During a drought, the soil continues to lose water through: 1. Evaporation 2. Transpiration, which completely stops during the day. 3. Drying up of vegetation. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct option is (c) Explanation During a drought, the water balance of the soil is disrupted. Water loss from the soil occurs primarily through evapotranspiration, which is the sum of evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration from plants. The rate and mechanism of these losses depend on atmospheric conditions and plant physiological responses. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: Evaporation is a physical process where water turns into vapor due to heat and atmospheric dryness. During a drought, high temperatures and low humidity accelerate this process, causing the soil to lose significant moisture directly from its surface. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: Transpiration is the biological loss of water through plant stomata. While plants respond to drought by closing stomata to conserve water, transpiration does not completely stop during the day for most vegetation. Even with closed stomata, some water is lost through the cuticle (cuticular transpiration). Furthermore, the statement that it "completely stops during the day" describes the specific adaptation of CAM plants (found in deserts) which open stomata only at night; it is not a general rule for all vegetation during a drought. - Statement 3 is Correct: The drying up of vegetation contributes to water loss in two ways: first, the moisture stored within the plant biomass is lost to the atmosphere as the plant desiccates; second, the wilting and death of vegetation reduce the canopy cover, exposing the soil surface to more direct sunlight and wind, thereby increasing the rate of soil evaporation. Key Takeaway Evapotranspiration (evaporation + transpiration) is the primary mechanism of soil water loss. While plants reduce transpiration during water stress, it rarely stops completely during the day in typical terrestrial plants.

NCERT Class 6 Environment & Ecology — Chapter 1: Water

mcqmedium

During a drought, the soil continues to lose water through:

Evaporation
Transpiration, which completely stops during the day.
Drying up of vegetation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (c)

Explanation

During a drought, the water balance of the soil is disrupted. Water loss from the soil occurs primarily through evapotranspiration, which is the sum of evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration from plants. The rate and mechanism of these losses depend on atmospheric conditions and plant physiological responses.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: Evaporation is a physical process where water turns into vapor due to heat and atmospheric dryness. During a drought, high temperatures and low humidity accelerate this process, causing the soil to lose significant moisture directly from its surface.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Transpiration is the biological loss of water through plant stomata. While plants respond to drought by closing stomata to conserve water, transpiration does not completely stop during the day for most vegetation. Even with closed stomata, some water is lost through the cuticle (cuticular transpiration). Furthermore, the statement that it "completely stops during the day" describes the specific adaptation of CAM plants (found in deserts) which open stomata only at night; it is not a general rule for all vegetation during a drought.
Statement 3 is Correct: The drying up of vegetation contributes to water loss in two ways: first, the moisture stored within the plant biomass is lost to the atmosphere as the plant desiccates; second, the wilting and death of vegetation reduce the canopy cover, exposing the soil surface to more direct sunlight and wind, thereby increasing the rate of soil evaporation.

Key Takeaway

Evapotranspiration (evaporation + transpiration) is the primary mechanism of soil water loss. While plants reduce transpiration during water stress, it rarely stops completely during the day in typical terrestrial plants.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Water

With reference to the process of evaporation in the water cycle, consider the following statements: 1. Evaporation of water can take place even in the shade. 2. Water vapour formed during evaporation carries dissolved salts with it into the atmosphere. 3. Warm air can provide the necessary heat for evaporation to occur in shaded areas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which process explains the drying of a wet surface even in the absence of direct sunlight?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the loss of water by plants: 1. Plants release water into the air through the process of condensation. 2. Plants release a significant amount of water into the air. 3. Transpiration plays a role in adding water vapour to the atmosphere. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the sources of water vapour in the atmosphere, consider the following statements: 1. Water vapour is added to the air exclusively by the evaporation of water from oceans and lakes. 2. Evaporation from water bodies is a major source of water vapour in the air. 3. Transpiration by plants does not contribute to the water vapour in the air. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the rate of evaporation: 1. Evaporation is generally a slow process. 2. Evaporation occurs at the same rate in sunlight and in the shade. 3. Heating water on a burner increases the rate of evaporation. Which of the statements given above are correct?

easy

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The correct option is (c)

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: Evaporation is a physical process where water turns into vapor due to heat and atmospheric dryness. During a drought, high temperatures and low humidity accelerate this process, causing the soil to lose significant moisture directly from its surface.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Transpiration is the biological loss of water through plant stomata. While plants respond to drought by closing stomata to conserve water, transpiration does not completely stop during the day for most vegetation. Even with closed stomata, some water is lost through the cuticle (cuticular transpiration). Furthermore, the statement that it "completely stops during the day" describes the specific adaptation of CAM plants (found in deserts) which open stomata only at night; it is not a general rule for all vegetation during a drought.
Statement 3 is Correct: The drying up of vegetation contributes to water loss in two ways: first, the moisture stored within the plant biomass is lost to the atmosphere as the plant desiccates; second, the wilting and death of vegetation reduce the canopy cover, exposing the soil surface to more direct sunlight and wind, thereby increasing the rate of soil evaporation.