The Colorado Certified Nursery Professional
(CCNP) Exam
Question 1. Which plant family does the common sunflower belong to?
A) Asteraceae
B) Rosaceae
C) Fabaceae
D) Liliaceae
Answer: A) Asteraceae
Explanation: The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is part of the
Asteraceae family, known for composite flower heads.
Question 2. What is the primary function of roots in a plant?
A) Photosynthesis
B) Nutrient absorption and anchorage
C) Reproductive support
D) Transpiration regulation
Answer: B) Nutrient absorption and anchorage
Explanation: Roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil and anchor the
plant in place.
Question 3. Which type of leaf venation is most commonly found in
monocots?
A) Pinnate
, The Colorado Certified Nursery Professional
(CCNP) Exam
B) Palmate
C) Parallel
D) Reticulate
Answer: C) Parallel
Explanation: Monocots typically have parallel venation, with veins running
parallel along the leaf.
Question 4. Which is an example of a deciduous tree?
A) Eastern White Pine
B) Maple tree
C) Juniper
D) Pineapple guava
Answer: B) Maple tree
Explanation: Maples shed their leaves annually, classifying them as
deciduous.
Question 5. What process converts light energy into chemical energy in
plants?
A) Respiration
B) Photosynthesis
C) Transpiration
, The Colorado Certified Nursery Professional
(CCNP) Exam
D) Fermentation
Answer: B) Photosynthesis
Explanation: Photosynthesis captures light energy to produce glucose, the
plant's energy source.
Question 6. Which plant hormone is primarily responsible for cell elongation?
A) Cytokinin
B) Auxin
C) Gibberellin
D) Ethylene
Answer: B) Auxin
Explanation: Auxin promotes cell elongation, especially in roots and shoots.
Question 7. What is a biennial plant?
A) Completes its life cycle in one year
B) Completes its life cycle in two years
C) Lives for more than two years
D) Grows only during the summer
Answer: B) Completes its life cycle in two years
Explanation: Biennials grow vegetatively in the first year and flower in the
second.
, The Colorado Certified Nursery Professional
(CCNP) Exam
Question 8. Which soil component is most responsible for its structure and
aeration?
A) Organic matter
B) Mineral particles
C) Water
D) Air spaces between particles
Answer: D) Air spaces between particles
Explanation: Soil structure depends on pore spaces allowing air and water
movement.
Question 9. What irrigation method is most water-efficient for landscapes?
A) Overhead sprinkler
B) Drip irrigation
C) Flooding
D) Hand watering with a hose
Answer: B) Drip irrigation
Explanation: Drip systems deliver water directly to plant roots with minimal
waste.
(CCNP) Exam
Question 1. Which plant family does the common sunflower belong to?
A) Asteraceae
B) Rosaceae
C) Fabaceae
D) Liliaceae
Answer: A) Asteraceae
Explanation: The common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is part of the
Asteraceae family, known for composite flower heads.
Question 2. What is the primary function of roots in a plant?
A) Photosynthesis
B) Nutrient absorption and anchorage
C) Reproductive support
D) Transpiration regulation
Answer: B) Nutrient absorption and anchorage
Explanation: Roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil and anchor the
plant in place.
Question 3. Which type of leaf venation is most commonly found in
monocots?
A) Pinnate
, The Colorado Certified Nursery Professional
(CCNP) Exam
B) Palmate
C) Parallel
D) Reticulate
Answer: C) Parallel
Explanation: Monocots typically have parallel venation, with veins running
parallel along the leaf.
Question 4. Which is an example of a deciduous tree?
A) Eastern White Pine
B) Maple tree
C) Juniper
D) Pineapple guava
Answer: B) Maple tree
Explanation: Maples shed their leaves annually, classifying them as
deciduous.
Question 5. What process converts light energy into chemical energy in
plants?
A) Respiration
B) Photosynthesis
C) Transpiration
, The Colorado Certified Nursery Professional
(CCNP) Exam
D) Fermentation
Answer: B) Photosynthesis
Explanation: Photosynthesis captures light energy to produce glucose, the
plant's energy source.
Question 6. Which plant hormone is primarily responsible for cell elongation?
A) Cytokinin
B) Auxin
C) Gibberellin
D) Ethylene
Answer: B) Auxin
Explanation: Auxin promotes cell elongation, especially in roots and shoots.
Question 7. What is a biennial plant?
A) Completes its life cycle in one year
B) Completes its life cycle in two years
C) Lives for more than two years
D) Grows only during the summer
Answer: B) Completes its life cycle in two years
Explanation: Biennials grow vegetatively in the first year and flower in the
second.
, The Colorado Certified Nursery Professional
(CCNP) Exam
Question 8. Which soil component is most responsible for its structure and
aeration?
A) Organic matter
B) Mineral particles
C) Water
D) Air spaces between particles
Answer: D) Air spaces between particles
Explanation: Soil structure depends on pore spaces allowing air and water
movement.
Question 9. What irrigation method is most water-efficient for landscapes?
A) Overhead sprinkler
B) Drip irrigation
C) Flooding
D) Hand watering with a hose
Answer: B) Drip irrigation
Explanation: Drip systems deliver water directly to plant roots with minimal
waste.
