Question 1

Which of the following best describes soil?

Accepted Answer

A) Soil is composed of solely mineral fragments less than 2 mm in size. 
B) Soil is a renewable resource. 
C) Soil lacks biological material. 
D) Soil is a dynamic natural material composed of water,air,mineral fragments,and organic matter. 
A) Soil is composed of solely mineral fragments less than 2 mm in size. 
B) Soil is a renewable resource. 
C) Soil lacks biological material. 
D) Soil is a dynamic natural material composed of water,air,mineral fragments,and organic matter.

Question 2

A vertical section of soil is generally organized into distinct horizontal layers called

Accepted Answer

A) pedons. 
B) soil profiles. 
C) polypedons. 
D) soil horizons. 
A) pedons. 
B) soil profiles. 
C) polypedons. 
D) soil horizons.

Question 3

Soil science is an interdisciplinary study,drawing on aspects of physics,chemistry,biology,mineralogy,hydrology,taxonomy,climatology,and cartography.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

_______refers to the size and shape of the aggregates of particles of soil.

Accepted Answer

A) Soil plasticity 
B) Soil texture 
C) Soil structure 
D) Soil consistence 
A) Soil plasticity 
B) Soil texture 
C) Soil structure 
D) Soil consistence

Question 5

Though Oxisols occur in the tropical rain forests,they tend to be poor in inorganic nutrients.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Histosols tend to be very dry soils found primarily in the worldʹs arid regions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Prime farmland soil that is a few centimeters thick may require_______ years to form.

Accepted Answer

A) 10 
B) 50 
C) 100 
D) 500 
A) 10 
B) 50 
C) 100 
D) 500

Question 8

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding soil color?

Accepted Answer

A) Soil color is used solely to determine the moisture content of soil darker soils have a higher moisture content,whereas lighter soils have less water content. 
B) Color reflects composition and chemical makeup of a soil. 
C) Soil color is a relatively unimportant physical property of soil. 
D) Dark soils always indicate high organic content. 
A) Soil color is used solely to determine the moisture content of soil darker soils have a higher moisture content,whereas lighter soils have less water content. 
B) Color reflects composition and chemical makeup of a soil. 
C) Soil color is a relatively unimportant physical property of soil. 
D) Dark soils always indicate high organic content.

Question 9

Calcification is likely to occur in

Accepted Answer

A) areas with Vertisols. 
B) tropical climate regions. 
C) arid,semiarid,and grassland environments. 
D) areas characterized by coniferous forests. 
A) areas with Vertisols. 
B) tropical climate regions. 
C) arid,semiarid,and grassland environments. 
D) areas characterized by coniferous forests.

Question 10

Salinization is often associated with Aridisols.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The A horizon is also commonly called topsoil.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

The term used to denote the part of a volume of soil that is filled with air,gases,or water is

Accepted Answer

A) soil structure. 
B) soil texture. 
C) permeability. 
D) porosity. 
A) soil structure. 
B) soil texture. 
C) permeability. 
D) porosity.

Question 13

The horizon in which leached materials are accumulated is the _______horizon.

Accepted Answer

A) A 
B) O 
C) E 
D) B 
E) C 
A) A 
B) O 
C) E 
D) B 
E) C

Question 14

The U.S.soil classification system has not been updated since the mid-1970s.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a physical property used to distinguish soils?

Accepted Answer

A) Temperature 
B) Moisture 
C) Color 
D) Porosity 
E) Texture 
A) Temperature 
B) Moisture 
C) Color 
D) Porosity 
E) Texture

Question 16

Biological activity by plant roots or tunnelling animals tends to diminish porosity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

The practice of leaving crop residue on the field between plantings to help prevent soil erosion is known as

Accepted Answer

A) slash and burn agriculture. 
B) no-till agriculture. 
C) shifting cultivation. 
D) swidden. 
A) slash and burn agriculture. 
B) no-till agriculture. 
C) shifting cultivation. 
D) swidden.

Question 18

Soils will develop at faster rates in which of the following environments?

