Soil Assessment

The layers of soil shown in the diagram are correctly referred to as:

• joints

• zones

• horizons

• bedding planes

The decayed organic material in soil is called:

• humus

• loam

• topsoil

• bedrock

This is rock material that has been moved from somewhere else by erosion.

• decomposition

• replanting

• reposition

• deposition

What is the word we use for the moving, or removing, of rocks and soil by wind or water?

• erosion

• gravity

• friction

• inertia

Sand is mostly small rocks. How does sand form?

• built by animals

• large rocks breed small rocks

• small rocks are glued together

• large rocks break into small rocks.

What happens to the matter that is left after a living thing has died and decayed? The matter returns to the soil and __________________

• the soil is considered infertile

• new living things are made from it

• the soil turns into sand

• begins to photosynthesize by itself

___________ recycles the remains of animals and plants into soil and other useful resources to be used again.

When a farmer wants to test the soil to see how acidic it is, what is the farmer testing?

• permeability

• porosity

• pH level

• texture

A soil with high __________ permeability allows water to move quickly through it, washing away nutrients.

• pH level

• texture

• composition

• permeability

What is something that people can do to prevent or stop erosion?

• plant trees and shrubs

• dig more housing foundations

• erect tall buildings

• picket construction sites