Quiz 1 Q&A's

The lithosphere is made up of ________. Select one: A. water B. air C. plants and animals D. rock E. all of the above

rock

Most of the different nutrients essential for growth are supplied to plants directly from the ________. Select one: A. atmosphere B. cosmic radiation C. humus D. soil solution E. rain water

soil solution

Most (usually 80% or more) of soil potassium and calcium can be found in the form of ________. Select one: A. structural components of minerals B. exchangeable ions C. organic compounds D. dissolved substances

structural components of minerals

he amount of different sizes of mineral particles in a soil defines the soil ________. Select one: A. texture B. structure C. pore space D. profile E. solution

texture

A soil profile consists of ________. Select one: A. the way a soil "feels" B. the set of layers seen in a vertical cross section of a soil C. the sum of chemical and physical data known about a soil D. the spatial boundaries of a particular soil E. the general outline of a soil or group of soils when viewed from the side

the set of layers seen in a vertical cross section of a soil

If supplied with a suitable nutrient solution, plants can grow normally without any soil at all. Select one: True False

true

In humid regions most rainwater that soaks into the soil and is not used by plants eventually flows into rivers and streams. Select one: True False

true

Most of the water flowing in rivers passed through a soil profile or over soil surfaces before reaching the river. Select one: True False

true

Most of the water in our rivers and lakes has come in contact with and has been affected by soils. Select one: True False

true

Plants can be grown without any soil. Select one: True False

true

Practices that tend to increase the amount of organic matter in soils would be expected to reduce the global greenhouse effect. Select one: True False

true

The mineral particles in soil consist of sand, silt, and clay. Select one: True False

true

Soil occupies the ________ part of the regolith. Select one: A. lower B. upper C. younger D. both B and C

upper

In a load of 10 cubic meters of topsoil, approximately how many cubic meters of the volume would be solid material? Select one: A. 5 B. 4 C. 2.5 D. 1 E. 7.5

5

In a typical mineral soil in optimal condition for plant growth, approximately what percentage of the pore space would be filled with water and what percentage filled with air? Select one: A. 50% water and 50% air B. 25% water and 75% air C. 25% water and 25% air D. 10% water and 90% air E. 90% water and 10% air

50% water and 50% air

Hydroxyl ion concentrations are greatest in a soil solution with a pH value of ________. Select one: A. 6.5 B. 4.0 C. 0.1 D. 5.0

6.5

Which of the following pH values represents a neutral condition? Select one: A. 1.0 B. 6.0 C. 10 D. 7.0 E. 5.0

7.0

"Topsoil" is generally equivalent to which soil horizon? Select one: A. A B. B C. C D. D E. E

A

In a given soil, the horizon with the highest organic matter content is generally the ________ horizon. Select one: A. C B. B C. A D. E E. D

A

Which of the following pH values represents the most acid condition? Select one: A. 1.0 B. 5.55 C. 100 D. 10.0 E. 7.0

A

"Subsoil" is generally equivalent to which soil horizon? Select one: A. A B. B C. C D. D E. E

B

Which of the following is (are) essential plant nutrients? Select one: A. Cu B. Pb C. Al D. Sr E. all of the above

Cu

Most, if not all, of the nutrient supply stored in a fertile soil is in forms readily available to plants. Select one: True False

False

Soil, like concrete and steel, is a standard construction material. Its properties are well characterized and predictable so that standard building foundation designs can be used uniformly at all building sites of a given topography. Select one: True False

False

While many organisms depend on the soil for nutrients and water, only a few very specialized organisms live in the soil itself. Select one: True False

False

Soil air usually has a higher carbon dioxide content than the air in the atmosphere. Select one: True False

True

The water in the soil typically differs from pure water because the soil water ________. Select one: A. contains organic compounds B. is restrained in its flow by attraction to particle surfaces C. contains mineral nutrients D. all of the above E. none of the above

all of the above

Which of the following is considered to be a plant macronutrient? Select one: A. P B. N C. S D. Ca E. all of the above

all of the above

A, B, C, and E horizons can be found in any true soil. Select one: True False

false

Although subsoil is more difficult to obtain, it is generally equally as good as topsoil for landscaping purposes. Select one: True False

false

An ideal soil for plant growth would be 50% solid material and 50% porespace, with all of the porespace completely filled with water. Select one: True False

false

Except for some kinds of foods, modern industry has made human dependence on soils a thing of the past. Select one: True False

false

For any soil in which it is present, the C horizon is the parent material for the B horizon. Select one: True False

false

Hydroponics will likely be a key element in enabling the world to feed and clothe its increasing human population in the next few decades. Select one: True False

false

Natural soils (as opposed to modern farm soils) can recycle organic compounds, but not inorganic elements. Select one: True False

false

Soil horizons, like alluvial sediments, generally have a horizontal orientation, regardless of the slope of the land. Select one: True False

false

Subsoil is typically equivalent to the O horizon. Select one: True False

false

The dark brown and black humus found in many soils does not mix well with clay minerals so there is very little contact between these two soil components. Select one: True False

false

Where organic matter constitutes only 1 or 2 percent of the soil by weight, it has only negligible influence on soil properties. Select one: True False

false

Compared to silt, clay-sized soil particles are characterized by ________. Select one: A. less tendency to form hard clods when dry B. less capacity to hold nutrients in plant-available forms C. greater attraction for water D. greater proportion of primary minerals

greater attraction for water

The layers of contrasting material found when one digs a hole in the ground are called ________. Select one: A. pseudoliths B. regoliths C. horizons D. pedons E. soil structure

horizons

Information about conditions at 2 to 4 meters deep in a soil is usually most helpful for understanding ________. Select one: A. how best to design a building foundation B. the proper classification of the soil. C. fertility requirements of most crops D. the diversity of animal life in the soil

how best to design a building foundation

Increasing the organic matter content of a soil is likely to ________. Select one: A. increase the soil's water holding capacity B. decrease the soil's water holding capacity C. have no effect on water holding capacity

increase the soils water holding capacity