PLS 366 SOILS MID-TERM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
A dynamic natural body having properties derived from the combined effects of climate
and biotic activities as moderated by topography, acting on parent materials over time is
a definition of what? - Answers -Soil
Which of the following soil orders would pose the greatest problem for building a home
with a basement?
Alfisol
Ultisol
Vertisol
Aridisol - Answers -Vertisol
Which of the 5 soil forming factors are most responsible for the differences between
Aridisols and Gelisols? - Answers -Climate
The Kentucky State soil is Crider Silt Loam. It has the following taxonomic name: fine-
silty, mixed, mesic, Typic Paleudalf. What is the order? - Answers -Alfisol
Residual parent materials are best described as: - Answers -materials formed by
weathering of rocks and minerals in place
The degradation (or decomposition) of organic matter from plant residues is considered
this type of soil developmental process. - Answers -Transformation
Which of the following does not contribute to soil acidification over time?
- greater effective precipitation
- decreased leaching losses of exchangeable cations
- increased leaching losses of exchangeable cations
- exchange of proton (H+) for exchangeable cations - Answers -Decreased leaching
losses of exchangeable cations
In which soil order would recent alluvium most likely be a common parent material? -
Answers -Entisol
The cation exchange principle which states that cation exchange occurs on a charge-
for-charge basis is: - Answers -charge equivalence
One important function of mulches (vegetative, paper, and/or plastic) on the surface is
to: - Answers -minimize evaporation
A dynamic natural body having properties derived from the combined effects of climate
and biotic activities as moderated by topography, acting on parent materials over time is
a definition of what? - Answers -Soil
Which of the following soil orders would pose the greatest problem for building a home
with a basement?
Alfisol
Ultisol
Vertisol
Aridisol - Answers -Vertisol
Which of the 5 soil forming factors are most responsible for the differences between
Aridisols and Gelisols? - Answers -Climate
The Kentucky State soil is Crider Silt Loam. It has the following taxonomic name: fine-
silty, mixed, mesic, Typic Paleudalf. What is the order? - Answers -Alfisol
Residual parent materials are best described as: - Answers -materials formed by
weathering of rocks and minerals in place
The degradation (or decomposition) of organic matter from plant residues is considered
this type of soil developmental process. - Answers -Transformation
Which of the following does not contribute to soil acidification over time?
- greater effective precipitation
- decreased leaching losses of exchangeable cations
- increased leaching losses of exchangeable cations
- exchange of proton (H+) for exchangeable cations - Answers -Decreased leaching
losses of exchangeable cations
In which soil order would recent alluvium most likely be a common parent material? -
Answers -Entisol
The cation exchange principle which states that cation exchange occurs on a charge-
for-charge basis is: - Answers -charge equivalence
One important function of mulches (vegetative, paper, and/or plastic) on the surface is
to: - Answers -minimize evaporation
