Soil Profile and Characteristics Quiz

A soil profile is best described as:

• A horizontal layer of bedrock

• A mixture of sand, silt, and clay

• A vertical cross section of the soil

• A surface layer of organic matter only

Which soil horizon is also called topsoil?

• B horizon

• C horizon

• O horizon

• A horizon

The O horizon is primarily made of:

• Sand

• Clay

• Organic matter

• Silt

The B horizon is also called:

• Bedrock

• Parent material

• Eluviation zone

• Subsoil

The R horizon is usually:

• Silt loam

• Organic material

• Bedrock

• Topsoil

Which process involves the removal of materials from soil?

• Additions

• Transformations

• Translocations

• Losses

Which soil horizon combines with the A horizon to form the solum?

• O horizon

• C horizon

• B horizon

• R horizon

The C horizon usually contains:

• Parent material

• Iron oxides

• Decayed organic matter

• Humus

Soil profiles are usually studied to a depth of:

• 10–15 feet

• 3–5 feet

• 1–2 feet

• 6–8 feet

Which of the following is a soil-forming factor?

• Native vegetation

• Climate

• Parent material

• All of the above