Name Class Date

Assessment

Weathering and Soil Formation-

Study Guide
Weathering and Soil Formation
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided.

1. Ice, wind, water, gravity, plants, and animals are all agents of
a. differential weathering.
b. mechanical weathering.
c. oxidation.
d. desertification.
2. If you drop a sugar cube into a glass of water, the sugar cube will
dissolve after a few minutes. This process is an example of
a. chemical weathering.
b. differential weathering.
c. mechanical weathering.
d. infiltration.
3. The term for the arrangement of soil particles is
a. soil texture.
b. soil quality.
c. soil structure.
d. soil fertility.
4. If you increase the surface area of a rock, how will it affect the rate at
which it weathers?
a. It will weather more quickly.
b. It will have no effect because surface area is not a factor
in weathering.
c. It will weather more slowly.
d. It will have no effect because a rock does not have a surface area.
5. The proportion of different-sized particles in soil determines the soil’s
a. texture. c. structure.
b. fertility. d. horizon.
6. The removal of substances that can be dissolved from rock or layers of
soil due to the passing of water is called
a. land degradation.
b. erosion.
c. infiltration.
d. leaching.

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Holt Science and Technology 1 Weathering and Soil Formation
Name Class Date
Chapter Test A continued

7. What is it called when wind blows sand and silt against exposed rock,
eventually wearing away the rock’s surface?
a. erosion
b. abrasion
c. chemical weathering
d. oxidation
8. When oxygen in the air reacts with iron, the result is
a. abrasion.
b. differential weathering.
c. oxidation.
d. infiltration.
9. Mechanical weathering occurs at a greater rate in climates that are
a. cold and wet.
b. warm and wet.
c. hot and dry.
d. cold and dry.
10. Which of the following is NOT a benefit provided by soil?
a. provides minerals and nutrients for plants
b. allows for water storage for plants
c. provides a habitat for animals
d. can be blown or washed away from its parent rock
11. Which soil conservation technique prevents erosion on steep hills by
heavy rains?
a. contour plowing
b. terracing
c. no-till farming
d. cover crop
12. Which soil conservation technique prevents erosion by providing cover
that reduces water runoff?
a. contour plowing c. no-till farming
b. terracing d. cover crop
13. Which soil conservation technique helps restore nutrients to the soil?
a. contour plowing
b. terracing
c. no-till farming
d. cover crop
14. Which soil conservation technique helps prevent erosion of sloping
hills by heavy rains?
a. contour plowing c. no-till farming
b. terracing d. cover crop

Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Holt Science and Technology 51 Weathering and Soil Formation
MATCHING
Match the correct description with the correct term. Write the letter in the space
provided.

15. rain, sleet, or snow that contains a high in the world.

concentration of acids
16. the process by which softer, less weather-
resistant rocks wear away and leave
harder, more weather-resistant rocks
behind
17. the dark, organic material formed in soil
from the decayed remains of plants and
animals
18. the layer of rock beneath soil
19. a method to maintain the fertility of the soil
by protecting the soil from erosion and
nutrient loss WSFs4
20. the process by which wind, water, or
gravity transports soil and sediment from
one location to another
Match the correct description with the correct term.
Write the letter in the space provided.

21. These areas get some water from under

the ground, but when it evaporates it
leaves behind salts that can kill plants.
22. Low soil temperatures and little rain cause
soil formation to occur slowly. Because of
the temperature, decomposition of plants and
animals occurs slowly or stops, limiting the
amount of humus in the soil.
23. The heavy rain leaches nutrients from the
topsoil. Crops can be grown year round
because of the warm soil temperature, so
plants are using nutrients from the soil year-
round.
24. Frequent changes in temperature in this
climate lead to frost action, which allows
thick, fertile soil to develop. The soils in
this climate are some of the most productive
a. differential weathering
b. bedrock
c. soil conservation
d. humus
e. erosion
f. acid precipitation

a. arctic
b. temperate forest and grassland
c. desert
d. tropical rain forest