Weathering, Erosion, and Soil
Practice Test
1.
When rocks undergo chemical changes as the result of chemical reactions it is called __________.
a.
hydrolysis
b.
erosion
c.
chemical weathering
d.
frost wedging
2.
__________ is the loose covering of broken rock particles and decaying organic matter that covers bedrock.
a.
a sedimentary rock
b.
regolith
c.
soil
d.
sediment
3.
What human activity causes acid precipitation to form?
a.
drilling for oil and natural gas
b.
burning of fossil fuels and motor vehicle exhaust
c.
surface mining
d.
clear cutting
4.
What is a farming method that can reduce the effect of erosion?
a.
irrigation
b.
planting wind barriers
c.
clear cutting
d.
selective harvesting
5.
In the figure, which flat of crops would suffer the least amount of erosion?
a.
the one with vertical rows
b.
it is impossible to tell from this
c.
both would suffer the same amount of erosion
d.
the one with horizontal rows
6.
Soil that has been moved to a location away from its parent rock is called __________.
a.
transported soil
b.
residual soil
c.
soil profile
d.
organic-rich soil
7.
According to the map in the figure, which land mass undergoes the least amount of chemical weathering?
a.
Africa
b.
Australia
c.
South America
d.
Asia
8.
The removal and transport of weathered materials is known as __________.
a.
oxidation
b.
hydrolysis
c.
frost wedging
d.
erosion
9.
What soil horizon has high concentrations of organic matter and humus?
a.
horizon A
b.
horizon Z
c.
horizon C
d.
horizon B
10.
How are soil textures classified?
a.
horizon
b.
grain size
c.
acidity
d.
climate
11.
The repeated thawing and freezing of water in the cracks of rocks is called __________.
a.
exfoliation
b.
frost wedging
c.
chemical weathering
d.
frost pressure
12.
You find a soil sample with 50 percent sand, 20 percent silt, and 40 percent clay. Use the figure to determine the soil's texture.
a.
sandy clay loam
b.
clay loam
c.
silt loam
d.
loam
13.
What is the erosion by running water in a small channel on the side of a slope called?
a.
a stream bed
b.
rill erosion
c.
a cutbank
d.
an alluvial fan
14.
According to the figure, which city in Australia would see the most erosion by running water?
a.
Cook will see the most.
b.
Cook and Darwin will see equal amounts.
c.
Perth will see the most.
d.
Darwin will see the most.
15.
According to the map in the figure, around which latitude would you expect to see the most physical weathering?
a.
between 30 and 60 degrees south in Australia
b.
between 30 and 60 degrees north in North America
c.
above 60 degrees north in Asia
d.
around 30 degrees north in Africa
