Rocks and Soil

What are the four attributes of rocks?

• metals, minerals, crystals, rocks

• metamorphic, sedimentary, igneous, transformation

• color, texture, hardness, luster

• weight, shape, color, luster

Which of the following is one way that soil is separated into groups?

• color

• smell

• taste

• weight

What is it called when a rock is rubbed on a hard surface and leaves behind colored powder from a mineral?

• hardness

• pattern

• texture

• streak

Most plants need soil that can hold water and has room for roots to grow. Which describes soil that would be best for most plants?

• soil made of medium-sized parts that are held together tightly

• soil made of tiny parts that are held together tightly

• soil made of medium-sized parts that are held together loosely

• soil made of tiny parts that are held together loosely

Billy Bob picks up a handful of dirt and wants to know what kind of soil it is. The dirt can be molded and is very smooth and wet. What is the soil most likely made of?

• Clay

• Gravel

• Sand

• Silt

What is the term for a soil that has equal parts sand, silt, and clay?

• aggregate

• loam

• sodic

• hydric

Which of these statements is true about soil types?

• Most plants grow best in sand because it drains water the fastest.

• Most plants grow best in clay because it holds the most nutrients.

• Most plants grow best in soil that is a mix of sand, gravel, and rock.

• Most plants grow best in soil that is a mix of clay, silt, and sand.

A student is performing an investigation by scratching one rock on another rock, as shown in the picture.

Which question is the student most likely trying to answer?

• What color are the rocks?

• Which rock is the hardest?

• What is the texture of the rocks?

• Which rock has a shinier luster?

he pictures show two rocks. Rock X is found beside a fast-moving river. Rock Y is pulled from the bottom of the river.

• The river can create new rocks.

• The river can join rocks together.

• The river can make rocks smaller.

• The river can add pieces to rocks.

• The river can make rocks smooth.

This location is one of the driest places in the United States. What most likely caused the sand to be shaped the way it is in the picture?

• motorcycles

• water

• wind

• uneven heating