NameDateClass
Weathering and Soil Formation ■ Adapted Test
Weathering and Soil Formation
Multiple Choice
Write the letter of the correct answer.
____ 1. The breaking down of rocks and other materials at Earth’s surface is
a.erosion.
b.decomposition.
c.weathering.
____ 2. Freezing and thawing cause
a.chemical weathering.
b.ice wedging.
c.oxidation.
____ 3. Which is a cause of chemical weathering?
a.acid rain
b.animal burrows
c.abrasion
____ 4. Mechanical weathering is faster in a climate that is
a.cool.
b.warm.
c.dry.
____ 5. When dead plants and animals decay, they form
a.humus.
b.loam.
c.litter.
____ 6. A solid layer of rock under the soil is called
a.subsoil.
b.C horizon.
c.bedrock.
____ 7. In the United States, most of the eastern states are covered with
a.prairie soil.
b.forest soil.
c.desert soil.
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NameDateClass
Weathering and Soil Formation ■ Adapted Test
____ 8. Living things that break down dead organisms are called
a.decomposers.
b.moles.
c.earthworms.
____ 9. Soil fertility is a measure of
a.how fast soil is eroded by wind or water.
b.how much topsoil there is in the B horizon.
c.how good soil is for growing plants.
____ 10. Farmers leave dead plants in their fields in the soil conservation method called
a.contour plowing.
b.conservation plowing.
c.crop rotation.
Completion
Mechanicalsubsoilabrasion
erosionsoilchemical
Read the words in the box. In each sentence below, fill in one of the words.
11.The movement of rock pieces and other materials on Earth’s surface
is called
12.The kind of weathering that breaks rocks into smaller pieces is
weathering.
13.The scraping of rock by wind-blown pieces of rock is called
14.The material on Earth’s surface in which plants can grow is
True or False
If a statement is true, write true. If it is false, write false.
______16. In chemical weathering, the makeup of rock changes.
______17. Different kinds of rock weather at different rates.
15.The B horizon is also called
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9
NameDateClass
Weathering and Soil Formation ■ Adapted Testt
______18. The last layer of soil to form is the A horizon.
______19. Earthworms cause soil to lose its fertility.
______20. One way to keep soil fertile is to grow the same kind of
plant every year.
Using Science Skills
The diagram below shows rain falling on a cracked rock. Use the diagram to answer questions 21, 22, and 23.
____ 21. Inferring If the temperature falls below freezing, what process may cause the cracks in the rock to get bigger?
a.chemical weathering
b.abrasion
c.ice wedging
____ 22. Relating Cause and Effect If the rock contains iron, what will cause the iron to rust?
a.mechanical weathering
b.oxygen
c.acid rain
____ 23. Predicting Where would the rock weather fastest?
a.in a dry climate
b.in a wet climate
c.below the surface
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10
NameDateClass
Weathering and Soil Formation ■ Adapted Test
Using Science Skills
The diagram below shows three soil horizons. Use the diagram to answer questions 24 and 25.
Soil Horizons
A Horizon
B Horizon
C Horizon
____ 24. Applying Concepts Which horizon contains topsoil?
a.A Horizon
b.B Horizon
c.C Horizon
____ 25. Inferring Which horizon formed first?
a.A Horizon
b.B Horizon
c.C Horizon
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