Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Section 3: Formation of Soil

Formation of Soil

1
Which type of soil has a high level of salt and can support only limited vegetation?
A)a desert soil
B)a temperate soil
C)a tropical soil
D)a polar soil
2
What two variables control how fast a soil forms?
A)residual vs. transported soil
B)type of parent rock and climate
C)temperature and pressure
D)type and age of parent rock
3
How are soil textures classified?
A)climate
B)horizon
C)acidity
D)grain size
4
Soil that has been moved to a location away from its parent rock is called __________.
A)residual soil
B)transported soil
C)organic-rich soil
D)soil profile
5
What soil horizon has high concentrations of organic matter and humus?
A)horizon A
B)horizon B
C)horizon Z
D)horizon C
6
__________ is the loose covering of broken rock particles and decaying organic matter that covers bedrock.
A)regolith
B)soil
C)sediment
D)a sedimentary rock
7
You find a soil sample with 50 percent sand, 20 percent silt, and 40 percent clay. Use the figure to determine the soil's texture.
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A)silt loam
B)loam
C)clay loam
D)sandy clay loam
8
Which soil shown in the figure has the most developed soil?
A)the soil closest to the surface
B)the soil farthest below the surface
C)all are equally developed
D)the middle level
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