task 1 : sand, clay, silt

Differences in a region's temperature and rainfall can make a huge difference on soils. For example, soils are more likely to be stripped of nutrients and minerals in warmer and wetter climates, where “weathering” processes more rapidly change soil's physical and chemical composition.

question: Soil quality depends on the chemical composition of the soil, the topography, the presence of living organisms, the climate, and time. Agricultural practice and history may also modify the characteristics and fertility of soil.

task 2: sand , clay , silt

1. Temperature and precipitation are the main climate factors that make soils different from one another. Precipitation determines how much water moves through the soil, and minerals and salts dissolve in, and move with, the water. ... Soils also differ from one another thanks to the shape of the landscape, or relief.

2. Sand, silt, and clay — the mineral particles in soil — are derived from rock broken down over thousands of years by climatic and environmental conditions (rain, glaciers, wind, rivers, animals, etc.).

task 3:

question: In the Philippines, the poor are strongly dependent on access to land for their livelihood and welfare. ... Likewise, the urban poor, who account for 25 percent of the total poor population, are also dependent on land as housing provides them access to the urban economy (Balisacan, 1994).

This article describes the present distribution of the world's arable land and traces regional trends since 1870. Between 1870 and 1950 there was comparatively little increase in the arable area in the major Old World areas of Europe, India and China and most of the new land came in the overseas mid-latitude areas. Since 1950 the European arable area has continued to stagnate and the United States area has stabilized. Much of the more recent additions have come in China and India. Some reasons for these differences are suggested.