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Soil: Introduction Assessment Answer Key
Directions:
Answer the following questions.
1. The physical, chemical and biological properties of soil forms the foundation for all
ecosystems.
A. True
B. False
2. __________ is the unconsolidated or loosely arranged mineral or organic material
on the surface of the earth serving as the natural medium for the growth of plants.
A. Waste material
B. Soil
C. Leaf litter
D. Mulch
3. Select all of the following which describes why soil is essential to life on Earth.
Enables food and clothing production
Is a base for homes and roads
Causes agricultural erosion
Provides nutrients for plants and habitats for insects
4. Which of the following properties determines the living systems for above and below
the ground?
A. Chemical, material and biological
B. Physical, chemical and biological
C. Biological, chemical and inorganic
D. Biological, organic and inorganic
5. Soil recycles nutrients and stores them in the soil to make them available for the
next growing plants.
A. True
B. False
duction 2
6. Which of the following is a function of a microorganism?
A. Decomposes organic materials
B. Regulates the flow of water
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C. Creates organic materials
D. All of these are correct
7. __________ properties of soil regulates the flow of water by controlling where and
how rain, irrigation and snow move across the land.
A. Biological
B. Physical
C. Organic
D. Reactant
8. Allowing roots to burrow and anchor trees while still being able to withstand erosion
under normal circumstances describes which of the following?
A. Soil moldability
B. Turbidity
C. Biological functionality
D. Structural integrity
9. Which of the following is something soil does NOT cycle?
A. Nitrogen
B. Carbon
C. Lithium
D. Phosphorus
10. __________ in the soil acts to detoxify organic and inorganic materials, improving
air and water quality.
A. Bugs
B. Microbes
C. Plants
D. None of the answer choices are correct
11. A __________ of soil properties can lead to ______ of soil.
A. Misunderstanding; use
B. Misuse; misunderstanding
C. Misunderstanding; misuse
D. Understanding; misuse
12. The NRCS defines soil health as the continued capacity of soil to function in an
ecosystem which sustains plants, animals and humans.
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A. True
B. False
13. For soil to function in a productive manner it must be healthy.
A. True
B. False
14. __________ is a natural disturbance to soil health.
A. Erosion
B. Buildings
C. Livestock
D. Herbicides
15. Which of the following properties help sustain plant and animal life?
A. Chemical, biological and physical
B. Biological, chemical and reactant
C. Chemical, physical and organic
D. Organic, inorganic and biological
16. Soil provides nutrients to plants, a foundation for buildings, food for animals and
humans and a habitat for insects.
A. True
B. False
17. __________ soil can prevent runoff after a heavy rainfall.
A. Organic
B. Nutrient-rich
C. Healthy
D. Inorganic
18. Soil provides six functions for supporting life including maintaining physical stability
and support, sustaining plant and animal life, cycling nutrients, regulating water,
regulating food nutrients and filtering potential pollutants.
A. True
B. False
19. Soil does NOT provide nutrients for supporting plant life.
A. True
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B. False
20. Soil contains the largest concentration of __________, or living organisms, on the
planet and forms the foundations for life.
A. Biomass
B. Water
C. Plant material
D. None of the answer choices are correct
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