Soil Formation and Weathering Quiz

The very first step in the formation of soil is the breaking down of large rocks. What is this process called?

• Humus formation

• Erosion

• Weathering

• Decomposition

Imagine a rock with a small crack. Water gets into the crack, freezes, and expands, making the crack bigger. This is an example of:

• Chemical weathering

• Biological weathering

• Physical weathering

• Soil erosion

What is the main difference between weathering and erosion?

• Weathering creates soil, while erosion destroys it.

• Weathering is the breaking of rocks, while erosion is the movement of broken pieces.

• Weathering is caused by water, while erosion is caused by wind.

• There is no difference; they are the same process.

The dark, organic material in soil, formed from dead plants and animals, is called:

• Clay

• Sand

• Bedrock

• Humus

Why is humus an important component of fertile soil?

• It makes the soil hard and strong.

• It is full of nutrients that plants need to grow.

• It helps sunlight reach the plant's roots.

• It stops water from entering the soil.

The roots of a large tree grow into the cracks of a rock and eventually split it apart. This is a form of:

• Physical weathering

• Biological weathering

• Chemical weathering

• Wind erosion

Soil is made up of both non-living and living components. Which of the following is a living component of soil?

• Tiny rock particles

• Water

• Bacteria and earthworms

• Air

In which of the following environments would you expect weathering to happen the fastest, leading to quicker soil formation?

• A cold, dry desert with very little change in temperature.

• A hot, wet tropical rainforest with frequent rain.

• The North Pole, where everything is frozen year-round.

• A flat, grassy plain with mild weather.

The type of soil in a particular area depends heavily on the:

• Number of animals living there.

• Type of parent rock that weathered to form it.

• Amount of sunlight it receives.

• Color of the plants growing on it.

When acid rain falls on limestone rocks, it can dissolve the rock and change its chemical structure. This process is an example of:

• Physical weathering

• Biological weathering

• Chemical weathering

• Water erosion