Properties of Soils

Four soil samples were tested to see how much water would filter through them.

Which soil sample allows the MOST water to pass through it?

• Loam

• Sand

• Clay

• Clay and Rock

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Few plants could grow if planted in clay soil. This is because –

• the water would not get to the roots of the plant

• the Sun could not shine on the plant

• too much water would get to the roots of the plant

• the clay would get too hot

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The texture of soil refers to the –

• size of the soil particles

• amount of nutrients in the soil

• color of the soil

• amount of soil

Which of the following is true?

• Soil is not a natural resource.

• