Wisconsin Master Gardener Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which life-cycle completes in one year?
• What visual symptoms indicate water stress in potted plants, and what corrective action would you take?
• Which process is described as the plant converting light energy into chemical energy stored as sugars?
• What is a typical range for finished compost C:N ratio?
• List two methods to improve drainage in heavy clay garden soils.
• Mulch serves which of the following purposes?
• Nonselective herbicides are characterized by:
• Germination is the process in which a seed embryo goes from a dormant state to an active growing state.
• Which sequence best outlines integrated pest management (IPM) for a home garden?
• Which term refers to the physical evidence of the pathogen causing a plant disease, such as powdery mildew or rusts?
• Which development pattern is characterized by egg, larva, pupa, and adult, with adults typically in different environments and diets than larvae?
• Monocots typically have how many cotyledons?
• Which term describes insect larvae that feed within leaf tissue creating tunnels?
• Which specialized structure stores energy and supplies the seedling with initial energy for growth?
• What do signal words on pesticide safety indicate?
• Which of the following is an example of biological controls of IPM?
• Pesticides derived from elemental minerals that contain no carbon are called?
• Galls, warts, and brooming are typical examples of which symptom category?
• What are two common symptoms of powdery mildew on plants and a cultural management strategy?
• Which mulch type is less likely to add nutrients to the soil but can improve moisture retention?
• Which life cycle requires all or part of two growing seasons to complete its life cycle; first season vegetative structures and food storage organs, second season it produces flowers, fruits, and seeds?
• Which vascular tissue carries food, such as sugars, through the plant?
• What kind of records should a Master Gardener volunteer maintain for a garden education project?
• Which features are typical of dicots?
• What term describes the minimum winter temperature a plant can reliably survive, with the United States divided into 10 zones?
• Which are five environmental factors that affect plant growth and health?
• Which amendment is commonly used to lower soil pH?
• A water-soluble balanced fertilizer is best used for which nutrients?
• What characteristics indicate that compost is mature and safe to use in the garden, and what is a typical ideal C:N ratio for finished compost?
• Which statement accurately describes Kentucky bluegrass?
• Which of the following is an example of cultural control?
• What term describes a stem or wood borer that cuts off the vascular system of the plant?
• When would you apply lime to a garden soil, and what effect does gypsum have on soil?
• Explain the difference between a heading cut and a thinning cut in pruning, and provide an example of a plant for each.
• Differentiate between inorganic and organic fertilizers, and describe the advantage of a slow-release nitrogen source.
• IPM is best described as which of the following?
• In dicots, leaf venation is typically?
• What is a primary function of roots in plants?
• Which is a biological control agent?
• Which insect provides honey, beeswax, silk, and shellac, and also pollinates plants?
• Which fruit trees are commonly recommended for home gardens in Wisconsin due to cold tolerance, and what is one key disease concern for apples in Wisconsin?
• What soil management method involves mixing amendments to a depth deeper than normal tilling?
• Which pruning cut reduces density by removing interior growth?
• What term describes insect feeding between the upper and lower leaf surfaces, leaving a visible trail or blotch?
• Which action is an example of habitat modification to reduce wildlife damage?
• When should a preemergent herbicide be applied?
• What is the definition of a signal word in pesticide safety?
• Which material is used to raise soil pH?
• When pruning deciduous shrubs that bloom irregularly, what is a quick guideline to avoid cutting buds for next year's flowers?
• Gaseous plant hormone responsible for fruit ripening is which of the following?
• Which characteristic describes gradual metamorphosis?
• What is the reproductive organ of vascular plants (other than ferns and their relatives)?
• Explain the difference between a cultivar and a species name, and provide an example.
• Galls, warts, and brooming are typical examples of which symptom category?
• What are the three size classes that soil particles can be divided into?
• What will a general soil test determine?
• Chlorosis, reddening, mosaic/mottled foliage are forms of which?
