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Unit 5 - Practice Quiz

GEO295

1 Which term describes the scientific study of the origin, formation, classification, and distribution of soils?

A. Pedology
B. Geomorphology
C. Petrology
D. Hydrology

2 Which of the following is considered an 'active' factor in soil formation?

A. Parent material
B. Relief
C. Climate
D. Time

3 The vertical section of soil extending from the surface to the parent material is known as:

A. Soil Texture
B. Soil Profile
C. Soil Horizon
D. Soil Structure

4 In a standard soil profile, which horizon is known as the 'Zone of Eluviation' or leaching?

A. O Horizon
B. A Horizon
C. E Horizon
D. B Horizon

5 Which soil horizon is primarily composed of organic matter such as decomposing leaves and humus?

A. O Horizon
B. A Horizon
C. B Horizon
D. C Horizon

6 The process of removal of silica from the soil and the accumulation of iron and aluminum oxides in tropical regions is called:

A. Podzolization
B. Calcification
C. Laterization
D. Gleying

7 Which soil type is characteristically found in the coniferous forest belts of the sub-arctic regions?

A. Chernozem
B. Podzol
C. Laterite
D. Sierozem

8 Soils that are transported and deposited by agents like rivers, wind, or glaciers are known as:

A. Zonal soils
B. Intrazonal soils
C. Azonal soils
D. Residual soils

9 What is the primary cause of soil salinization in arid and semi-arid regions?

A. Excessive rainfall
B. Overgrazing
C. Poor drainage and excessive irrigation
D. Wind erosion

10 Chernozem soils, known for being rich in humus and highly fertile, are associated with which biome?

A. Tropical Rainforest
B. Temperate Grasslands
C. Tundra
D. Desert

11 Which type of soil erosion involves the uniform removal of a thin layer of soil from the land surface?

A. Gully erosion
B. Rill erosion
C. Sheet erosion
D. Bank erosion

12 When rill erosion is neglected and the channels become large and deep, it transforms into:

A. Sheet erosion
B. Gully erosion
C. Splash erosion
D. Wind erosion

13 Which conservation method involves ploughing across the slope rather than up and down?

A. Contour ploughing
B. Terracing
C. Mulching
D. Crop rotation

14 What is the main purpose of planting shelterbelts?

A. To increase soil salinity
B. To reduce wind speed and prevent wind erosion
C. To store water underground
D. To produce timber for export

15 Edaphic factors influencing the distribution of plants refer to:

A. Climatic conditions
B. Soil properties
C. Topographical features
D. Atmospheric pressure

16 Plants adapted to survive in dry conditions with very little water are called:

A. Hydrophytes
B. Mesophytes
C. Xerophytes
D. Halophytes

17 Which factor is primarily responsible for the 'Altitudinal Zonation' of vegetation in mountain regions?

A. Soil salinity
B. Decrease in temperature with height
C. Distance from the sea
D. Wind direction

18 The 'Wallace Line' separates the faunal regions of:

A. North America and South America
B. Europe and Africa
C. Asia and Australia
D. Antarctica and South America

19 Which of the following is a major anthropogenic cause of deforestation?

A. Volcanic eruptions
B. Forest fires caused by lightning
C. Expansion of agriculture
D. Tsunami

20 The concept of 'Social Forestry' primarily aims to:

A. Export rare timber
B. Manage forests for the benefit of local communities
C. Create private hunting grounds
D. Conduct genetic research on trees

21 Agroforestry is best defined as:

A. Growing only medicinal plants
B. The practice of integrating trees with crops and/or livestock
C. Cutting down forests for agriculture
D. Forestry on government land only

22 Which type of social forestry involves farmers growing trees on their own farmland for commercial or non-commercial purposes?

