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SOIL

Total questions: 135

Worksheet time: 2hrs 37mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The plant and animal remains are called

a)

Bacteria

b)

inorganic matter

c)

organic matter

d)

decomposer

2.

A process begins with rocks and ends with soil

a)

soil pollution

b)

soil formation

c)

soil degradation

d)

soil erosion

3.

The first step in soil formation is:

a)

Parent rock breaks down.

b)

Soil and the soil community develops.

c)

Organisms add organic matter.

d)

weathering

4.

 From place to place, soil horizons are the same

a)

True

b)

False

5.

The differences between different soil horizons depend on:

a)

the original parent rock

b)

climate

c)

Both

6.

The last step in soil formation is:

a)

Parent rock breaks down.

b)

Soil and the soil community develops.

c)

Organisms add organic matter.

d)

weathering

7.

________ can cause bedrock to breakdown.

4 lines
8.

Bacteria and fungi help create soil by decomposing dead plants and animals into:

a)

humus

b)

subsoil

9.

The top, or A horizon of soil is called (a)   .

10.

Name 2 things that soil is a mixture of ________ and ________.

4 lines
11.

Name 2 properties of soil.

4 lines
12.

When eroded soil is deposited in other places, it is called _________.

a)

bedrock

b)

transported

13.

The thickness of soil can depend on the climate.

a)

True

b)

False

14.

Soil becomes (thicker or thinner) over time.

(a)  

15.

Water passes slowly through soils with high permeability.

a)

yes

b)

no

16.

Explain why soil is important.

4 lines
17.

How can we prevent soil erosion in areas with MOUNTAINS?

a)

No-till farming

b)

Crop Rotation

c)

Contour Plowing

d)

Terraces

18.

How can we prevent soil erosion in an area with HILLS?

a)

Contour Plowing

b)

Terraces

c)

Crop Rotation

d)

Windbreaks

19.

How can we prevent soil erosion in areas where the air is swirling around at fast speeds?

a)

Crop Rotation

b)

No-till Farming

c)

Windbreaks

d)

Terraces

20.

Which strategy will prevent soil erosion?

a)

Plant the same crops every year

b)

Rotate your crops on a 3 year schedule

21.

How can planting trees prevent erosion?

a)

Trees slow down the water cycle.

b)

The leaves soak up all the water.

c)

The roots hold on to the soil.

d)

Trees don't actually prevent erosion.

22.

What soil erosion prevention strategy involves leaving last season's dead crops in the field to hold down the soil?

a)

Windbreaks

b)

Crop Rotation

c)

No-till Farming

d)

Terraces

23.

What soil erosion prevention strategy is shown in the picture?

a)

Contour Plowing

b)

Crop Rotation

c)

Windbreaks

d)

No-till Farming

24.

What soil erosion prevention strategy is shown in the picture?

a)

Plant Trees

b)

Windbreaks

c)

Contour Plowing

d)

Terraces

25.

What soil erosion prevention strategy is shown in the picture?

a)

Contour Plowing

b)

Terraces

c)

Crop Rotation

d)

Windbreaks

26.

What soil erosion prevention strategy is shown in the picture?

a)

Contour Plowing

b)

Plant Trees

c)

Crop Rotation

d)

No-till Farming

27.

What kind of soil is this?

a)

Silt

b)

Sand

c)

Dirt

d)

Beach

28.

Which of the following is NOT one of the layers of soil?