• Describe a common nitrogen deficiency symptom in leafy vegetables, and a soil management practice to address it.
• What does the term 'relative toxicity' describe in pesticide safety?
• Which of the following is a category of plant symptoms?
• What is the first step of IPM?
• Name two important tree pests/diseases of Wisconsin and a quick sign for each.
• Compare softwood and hardwood cuttings for vegetative propagation, including timing and typical plants.
• Why is recording scouting findings useful in garden monitoring?
• Which of the following is an example of a specialized stem?
• Which practice would help prevent root restriction in container-grown plants?
• When should you prune spring-flowering shrubs versus summer-flowering shrubs, and why?
• How many primary plant nutrients are there?
• What mowing height and irrigation practices promote a healthy cool-season lawn in Wisconsin summers?
• Pollination is defined as the transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma, usually by wind or pollinators.
• What is a consequence of soil compaction on root growth?
• In areas where walnut trees are present, which plants should be placed?
• Which statement best describes monocots?
• What action is recommended to prevent seedling damping-off in seed trays?
• Which part of the plant's vascular system conducts water and dissolved minerals from roots to shoots?
• Pesticides derived from plants and plant products are called?
• What is a key consideration when saving seeds from hybrid varieties, and how can disease be limited during seed saving?
• Differentiate between cool-season and warm-season weeds, and give an example for Wisconsin.
• Which term describes the physical characteristics expressed by the plant, with five categories?
• Postemergent herbicides are defined as:
• Cultural controls of IPM include which of the following?
• Which of the following describes a heading cut in pruning?
• Which trio are the primary nutrients for plants?
• Name two best management practices to reduce nutrient runoff from a home garden into surface water.
• Leaves primarily function to:
• What is the principle behind letting soil dry slightly between irrigation events for container plants?
• Which is a characteristic of weedy plants?
• What term describes the soil's ability to hold exchangeable cations due to negative charge sites?
• What cultural practices help prevent foliar fungal diseases in vegetable gardens?
• When should a home gardener consider soil testing, and what are the main parameters tested for lawn and garden soils?
• Powdery mildew and rusts are examples of which plant disease feature?
• Which soil property is influenced by organic matter, parent material, topography, and mineral composition?
• Which statement describes a characteristic typical of monocots?
• Which term describes non-native introductions that become troublesome and occur in unmanaged habitats?
• Why is crop rotation important in vegetable gardens, and what is a typical rotation period for annual vegetables?
• Which plant organ is primarily responsible for anchoring the plant in the soil and absorbing water and minerals?
• What is a simple weekly scouting routine for monitoring pest outbreaks in a home garden?
• Which statement is a characteristic of weedy plants?
• Which term best describes nitrogen's function in plants?
• Which action is an example of using randomness in wildlife management strategy?
• When reading a pesticide label, which three actions are essential?
• What is the role of mycorrhizal fungi in plant nutrition, and how might a gardener inoculate new plantings?
• Which phrase lists the three factors required for disease development?
• Which statement best describes dicots?
• Leaves or entire plant looks droopy.
• Explain two benefits of mulching around garden beds in terms of water management and soil health.
• In IPM, what is the term for the pest population level at which control should be applied to prevent economic damage?
• How many hardiness zones are used in the United States?
• Loam soils are generally favorable for gardening because they have which characteristics?
• Which option is an example of mechanical controls in IPM?
• Which term refers to a plant variety that has been created or selected and maintained through human cultivation?
• Which signal word indicates moderate toxicity?
• Which set lists the five categories of plant symptoms?
• Non-native introductions that have become very troublesome and more commonly occur in 'natural' or relatively unmanaged habitats are described as what?
• Which statement best describes what influences soil color?
• Which material is used to lower soil pH?
• Which term describes the soil's capacity to hold exchangeable cations?
• Which term describes a distinct plant variety that has been developed and maintained by human cultivation?
• Which process uses energy from sunlight, carbon dioxide from air, and water to produce sugar and oxygen?
