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Free Practice Quiz Question List

2 Soil Horizons and Profiles Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 2 Soil Horizons and Profiles, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions
01
Choose one
1 point

A soil layer is relatively pale because water moving through it has removed some clay, iron, or organic matter. Which master horizon best fits this description?

  1. A

    A zone where silicate clay has accumulated

  2. B

    A zone where water has removed some materials

  3. C

    Relatively little-altered parent material

  4. D

    Hard bedrock beneath the soil

02
True or false
1 point

A profile description may include an R layer beneath the soil, even though R is hard bedrock rather than soil.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

03
Written response
1 point

In soil horizon labeling, what does the suffix in Ap commonly indicate?

04
Fill in the blank
1 point

Complete the descriptions of two soil processes: water removes materials from an upper layer by , while materials moved from above may accumulate in a lower layer by .

05
Choose one
1 point

A soil profile passes from A to B to C, with no O or E horizon. How should this profile be interpreted?

  1. A

    Every profile must contain all five horizons in this order.

  2. B

    A profile without an E horizon cannot contain a B horizon.

  3. C

    A soil may pass from A to B to C without an O or E horizon.

  4. D

    All profiles begin with an O horizon at the surface.

06
Choose all
1 point

Select all statements that correctly distinguish soil texture from soil structure.

  1. A

    Texture describes the proportions of sand, silt, and clay.

  2. B

    Texture describes how soil particles form aggregates.

  3. C

    Structure describes how soil particles form aggregates.

  4. D

    Structure refers only to the color of a horizon.

07
True or false
1 point

A layer is located below an A horizon. Its position alone is enough to identify it as a B horizon.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

08
Written response
1 point

What is the soil-science term for the vertical sequence of horizons at one location?

09
Fill in the blank
1 point

Complete the horizon labels: an A horizon affected by plowing is commonly labeled , while a B horizon with accumulated silicate clay is labeled .

10
Choose one
1 point

A subsurface layer shows evidence of alteration and may contain materials moved downward from above. Which description best fits this layer?

  1. A

    It is relatively little-altered parent material beneath developed soil.

  2. B

    It is a subsurface zone that may show accumulation or other alteration.

  3. C

    It is hard bedrock and is not part of a profile description.

  4. D

    It is always an organic layer at the soil surface.

11
Choose all
1 point

During a field comparison of two soil profiles, which observations can help distinguish their horizons? Select all that apply.

  1. A

    Compare the depths and thicknesses of layers.

  2. B

    Observe color differences and the texture of the soil.

  3. C

    Treat each visible color change as definitive proof of a specific horizon.

  4. D

    Note roots, stones, and whether boundaries are abrupt or gradual.

12
Open ended
1 point

Explain why two locations may have different soil profiles. Include factors that influence horizon development and describe one way a profile can be changed after it forms.

13
Choose one
1 point

A subsurface layer consists of parent material that is relatively little altered compared with the layers above. Which horizon description is the best match?

  1. A

    Relatively little-altered parent material, possibly weathered rock or transported deposits

  2. B

    Organic material such as leaf litter and partly decomposed plant remains

  3. C

    Mineral soil near the surface commonly mixed with organic matter

  4. D

    Hard bedrock beneath the soil

14
Written response
1 point

What does the soil horizon label Bt indicate?

15
True or false
1 point

True or false: The R horizon is hard bedrock beneath the soil and is not itself soil.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

16
Choose one
1 point

A soil layer consists mainly of leaf litter and partly decomposed plant remains. Which master horizon most likely describes it?

  1. A

    A

  2. B

    O

  3. C

    C

  4. D

    R

17
Choose one
1 point

A profile contains a layer of transported deposits that has undergone relatively little alteration compared with the layers above it. Which master horizon best fits this description?

  1. A

    A

  2. B

    B

  3. C

    C

  4. D

    E

18
Written response
1 point

What horizon label commonly indicates an A horizon affected by plowing? Enter the horizon label.

19
Choose one
1 point

In a profile, water moving downward has removed some clay, iron, or organic matter from a layer, leaving it relatively pale. Which master horizon is most likely present?

  1. A

    A

  2. B

    E

  3. C

    B

  4. D

    C

20
Choose one
1 point

A subsurface layer shows substantial development, including accumulation of material moved down from above. Which master horizon best fits this evidence?

  1. A

    O

  2. B

    A

  3. C

    B

  4. D

    R