Land Test Review

Of the following choices, the largest sized particles are...

• Silt
• Clay
• Sand
• Loam

Why would a desert suffer more from groundwater contamination than other biomes? 

• a.  Desert soils are more permeable than other biomes
• b.  Deserts have higher population of humans
• c.  Deserts have higher silt content
• d.  Deserts are located in wastelands used for waste disposal

Which of these is likely to minimize soil erosion? 

• Deforestation
• No-till agriculture
• Annual plowing
• Herbicide use

The water holding capacity of soil is LEAST likely to be affected by the addition of which of the following? 

• Pesticide
• Clay
• Humus
• Sand

According to the information in the graph, which of the following would most effectively slow the loss of arable (farmable) land?

• Increasing the efficiency of desalination processes.
• Reducing urban development
• Using more extensive irrigation systems.
• Increasing the efficiency of erosion control

Which of the following is an example of chemical weathering?

• Lichens secrete carbonic acid that breaks rock down into pieces
• A rock fractured by the freezing of water in the cracks of the rock
• A rock in the desert expands when heated during the day then contracts at night, which breaks off pieces of rock
• Rushing water smooths rocks in a streambed.

Of the choices listed below, the best type of soil texture for agriculture would be...

• Silt 
• Sand
• Clay
• Loam

Which of the following characteristics of soil would most impede (limit or prevent) plant growth? 

• Neutral pH
• Loamy soil
• High permeability 
• None of these

A student measures out 10 mL of soil.  She adds water to the soil, shakes it up and allows it to sit for 30 seconds to allow particles to settle out.  After the 30 seconds she measures 7 mL of particles in the bottom layer.  Which is true about her findings based on the information given above?

• Her soil sample is 70% silt.
• Her soil sample is 30% sand.
• Her soil sample is 100% clay.
• Her soil sample is 70% sand.

Which of the following procedures would be best for remediating the effects of soil salinization?

• Application of broad-spectrum biocides to kill microorganisms.
• Application of superphosphates to increase soil fertility.
• Addition of clay to increase soil water-holding capacity.
• Addition of large amounts of water to dilute salts.