WorksheetsSoil Science Quiz
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
What is the term for multiple layers of soil?
horizons
bedrock
humus
loam
What is the name for unweathered rock that influences the texture of the soil above it?
bedrock
humus
loam
horizons
What do we call decayed organic material found in soil?
humus
loam
sand
silt
Who is a scientist that studies soil?
pedologist
geologist
biologist
chemist
What is the name for fertile soil that has equal parts of sand and silt combined with about half as much clay?
loam
humus
bedrock
topsoil
What is the loose material at the surface of the earth called?
soil
sand
silt
humus
Which is the largest kind of particle in soil?
sand
silt
clay
humus
Which soil component allows water and air to mix in the soil?
silt
sand
loam
bedrock
What term describes the amount of each kind of particle in a soil sample?
texture
horizons
topsoil
humus
What is the layer in which plants germinate and roots grow called?
topsoil
bedrock
loam
horizons
Why is loam considered fertile soil?
Because it has equal parts of sand and silt with about half as much clay
Because it is made only of sand
Because it contains only organic material
Because it is found deep underground
How does silt help soil?
It allows water and air to mix in the soil
It forms the bedrock
It is the largest particle in soil
It is only organic material
Which layer is most important for plant growth and why?
Topsoil, because it is where plants germinate and roots grow
Bedrock, because it is unweathered
Humus, because it is organic
Sand, because it is the largest particle
If a soil sample has mostly sand, what can you infer about its texture?
It will be coarse and gritty
It will be sticky and smooth
It will be rich in organic material
It will be very fertile
What would happen if there was no humus in the soil?
The soil would lack decayed organic material
The soil would be mostly sand
The soil would be only bedrock
The soil would have more horizons
Which of the following is NOT a function of topsoil?
Providing a place for plant roots to grow
Being the unweathered rock layer
Supplying nutrients to plants
Allowing seeds to germinate
A pedologist is most likely to study which of the following?
Soil composition and layers
Ocean currents
Animal behavior
Weather patterns
If a soil sample is described as having a fine texture, what does it likely contain more of?
Silt and clay
Sand and gravel
Bedrock and humus
Loam and topsoil
Why is bedrock important to the soil above it?
It influences the texture of the soil above it
It provides nutrients directly to plants
It is the layer where seeds germinate
It is made of decayed organic material
Which combination makes loam ideal for plant growth?
Equal parts sand and silt, with about half as much clay
Only sand and silt
Only clay and humus
Only bedrock and topsoil
