DPH SOILS WEEK EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026

DPH SOILS WEEK EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026




Loamy sand - ANS Does form a ball but NO ribbon



Sandy loam - ANS Forms ball, makes WEAK ribbon (>2.5 cm) and feels GRITTY



Silt Loam - ANS Forms a ball, makes WEAK ribbon (>2.5 cm) and feels SMOOTH



Loam - ANS Forms ball and WEAK ribbon NEITHER grittiness NOR smoothness predominates



Sandy Clay Loam - ANS Forms ball and makes MEDIUM ribbon (2.5-5 cm long) and feels
GRITTY



Silty Clay Loam - ANS Forms ball and MEDIUM ribbon feels SMOOTH



Clay Loam - ANS Forms ball and MEDIUM ribbon NEITHER gritty NOR smooth



Sandy Clay - ANS Forms ball and STRONG ribbon (5cm or longer) and feels GRITTY



Silty Clay - ANS Forms ball and STRONG ribbon and feels SMOOTH
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, Clay - ANS Forms ball and STRONG ribbon and feels NEITHER gritty NOR smooth



Perched Water Table - ANS Water table that forms ABOVE relatively impermeable layer in the
soil profile and above surface water table; discontinuous in the landscape



Most common clay mineral does not shrink or swell; less reactive - ANS Kaolinite



5 Landscape Positions - ANS 1. Upland flat(Summit)

2. Shoulder

3. Back slope

4. Toe(foot) slope

5. Bottom(floodplain)



Purpose of Onsite Systems - ANS Transmission and Renovation of Wastewater



Oi - ANS Organic or litter horizon without a textural class; leaves are identifiable



Oa - ANS Organic or litter horizon without a textural class; high decomposed litter



Oe - ANS Organic or litter horizon without a textural class; moderately decomposed litters



A - ANS Topmost horizon with color description. Will NOT have a texture e.g. most likely
granular




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