Soil Horizons

Question 1

One at a time, you test how quickly each of the following substances will settle out of water. To measure this property, you separately test each of the following by placing 100 grams of the substance and 500 milliliters of water into a 1 liter jar and screw on the lid tightly. Then you shake the jar violently for 1 minute and set the jar down. Which one of the following would settle the fastest, creating the clearest water in the fastest amount of time?

a. gravel

b. clay

c. silt

d. sand

Question 2

Soils with the greatest water-holding capacity tend to have:

a. poor aeration and lowest workability

b. poor nutrient-holding capacity and good workability

c. good water infiltration and workability

d. good aeration and poor workability

Question 3

Which one of the following soil horizons is least likely to be interacting directly with living organisms?

a. A horizon

b. O horizon

c. E horizon

d. C horizon

Question 4

A soil is found to have 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay. This soil would be referred to as:

a. silty

b. sandy

c. clayey

d. loamy