a)
topsoil
b)
undersoil
c)
subsoil
d)
bedrock
29.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three types of soil?
a)
clay
b)
sand
c)
silt
d)
mud
30.
_______ is the type of soil used most often with plants. It is a mixture of clay, sand, and silt.
a)
loam
b)
humus
c)
mud
d)
dirt
31.
Humus is.....
a)
the dead parts of plants and animals in soil.
b)
A food we eat with pretzels.
c)
The tiny particles inside of soil
d)
The roots that come off of a plant and live in soil.
32.
Ellen grabs a topsoil sample in her hand. She rolls it into a ball. The soil feels gritty and the ball falls apart. What part of the topsoil most likely made the topsoil feel gritty?
a)
clay
b)
sand
c)
silt
d)
humus
33.
Many plants cannot grow in clay soil. Why is this true?
a)
Clay soil does not have many nutrients.
b)
Roots cannot easily push through clay soil.
c)
Water doesn't drain well through clay.
d)
All of these choices.
34.
Many plants cannot grow in sandy soil. Why is this true?
a)
Sandy soil does not hold enough water.
b)
Oxygen cannot pass through sandy soil.
c)
Roots cannot easily push through clay soil.
d)
Sandy soil has too many nutrients.
35.
What are some things that you can add to a compost pile?
a)
leaves, apple core, and tin foil
b)
grass clippings, banana peel, and newspaper
c)
egg shells, plastic spoon, and ziploc bags
d)
metal fork, rubber spatula, and shoelaces
36.
Soil is made of
a)
weathered rocks and minerals
b)
dead plants and animals
c)
air and water
d)
all of the above
37.
Which type of soil can hold the greatest amount of water?
a)
sand
b)
silt
c)
clay
d)
loam
38.
Which of the following is NOT an organic material
a)
Worms
b)
Decayed animals
c)
Rocks
d)
Decayed plants
39.

Which layer is the parent material?

a)

Horizon O

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon C

e)

Horizon R

40.

Which layer is the subsoil?

a)

Horizon O

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon C

e)

Horizon R

41.

What is NOT an acceptable observation of soil characteristics?

a)

Gritty

b)

Dry

c)

Brown

d)

Dirt

42.
Which are contained in soil?
a)
Small rock fragments and air
b)
Inorganic humus and dead animals
c)
Earthworms and crete
d)
Landslides and water
43.
What is the movement of soil from one place to another?
a)
weathering
b)
deposition
c)
discharge
d)
erosion
44.
Soil formation begins with the weathering of_______.
a)
Humus
b)
Subsoil
c)
Litter
d)
Rock
45.
Humus is.....
a)
the dead parts of plants and animals in soil.
b)
A food we eat with pretzels.
c)
The tiny particles inside of soil
d)
The roots that come off of a plant and live in soil.
46.
Decayed organic material turns into dark colored material called __.
a)
litter
b)
clay
c)
humus
d)
soil
47.
The MAIN  thing Decomposers do for the the soil is the following:
a)
Store moisture
b)
Burrow deep in the soil
c)
Make space for air and water
d)
Break down and digest dead organisms
48.
What is soil composed of?
a)
weathered rock
b)
minerals
c)
living things
d)
all of the above
49.

Soil is the same everywhere in the world. True or False?

a)

True

b)

False

50.

The breaking down of rocks is called ______________.

a)

Texture

b)

Decomposing

c)

Weathering

d)

Rock and Minerals

51.

A mixture of pieces of rock, decomposing plants and animals is called _____________.

a)

Decomposing

b)

Soil

c)

Rock

d)

Mound

52.

soil is made of

a)

decaying organic material

b)

rock particles

c)

minerals

d)

water

e)

air

53.

this is decaying organic matter.

a)

humus

b)

sand

c)

loam

d)

bedrock

e)

topsoil

54.
Soil formation begins with the weathering of_______.
a)
Humus
b)
Subsoil
c)
Litter
d)
Rock
55.
If an igneous rock cools off slowly UNDERNEATH the Earth's surface, then its mineral crystals will be...
a)
Small mineral crystals that you can barely see.
b)
Large crystals that are easy to see.
c)
No crystals, it will have bits of plant and bones.
d)
No crystals, it will contain sand. 
56.
Which of the following are associated with volcanoes?
a)
Sediments and soil
b)
Crystals and sand
c)
Magma and lava
d)
Mica and granite
57.
A __________ is a natural, nonliving substance that makes up rocks. 
a)
Sedimentary rock
b)
Igneous Rock
c)
Mineral
d)
Sediment
58.
Which of the following words relates to sedimentary rocks?
a)
Magma
b)
Cement
c)
Luster
d)
Heat
59.

