Penn State Master Gardener Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which statement best describes why resistant plants may still be infected?
• Which planting method uses vertical structures to maximize space?
• The standard soil test described analyzes which of the following?
• Which statement is consistent with seed storage guidance?
• Which structure forms the pollen-producing male reproductive organ in a flower?
• A key identifying characteristic of adult insects is:
• Mowing height and frequency are important in lawn health because which of the following is true?
• Dioecious plants are characterized by which condition?
• If a plant is described as a long-day plant, what is true about its flowering in relation to day length?
• When planting a bare-root tree, which action is correct?
• The principal issue involved in moving water and minerals from roots to shoots is
• A volunteer becomes a certified Master Gardener after:
• Which action is appropriate when planting bare-root trees?
• Which plant is native to Pennsylvania?
• Tender summer-flowering bulbs are best overwintered in which location?
• Which option describes a biological method of weed control?
• What is the name of the phenomenon where the terminal bud suppresses the growth of lateral buds?
• Maintaining turf at the recommended mowing height has what effect on disease incidence?
• What are the three types of natural barrens that occur in Pennsylvania?
• Which of the following is an approved Master Gardener volunteer activity?
• Orchids and other plants that are difficult to propagate are commonly grown by
• Which order do butterflies, moths, and skippers belong to?
• What is the name of this invasive herbaceous perennial that grows to 10 feet tall, has stems found along waterways, and spreads aggressively by stout rhizomes?
• Which element is not a plant macronutrient?
• What is the process by which a plant converts sugar into CO2, water and energy?
• The Smith Level Act of 1914 established Cooperative Extension as a major function of
• A mixed deciduous woodland is made up of five layers. What is the order of layers from the lowest level to the highest level?
• Which term describes the practice of stratifying seeds by keeping them in moist perlite at cold temperatures for several weeks?
• To maintain a Master Gardener Certification, a volunteer is required to:
• Most insect damage in flower and vegetable gardens occurs when the insect is:
• Which crop would be most suitable to grow following tomatoes in a proper crop rotation system?
• What is the primary function of root hairs?
• Insect control is most effective when timed to the pest’s life stage. Which statement supports this?
• Which is the youth component of Extension?
• Which planting approach involves planning multiple harvests from the same area by successive plantings?
• Flowering annuals are plants that
• Which combination of steps is required to become certified?
• The process of breaking or softening the seed coat to allow water entry and germination is called?
• White pines and ferns are found in which plant community?
• Which plant process uses energy from light to synthesize sugars and starches?
• Which group of insects has sucking mouthparts?
• What is the best practice to prepare garden soil for spring planting?
• Deadheading spent flowers has which primary effect?
• Which soils are included among Pennsylvania's natural barrens?
• Root cuttings are usually taken during which season to maximize carbohydrate reserves?
• Dahlias are best propagated by which method?
• A good presentation requires
• Which layer lies between the shrub layer and canopy in a five-layer woodland?
• Which order from least inclusive to most inclusive is correct?
• Which grass is a warm-season grass?
• An enlarged portion of a fleshy underground stem bearing buds is called which storage organ?
• An effective educational exhibit should
• Winterberry holly, Ilex verticillata, thrives in which plant community?
• Plants produce maximum growth when exposed to a day temperature that is
• When staking a newly planted tree, which statement is correct?
• Which term describes the process of breaking dormancy by placing seeds in a moist environment and refrigerating for 10 to 12 weeks?
• Which of the following is the primary function of Penn State Cooperative Extension?
• In general, what type of leaf venation do monocots exhibit?
• The vegetative parts of a plant include which set?
• All of the following are examples of summer annual weeds except:
• The following are aboveground, modified stems except:
• What is the ideal time to transplant seedlings from a seed flat to individual containers?
• Which of the following is NOT a stage in complete metamorphosis?
• All of the following statements concerning pesticide vaporization are true except which?
• Which element is a plant macronutrient?
• In seed anatomy, which term refers to the part that develops into the root?
• The recommended soil pH range for most vegetables is 6.2 to 6.8. If a soil test shows your garden soil to have a pH of 7.8, your garden soil is:
• The pistil or female portion of a flower consists of all except:
• Which statement best describes a biological approach to weed control?
• An alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health is the federal government's definition of:
• Which statement about plant infectious diseases is true?
• Which of the following are benefits of gardening with native plants?
• Weeds that germinate in the fall, survive over the winter, grow and flower in the spring, and then set seed and die before summer are called:
• What is the recommended shape for pruning formal hedges?
• Which of the following plants is on the Pennsylvania Noxious Weed List? It is illegal to transport, sell, or propagate these weeds.
• Which statement about commercial wildflower seed mixtures is true?
• The principle tissues that moves water and minerals from roots to shoots is the:
• Removing the entire basal plate of a true bulb to promote offsets is called what?
• Which category of flowering plants is defined by not requiring specific day length to flower?
• Which factor affects the buildup of thatch in a lawn?
