Question 1

Practices that tend to increase the amount of organic matter in soils would be expected to reduce the global greenhouse effect.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

"Topsoil" is generally equivalent to which soil horizon?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

The mineral particles in soil consist of sand, silt, and clay.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Most of the water in our rivers and lakes has come in contact with and has been affected by soils.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The lithosphere is made up of _________.

Accepted Answer

A)  air 
B)  rock 
C)  water 
D)  plants and animals 
E)  all of the above

Question 6

In a typical mineral soil in optimal condition for plant growth, approximately what percentage of the pore space would be filled with water and what percentage filled with air?

Accepted Answer

A)  10% water and 90% air 
B)  90% water and 10% air 
C)  25% water and 25% air 
D)  50% water and 50% air 
E)  25% water and 75% air

Question 7

Compared to silt, clay-sized soil particles are characterized by ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  greater attraction for water 
B)  greater proportion of primary minerals 
C)  less tendency to form hard clods when dry 
D)  less capacity to hold nutrients in plant-available forms

Question 8

Soil, like concrete and steel, is a standard construction material. Its properties are well characterized and predictable so that standard building foundation designs can be used uniformly at all building sites of a given topography.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Subsoil is typically equivalent to the O horizon.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Most of the different nutrients essential for growth are supplied to plants directly from the ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  rain water 
B)  soil solution 
C)  atmosphere 
D)  cosmic radiation. 
E)  humus

Question 11

Where organic matter constitutes only 1 or 2 percent of the soil by weight, it has only negligible influence on soil properties.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Increasing the organic matter content of a soil is likely to _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  have no effect on water holding capacity 
B)  increase the soil's water holding capacity 
C)  decrease the soil's water holding capacity

Question 13

In a given soil, the horizon with the highest organic matter content is generally the _____ horizon.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

The amount of different sizes of mineral particles in a soil defines the soil ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  structure 
B)  texture 
C)  pore space 
D)  solution 
E)  profile

Question 15

Most (usually 80% or more) of soil potassium and calcium can be found in the form of _________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  dissolved substances 
B)  structural components of minerals 
C)  exchangeable ions 
D)  organic compounds

Question 16

While many organisms depend on the soil for nutrients and water, only a few very specialized organisms live in the soil itself.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Which of the following pH values represents the most acid condition?

Accepted Answer

A)  1.0 
B)  10.0 
C)  7.0 
D)  100 
E)  5.55

Question 18

Which of the following pH values represents a neutral condition?

Accepted Answer

A)  1.0 
B)  5.0 
C)  6.0 
D)  7.0 
E)  10

Question 19

Hydroponics will likely be a key element in enabling the world to feed and clothe its increasing human population in the next few decades.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

In humid regions most rainwater that soaks into the soil and is not used by plants eventually flows into rivers and streams.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 1: The Soils Around Us

Practices that tend to increase the amount of organic matter in soils would be expected to reduce the global greenhouse effect.

"Topsoil" is generally equivalent to which soil horizon?

The mineral particles in soil consist of sand, silt, and clay.

Most of the water in our rivers and lakes has come in contact with and has been affected by soils.

The lithosphere is made up of _________.

In a typical mineral soil in optimal condition for plant growth, approximately what percentage of the pore space would be filled with water and what percentage filled with air?

Compared to silt, clay-sized soil particles are characterized by ______.

Soil, like concrete and steel, is a standard construction material. Its properties are well characterized and predictable so that standard building foundation designs can be used uniformly at all building sites of a given topography.

Subsoil is typically equivalent to the O horizon.

Most of the different nutrients essential for growth are supplied to plants directly from the ______.

Where organic matter constitutes only 1 or 2 percent of the soil by weight, it has only negligible influence on soil properties.

Increasing the organic matter content of a soil is likely to _____.

In a given soil, the horizon with the highest organic matter content is generally the _____ horizon.

The amount of different sizes of mineral particles in a soil defines the soil ________.

Most (usually 80% or more) of soil potassium and calcium can be found in the form of _________________.

While many organisms depend on the soil for nutrients and water, only a few very specialized organisms live in the soil itself.

Which of the following pH values represents the most acid condition?

Which of the following pH values represents a neutral condition?

Hydroponics will likely be a key element in enabling the world to feed and clothe its increasing human population in the next few decades.

In humid regions most rainwater that soaks into the soil and is not used by plants eventually flows into rivers and streams.