Which property describe a characteristic of a sedimentary rock?

a)

large crystals

b)

glassy

c)

small crystals

d)

layers

60.

How do metamorphic rocks form?

a)

melting

b)

crystallization

c)

heat and pressure

d)

erosion

61.

Which type of rocks are classified according to the organization of the grains?

a)

igneous

b)

sedimentary

c)

metamorphic

d)

clastic

62.

What factor would cause two places to have different soil? Example: a forest will have different soil compared to a desert.

a)

amount of weathering or erosion

b)

amount of plant and animal life

c)

type of bedrock

d)

all of the above

63.

Solid inorganic materials that naturally occur in earth's crust and have a definite chemical composition are called

a)

rocks

b)

minerals

c)

sedimentary rocks

d)

humus

64.
Which category does HUMUS belong in?
a)
Living 
b)
Non-living 
c)
Once living
65.
What are the 3 layers of soil (in order from top to bottom) that we have learned?
a)
Subsoil, Bedrock, Topsoil
b)
Topsoil, Subsoil, Bedrock
c)
Topsoil, Humus, Tundra
66.

Soil is formed over a long time. Which sentence best tells how soil forms?

a)

Soil forms when rocks break down and mix with dead plants and animals.

b)

Soil forms when a lot of rain falls on the ground at once.

c)

Soil forms when sand is mixed with water.

d)

Soil forms when large rocks break down and turn into sand and water.

67.
The remains of living things that died long ago are often found in what type of rock?
a)
igneous rocks
b)
sedimentary rock
c)
metamorphic rock
d)
all rocks
68.
Hot, molten rock inside the earth is called ...
a)
lava
b)
magma
c)
igneous rock
d)
minerals
69.
Once magma reaches the earth's surface, it is called __________.
a)
a vent
b)
minerals
c)
igneous rocks
d)
lava
70.

Which type of soil has the lowest rate of permeability?

a)

sand

b)

silt

c)

clay

d)

loam

71.

Soil is made of ---

a)

weathered rocks and minerals.

b)

dead plants and animals.

c)

air and water.

d)

all of the above

72.

Which layer of soil is on the bottom of a soil profile?

a)

topsoil

b)

subsoil

c)

bedrock

d)

humus

73.

Which of the following is NOT one of the three layers of soil?

a)

topsoil

b)

undersoil

c)

subsoil

d)

bedrock

74.

Humus is ---

a)

the dead parts of plants and animals in soil.

b)

A food we eat with pretzels.

c)

The tiny particles inside of soil.

d)

The roots that come off of a plant and live in soil.

75.

When plants, animals, and other organisms die, they break down and become part of the soil. What is this part of the soil called?

a)

sand

b)

silt

c)

clay

d)

humus

76.

What is the layer of soil just below the topsoil?

a)

bedrock

b)

subsoil

c)

topsoil

d)

humus

77.
Which layer of soil are these roots growing in?
a)
subsoil
b)
topsoil
78.

Horizontal layers of soil are called ---

a)

Soil profiles

b)

Soil horizons

79.

The texture of soil depends mainly on ---

a)

the types of plants that grow in the soil.

b)

the size of the particles in the soil.

c)

the color of the soil.

d)

the number of worms in the soil.

80.

What is the layer of soil that contains humus, leaf litter, and other organic matter called?

a)

O - Organic

b)

A - Topsoil

c)

B - Subsoil

d)

R - Bedrock

81.

Why is topsoil darker than all other levels of soil?

a)

It contains all the darker colored minerals.

b)

It contains volcanic rock.

c)

It contains more organic matter.

d)

It contains bits of burned trees.

82.

Where does most of the water go when it rains?

a)

In the ocean

b)

In the rivers

c)

In the gutters

d)

It absorbs into the soil.

83.

What is the common name for Horizon A?

a)

bedrock

b)

topsoil

c)

subsoil

84.

