FFA Knowledge Exam Example

1. Uniform non turbulent flow of water across the land causes _________ erosion. (sheet)

2. Texture indicates the proportions of sand, silt, and _______ in the soil. ( clay)

3. _________ tillage maintains at least 30 percent of the soil surface covered by residues. (Conservation)

4. A clear plastic mulch placed over the soil will __________ soil temperature. (increase)

5. Soils are normally about 50 percent solids and 50 percent _________. (pores)

6. Of wind erosion and water erosion, the more serious problem in the United States is _____________. (water)

7. During the daily fluctuations of soil temperature, the subsoil reaches its peak temperature _________ than the soil surface. (later)

8. A highly _________ soil can tolerate considerable deformation without breaking. (plastic)

9. __________ crops are grown during the off season, mainly to protect or enrich the soil. (Cover)

10. A sandy loam soil containing lots of pebbles would be called a _________ sandy loam. (gravelly)

11. The downward spiral in the quality of arid lands is called __________. (desertification)

12. A ________ soil structure is dominated by small rounded peds, and is common on soil surfaces. (granular)

13. Channelized flow of water across the land causes _________ and gully erosion. (rill)

14. Clays are less than _____ millimeters in diameter. (0.002)

15. Colors can be described by the three factors: hue, value, and _______. (chroma)

16. Where does one find topographic deserts?(A)

A) on the east side of mountain ranges.
B) on the west side of mountain ranges.
C) In the polar regions
D) In the tropics

17. Which textural class occupies the largest region on the textural triangle?(B)

A) loam
B) clay
C) sandy loam
D) silt loam

18. Which soil material would have the lowest bulk density?(A)

A) peat
B) sandy loam
C) fragipan
D) silt loam

19. Which of the following is NOT considered one of the four main tools ( or practices) for soil conservation.(D)

A) vegetative buffers
B) pesticides
C) conservation tillage
D) genetic engineering

20. Which element encourages the destruction of soil structure?

A) sodium
B) oxygen
C) calcium
D) iron

21. Compared with the atmosphere, soil air contains a lower concentration of which gas?(B)

A) nitrogen
B) oxygen
C) water vapor
D) carbon dioxide

22. The first structure type to develop in a soil is usually (A)

A) prismatic
B) blocky
C) rocky
D) platy

23. A soil with 35 percent clay and 35 percent sand would fit into which textural class?(C)

A) sandy clay
B) loamy sand
C) clay loam
D) silty loam

24. Large particles have more surface area per gram weight than do small particles. (false)

A) true
B) false

25. The atmosphere is mostly nitrogen. (true)

A) true
B) false

26. Bluish of greenish subsoils indicate gleying. (true)

A) true
B) false

27. Mesas and Buttes are glacier created landforms. (false)

A) true
B) false

28.Decomposition of organic matter proceeds most rapidly in cool climates. (false)

A) true
B) false

29. A GIS is a hand-held device used to tell a soil scientist where he or she is. (false)

A) true
B) false

30. Physical weathering is more important than chemical weathering. (false)

A) true
B) false

31. Silt sized wind blown materials are called ________. (loess)

32. A _______ cross-section of soil is referred to as a soil profile. (vertical)

33. A ground moraine would result from soils transported and deposited by __________. (glaciers/ice)

34. Soil ________ are layers approximately parallel to the soil surface. (horizons)

35. Most of the matter comprising the dry weight of a plant originates from (D)

A) soil minerals
B) water
C) sunlight
D) carbon dioxide

36. Which horizon is referred to as parent material? (B)

A) A
B) C
C) O
D) B
E) None of the above

37. Which is a secondary mineral? (A)

A) silicate clay
B) feldspar
C) mica
D) hornblende