Soil Formation is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Agricultural Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What is weathering?
The gradual breakdown of rock into smaller fragments without the material being transported away
The transport of broken-down rock material to a new location
The formation of new rock from magma
The chemical fertilisation of soil
Answer: The gradual breakdown of rock into smaller fragments without the material being transported away — Weathering is the process by which rocks are gradually broken down into smaller fragments and eventually fine mineral particles, without the material being transported away (which would instead be erosion).
Easy
2. What is the general term for weathering caused by chemical reactions that alter the minerals in rock?
Answer: chemical weathering — Chemical weathering breaks down rock through chemical reactions that alter the minerals themselves, such as oxidation and reactions with weak acids.
Medium
3. Why is chemical weathering generally the more significant weathering process in South Africa's warm climate?
Warm conditions speed up chemical reactions such as oxidation and acid-based mineral breakdown
Warm climates prevent all forms of weathering from occurring
Physical weathering only occurs in warm climates
Chemical weathering requires freezing temperatures to occur
Answer: Warm conditions speed up chemical reactions such as oxidation and acid-based mineral breakdown — Chemical weathering processes such as oxidation and the action of weak acids are sped up by warm conditions, making chemical weathering generally more significant than physical weathering (like frost action, which needs freezing) across most of South Africa's warmer climate.
