Cranfield University

Soils and infrastructure: Quiz

Answer each question below, then choose Check answers to see your score. You can reveal the correct responses after marking.

1 What is 'infrastructure'?

The built world all around us Heat radiation from the sun The relationship between plants and animals

2 Which of these could cause ground instability?

A rock concert Constant torrential rain Baking hot sunshine

3 Why can hot weather be a problem for houses on clay soil?

People go on their holidays The clay can wash away Clay can shrink, cracking the house walls

4 Why are peat soils difficult to build on?

Because when drained they can shrink Because they are very thin soils Because they are only on top of hills

5 What is soil 'bearing capacity'?

The maximum number of teddy bears The heaviest weight soil can take before moving Electric conductivity in the soil

6 Who are 'civil engineers'?

Very polite builders! City train drivers Engineers who build towns and roads

7 Why do civil engineers learn about soil?

As they are all keen gardeners Because they like farming Because soil affects building work They don't learn about soil

8 Which soil property is least important for builders?

Sand/silt/clay mixture - soil structure Soil chemistry - pH Potential for soil to shrink and swell Soil organic content

Your results

We read every message — thank you for helping improve Soil-Net.

Your name (optional) Your message

Thank you — your feedback has been noted.