SOIL SCIENCE _PRETEST

DIRECTION: Encircle the letter of the best answer from the choices given.
1. The original source of most organic matter in soil is
a. plant residues
b. bodies of dead animals and insects
c. soil inhabiting microorganisms
d. rocks
2. The most abundant gas in the soil atmosphere is:
a. CO2 c. N2
b. O2 d. A
3. A soil horizon is defined as:
a. the depth of finely divided soil mineral over bed rock
b. a soil layer that differs in recognizable properties from other layers immediately above or
below
c. the slope of the soil surface relative to the horizon
d. any of the above
4. An example of physical weathering process is
a. exfoliation c. hydration
b. solution d. oxidation
5. A civil engineer is a:
a. edaphologist c. petrologist
b. pedologist d. anthropologist
6. The study of rock is:
a. mineralogy c. petrology
b. rockology d. hydrology
7. The molten mass from where igneous rocks solidify from is:
a. core c. mantle
b. magma d. soil
8. Metamorphosis is caused by:
a. high pressure and temperature c. erosion
b. floods d. earthquake
9. The parent material corresponds to horizon:
a. AB c. D
b. C d. ABCD
10. The true soil corresponds to horizon:
a. C c. ABC
b. AB d. ABCD
11. A lowland paddy soil possess:
a. ABC Horizon c. AB Horizon
b. oxidized and reduced layers d. OABC
12. An organic soil is most likely having % OM of
a. 1 c. 25
b. 5 d. 0
13. The mineral supplying P is:
a. feldspar c. talc
b. apatite d. pyrite
14. Tourmaline supplies the element
 a. Mn c. Ca
b. B d. N
15. Resistance of a mineral to abrasion is
a. luster c. hardness
b. specific gravity d. cleavage
16. The softness mineral is
a. diamond c. quartz
b. talc d. apatie
17. The hardest mineral is
a. diamond c. quartz
b. talc d. apatite
18. This mineral is hardly soluble in water
a. talc c. gypsum
b. quartz d. fluorite
19. This is not an element of climate
a. relief c. temperature
b. precipitation d. sunshine
20. Parent material deposited in lakes is
a. alluvium c. marine
b. lacustrine d. tuff
21. The soil profile is found in the
a. core c. crust
b. mantle d. Moho layer
22. The most abundant elements in the earths crusts are
a. Fe, AL, Mn, N, P c. N, P, K, Ca, Mg
b. O, Si, Al, Fe, Ca d. C, H, O, N, P
23. Secondary mineral include
a. montmorillonite c. feldspar
b. quartz d. diamond
24. This is not a soil forming factor
a. climate c. soil color
b. organism d. time
25. The basic elements lost in weathering are
a. Fe, Al c. Zn, Mn
b. Ca, Mg d. C, H
26. The main objective of physical weathering is
a. increase total surface area for chemical weathering
b. weaken rock by removal of bases
c. produce clay
d. leach bases
27. The two soil forming factors that normally show the greatest variation from one geographic region
to another are:
a. topography and parent material c. climate and vegetation
b. topography d. time and relief
28. Parent material that has formed by weathering of bedrock in place is:

a. transported c. colluvial
b. residual d. alluvial
29. One of the most variable soil components is;
a. mineral matter c. soil water
b. organic matter d. sand
30. Of the following minerals, the one that expands on wetting is;
a. muscovite c. montmorillonite
b. illite d. kaolinite
31. Felspar minerals that are most easily weathered by chemical means tend to be high in the element:
a. K c. Ca
b. Na d. P
32. Basalt weathers more easily than granite, this difference being explained most readily by difference
in:
a. mineralogy c. both a and b
b. texture d. color
33. The dark color of igneous rocks is usually caused by:
a. quartz c. caltite
b. feldspar d. ferromagnesian minerals
34. The chemical element in dolomite that is not an important constituents of calcite is:
a. Mg c. C
b. Ca d. O
35. The primary mineral most likely to accumulate at the site of chemical weathering of granite is:
a. mica c. quartz
b. muscovite d. clay
36. Soil textual classes are defined in terms of ranges in variation in:
a. structure c. texture
b. weathering d. drainage
37. The physical state of the soil as relates to plant growth is known as soil:
a. texture c. tilth
b. consistency d. structure
38. The sedimentary rock that contains clay minerals as one of its more important constituents is:
a. shale c. sandstone
b. limestone d. slate
39. The percent moisture of a moist soil sample that weighs 12.5 g originally and 10g after oven drying
is:
a. 12.5 c. 25
b. 10 d. 22.5
40. The force that determines the height to which water will rise in a vertical capillary tube:
a. surface tension c. infiltration
b. capillarity d. capillary fringe
41. The entry of surface applied water into soil is known as:
a. infiltration c. seepage
b. percolation d. erosion
42. The zone of saturated soil where water is held under sanction immediately above the water table is
known as:
