 3. Many farmers have established sugarcane processing units within the consolidated farms eliminating the risk associated due to transportation of sugarcane. 4. The farmers themselves work in the factories thus also eliminating labour cost in the sugarcane factories. | |
| 24. | List the sugarcane producing states of India. | 
| Answer» In northern India, sugarcane is grown in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab. In peninsular India, sugarcane is grown in Maharashra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. | |
| 25. | Name of the following:(a) Oil used to make vanaspati.(b) Removal of central stem in tea and coffee in order to encourage lateral growth.(c) A set of two leaves and a bud which is plucked from the tea plant | 
| Answer» (a) Sunflower Oil (b) Pruning (c) Flush | |
| 26. | Explain how tea is plucked? | 
| Answer» Tea leaves can be plucked after 3 to 5 years. Plucking is done by hand. The tea pluckers pluck a set of two tender leaves and a bud known as a ‘flush’ which is called fine plucking. Each plucker plucks up to 50 kg of tea leaves every day. | |
| 27. | Name the Five steps in the processing of tea. | 
| Answer» a. Withering b. Rolling c. Fermentation d. Drying e. Sorting | |
| 28. | Name of the two trees which are grown to provide shade to the coffee plant. | 
| Answer» Oak and Jackfruit | |
| 29. | Which is the most critical condition in the processing of sugarcane? Why? | 
| Answer» The harvested sugarcane must be sent for processing within 48 hours because its sugar content rapidly decreases after 48 hours. | |
| 30. | What is meant by ‘pruning’? State the reason for pruning. | 
| Answer» Pruning is a method by which the central stem of the tea plant is cut in order to arrest vertical growth and keep the plant at a convenient height. This also encourages lateral growth and the occurrence of new shoots with soft leaves. | |
| 31. | Explain ‘green’ tea, ‘black’ tea and ‘oolong’ tea. | 
| Answer» Green tea is neither fermented nor processed. Oolong tea is partially fermented and processed. Black tea is completely fermented and processed. | |
| 32. | List the importance of all the five stages in the processing of tea. | 
| Answer» a. Withering: This step removes the excess moisture from the tea leaves. b. Rolling: To get the characteristic flavour, the leaves are twisted to break the cells. This step exposes the natural juices to fermentation. c. Fermentation: The tannin in the leaves is oxidised in order to impart a coppery red colour to the tea leaves. d. Drying: In this process, tea leaves are put in an oven set at a temperature between 70 °C and 75 °C for two weeks. e. Sorting: Tea leaves are sorted according to decreasing size. | |
| 33. | Why are trees planted in between tea and coffee plantations? | 
| Answer» Both the tea and coffee plants cannot tolerate direct, intense, sunlight. For this reason, trees are planted in between tea and coffee plantations to provide shade to the plants. | |
| 34. | Which conditions favour the growth of tea in Assam? | 
| Answer» The following conditions favour the growth of tea in Assam. 1. Assam consists of gently sloping hills topped with laterite soil. 2. It has a warm, humid climate. 3. It receives plenty of rainfall throughout the year. 4. Plenty of cheap labour is available from the surrounding regions. 5. Tea grown in Assam is sent to Kolkata for export. | |
| 35. | Describe how tea is exported from India. | 
| Answer» After tea has been processed, sorted and blended it is packed in plywood chests lined with aluminium foil in order to retain its flavour. It is then sent to Kolkata or Kochi for export. | |
| 36. | What conditions of soil and climate are suitable for the cultivation of tea? | 
| Answer» Soil - Porous soil like laterite soil Temperature - 25 °C, frost free conditions Rainfall - 150 cm to 200 cm well distributed throughout the year Additional - Cannot tolerate stagnant conditions so it is to be grown on hill slopes | |
| 37. | What is the economic importance of tea in India? | 
| Answer» The tea crop in India is important due to the following reasons. 1. It is the most preferred beverage in India 2. It provides employment to 1 million people in the areas where it is grown. 3. It supports the plywood, fertiliser and the transport industry. 4. It is one of the major foreign exchange earners of India. | |
| 38. | State the main uses of linseed oil. | 
| Answer» Linseed oil is used in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, thinners and printing inks. Besides it is also used in the seasoning of wood. The oil cake can be use as cattle feed. | |
| 39. | Why is linseed oil used in making paints and printing ink? What other uses can linseed oil be put to? | 
| Answer» As linseed oil dries up easily, it is used in making paints and printing ink. It can be also used in the seasoning of wood. The oil cake can be use as cattle feed. | |
| 40. | State four uses of sesamum oil. | 
| Answer» a. Sesamum oil is used in cooking, perfumery and medicinal purposes. b. Its seeds are rich in proteins, carbohydrates and minerals, so these can be eaten fried or with sugar as laddoos and tilpattis. c. It serves as a good condiment for pickles. d. Oil-cake of sesamum makes an ideal food for milch cattle and pigs. | |
| 41. | What are the uses of soya bean oil? | 
| Answer» Apart from cooking, soya bean oil is used to make margarine, paints, varnishes, etc. | |
| 42. | List some of the unique characteristics of soya bean. | 
| Answer» a. Its beans may be eaten as a vegetable or can be made into different types of food. b. Its beans contain twice as much proteins and fats than meat. c. Soya bean contains all the 22 amino acids required for a balanced and healthy growth. d. They are good source of iron and calcium and are low in cholesterol and starch. e. Flour made from soya beans is gluten-free. f. Its oil is low in fat. | |
| 43. | Name the two oilseed crops which bear yellow flowers and look identical in the field. | 
| Answer» Mustard and Rapeseed | |
| 44. | State the significance of the groundnut crop. | 
| Answer» a. Groundnut oil forms an excellent cooking medium as refined oil and vanaspati ghee. b. It is used in the manufacture of soaps, lubricants, candles, and margarine. c. It is a leguminous plant which enriches the soil. d. Its oil-cake is used as cattle feed. e. Groundnut is eaten raw and roasted. It is nutritious as it contains vitamins A and B. | |
| 45. | Name of the following:a. Largest groundnut-producing state of India.b. Oil seed used for perfumery. | 
| Answer» (a) Gujarat (b) Sesamum Oil | |
| 46. | Name the two types of groundnut plants grown in India. | 
| Answer» Bunch type and Runner type | |