Why is soil an important natural resource?

a)

soil is used to make buildings

b)

soil can grow crops

c)

soil comes from bedrock

d)

soil is full of microbes

85.
Which describes the soil layers in order from the surface?
a)
top soil, bedrock, horizon C, subsoil
b)
top soil, subsoil, horizon C, bedrock
c)
top soil, horizon C, subsoil, bedrock
86.
What are the four soil components?
a)
Sand, rock, humus, air
b)
Rock, humus, air, water
c)
Rock, humus, roots, water
d)
Rock, humus, animals, plants
87.
Which factors are primarily responsible for decomposition of organic materials in soil?
a)
Animal action and plant action
b)
Animal action and fungus action
c)
Fungus action and microorganisms
d)
Microorganisms and animal action
88.
Does the vertical cross-section of soil in the picture show a soil profile or a soil horizon?
a)
Soil Profile
b)
Soil Horizon
89.

Permeability is...

a)

when soil gets carried away

b)

when soil is broken down by wind, water, or ice

c)

how fast water travels through the soil

d)

how much water the soil holds

90.
Humus is bad for soil.
a)
True
b)
False
91.
Which layer of soil is on bottom?
a)
Topsoil
b)
Sand
c)
Bedrock
92.

What is HUMUS made from?

a)

Chick-Peas

b)

The remains of decayed plants and animals

c)

Inorganic materials

d)

Rocks and Minerals

93.
All soils begin with what process?
a)
Nutrients
b)
Subsoil
c)
Weathering
d)
Fertile
94.
Fertile soil is rich in _________.
a)
Conservation
b)
Bedrock
c)
Water
d)
Nutrients
95.
Which layer of soil are these roots growing in?
a)
subsoil
b)
topsoil
96.

Which horizon is made up of partially weathered rocks?

a)

Horizon A

b)

Horizon B

c)

Horizon C

d)

Horizon D or R (Bedrock Layer)

97.
In which horizon is most of the HUMUS?
a)
Horizon A
b)
Horizon B
c)
Horizon C
d)
Horizon D or R
98.
SOIL LAYERS ARE CALLED.......
a)
MATERIALS
b)
ORGANIC
c)
HUMUS
d)
HORIZONS
99.
MIXTURE OF ROCK, MINERAL PARTICLES, AND ORGANIC MATTER...... 
a)
HORIZONS
b)
HUMUS
c)
SOIL
d)
CLAY
100.
WHAT LAYER IS TOPSOIL FOUND IN........
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
101.
Which of the following describes how well soil can grow plants?
a)
soil texture
b)
soil fertility
c)
soil structure
d)
soil arrangement
102.
Does the vertical cross-section of soil in the picture show a soil profile or a soil horizon?
a)
Soil Profile
b)
Soil Horizon
103.
The picture shows desert soil. This forms in dry regions, so which of the following characteristics seems to fit best? The soil is...
a)
Deep and contains much organic matter
b)
Deep and contains little organic matter
c)
Shallow and contains much organic matter
d)
Shallow and contains little organic matter
104.
The picture shows temperate soil. This forms moderate rainfall and temperature regions, so which of the following characteristics seems to fit best? The soil contains...
a)
Much organic material and grows crops well
b)
Much organic material and does not grow crops well
c)
Little organic material and grows crops well
d)
Little organic material and does not grow crops well
105.
Soil formation begins with the weathering of_______.
a)
Humas
b)
Subsoil
c)
Litter
d)
Rock
106.
Topsoil which contains the HUMUS is the soil layer best for growing plants.
a)
True
b)
False
107.
There is an unlimited supply of fertile soil.
a)
True
b)
False
108.
Which of the following is NOT an organic material
a)
Worms
b)
Decayed animals
c)
Rocks
d)
Decayed plants
109.
Layers of soil are also known as:
a)
Soil Profiles
b)
Soil Horizons
c)
Soil sheets
d)
Soil cores
110.

What soil horizon is shown?

a)

Horizon O

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon E

d)

Horizon B

e)

Horizon C

111.

What soil horizon is shown?

a)

Horizon O

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon E

d)

Horizon B

e)

Horizon C

112.

What soil horizon is shown?

a)

Horizon O

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon E

d)

Horizon B

e)

Horizon C

113.

