Soil Review

Macy is looking at a soil sample.  It looks tan colored and it is very gritty.  She notices the particles are large and do not have the capacity to retain water.  What soil sample is Macy looking at?

• sand
• clay
• loam
• silt

Ms. Ahlswede wants to plant a garden. Which type of soil would be best? 

• Loam
• Clay 
• Sand 
• Mulch 

Which statement is NOT a reason that many plants do not grow well in clay soil?

• The particles in clay are too close together to allow air and plant roots through.
• The particles in clay latch onto nutrients that can damage plants.
• The particles in clay are so small that all water passes right through.
• The particles in clay block drainage and flood plants with too much water.

Which best describes the texture of sand? 

• smooth 
• rough and gritty 
• slippery 
• slimy 

Andrea is trying to convince her mom that an unknown soil sample she has will not work well for her plants.  The unknown soil has very small grains and has a high capacity to retain water.  What unknown soil is Andrea talking about?

• sand
• clay 
• loam 
• gravel 

Which best describes the texture of clay? 

• Clay feels slippery when dry and crumbly when wet. 
• Clay feels smooth and hard when dry and when wet. 
• Clay feels smooth and hard when dry and slippery when wet.  
• Clay feels gritty. 

Sandra put a soil sample of clay, silt, and sand in a bottle with water.  She shook up the bottle and watched the soil settle.  What did Sandra most likely observe after the soil settled?

• The sand settled at the top because the water quickly passed through it.
• The clay settled at the top because the water quickly passed through it.
• The clay settled at the bottom because the water quickly passed through it.
• The sand settled at the bottom because the water quickly passed through it.

What would cause Ms. Moore's sharp, rough rock to become smooth? 

• leaving the rock outside while it rains
• leaving the rock in a fast-running river for a while 
• leaving the rock outside in the sun 
• leaving the rock underground

Marcus was walking down his driveway. He noticed that the soil under the gravel in his driveway was smooth and redish.  What soil is most likely under the gravel in Marcus' driveway?

• sand 
• loam 
• clay 
• silt 

You dig a small hole in the soil and the next day it rains. The hole fills with water, but does not empty even after several days of dry weather. What is the soil mostly made of?

• clay
• sand
• humus
• silt