• Compared to F1 hybrid varieties, open-pollinated plants are noted for being what when grown from saved seed?
• Which of the following is NOT a causal agent for an abiotic (non-living) plant disorder?
• A flower that contains both stamens and a pistil is called a
• Which statement about temperature and pesticide vaporization is accurate?
• The benefits of using native plants may include:
• When pruning branches over 1 1/2" in diameter:
• Which of the following is considered a mechanical method of pest control?
• Hairy bittercress is an example of which category of weed?
• Which plant is illegal to transport, sell, or propagate in Pennsylvania due to its noxious weed status?
• In the binomial name Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief', what do the first two words designate?
• Which term describes a plant that has spread outside its native range and causes environmental or economic harm?
• What is the propagation method that involves bending an attached stem to the ground and covering part of it with soil to encourage rooting?
• Whip or tongue grafting is generally used for
• Which action would best help prevent the spread of invasive plants in communities?
• Which propagation method is often used for orchids and other difficult-to-propagate plants?
• For balled-and-burlapped trees, which statement about planting holes is correct?
• When propagating geraniums by tip cuttings, which practice supports rooting?
• In a five-layer woodland, which layer sits directly above the ground layer?
• Pruning is done for the following reasons:
• If left alone, a meadow will undergo succession and become a:
• To help prevent disease problems, what is the best method of watering vegetables?
• What is the state flower of Pennsylvania?
• Which of the following is not listed as a factor affecting thatch buildup?
• Which crop is listed as suitable to grow after tomatoes in a proper crop rotation system?
• Which seed storage practice is recommended to preserve seed viability?
• A native plant is defined by most botanists and horticulturists as:
• Plants with leaves and stems that die back to the ground each winter, then produce new shoots from the crown in spring are:
• Which tissue transports sugars throughout the plant?
• Most holly trees are dioecious, which structure would you find on the flowers of a male holly plant?
• The first two words in Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief' designate
• Which plant feature are the small openings on the underside of leaves?
• Which combination of activities would most effectively prevent invasive plant spread at the community level?
• When staking a newly planted tree, it is best to:
• Which soil amendment would most benefit a soil compaction problem?
• Most holly trees are dioecious; which structure is found in the flowers of a male holly plant?
• Perennial plants can be propagated by which method?
• Which seed part develops into the shoot?
• When mulching around a tree, the mulch should extend from the root ball to what boundary?
• Which tissue layers must align for a graft to succeed?
• Which statement describes an angiosperm?
• Which term describes the plant family grouping above species level?
• Which plant group completes its life cycle in two years?
• What wavelength or color of light is best for starting seedlings?
• Which propagation method uses an attached stem laid on the ground and covered with soil to encourage rooting?
• Pines should be pruned in which window?
• Which turfgrass species has a bunch-type growth habit?
• The primary elements in a bag of 5-10-5 fertilizer are:
• Fall-planted crops often have high sugar content because
• A tree that has just been planted should be pruned by:
• Insects that undergo complete metamorphosis pass through which sequence?
• Which statement is true?
• Fern spores that are clustered in small dots or stripes on the undersurfaces of the frond are called
• Disadvantage of using commercial wildflower seed mixtures is:
• If a meadow is left unmanaged, ecological succession typically leads to it becoming:
• In general, a well-designed herbaceous border should include which arrangement?
• A stem with a large pith region that typically lives 1-2 years is called what?
• Which group is described as monocots?
• Which planting approach involves starting a new crop before the previous one has finished harvesting to maintain overlap?
• Which statement correctly describes gymnosperms?
• Removal of a branch at its point of origin, where it attaches to the parent stem or a lateral side branch, is called:
• What color of light is best for starting seedlings?
• Root cuttings are usually taken from 2 to 3 year-old plants during which period when carbohydrate reserves are high?
• Which term describes the plant within the full name Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief'?
• When staking perennial plants, which practice should NOT be done?
• Which practice is NOT recommended when storing seed?
• Symptoms of drought stress include:
• All of the following are cool-season grasses except which?
• The necessary conditions for a successful graft include all the following except
• Medium sized seeds are best sown in which method?
• When maintaining a garden of native plants, you should:
• Post-emergence broadleaf herbicides are best applied:
• Root cuttings are usually taken from plants that are 2- to 3-years old during which season?
• Which of the following best describes herbaceous perennials?
• Where is the phloem located in a mature oak tree?
• The words in single quotation marks in Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief' refer to which?
• The practice of deadheading to remove spent flowers results in which of the following?
• Gymnosperms:
• Plants which form flowers only when the day length exceeds 12 hours are called:
• The order Hymenoptera includes which of the following groups?
• Which statement about Monarda didyma is correct?
• When mulching trees, it is best to:
• Learners have been found to retain what percentage of what they do?
• Open-pollinated plants are true-to-type when grown from saved seed. Which statement best reflects this?
• Growing two or more types of vegetables in the same area of the garden at the same time is called:
• Which pruning method is recommended to minimize tearing when removing a large branch?