What soil horizon is shown?

a)

Horizon A

b)

Horizon E

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon C

e)

Horizon R

114.

What soil horizon is shown?

a)

Horizon A

b)

Horizon E

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon C

e)

Horizon R

115.

What soil horizon is shown?

a)

Horizon A

b)

Horizon E

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon C

e)

Horizon R

116.

Match the description of the horizon to the horizon name.

a)

Horizon O

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon E

e)

Horizon C

117.

Match the description of the horizon to the horizon name.

a)

Horizon O

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon E

e)

Horizon C

118.

Match the description of the horizon to the horizon name.

a)

Horizon R

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon E

e)

Horizon C

119.

Match the description of the horizon to the horizon name.

a)

Horizon R

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon O

e)

Horizon C

120.

Match the description of the horizon to the horizon name.

a)

Horizon R

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon O

e)

Horizon C

121.

Match the description of the horizon to the horizon name.

a)

Horizon R

b)

Horizon A

c)

Horizon B

d)

Horizon O

e)

Horizon C

122.

What soil layer contains the most humus?

a)

Horizon A

b)

Horizon E

c)

Horizon R

d)

Horizon O

e)

Horizon B

123.

What soil layer contains the LEAST amount of humus?

a)

Horizon A

b)

Horizon E

c)

Horizon R

d)

Horizon O

e)

Horizon B

124.

Match the horizon letter with its name.

Horizon R

a)

Organic Matter

b)

Topsoil

c)

Eluviation

d)

Subsoil

e)

Bedrock

125.

Match the horizon letter with its name.

Horizon E

a)

Organic Matter

b)

Topsoil

c)

Eluviation

d)

Subsoil

e)

Bedrock

126.

Match the horizon letter with its name.

Horizon A

a)

Organic Matter

b)

Topsoil

c)

Parent Material

d)

Subsoil

e)

Bedrock

127.

Match the horizon letter with its name.

Horizon O

a)

Organic Matter

b)

Topsoil

c)

Parent Material

d)

Subsoil

e)

Bedrock

128.

Match the horizon letter with its name.

Horizon B

a)

Organic Matter

b)

Topsoil

c)

Parent Material

d)

Subsoil

e)

Bedrock

129.

Match the horizon letter with its name.

Horizon C

a)

Organic Matter

b)

Topsoil

c)

Parent Material

d)

Subsoil

e)

Bedrock

130.

Which horizon would you expect to find the following:

Living and dead plants and animals

a)

Horizon E- Eluviation Layer

b)

Horizon O- Organic Material

c)

Horizon A- Topsoil

d)

Horizon B- Subsoil

e)

Horizon R- Bedrock

131.

Which horizon would you expect to find the following:

Leached clay and minerals from the horizon above

a)

Horizon E- Eluviation Layer

b)

Horizon O- Organic Material

c)

Horizon A- Topsoil

d)

Horizon B- Subsoil

e)

Horizon R- Bedrock

132.

Which horizon would you expect to find the following:

Sand and silt (clay and minerals get leached to layer below)

a)

Horizon E- Eluviation Layer

b)

Horizon O- Organic Material

c)

Horizon A- Topsoil

d)

Horizon B- Subsoil

e)

Horizon R- Bedrock

133.

Which horizon would you expect to find the following:

True soil layer: a mixture of humus, mineral grains, water, and air

a)

Horizon E- Eluviation Layer

b)

Horizon C- Parent Material

c)

Horizon A- Topsoil

d)

Horizon B- Subsoil

e)

Horizon R- Bedrock

134.

Which horizon would you expect to find the following:

Thick slab of unbreakable rock

a)

Horizon E- Eluviation Layer

b)

Horizon C- Parent Material

c)

Horizon A- Topsoil

d)

Horizon B- Subsoil

e)

Horizon R- Bedrock

135.

Which horizon would you expect to find the following:

Slightly weathered rock chunks; very little organic material found here.

a)

Horizon E- Eluviation Layer

b)

Horizon C- Parent Material

c)

Horizon A- Topsoil

d)

Horizon B- Subsoil

e)

Horizon R- Bedrock

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