A. Community Forestry
B. Farm Forestry
C. Urban Forestry
D. Extension Forestry

23 What is 'In-situ' conservation?

A. Conserving species in zoos
B. Conserving species in botanical gardens
C. Conserving species in their natural habitats
D. Conserving species in gene banks

24 Which soil horizon is known as the 'Zone of Illuviation' or accumulation?

A. A Horizon
B. B Horizon
C. C Horizon
D. R Horizon

25 The arrangement of soil particles into clumps or aggregates is referred to as:

A. Soil Texture
B. Soil Structure
C. Soil pH
D. Soil Porosity

26 Which biome is characterized by the highest biodiversity?

A. Tundra
B. Taiga
C. Tropical Rainforest
D. Savanna

27 Mangrove forests are typically found in:

A. High altitude mountains
B. Deep desert oases
C. Coastal saline or brackish waters
D. Freshwater lakes interiors

28 The breakdown of rocks in situ without transportation is called:

A. Erosion
B. Weathering
C. Deposition
D. Mass wasting

29 Which gas is primarily sequestered by forests, making deforestation a contributor to climate change?

A. Oxygen
B. Nitrogen
C. Carbon Dioxide
D. Argon

30 The 'R' horizon in a soil profile represents:

A. Topsoil
B. Subsoil
C. Parent material
D. Bedrock

31 Which conservation measure involves constructing steps on steep slopes to prevent soil erosion?

A. Terracing
B. Mulching
C. Strip cropping
D. Basin listing

32 Which of the following is an example of Ex-situ conservation?

A. Biosphere Reserve
B. National Park
C. Seed Bank
D. Wildlife Sanctuary

33 The distinct vertical layers of soil are collectively called:

A. Soil Pedons
B. Soil Horizons
C. Soil Clods
D. Soil Regolith

34 In the USDA Soil Taxonomy, soils with permafrost within 100 cm of the surface are classified as:

A. Histosols
B. Gelisols
C. Andisols
D. Vertisols

35 Which factor prevents trees from growing in the Tundra biome?

A. Excessive rainfall
B. Extreme heat
C. Short growing season and permafrost
D. High salinity

36 Extension forestry primarily involves:

A. Planting trees on sides of roads, canals, and railways
B. Farmers planting trees on private land
C. Logging in protected areas
D. Research in laboratories

37 The process where humus is formed through the decomposition of organic matter is called:

A. Humification
B. Leaching
C. Eluviation
D. Calcification

38 Which of the following plants are adapted to high salt concentrations?

A. Xerophytes
B. Halophytes
C. Epiphytes
D. Hydrophytes

39 Vertisols are characterized by:

A. High organic content
B. High content of expanding clay
C. Volcanic ash origin
D. Permafrost

40 Shifting cultivation (Slash and burn) is a major cause of soil degradation in:

A. Temperate Grasslands
B. Tropical Forests
C. Deserts
D. Tundra regions

41 The 'C' Horizon in a soil profile consists mainly of:

A. Humus
B. Partially weathered parent material
C. Hard bedrock
D. Clay accumulation

42 The relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay in the soil determines its:

A. Structure
B. Texture
C. Color
D. Profile

43 Which of the following is NOT a measure to check soil erosion?

A. Afforestation
B. Overgrazing
C. Contour Bunding
D. Crop Rotation

44 The interaction of all living organisms with each other and with the physical environment is called:

A. Biosphere
B. Ecosystem
C. Lithosphere
D. Atmosphere

45 Photoperiodism affects plant distribution based on:

A. Intensity of light
B. Duration of light
C. Angle of light
D. Color of light

46 Which type of forestry involves raising trees on community land with the aim of providing benefits to the community as a whole?

A. Farm Forestry
B. Commercial Forestry
C. Community Forestry
D. Industrial Forestry

47 The removal of the top layer of soil leads to the loss of:

A. Bedrock
B. Nutrients and organic matter
C. Underground water
D. Solar radiation

48 Which soil forming process involves the accumulation of calcium carbonate in the soil profile?

A. Podzolization
B. Laterization
C. Calcification
D. Gleization

49 What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

A. To produce energy from sunlight
B. To consume primary producers
C. To break down organic matter and recycle nutrients
D. To control the population of carnivores

50 The festival of tree planting in India, initiated to create awareness about forest conservation, is called:

A. Van Mahotsav
B. Chipko Movement
C. Earth Day
D. Green Revolution