Weathering and Soil
Practice Test
1.
Climate affects soil types; for instance, prairie soils have __________.
a.
thick, dark, A horizons because of all the grasses that contribute organic materials
b.
thinner A and B horizons due to leaching, which is promoted by rainfall
c.
granitic C horizons because little or no grass grows there
d.
thin, lightly colored A horizons because of the lack of vegetation
Hint
2.
How do chemical and mechanical weathering differ?
a.
Chemical weathering can occur with the help of water reacting with carbon dioxide, and water has nothing to do with mechanical weathering.
b.
Mechanical weathering occurs when rocks are broken by physical processes, and chemical weathering happens when chemical reactions dissolve minerals.
c.
Mechanical and chemical weathering can happen with the help of animals.
d.
Plant roots can help mechanical weathering occur, but have no impact on soil when it comes to chemical weathering.
Hint
3.
Each layer of a soil profile is called a __________.
a.
horizon
b.
horizontal
c.
humus
d.
litter
Hint
4.
In which horizon of a soil profile is litter usually found?
a.
horizon D
b.
horizon A
c.
horizon C
d.
horizon B
Hint
5.
__________ is a method in which level-topped areas are built into steep-sided hills.
a.
No-till farming
b.
Weathering
c.
Terracing
d.
Ice wedging
Hint
6.
Decayed organic material turns into a dark colored material called ___________.
a.
humus
b.
clay
c.
soil
d.
litter
Hint
7.
Why is soil erosion more common in areas that lack adequate vegetation?
a.
because plant roots help keep the soil in place
b.
because gravity pulls on the plants and increases erosion
c.
because soil erosion is stopped by reduced vegetation
d.
because the lack of adequate vegetation affects the soil pressure and erosion rate
Hint
8.
How do farmers attempt to manage crops to reduce soil erosion?
a.
They practice no-till farming.
b.
They use animals to graze over vegetation instead of plowing.
c.
all answers are correct
d.
They plant shelter belts to protect crops from wind erosion.
Hint
9.
In which horizon of a soil profile does leaching normally occur?
a.
horizon B
b.
horizon D
c.
horizon C
d.
horizon A
Hint
10.
How do construction sites attempt to reduce erosion?
a.
They cover exposed ground with plastic to prevent wind erosion.
b.
They spray exposed soil with water to prevent wind erosion.
c.
all answers are correct
d.
They replace topsoil that has been removed during construction.
Hint
11.
Why is ice wedging most obvious in the mountains?
a.
because gravity pulls on the water in the cracks more if its found higher in the mountains
b.
because the altitude directly contributes to how the water freezes in the cracks of rocks
c.
because the pressure in the mountains allows for the repeated freezing and thawing of water caught in cracks of rocks
d.
because the temperature changes in the mountains allow for the repeated freezing and thawing of water caught in cracks of rocks
Hint
12.
How does agricultural cultivation contribute to soil erosion?
a.
When farmers plow their land they leave it vulnerable to animals that use and remove soil to build their homes.
b.
Farmers who plow their land uproot plant roots which hold soil in place.
c.
Farmers who plow their land remove soil to make planting more productive.
d.
Farmers who cultivate their land bring in livestock to help stop soil erosion.
Hint
13.
A human activity that contributes to soil erosion is __________.
a.
raising livestock
b.
all answers are correct
c.
construction
d.
farming
Hint
14.
How does soil erosion affect topsoil?
a.
It moves the topsoil to other areas where it is more needed.
b.
It makes it more fertile.
c.
It keeps it moist.
d.
It washes it away.
Hint
15.
In which horizon of a soil profile is the parent material usually found?
a.
horizon C
b.
horizon A
c.
horizon B
d.
horizon D
Hint
16.
When water mixes with carbon dioxide in the air, it forms __________.
a.
sulfuric acid
b.
hydrochloric acid
c.
carbonic acid
d.
ozone
Hint
17.
Soil is a mixture of __________.
a.
decayed organic matter and oxygen
b.
all answers are correct
c.
weathered rock and water
d.
mineral fragments
Hint
18.
Surface processes that work to break down rock are called__________.
a.
ice wedging
b.
weathering
c.
oxidation
d.
erosion
Hint
19.
How does climate affect chemical and mechanical weathering?
a.
Mechanical weathering occurs more rapidly in warm, wet climates, and chemical weathering occurs more in cold climates.
b.
Chemical weathering occurs more rapidly in warm, wet climates, and mechanical weathering occurs more in cold climates.
c.
Chemical weathering occurs more rapidly in dry climates and mechanical weathering occurs more in windy climates.
d.
Chemical and mechanical weathering occur more rapidly in warm, wet climates.
Hint
20.
Erosion is more common on __________.
a.
level ground
b.
in valleys
c.
steep slopes
d.
on gently sloping hills
Hint
