Glencoe Earth Science

Chapter 7: Weathering and Soil

Weathering and Soil

1
How does climate affect chemical and mechanical weathering?
A)Chemical and mechanical weathering occur more rapidly in warm, wet climates.
B)Mechanical weathering occurs more rapidly in warm, wet climates, and chemical weathering occurs more in cold climates.
C)Chemical weathering occurs more rapidly in warm, wet climates, and mechanical weathering occurs more in cold climates.
D)Chemical weathering occurs more rapidly in dry climates and mechanical weathering occurs more in windy climates.
2
Each layer of a soil profile is called a __________.
A)litter
B)horizon
C)humus
D)horizontal
3
Why does clearing tropical rain forests have an adverse effect on soil quality?
A)Burning fields leave ash and soot in the soil, making it impossible to grow crops.
B)Uprooting trees makes the soil vulnerable to erosion.
C)By clearing rain forests soil is vulnerable to direct sunlight that damages the richness of the soil.
D)The soil is only good for farmers for a few years before the nutrients are gone because the soil is almost infertile below the first few centimeters.
4
Why is ice wedging most obvious in the mountains?
A)because the temperature changes in the mountains allow for the repeated freezing and thawing of water caught in cracks of rocks
B)because gravity pulls on the water in the cracks more if its found higher in the mountains
C)because the pressure in the mountains allows for the repeated freezing and thawing of water caught in cracks of rocks
D)because the altitude directly contributes to how the water freezes in the cracks of rocks
5
Climate affects soil types; for instance, prairie soils have __________.
A)granitic C horizons because little or no grass grows there
B)thick, dark, A horizons because of all the grasses that contribute organic materials
C)thin, lightly colored A horizons because of the lack of vegetation
D)thinner A and B horizons due to leaching, which is promoted by rainfall
6
__________ is a method in which level-topped areas are built into steep-sided hills.
A)Weathering
B)Terracing
C)No-till farming
D)Ice wedging
7
How do construction sites attempt to reduce erosion?
A)They replace topsoil that has been removed during construction.
B)all answers are correct
C)They spray exposed soil with water to prevent wind erosion.
D)They cover exposed ground with plastic to prevent wind erosion.
8
How is surface area related to chemical weathering?
A)Increased surface area allows for more interactions of rocks with plants and animals.
B)Decreased surface area allows for more interactions of rocks with water and oxygen.
C)Increased surface area allows for more interactions of rocks with water and oxygen.
D)Decreased surface area allows for more ice wedging.
9
In which horizon of a soil profile is the parent material usually found?
A)horizon C
B)horizon A
C)horizon B
D)horizon D
10
Decayed organic material turns into a dark colored material called ___________.
A)clay
B)soil
C)litter
D)humus
11
Soil is a mixture of __________.
A)all answers are correct
B)weathered rock and water
C)decayed organic matter and oxygen
D)mineral fragments
12
A soil's composition is dependent on weathering because __________.
A)it keeps the soil moist
B)it moves the topsoil to other areas where it is more needed
C)it contributes sediment to the soil
D)it makes the soil more fertile
13
How do farmers attempt to manage crops to reduce soil erosion?
A)They plant shelter belts to protect crops from wind erosion.
B)They practice no-till farming.
C)They use animals to graze over vegetation instead of plowing.
D)all answers are correct
14
When water mixes with carbon dioxide in the air, it forms __________.
A)carbonic acid
B)hydrochloric acid
C)sulfuric acid
D)ozone
15
How does grazing affect soil?
A)Grazing can be used in place of plowing in no-till farming.
B)all answers are correct
C)Overgrazing can leave soil vulnerable to wind and water erosion.
D)Grazing can improve soil quality due to organic matter that livestock leaves behind.
16
How do chemical and mechanical weathering differ?
A)Plant roots can help mechanical weathering occur, but have no impact on soil when it comes to chemical weathering.
B)Mechanical weathering occurs when rocks are broken by physical processes, and chemical weathering happens when chemical reactions dissolve minerals.
C)Chemical weathering can occur with the help of water reacting with carbon dioxide, and water has nothing to do with mechanical weathering.
D)Mechanical and chemical weathering can happen with the help of animals.
17
In which horizon of a soil profile does leaching normally occur?
A)horizon B
B)horizon C
C)horizon D
D)horizon A
18
How does soil erosion affect topsoil?
A)It moves the topsoil to other areas where it is more needed.
B)It washes it away.
C)It keeps it moist.
D)It makes it more fertile.
19
How does agricultural cultivation contribute to soil erosion?
A)Farmers who plow their land uproot plant roots which hold soil in place.
B)Farmers who plow their land remove soil to make planting more productive.
C)When farmers plow their land they leave it vulnerable to animals that use and remove soil to build their homes.
D)Farmers who cultivate their land bring in livestock to help stop soil erosion.
20
Erosion is more common on __________.
A)in valleys
B)level ground
C)steep slopes
D)on gently sloping hills
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