Accepted Answer

A) Warm and humid 
B) Hot and dry 
C) Cold and dry 
D) In areas where they can develop directly from bedrock,regardless of climate conditions 
A) Warm and humid 
B) Hot and dry 
C) Cold and dry 
D) In areas where they can develop directly from bedrock,regardless of climate conditions

Question 19

Soil science is an interdisciplinary study that incorporates aspects of physics,chemistry,biology,mineralogy,hydrology,taxonomy,climatology,and cartography.Briefly describe how these various fields may be beneficial to the study of soils.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary,but examples include:

Question 20

Inceptisols are the largest single soil order,occupying approximately 22% of Earthʹs land surface.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Which of the following best describes soil?

A vertical section of soil is generally organized into distinct horizontal layers called

Soil science is an interdisciplinary study,drawing on aspects of physics,chemistry,biology,mineralogy,hydrology,taxonomy,climatology,and cartography.

_______refers to the size and shape of the aggregates of particles of soil.

Though Oxisols occur in the tropical rain forests,they tend to be poor in inorganic nutrients.

Histosols tend to be very dry soils found primarily in the worldʹs arid regions.

Prime farmland soil that is a few centimeters thick may require_______ years to form.

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding soil color?

Calcification is likely to occur in

Salinization is often associated with Aridisols.

The A horizon is also commonly called topsoil.

The term used to denote the part of a volume of soil that is filled with air,gases,or water is

The horizon in which leached materials are accumulated is the _______horizon.

The U.S.soil classification system has not been updated since the mid-1970s.

Which of the following is NOT a physical property used to distinguish soils?

Biological activity by plant roots or tunnelling animals tends to diminish porosity.

The practice of leaving crop residue on the field between plantings to help prevent soil erosion is known as

Soils will develop at faster rates in which of the following environments?

Soil science is an interdisciplinary study that incorporates aspects of physics,chemistry,biology,mineralogy,hydrology,taxonomy,climatology,and cartography.Briefly describe how these various fields may be beneficial to the study of soils.

Inceptisols are the largest single soil order,occupying approximately 22% of Earthʹs land surface.

The Science of Geography

The Solar System,sun,and Earth

Energy Balance Essentials

Wind Essentials

Waterʹs Unique Properties

Water on Earth

Review of Earthʹs Climate System

Population Growth and Fossil Fuel Burning the Setting for Climate Change

The Pace of Change

Earthʹs Surface Relief Features

Landmass Denudation

Drainage Basins and Drainage Patterns

Global Oceans and Seas

Snow Into Ice--The Basis of Glaciers

Energy Flows and Nutrient Cycles

Biogeographic Divisions

Filters

Exam 15: Soil Development and Soil Profiles

Which of the following best describes soil?

A vertical section of soil is generally organized into distinct horizontal layers called

Soil science is an interdisciplinary study,drawing on aspects of physics,chemistry,biology,mineralogy,hydrology,taxonomy,climatology,and cartography.

_______refers to the size and shape of the aggregates of particles of soil.

Though Oxisols occur in the tropical rain forests,they tend to be poor in inorganic nutrients.

Histosols tend to be very dry soils found primarily in the worldʹs arid regions.

Prime farmland soil that is a few centimeters thick may require_______ years to form.

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding soil color?

Calcification is likely to occur in

Salinization is often associated with Aridisols.

The A horizon is also commonly called topsoil.

The term used to denote the part of a volume of soil that is filled with air,gases,or water is

The horizon in which leached materials are accumulated is the _______horizon.

The U.S.soil classification system has not been updated since the mid-1970s.

Which of the following is NOT a physical property used to distinguish soils?

Biological activity by plant roots or tunnelling animals tends to diminish porosity.

The practice of leaving crop residue on the field between plantings to help prevent soil erosion is known as

Soils will develop at faster rates in which of the following environments?

Soil science is an interdisciplinary study that incorporates aspects of physics,chemistry,biology,mineralogy,hydrology,taxonomy,climatology,and cartography.Briefly describe how these various fields may be beneficial to the study of soils.

Inceptisols are the largest single soil order,occupying approximately 22% of Earthʹs land surface.

The Science of Geography

The Solar System,sun,and Earth

Energy Balance Essentials

Wind Essentials

Waterʹs Unique Properties

Water on Earth

Review of Earthʹs Climate System

Population Growth and Fossil Fuel Burning the Setting for Climate Change

The Pace of Change

Earthʹs Surface Relief Features

Landmass Denudation

Drainage Basins and Drainage Patterns

Global Oceans and Seas

Snow Into Ice--The Basis of Glaciers

Energy Flows and Nutrient Cycles

Biogeographic Divisions

Filters