6.E.2.3 & 2.4

Which of the following statements is true about where loose rocks on Earth's surface come from?

• Loose rocks, including very large rocks as well as very small pieces of rock in sand, were at one time part of the Earth's solid, rocky layer.

• Very large rocks were at one time part of the Earth's solid rock layer, but the very small pieces of rock in sand were not

• The very small pieces of rock in sand were at one time part of the Earth's solid rock layer, but very large rocks were not

• No loose rocks, including very large rocks and the very small pieces of rock in sand, were ever part of the Earth's solid rocky layer.

Which of the following best summarizes what scientists have learned by studying farming techniques that include planting vegetative cover, contour plowing, conservation plowing, and crop rotation?

• The methods allow scientists to better study the human impact on soil quality and erosional processes so that the soil can be protected and preserved.

• The methods allow scientists to gather data on farming techniques that increase soil erosion rates.

• The methods allow scientists to better study efficient farming techniques to increase crop yields.

• The methods allow scientists to gather a better understanding of the pedosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

Which of the following will most likely happen to soil when crops are not rotated from year to year?

• The soil nutrients are depleted.

• The soil fertility increases.

• The soil becomes more porous.

• The soil erodes less rapidly.

What is the main component of soil?

• decomposing plant matter

• dirt that has built up over time

• weathered rock

• decomposing animal matter

Which of the following best explains how soil forms?

• Over time, bacteria on Earth’s surface break down rock into small particles to form soil.

• As rain falls, it brings dirt particles from the atmosphere and deposits them onto Earth’s surface to form soil.

• Soil forms as rock is broken down by weathering and mixes with other materials on Earth's surface.

• As water moves across Earth’s surface, it picks up materials on the surface and deposits them in other locations to form soil.

Which of the following human activities negatively affects Earth’s pedosphere?

• planting trees in areas where they have all been cut

• using conservation plowing techniques to reduce erosion

• planting vegetative covers in areas where erosion is occurring

• removing vegetation from land areas beside rivers and streams

A farmer has been farming for many years. Each year plants the same crop. Which of the following processes will most likely balance nutrients in the soil to benefit their crops?

• crop rotation

• contour plowing

• planting vegetative covers beside the fields

• planting vegetative covers beside the fields

Which of the following would be the best way to monitor how humans are changing Earth’s surface?

• Videotape how people are making changes to Earth’s surface.

• Request landowners to monitor each other and report changes that are made to the land.

• Require people to submit a request before making changes that would affect natural areas.

• Use information gathered from remote sensing devices.

Which of the following has the greatest impact on the type of soil that forms?

• the location where the soil formed

• the texture of the soil

• the ability of the soil to hold moisture

• the pH of the soil

It refers to the layer of soil on earth.

• atmosphere

• hydrosphere

• pedosphere