• When a honeybee pollinates a perfect flower, it transfers the pollen from the:
• Which statement about seed starting media is true?
• Understanding the life cycle stages of an insect pest is important because:
• The stem cuttings taken in fall or early winter when the plant is dormant are called which type?
• In order to adjust the pH so that it falls into the recommended range for most vegetables, you should add reccommended amounts of
• Which structure is the stalk that supports the leaf blade away from the stem?
• A fertilizer labeled 5-10-5 indicates which nutrients?
• Which of the following is not considered an aboveground, modified stem?
• Which plant community is characterized by full sun and dominated by grasses, legumes, and flowers?
• Which term describes removing a portion of a plant to separate offsets from the parent plant?
• Which of the following is NOT an entry point for bacterial infection to enter a plant?
• Which propagation method involves bending an attached stem to the ground and covering part of it with soil to encourage rooting?
• A non-selective herbicide is one that:
• Which of the following is NOT a symptom of phytotoxicity?
• Which is not an acceptable means of acquiring native plants?
• Propagation by seeds is an example of sexual propagation.
• What is the minimum number of continuing education hours required annually to maintain Master Gardener status?
• Which practice aligns with the recommended approach by Master Gardeners?
• Which seed-storage practice is recommended to maintain seed viability?
• If left alone by man, a meadow will:
• In seed anatomy, which part develops into the root of the young plant?
• Which is NOT a characteristic of an effective educational exhibit?
• Water is responsible for all of the following except
• Within a plant species, the difference in hardiness due to regional adaptation is called:
• Which flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds?
• Corn, grass, and similar plants that produce a single shoot from a seed are:
• Fungicides are used to control:
• In seed anatomy, which part develops into the root of the new plant?
• A well-prepared planting hole for a balled-and-burlapped tree should be:
• The signal word used in reference to moderately toxic pesticides is:
• Which disposal method is considered the safest for an empty pesticide container?
• Which condition is NOT favorable to the development of seedling diseases?
• Which of the following is a direct result of removing too much leaf tissue during mowing?
• Which plant is commonly propagated from corms?
• Which venation pattern is described for maples?
• Which trio represents major nutrients commonly reported in a standard soil test for vegetables?
• Crocus and gladiolus are propagated from which underground storage organ?
• Which tissue is responsible for girth growth in many woody plants?
• Which of the following is NOT an approved Master Gardener volunteer activity?
• What does LD50 quantify?
• A compressed fruiting branch is known as which term?
• How is a native plant defined in ecological terms?
• Which pesticide is least toxic?
• Stratification is typically carried out for how many weeks?
• Which hedge shape is recommended for formal hedges?
• The soil sample submitted for testing will be analyzed for which of the following?
• Ideal time to seed a lawn is which season?
• Which statement about adult group teaching is recommended?
• What is the ideal time to transplant seedlings to cell packs or other containers?
• Angiosperms produce:
• What tissue is the site of cell division and active growth in the stem?
• Which of the following are plant macronutrients?
• The Master Gardener program described is associated with which state's extension system?
• Which of the following plant parts is not used in asexual propagation?
• Which plant community is associated with wetlands?
• Which venation is not typical in monocots?
• As a Master Gardener, what can you do to help prevent the spread of invasive plants?
• When writing an article for a newsletter, which approach is best?
• Hybrid plants are:
• For how many years has Penn State Extension been active in the Master Gardener Program?
• Differences in plant hardiness due to regional adaptations are called:
• When teaching a group of adults, you should include changes and variety in your teaching methods:
• The part of a root that absorbs water and minerals is the?
• Maple leaves have which venation pattern?
• Root cuttings are typically taken during the dormant season to capitalize on what condition?
• Which activity would effectively help prevent the spread of invasive plants by Master Gardeners?
• Which approach is recommended when preparing a newsletter feature?
• Which term describes the origin of a plant's genetic material from a specific region, influencing its hardiness?
• In grafting, the scion is the
• Which condition is most favorable to the development of seedling diseases?
• Plants which form flowers only when day length exceeds 12 hours
• What is the name of the process that breaks, scratches, or softens the seed coat to allow water entry and initiate germination?
• Which practice is not an accepted mechanical weed control method?
• When using a radio broadcast to provide gardening tips, which is best?
• Hardening off seedlings can be accomplished by all of the following except which?
• The words in single quotation marks in Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief' designate
• When making recommendations about the use of pesticides, Master Gardeners must:
• Summer annual grasses in turf can be managed with all of the following practices except:
• Too frequent tilling of the soil in a vegetable garden may result in which outcomes?
• Which statement about pesticide toxicity labeling is true?
• Monocot leaves typically exhibit which type of venation?
• Which of the following things does an effective presenter NOT do?
• The black cherry and eastern redbud are typically found in:
• A plant that produces vegetative and root growth in the first season and then produces flowers and seeds in the second season prior to dying is a:
• When making a reduction cut, a branch is cut back to a lateral branch that is:
• In grafting, the rootstock is the