Question 1

Which of the following is not a textural class name?

Accepted Answer

A)  sand 
B)  silt 
C)  loam 
D)  clay 
E)  sandy silt 
A)  sand 
B)  silt 
C)  loam 
D)  clay 
E)  sandy silt

Question 2

Which type of structure is typically found in sodium-rich sub-surface horizons?

Accepted Answer

A)  platy 
B)  sub-angular blocky 
C)  prismatic 
D)  columnar 
E)  granular 
A)  platy 
B)  sub-angular blocky 
C)  prismatic 
D)  columnar 
E)  granular

Question 3

A soil with a bulk density equal to 0.35 Mg/m3 is most likely what type of soil?

Accepted Answer

A)  an Ultisol 
B)  a Vertisol 
C)  a compacted urban soil 
D)  a well-structured garden soil 
E)  a peat soil 
A)  an Ultisol 
B)  a Vertisol 
C)  a compacted urban soil 
D)  a well-structured garden soil 
E)  a peat soil

Question 4

Texture describes the ____ of particles in a soil.

Accepted Answer

A)  sizes 
B)  colors 
C)  arrangement 
D)  mineralogical makeup 
E)  roughness 
A)  sizes 
B)  colors 
C)  arrangement 
D)  mineralogical makeup 
E)  roughness

Question 5

A landscaping contractor wants to change the texture of a silt loam soil to meet the specifications for a loam. S/he would most likely do so by adding ______ to the soil and mixing it well.

Accepted Answer

A)  humus 
B)  compost 
C)  clay 
D)  sand 
E)  either A or B 
A)  humus 
B)  compost 
C)  clay 
D)  sand 
E)  either A or B

Question 6

Roots of most plants have difficulty growing through soil if the bulk density is greater than 1.0 Mg/m3.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

For any soil, the bulk density is always lower than the particle density.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which color would be typical of a well drained, low-organic matter sandy surface soil?

Accepted Answer

A)  10YR5/8 
B)  7.5YR6/2 
C)  2.5YR6/1 
D)  7.5YR2/2 
E)  10YR8/4 
A)  10YR5/8 
B)  7.5YR6/2 
C)  2.5YR6/1 
D)  7.5YR2/2 
E)  10YR8/4

Question 9

The plasticity index is the difference between the plastic limit and the liquid limit.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

The percent of total pore space in a soil can be calculated if only the particle density and the organic matter content are known.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Proper timing of tillage is generally more difficult for a clayey than for a sandy soil.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

The difference between the liquid and plastic limits of a soil is _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  that one is a moisture variable while the other is a density variable 
B)  that one is applicable to natural soils the other to artificial growth media 
C)  greater than the difference between the solid and liquid limits 
D)  the plasticity index 
E)  none of the above 
A)  that one is a moisture variable while the other is a density variable 
B)  that one is applicable to natural soils the other to artificial growth media 
C)  greater than the difference between the solid and liquid limits 
D)  the plasticity index 
E)  none of the above

Question 13

If a dry soil high in certain types of ____ is moistened, it is likely to swell up with enough force to 34 crack pavements and building foundations.

Accepted Answer

A)  humus 
B)  iron 
C)  clay 
D)  silt 
E)  any of the above 
A)  humus 
B)  iron 
C)  clay 
D)  silt 
E)  any of the above

Question 14

Light colored surface soils are likely to be warmer than dark-colored surface soils if soil moisture and other conditions are the same.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The plasticity index is used to determine soil texture.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Compared to a similar soil under native vegetation, a soil with a long history of conventionally tilled cropping would have less micropore space.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Soil colors are scientifically described by ____ color designations such as 10YR3/4.

Accepted Answer

A)  USDA 
B)  wavelength 
C)  Parson's 
D)  Munsell 
E)  structural 
A)  USDA 
B)  wavelength 
C)  Parson's 
D)  Munsell 
E)  structural

Question 18

Practices that add organic matter and reduce tillage can be expected to most significantly increase the _____ in a soil.

Accepted Answer

A)  macropores 
B)  total porosity 
C)  bulk density 
D)  fineness of texture 
A)  macropores 
B)  total porosity 
C)  bulk density 
D)  fineness of texture

Question 19

Soils of good tilth and high productivity are usually characterized by stable aggregation and a high percentage of macropores.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

A chroma greater than 4 generally indicates a soil in good tilth.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Which of the following is not a textural class name?

Which type of structure is typically found in sodium-rich sub-surface horizons?

