Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

Which solution did the landscaper suggest to help reduce noise and visual disturbance from a busy road?

1. A special type of wall to block the noise

2. Tall mounds of soil placed to block the view

3. Trees planted in multiple rows

4. A recent fishing trip

The correct answer is: Tall mounds of soil placed to block the view

The choice of tall mounds of soil, also known as berms, is an effective solution for reducing both noise and visual disturbances from a busy road. Berms act as a physical barrier that can absorb sound, thus minimizing the noise pollution entering an adjacent area. Additionally, these elevated mounds can obstruct the direct line of sight to the roadway, which enhances visual privacy and screening. This approach not only serves a practical purpose but can also be aesthetically pleasing, as the mounds can be landscaped with various plants and grasses. Incorporating vegetation on the berms can further aid in absorbing sound and can contribute to a more natural appearance, improving the overall landscape design. While other options, such as sound-blocking walls or planting trees, could also address these issues, tall mounds of soil specifically utilize natural topography and provide a dual benefit of both sound and visual blockage in a more versatile manner. A fishing trip, being unrelated, does not contribute to noise or visual disturbance management at all.