a. water table c. capillary fringe
b. spring d. capillary
43. The acidity of rainwater is largely due to the gas:
a. CO2 c. SO3
b. NO3 d. H
44. Which does not relate to CEC?
a. amount of clay c. kind of clay
b. amount of Om d. bulk density
45. This ion is adsorbed with the least force to soil particles:
a. NA c. H
b. Ca d. Al
46. The soil depth from which plants obtain the major part of the water absorbed as turned:
a. effective-rooting depth of plant c. profile
b. solum d. rhizosphere
47. The consumptive use of water is defined as that quantity of water in the production of a crop by the
process of:
a. transpiration c. evapotranspiration
b. evaporation d. water use efficiency
48. Porosity, which is the total pore-space volume of soils:
a. is highest in fine-textured soils
b. is highest in coarse-textured soils
c. varies little with differences in texture
d. is same for all soil
49. The hydraulic pressure of water held in the soil by capillary forces of attraction is:
a. zero c. negative
b. positive d. 10, 000
50. Soil sanction in a saturated zone beneath a water table is:
a. greater than zero c. less than zero
b. zero d. 10,000
51. Decomposers which work both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions
a. actinomycetes c. fungi
b. bacteria d. algae
52. The conversion of ammonium (NH4) into organic N
a. immobilization c. mineralization
b. fixation d. nitrification
53. The element that most often limits the rate of plant residue decay in soils
a. Oxygen c. Nitrogen
b. Carbon d. Phosphorus
54. On the average, the tissue of legume plants decomposes more rapidly than the straw from mature
grass because the legume is
a. higher in readily decomposable carbohydrates
b. higher in protein
c. higher in both readily decomposable carbohydrates and protein
d. higher in lignin
55. Microorganisms that are most active in the decay of organic substance in soils
a. Autotrophs c. Anarobes
b. Aerobes d. Phototrophs
56. Of the following, the one that is not carbohydrate is
a. Lignin c. Cellulose
b. Starch d. Hemicellulose
57. Product of nitrification is
a. N2 c. NH4
b. NO3 d. N2O
58. Product of denitrification
a. N2 c. NH4
b. NO3 d. NH3
59. The anaerobic non-symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria belong to the genus
a. Dexria c. Azotobacter
b. Clostridium d. Bradyrhizobium
60. The percentage of organic N in the soil is approximately
a. 96-98% c. 68-75%
b. 78-80% d. 50-60%
61. Bacteria belonging to this genus are non-symbiotic nitrogen fixers
a. Nitrobacter c. Azotobacter
b. Aerobacter d. Athrobacter
62. If a crop residue contains 60% organic carbon and 5% total nitrogen, its C/N ration is
a. 10:1 c. 15:1
b. 12:1 d. 20:1
63. Which of the following microorganisms is very sensitive to potassium levels in soil and therefore
useful in diagnosing potassium deficiency?
