Weathering and Soil
Practice Test
1.
Why is soil erosion more common in areas that lack adequate vegetation?
a.
because soil erosion is stopped by reduced vegetation
b.
because gravity pulls on the plants and increases erosion
c.
because the lack of adequate vegetation affects the soil pressure and erosion rate
d.
because plant roots help keep the soil in place
Hint
2.
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
3.
In which horizon of a soil profile does leaching normally occur?
a.
horizon A
b.
horizon C
c.
horizon D
d.
horizon B
Hint
4.
A soil's composition is dependent on weathering because __________.
a.
it moves the topsoil to other areas where it is more needed
b.
it makes the soil more fertile
c.
it keeps the soil moist
d.
it contributes sediment to the soil
Hint
5.
Erosion is more common on __________.
a.
level ground
b.
in valleys
c.
on gently sloping hills
d.
steep slopes
Hint
6.
Decayed organic material turns into a dark colored material called ___________.
a.
clay
b.
soil
c.
humus
d.
litter
Hint
7.
How does soil erosion affect topsoil?
a.
It makes it more fertile.
b.
It keeps it moist.
c.
It moves the topsoil to other areas where it is more needed.
d.
It washes it away.
Hint
8.
In which horizon of a soil profile is litter usually found?
a.
horizon D
b.
horizon A
c.
horizon B
d.
horizon C
Hint
9.
__________ is a method in which level-topped areas are built into steep-sided hills.
a.
No-till farming
b.
Terracing
c.
Ice wedging
d.
Weathering
Hint
10.
A human activity that contributes to soil erosion is __________.
a.
raising livestock
b.
farming
c.
construction
d.
all answers are correct
Hint
11.
How is surface area related to chemical weathering?
a.
Decreased surface area allows for more interactions of rocks with water and oxygen.
b.
Increased surface area allows for more interactions of rocks with plants and animals.
c.
Increased surface area allows for more interactions of rocks with water and oxygen.
d.
Decreased surface area allows for more ice wedging.
Hint
12.
How do chemical and mechanical weathering differ?
a.
Plant roots can help mechanical weathering occur, but have no impact on soil when it comes to chemical weathering.
b.
Chemical weathering can occur with the help of water reacting with carbon dioxide, and water has nothing to do with mechanical weathering.
c.
Mechanical and chemical weathering can happen with the help of animals.
d.
Mechanical weathering occurs when rocks are broken by physical processes, and chemical weathering happens when chemical reactions dissolve minerals.
Hint
13.
In which horizon of a soil profile is the parent material usually found?
a.
horizon C
b.
horizon B
c.
horizon A
d.
horizon D
Hint
14.
How does grazing affect soil?
a.
Grazing can be used in place of plowing in no-till farming.
b.
Grazing can improve soil quality due to organic matter that livestock leaves behind.
c.
all answers are correct
d.
Overgrazing can leave soil vulnerable to wind and water erosion.
Hint
15.
How do construction sites attempt to reduce erosion?
a.
all answers are correct
b.
They cover exposed ground with plastic to prevent wind erosion.
c.
They spray exposed soil with water to prevent wind erosion.
d.
They replace topsoil that has been removed during construction.
Hint
16.
Soil is a mixture of __________.
a.
weathered rock and water
b.
decayed organic matter and oxygen
c.
mineral fragments
d.
all answers are correct
Hint
17.
How can rock type within the parent rock affect the type of vegetation that grows there?
a.
Different rocks provide different nutrients for plant growth.
b.
Different rocks make water absorption more difficult.
c.
Different rocks provide different root stability for plant growth.
d.
Different rocks create different depths of parent rock that affect plant growth.
Hint
18.
Surface processes that work to break down rock are called__________.
a.
ice wedging
b.
weathering
c.
erosion
d.
oxidation
Hint
19.
Why is ice wedging most obvious in the mountains?
a.
because the altitude directly contributes to how the water freezes in the cracks of rocks
b.
because the temperature changes in the mountains allow for the repeated freezing and thawing of water caught in cracks of rocks
c.
because gravity pulls on the water in the cracks more if its found higher in the mountains
d.
because the pressure in the mountains allows for the repeated freezing and thawing of water caught in cracks of rocks
Hint
20.
When water mixes with carbon dioxide in the air, it forms __________.
a.
ozone
b.
sulfuric acid
c.
hydrochloric acid
d.
carbonic acid
Hint