A soil with a bulk density equal to 0.35 Mg/m³ is most likely what type of soil?

Texture describes the ____ of particles in a soil.

A landscaping contractor wants to change the texture of a silt loam soil to meet the specifications for a loam. S/he would most likely do so by adding ______ to the soil and mixing it well.

Roots of most plants have difficulty growing through soil if the bulk density is greater than 1.0 Mg/m³.

For any soil, the bulk density is always lower than the particle density.

Which color would be typical of a well drained, low-organic matter sandy surface soil?

The plasticity index is the difference between the plastic limit and the liquid limit.

The percent of total pore space in a soil can be calculated if only the particle density and the organic matter content are known.

Proper timing of tillage is generally more difficult for a clayey than for a sandy soil.

The difference between the liquid and plastic limits of a soil is _______.

If a dry soil high in certain types of ____ is moistened, it is likely to swell up with enough force to 34 crack pavements and building foundations.

Light colored surface soils are likely to be warmer than dark-colored surface soils if soil moisture and other conditions are the same.

The plasticity index is used to determine soil texture.

Compared to a similar soil under native vegetation, a soil with a long history of conventionally tilled cropping would have less micropore space.

Soil colors are scientifically described by ____ color designations such as 10YR3/4.

Practices that add organic matter and reduce tillage can be expected to most significantly increase the _____ in a soil.

Soils of good tilth and high productivity are usually characterized by stable aggregation and a high percentage of macropores.

A chroma greater than 4 generally indicates a soil in good tilth.

The Soils Around Us

Formation of Soils From Parent Materials

Soil Classification

Soil Water: Characteristics and Behavior

Soil and the Hydrologic Cycle

Soil Aeration and Temperature

The Colloidal Fraction: Seat of Soil Chemical and Physical Activity

Soil Acidity, Alkalinity, Aridity and Salinity

Organisms and Ecology of the Soil

Soil Organic Matter Overview

Nutrient Cycles and Soil Fertility

Practical Nutrient Management

Soil Erosion and Its Control

Soils and Chemical Pollution

Filters

Exam 4: Soil Architecture and Physical Properties

Which of the following is not a textural class name?

Which type of structure is typically found in sodium-rich sub-surface horizons?

A soil with a bulk density equal to 0.35 Mg/m3 is most likely what type of soil?

Texture describes the ____ of particles in a soil.

A landscaping contractor wants to change the texture of a silt loam soil to meet the specifications for a loam. S/he would most likely do so by adding ______ to the soil and mixing it well.

Roots of most plants have difficulty growing through soil if the bulk density is greater than 1.0 Mg/m3.

For any soil, the bulk density is always lower than the particle density.

Which color would be typical of a well drained, low-organic matter sandy surface soil?

The plasticity index is the difference between the plastic limit and the liquid limit.

The percent of total pore space in a soil can be calculated if only the particle density and the organic matter content are known.

Proper timing of tillage is generally more difficult for a clayey than for a sandy soil.

The difference between the liquid and plastic limits of a soil is _______.

If a dry soil high in certain types of ____ is moistened, it is likely to swell up with enough force to 34 crack pavements and building foundations.

Light colored surface soils are likely to be warmer than dark-colored surface soils if soil moisture and other conditions are the same.

The plasticity index is used to determine soil texture.

Compared to a similar soil under native vegetation, a soil with a long history of conventionally tilled cropping would have less micropore space.

Soil colors are scientifically described by ____ color designations such as 10YR3/4.

Practices that add organic matter and reduce tillage can be expected to most significantly increase the _____ in a soil.

Soils of good tilth and high productivity are usually characterized by stable aggregation and a high percentage of macropores.

A chroma greater than 4 generally indicates a soil in good tilth.

The Soils Around Us

Formation of Soils From Parent Materials

Soil Classification

Soil Water: Characteristics and Behavior

Soil and the Hydrologic Cycle

Soil Aeration and Temperature

The Colloidal Fraction: Seat of Soil Chemical and Physical Activity

Soil Acidity, Alkalinity, Aridity and Salinity

Organisms and Ecology of the Soil

Soil Organic Matter Overview

Nutrient Cycles and Soil Fertility

Practical Nutrient Management

Soil Erosion and Its Control

Soils and Chemical Pollution

Filters

A soil with a bulk density equal to 0.35 Mg/m³ is most likely what type of soil?

Roots of most plants have difficulty growing through soil if the bulk density is greater than 1.0 Mg/m³.