Rock and Soil Review

The texture of soil depends primarily on the

• mass of the soil.

• water in the soil.

• composition of the soil.

• vegetation growing in the soil.

A student identifies a soil sample as “very gritty.” What characteristic of the soil did the

student describe?

• texture

• hardness

• organic content

• water retention

Which graph BEST relates soil particle size to the percent of water able to pass through the soil?

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Humus is an organic material that makes up soil. Which characteristic BEST indicates that

soil has a high humus content?

• the color of the sample

• the mass of the sample

• the amount of clay in the sample

• the amount of rock in the sample

Which best explains the relationship between parent rock and soil

composition?

• Weathered parent rock determines the number of organisms found in the soil.

• Weathered parent rock determines the amount of air found in the soil.

• Weathered parent rock is the largest component of soil.

• Weathered parent rock is the smaller component of soil.

The composition of soil influences the soil’s ability to retain and transmit water and air. What soil type would be BEST for planting a productive garden?

• Sandy soils because they provide high silica content.

• Loamy soils because they contain sand and clay.

• Slightly rocky soils because they provide needed minerals.

• Clay soils because they are heavy soils and retain water.

A plant that needs well-drained soil would grow BEST in soil made mostly of

• silt.

• clay.

• sand.

• humus.

If soil is permeable

• water cannot flow through it.

• water easily flows through it.

• it contains many minerals.

• it contains few minerals.

Soil that drains slowly MOST likely has a high amount of

• ash.

• sand.

• clay.

• peat.

Which of these particles, when found in soil, contributes MOST to the water retention in soil?

• gravel

• sand

• silt

• clay