Do We Treat Our Soil Like Dirt?

What is the MAIN idea of the section "How We Harm Our Soil"?

• Soil is important for growing food.

• People can damage soil in different ways.

• Soil is more than just dirt.

• People build roads and buildings on top of soil.

Another MAIN idea of the article is that people need to take care of soil.

Which key detail from the article BEST supports this MAIN idea?

• Soil is the thin layer of earth where plants can grow.

• Other societies did a good job of keeping their soil healthy.

• Our soils will have to produce more crops to feed everyone.

• Governments are doing more to teach people about our soils.

Read the two sentences from the section "How We Harm Our Soil."

-- He found that some ancient societies did not take care of their soil.

-- Their farms could not make enough food.

How are these sentences connected?

• The two sentences state a problem with soil and how to fix it.

• The two sentences explain a cause and effect of unhealthy soil.

• The two sentences compare farms in different civilizations.

• The two sentences contrast different ways of farming around the world.

Read the two sentences from the introduction [paragraphs 1-3].

-- It makes life possible.

-- Without good soil, we couldn't feed the more than 7 billion people who live on Earth.

The first sentence makes a claim, and the second sentence helps explain the claim. What is something the author does to show this connection?

• The author gives a specific example to show why good soil is important to life.

• The author gives step-by-step directions on how to create good soil for people.

• The author shares an interesting story about good soil.

• The author shares what happens after good soil is created by nature.

Which method could be used to reduce erosion on a steep hillside?

• build roads

• build a neighborhood

• plant trees

• plant a farm

W.C. Lowdermilk learned that some societies kept their soils healthy.

How did those societies keep their soils healthy?

• They grew too much food.

• They put cement on it.

• They used it too much.

• They stopped erosion.

Which climate factors can cause soil erosion?

• temperature and sunlight

• temperature and rain

• wind and rain

• wind and sunlight