a. Pseudomonas denitrificans c. Azotobacter chroococcum
b. Aspergillus niger d. Nitrobacter agilis
64. The most efficient organic matter decomposers under acidic soil conditions are the
a. Bacteria c. Fungi
b. Actinomycetes d. Protozoa
65. A soil with bulk density of 1.3 g/cm3 and particle density of 2.60g/cm3 will have a porosity of:
a. 5% c. 50%
b. 25% d. 75%
66. Type of soil structure best suited for growing upland crops
a. Massive c. Crumb
b. Platy d. Single-grain
67. Bacteria belong to this factor of soil formation
a. Relief c. Climate
b. Living organism d. Parent material
68. Blocks of soil from each horizon posted on hard board
a. Regolith c. Litolith
b. Monolith d. Pedon
69. Basis for mapping of Philippine soils
a. Soil series/ type c. Soil Family
b. Soil order d. Great group
70. The percent N, P2O5 and K2O in a fertilizer
a. Fertilizer ratio c. Fertilizer recommendation
b. Fertilizer grade d. Fertilizer brand
71. In highly weathered and leached tropical soils most of the phosphorus is stored in
a. soil solution c. organic matter
b. secondary minerals d. clay fraction
72. When nutrients are immobile deficiency first shows up in
a. Youngest leaves c. Senescent leaves
b. Oldest leaves d. Stems
73. Deficiency of nitrogen first shows up as chlorosis of
a. Oldest leaves c. Middle leaves
 b. Youngest leaves d. Stems
74. The suitable fertilizer for an alkaline N deficient soil
a. Anhydrous NH3 c. Calcium nitrate
b. Urea d. Ammonium sulfate
75. At maturity, the nitrogen content of a grain crop will be highest in
a. stem c. grain
b. leaf d. grain
76. Soil application of fertilizer after plant emergence
a. Basal c. Foliar
b. Topdressing d. Deep placement
77. The first stage in soil erosion
a. Soil particle detachment c. Deposition
b. Entrapment d. Water infiltration
78. Basic properties described in a soil profile
a. Texture, bulk density, consistency
b. CEC, OM(%) content, BS, BD
c. Color, texture, stoniness, structure
d. Plasticity, structure
79. Describes the darkness or lightness of color
a. Value c. Ultra
b. Hue d. Spectra
80. Soil texture can be described effectively in the field
a. Touch method c. Hydrometer
b. Pinch method d. Feel and roll method
81. The cracking clay soils fall under this order
a. Vertisols c. Mollisols
b. Ultisols d. Alfisols
82. It is the most extensively weathered of all the soil orders
a. Vertisols c. Ultisols
b. Oxisols d. Alfisols
83. The most detailed category of soil taxonomy
a. Soil family c. Great group
b. Soil series d. suborder
84. The percent N, P2O5 and K2O in fertilizer
a. Fertilizer ratio c. Fertilizer recommendation
b. Fertilizer grade d. Fertilizer brand
85. The available form of nitrogen
a. N2 c. NH4
b. N2O d. NH3
86. Calcium in plants tends to be concentrated in
a. Cell sap c. Cell wall
b. Cell nucleus d. Mitochondria
87. If neutral salts were leached from a sodic soil, its pH would probably
a. increase c. remain the same
b. decrease d. zero
88. A soil condition usually associated with a salinity problem is
a. fine texture c. poor internal drainage
b. level Topography d. soil acidity
89. Of the following calcium compounds, the one that has the highest neutralizing power when in pure
form is
a. calcium oxide c. calcium carbonate
b. calcium hydroxide d. dolomite
90. To conserve the nitrogen it contains, animal manure should be stored in
a. loose, moist condition c. compact, moist condition
b. compact, dry condition d. loose, dry condition
91. The reason micronutrient cations such as copper, zinc, and iron are frequently supplied plants in the
form of sprays is because
a. these elements are readily fixed in unavailable forms in soils
b. these elements are not efficiently taken up from the soil solution by roots
c. spraying gives better control over toxic effects from micronutrient
d. these elements are volatile
92. Soils in this category have the same color, texture, structure, consistency, thickness, and reaction
(pH) and have the same number and arrangement of horizons and similar chemical and mineralogical
properties
a. soil series c. great group
b. soil order d. family
93. A surface horizon that is too light in color, too low in organic matter or too thin
a. mollic epipedon c. histeic epipedon
b. ochric eppedon d. umbric epipedon
94. The total number of soil orders classified under the soil taxonomy
a. 15 c. 12
b. 10 d. 11
95. Soil particles larger than 2 mm in size
a. Sand c. Stones
b. Rockiness d. Gravelly
96. The property of the soil that enables water, or roots to move through it
a. Infiltration c. Permeability
b. Density d. percolation
97. A soil temperature regime wherein the mean annual soil temperature is 22˚C or higher and the
difference between mean summer and mean winter temperature is less than 5˚C
a. mesic c. hyperthermic
b. thermic d. isohyperthermic
98. Increased bulk density is not favorable in practical agriculture. Which of the following may lead to
reduced bulk density
a. less aggregation and root penetration
b. compaction caused by the weight of the overlying layers
c. addition of organic matter in large amounts
d. heavy foot traffic
99. Soil component with extreme small size and large surface area, capable of absorbing cations and
water
a. colloid c. feldspar
b. quarts d. carbonates
100. The El Niño phenomenon created a global problem on agriculture. This problem is manifested by
wide cracks in soils. The cracks are due to the predominance of
a. kaolinite c. vermiculite
b. montmorillonite d. illite clays