Statement (I): The water below the water table is known as soil moisture and above the water table as groundwater. Statement (II): Extending down from the ground surface, is the soil zone or root zone, which is defined as being the depth of overburden that is penetrated by the roots of vegetation.
- ABoth Statement (I) and Statement (II) are individually true and Statement (II) is the correct explanation of Statement (I)
- BBoth Statement (I) and Statement (II) are individually true but Statement (II) is not the correct explanation of Statement (I)
- CStatement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false
- DStatement (I) is false but Statement (II) is trueCorrect
Solution
Concept
Zones of subsurface water
Step-by-step solution
1. Water below the water table is groundwater and the water above it (in the unsaturated zone) is soil moisture. Statement I has them reversed, so it is false. 2. The soil (root) zone extends from the ground surface down to the depth penetrated by roots. Statement II is true.
Explanation
Groundwater occupies the saturated zone below the water table. Soil moisture is held in the unsaturated (vadose) zone above it, which includes the root zone.
Why the other options are wrong
Option (a) and (b) need Statement I to be true. Option (c) says II is false, which it is not.
Shortcut
Below WT = groundwater; above WT = soil moisture.
Common mistake
Accepting the reversed Statement I.
Correct answer: D) Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true