Question

Consider the following two places:
Place A: An arid desert which experiences sandstorms from time to time.
Place B: A land at the foothills of a mountain range.

Which of the following places would you expect to be better suited for agriculture?

• A. Place A
• B. Place B
• C. Cannot say
• D. Both places would be equally suitable

Answer 1

The correct option is B Place B

Place B would have a higher concentration of soil deposits. This is because the weathered particles accumulate here over a period of time.

Place A experiences drastic conditions for agriculture since it receives no rainfall and the rate of weathering is high. The rate of weathering is determined by climatic conditions of a given place. Depending upon the relief or slope, the amount of weathered particles deposited changes. The slopes along a mountain will have thinner deposits as erosion is more on slopes while foothills or plains will have thicker deposits. Over time, more and more weathered particles accumulate, leading to an increase in the thickness of the soil that is formed. Hence, place B will have more soil deposition and would be ideal for agriculture.