Master Gardener Exam | 100 Practice Questions With
Bold Answers & Italic Explanations | 2026 Update
Section 1: Basic Botany (Questions 1-10)
1. Which part of the plant is primarily responsible for photosynthesis?
A) Roots
B) Stems
C) Leaves
D) All of the above
Answer: D
: While leaves are the primary site of photosynthesis, green stems and even some roots can
perform photosynthesis if they contain chlorophyll. However, leaves are the main
photosynthetic organs in most plants.
2. What is the primary function of a plant's root system?
A) Support only
B) Reproduction
C) Absorption of water and nutrients
D) Food storage only
Answer: C
: The root system anchors the plant and absorbs water and essential minerals from the soil.
While some roots store food (e.g., carrots), absorption is the primary function.
3. Which plant tissue transports water and minerals from roots to leaves?
A) Phloem
B) Xylem
C) Cambium
D) Epidermis
Answer: B
: Xylem tissue conducts water and dissolved minerals upward from roots to shoots. Phloem
transports sugars (food) from leaves to other plant parts.
4. The process by which plants lose water vapor through their leaves is called:
A) Condensation
B) Evaporation
C) Transpiration
,D) Respiration
Answer: C
: Transpiration is the loss of water vapor from plant leaves through stomata. It drives water
uptake and nutrient transport and helps cool the plant.
5. Which of the following is NOT a macronutrient required by plants?
A) Nitrogen (N)
B) Phosphorus (P)
C) Potassium (K)
D) Iron (Fe)
Answer: D
: Macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) are needed in large amounts. Iron (Fe) is a
micronutrient, needed only in trace amounts, but is still essential.
6. What term describes a plant that completes its life cycle in two growing seasons?
A) Annual
B) Biennial
C) Perennial
D) Ephemeral
Answer: B
: Biennials (e.g., carrots, foxglove) grow vegetatively the first year, flower and produce seed
the second year, then die.
7. The male reproductive part of a flower is the:
A) Pistil
B) Ovary
C) Stamen
D) Sepal
Answer: C
: The stamen consists of the anther (produces pollen) and filament. The pistil is the female
part (stigma, style, ovary).
8. What is the function of the plant cuticle?
A) Prevents water loss
B) Absorbs sunlight
C) Exchanges gases
D) Stores starch
Answer: A
: The cuticle is a waxy layer on leaves and stems that reduces water loss and provides
protection against pathogens.
, 9. Which growth hormone promotes stem elongation and fruit development?
A) Auxin
B) Gibberellin
C) Cytokinin
D) Ethylene
Answer: B
: Gibberellins stimulate stem elongation, seed germination, and fruit growth. Auxin promotes
cell elongation and apical dominance.
10. A plant with net-veined leaves and flower parts in multiples of four or five is likely
a:
A) Monocot
B) Dicot
C) Gymnosperm
D) Fern
Answer: B
: Dicots (broadleaf plants) have netted (reticulate) venation and floral parts typically in 4s or
5s. Monocots have parallel veins and flower parts in 3s.
Section 2: Soils & Plant Nutrition (Questions 11-20)
11. Which soil pH range is generally best for most garden plants in Kentucky?
A) 3.5-4.5 (very acidic)
B) 6.0-7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
C) 7.5-8.5 (alkaline)
D) Any pH is acceptable
Answer: B
*: Most garden plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0) where major nutrients
are most available. Some acid-loving plants (azaleas, blueberries) prefer pH 4.5-5.5.*
12. What is the term for the arrangement of soil particles into clusters or aggregates?
A) Soil texture
B) Soil structure
C) Soil porosity
D) Soil profile
Answer: B
Bold Answers & Italic Explanations | 2026 Update
Section 1: Basic Botany (Questions 1-10)
1. Which part of the plant is primarily responsible for photosynthesis?
A) Roots
B) Stems
C) Leaves
D) All of the above
Answer: D
: While leaves are the primary site of photosynthesis, green stems and even some roots can
perform photosynthesis if they contain chlorophyll. However, leaves are the main
photosynthetic organs in most plants.
2. What is the primary function of a plant's root system?
A) Support only
B) Reproduction
C) Absorption of water and nutrients
D) Food storage only
Answer: C
: The root system anchors the plant and absorbs water and essential minerals from the soil.
While some roots store food (e.g., carrots), absorption is the primary function.
3. Which plant tissue transports water and minerals from roots to leaves?
A) Phloem
B) Xylem
C) Cambium
D) Epidermis
Answer: B
: Xylem tissue conducts water and dissolved minerals upward from roots to shoots. Phloem
transports sugars (food) from leaves to other plant parts.
4. The process by which plants lose water vapor through their leaves is called:
A) Condensation
B) Evaporation
C) Transpiration
,D) Respiration
Answer: C
: Transpiration is the loss of water vapor from plant leaves through stomata. It drives water
uptake and nutrient transport and helps cool the plant.
5. Which of the following is NOT a macronutrient required by plants?
A) Nitrogen (N)
B) Phosphorus (P)
C) Potassium (K)
D) Iron (Fe)
Answer: D
: Macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) are needed in large amounts. Iron (Fe) is a
micronutrient, needed only in trace amounts, but is still essential.
6. What term describes a plant that completes its life cycle in two growing seasons?
A) Annual
B) Biennial
C) Perennial
D) Ephemeral
Answer: B
: Biennials (e.g., carrots, foxglove) grow vegetatively the first year, flower and produce seed
the second year, then die.
7. The male reproductive part of a flower is the:
A) Pistil
B) Ovary
C) Stamen
D) Sepal
Answer: C
: The stamen consists of the anther (produces pollen) and filament. The pistil is the female
part (stigma, style, ovary).
8. What is the function of the plant cuticle?
A) Prevents water loss
B) Absorbs sunlight
C) Exchanges gases
D) Stores starch
Answer: A
: The cuticle is a waxy layer on leaves and stems that reduces water loss and provides
protection against pathogens.
, 9. Which growth hormone promotes stem elongation and fruit development?
A) Auxin
B) Gibberellin
C) Cytokinin
D) Ethylene
Answer: B
: Gibberellins stimulate stem elongation, seed germination, and fruit growth. Auxin promotes
cell elongation and apical dominance.
10. A plant with net-veined leaves and flower parts in multiples of four or five is likely
a:
A) Monocot
B) Dicot
C) Gymnosperm
D) Fern
Answer: B
: Dicots (broadleaf plants) have netted (reticulate) venation and floral parts typically in 4s or
5s. Monocots have parallel veins and flower parts in 3s.
Section 2: Soils & Plant Nutrition (Questions 11-20)
11. Which soil pH range is generally best for most garden plants in Kentucky?
A) 3.5-4.5 (very acidic)
B) 6.0-7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
C) 7.5-8.5 (alkaline)
D) Any pH is acceptable
Answer: B
*: Most garden plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0) where major nutrients
are most available. Some acid-loving plants (azaleas, blueberries) prefer pH 4.5-5.5.*
12. What is the term for the arrangement of soil particles into clusters or aggregates?
A) Soil texture
B) Soil structure
C) Soil porosity
D) Soil profile
Answer: B
