Comprehension
In our quest to increase agricultural production during the last five decades or so, we almost totally neglected the use of compost and completely switched over to chemical fertilizers. The result is that large tracts of productive land have been adversely affected, water bodies including ground water system have suffered due to chemical contamination and demand for irrigation has been going up year after year. Farmers, in large numbers all over the country, have again started using compost made from organic wastes of different types. In certain parts of the country, cattle are maintained only because they produce dung which is an important fertilizer and soil conditioner.
Earthworms can convert organic matter into compost faster than the normal composting process. This process is now being widely used. Indirectly, the civic authorities are benefitted too as they have to dispose reduced quantity of waste.
Question: 1

How is civic authority getting benefitted due to biocomposting?

Updated On: Apr 2, 2026
  • They have to dispose increased quantity of waste
  • They don’t have to dispose any waste
  • Because civic authority has no role in waste management
  • They have to dispose reduced quantity of waste
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Biocomposting significantly benefits civic authorities by decreasing the volume of waste requiring management. Organic waste transformation into compost yields a soil-enriching product, eliminating its status as waste. This process substantially cuts down the amount of material destined for landfills or other disposal routes.
Key advantages of biocomposting are:

  • Transforms organic waste into valuable compost, thereby reducing landfill dependence.
  • Minimizes chemical inputs, enhancing environmental health through reduced water and soil contamination.
  • Supports sustainable agriculture by encouraging farmers to adopt compost over chemical fertilizers.

In essence, biocomposting alleviates the strain on civic authorities through the disposal of a diminished waste volume, aligning with the statement: "They have to dispose reduced quantity of waste."

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Question: 2

Choose the correct statement concerned with the passage:

Updated On: Apr 2, 2026
  • Earthworm takes equal time to convert organic matter into compost with respect to normal composting process.
  • Earthworm takes more time to convert organic matter into compost with respect to normal composting process.
  • Earthworm takes less time to convert organic matter into compost with respect to normal composting process.
  • Comparison between earthworm based composting and normal composting cannot be made.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

To identify the accurate statement based on the provided text, an analysis of the information is required:

The text details a transition from chemical fertilizers to composting organic waste, emphasizing its environmental and agricultural advantages. It specifically asserts: "Earthworms can convert organic matter into compost faster than the normal composting process."

Let us now assess the presented choices:

  1. Earthworm composting duration equals normal composting duration for organic matter conversion.
  2. Earthworm composting duration exceeds normal composting duration for organic matter conversion.
  3. Earthworm composting duration is shorter than normal composting duration for organic matter conversion.
  4. A comparison between earthworm-based composting and normal composting is not feasible.

The text unequivocally states that earthworms accelerate the composting process.

Consequently, option 3: Earthworm takes less time to convert organic matter into compost with respect to normal composting process. represents the correct conclusion.

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Question: 3

Water bodies including ground water system have suffered due to:

Updated On: Apr 2, 2026
  • Biocomposting
  • Chemical contamination and increased demand for irrigation
  • Organic farming
  • Increased fertility of land
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Water systems, including groundwater, have been degraded by chemical pollution and high irrigation needs. Over the last fifty years, agriculture has increasingly favored chemical fertilizers over compost. While intended to increase crop yields, this shift has created environmental problems. Chemical fertilizers contaminate water bodies, negatively affecting both surface and groundwater quality.

This heightened reliance on chemical fertilizers also escalates irrigation requirements. The continuous demand for water to sustain intensive farming practices strains water resources further. This cycle worsens contamination, as increased irrigation flow facilitates the leaching of fertilizer chemicals into water systems.

The substantial environmental toll has motivated some farmers to return to organic methods. Employing compost and organic techniques, such as vermicomposting (using earthworms for rapid composting), helps alleviate these problems by cutting down on chemical use and reducing pressure on water supplies.

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Question: 4

In certain parts of the country, cattle are maintained only because they ___________ .

Updated On: Apr 2, 2026
  • Produce milk to increase income of farmers
  • Produce dung which is an important fertilizer and soil conditioner
  • Work as insect repellents
  • Are a symbol of traditional ethics and values
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

In specific areas, cattle are maintained primarily for their dung, a crucial material for improving soil quality and fertility. Unlike artificial fertilizers, cattle dung is an organic amendment that boosts soil by supplying essential nutrients and enhancing its structure. This approach aligns with a wider agricultural shift towards organic composting, moving away from decades of reliance on chemical fertilizers which have caused environmental problems like soil degradation and water pollution.

The economic justification for raising cattle mainly for their dung lies in the pursuit of sustainable agriculture. Organic fertilizers such as cattle dung contribute to rebuilding soil ecosystems and lessening reliance on chemical inputs, which ultimately results in healthier crops and reduced environmental damage. This highlights the value of traditional farming methods, prioritizing ecological balance over immediate financial returns.

Purpose of Cattle MaintenanceMain Effect
Dung production for fertilizer and soil conditioningSoil enhancement and sustainable farming

To achieve sustainable agricultural practices, farmers acknowledge cattle dung as a renewable resource vital for sustained soil health and productivity. The composting potential of cattle dung, especially through methods like vermicomposting, can notably alleviate waste management responsibilities for local authorities by decreasing the total volume of waste requiring disposal.

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Question: 5

What should be the suitable title for the above passage?

Updated On: Apr 2, 2026
  • Biocomposting
  • Biopest Control
  • Traditional Knowledge and Practice
  • Uses of Chemical Fertilizers
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Analyzing the passage's content reveals its central theme: the detrimental effects of excessive chemical fertilizer use and a resurgence in organic compost derived from various waste materials. The text specifically notes that biocomposting with earthworms enhances soil quality more rapidly than conventional approaches. Consequently, the passage primarily addresses the advantages and renewed adoption of composting techniques in agriculture.

Considering the provided options, the most appropriate title for this passage is: Biocomposting

This title effectively captures the core subject matter: the significance and renewed interest in compost-based fertilizers, juxtaposed against the problems associated with chemical fertilizers, and accurately reflects the passage's details on composting methods and their benefits.

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