• What is the typical soil pH range for most temperate ornamentals, and how does pH influence nutrient availability?
• Respiration is the chemical reaction with oxygen by which sugars and starches are converted into energy.
• What term describes a flower that has both a pistil and stamens?
• Pollination is defined as the transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma, usually facilitated by wind or pollinators.
• Which of the following lists includes the six basic techniques of wildlife damage management?
• In IPM, what does 'decision-making aids' refer to?
• The process of using light energy to convert carbon dioxide into sugars is:
• Which are the three components of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
• Which statement best describes the function of flowers?
• Which symbol refers to the three primary plant nutrients essential for most plants?
• Define stratification and scarification and give an example of a seed type that requires each for germination.
• Which of the following are three characteristics of monocots?
• Which term describes the removal of any leaf tissue by an insect with chewing mouthparts?
• In plant pathology, which term refers to the physical evidence of the pathogen on the plant, such as visible fungal structures?
• What is damping-off, which stage of plant growth does it affect, and how can it be prevented in seed starting trays?
• Which description lists the components of ideal, healthy soil?
• A preemergent herbicide is best described as:
• The typical duration of effectiveness for a preemergent herbicide is:
• A key advantage of selective herbicides is:
• What term describes the arrangement of the particles in the soil that creates spaces for air and water and is constantly changing?
• In soil testing, which parameter is sometimes included alongside pH and nutrient levels?
• Which term describes the movement of water in a plant as a result of both transpiration and leaf evaporation?
• Which life cycle describes a plant that lives for more than two years?
• Which term names the five factors of soil formation?
• Which amendment is commonly used to raise soil pH and adjust base saturation?
• Name two native Wisconsin flowering plants that support pollinators and are suitable for a home landscape.
• The label WARNING indicates which toxicity level?
• List two strategies for managing perennial weeds in a flower bed without using herbicides.
• Which are the five factors of soil formation?
• Which tissue transports sugars from sources to sinks within the plant?
• Which life cycle term correctly describes a life history with egg, larva, pupa, and adult?
• Which concept describes matching the plant to soil type, choosing perennials for the proper cold hardiness zone, and placing juglone-resistant plants near walnut trees?
• What is the primary purpose of using scare tactics in wildlife management?
• Name two season-extension strategies suitable for Wisconsin springs and provide a basic benefit of each.
• Which insect group includes bees and is known for pollination?
• Base saturation refers to the proportion of exchange sites occupied by which type of cations?
• Why is it important to inspect both the upper and undersides of leaves when scouting for pests?
• Which term describes the injury where only the upper or lower leaf surface is scraped off, leaving the veins intact?
• Which value on the soil pH scale is considered neutral?
• Which term describes injury that involves removal of leaf tissue by chewing mouthparts?
• Which practice reduces leaf blight by altering the cultural environment?
• What is a quick sign of oak wilt in trees?
• Which statement describes the role of cultural changes in wildlife damage management?
• Which statement best summarizes the role of beneficial insects in ecosystems?
• The goal of cultural weed management is to:
• Name three basic design principles used in residential landscape planning and give a brief description of each.
• Name one cool-season turfgrass commonly used in Wisconsin lawns and one warm-season turfgrass generally not recommended in Wisconsin due to winter kill risks.
• Which statement describes functions or roles of beneficial insects?
• Milky Spore is an example of which type of pest control?
• Which nutrient is required for photosynthesis and formation of oils, starches, and sugars, and encourages flowering and root formation?
• Postemergent herbicides may have which additional capability?
• Which statement correctly describes cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation, and why they matter in fertility management?
• Regarding nonselective herbicides, which statement is accurate?
• In monocots, leaf venation is typically?
• Which of the following are three characteristics of dicots?
• Which group comprises the five major groups of organisms that cause plant diseases?
• What are the two steps to preparing a planting bed?
• Which practice best describes proper watering techniques for plants?
