The top soil layer typically ...

• A. Has the most organic matter
• B. Should be removed to seed a lawn
• C. Contains the most inorganic matter
• D. Is found below the water table

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the uppermost soil layer is richest in organic matter because plant and animal residues continuously accumulate there and soil life is most active in that zone. That combination of decomposing material and biology builds up organic content, which in turn improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability for roots. Because of this ongoing input, the topsoil typically has the most organic matter compared with deeper layers. It’s not something you’d want to remove when seeding a lawn, since seeds rely on a nutrient-rich bed; removing topsoil would strip away the very material that helps seeds germinate and establish. Deeper soil layers accumulate more inorganic mineral content, so the top layer isn’t the one with the most inorganic matter. And the topsoil sits above the water table, not below it, so it isn’t found beneath the groundwater in normal conditions.