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6.E.2 Soil

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the source of organic material needed for most fertile soils?

a)

moving water

b)

eroded sand

c)

decaying plants

d)

weathered bedrock

2.

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?

a)

Sandy soils because they provide high silica content.

b)

Loamy soils because they contain sand and clay.

c)

Slightly rocky soils because they provide needed materials.

d)

Clay soils because they are heavy soils and repair water.

3.

When microorganisms deplete the oxygen in soil through respiration, the soil becomes

a)

humus

b)

anaerobic

c)

compost

d)

aerobic

4.

The iron in iron-rich red soils may not be in a form that can be taken up by tree roots. As a result, leaves and needles may look yellow. Some trees release acids that convert iron in soil to a usable form. The change in soil chemistry is a type of which process?

a)

deposition

b)

weathering

c)

precipitation

d)

photosynthesis

5.

Humus is an organic material that makes up soil. Which characteristic best indicates that soil has a high humus content?

a)

the color of the sample

b)

the mass of the sample

c)

the amount of the clay in the sample

d)

the amount of rock in the sample

6.

The finest grained soils are richest in

a)

sand

b)

humus

c)

clay

d)

iron

7.

How cam the type of bedrock under soil affect the characteristics of the soil?

a)

by preventing soil erosion

b)

by absorbing excessive rainwater

c)

by contributing small rock particles to the soil

d)

by providing surface area for nutrient accumulation

8.

Which is an example of a mixture?

a)

oxygen

b)

ice

c)

soil

d)

silver

9.

Which is considered a property of soil?

a)

streak

b)

fracture

c)

texture

d)

luster

10.

What should be added to soil to increase its water retention?

a)

pebbles

b)

sand

c)

rocks

d)

clay

11.

A gardener wants to increase the ability of garden soil to retain water. Which of these should the gardener add to the soil?

a)

course sand

b)

loose gravel

c)

nitrogen pellets

d)

organic material

12.

A student identifies a soil sample as "very gritty." What characteristic of the soil did the student describe?

a)

texture

b)

hardness

c)

organic

d)

water retention

13.

Which soil component has the least capacity for holding water?

a)

silt

b)

clay

c)

sand

d)

humus

14.

Soil conservation officers inspect fields on four farms. Each farmer uses a different method to protect his fields.Which farm has methods which would BEST prevent soil erosion?

a)

where crops are planted in plowed straight rows

b)

where each field is left unplanted every other year

c)

where different crops are planted in plowed rows each year

d)

where crops are planted within the remains of last year's crops

15.

Soil will pack down over time which decreases the ability of soil to hold water. Which animals would best help the soil hold water?

a)

earthworms making tunnels under the surface

b)

cattle making depressions with their hooves

c)

horses making trenches when they gallop

d)

sheep pulling up plants by their roots