• What term describes the size of the soil particles and the percent of each that make up the soil?
• Where do meristems occur? name three locations.
• What term describes the plant growth points where new tissues form?
• Compare organic mulch and inorganic mulch in terms of nutrient contribution and long-term soil impact.
• Specialized groups of cells that divide rapidly or almost continuously; the plant's growing points
• In Master Gardener responsibilities, what are two ethical considerations when working with the public or in a community garden?
• Which statement accurately defines soil texture and soil structure and explains why loam soils are generally favorable for gardening?
• Which soil property is described as based on the physical characteristics of the soil and is broken into horizons, containing information about the parent material?
• Life cycle continues for more than two years
• What is the difference between open-pollinated and hybrid seed saving?
• Which group develops through complete metamorphosis?
• Why is a high CEC beneficial for fertility management?
• Which action is an example of using diversity in a wildlife management strategy?
• Which design principle is described as creating a cohesive look through repetition?
• What is a key legal requirement when using pesticides in Wisconsin?
• What are examples of mechanical weed management?
• Name two beneficial insects that help control aphids in home gardens and one action you can take to attract them.
• What is a key pruning practice for renewing raspberry canes to maximize fruit production?
• Germination is the process by which a seed embryo goes from a dormant state to active growth.
• Which term describes plant structures such as stolons, tubers, rhizomes, bulbs, and corms?
• Which statement accurately describes Bermuda grass in Wisconsin?
• Three properties of compacted soil include:
• Which of the following records would be least appropriate to omit when documenting a garden education project?
• A pesticide derived from a natural source is called what?
• Mycorrhizal fungi primarily assist plants by which function?
• N-P-K is a designation used in gardening to indicate which three essential nutrients?
• Which control methods are commonly included in IPM?
• Which term describes the vertical division of soil into horizons and contains information about the parent material?
• What term describes an area on a stem where buds are located?
• Pesticides manufactured from chemicals are called?
• Why is plant diversity important for pollinator health, and name one plant group that supports native pollinators in Wisconsin.
• Name two common lawn pests and a cultural control for each in Wisconsin.
• Which statement expresses the three techniques of transplanting?
• Which insects are listed as examples of gradual metamorphosis (insects whose eggs hatch into nymphs that resemble small adults)?
• Which of the following amendments is commonly used to raise soil pH?
• When is it best to apply postemergent herbicides?
• What is described as the necessary part in all proteins, enzymes, and metabolic processes in plants; required for photosynthesis; promotes vegetative growth?
• Which statement about gypsum is correct when soil management?
• How should you arrange plants to maximize pollinator visitation in a home garden?
• Selective herbicides are defined as:
• Which term describes the concept of "right plant, right place"?
• Which statement describes possible symptoms from insects with sucking mouthparts?
• Which soil property affects drainage and aeration and is formed by the arrangement of particles?
• Which of the following is one of the five categories of plant symptoms?
• Stunting and leaf distortion are symptoms best described by which term?
• Which is an example of cultural weed management?
• What is the approximate ideal soil pH for most garden plants?
• What are the four requirements of wildlife habitat?
• List three morphological characteristics used to identify woody shrubs.
• What is a practical way to track Master Gardener volunteer hours and outreach events for program reporting?
• Which of the following is NOT a component of IPM?
• Briefly describe how a plant pathogen can overwinter in plant debris and why sanitation reduces disease pressure.
• Which practice helps suppress weeds by promoting healthy competition through spacing and mulching?
• Which insect group undergoes complete metamorphosis?
• What is measured by a scale of 1-14 with 7 being neutral?
• Which term describes the physical characteristics of a plant disease expressed by the plant, with five categories?
• Which statement correctly matches the herbicide type to its characteristic?
• Which two diseases are concerns for apples in Wisconsin?
• Which insects develop through complete metamorphosis?
• Which plant structure primarily functions as a conduit for transporting water, minerals, and food through the vascular system?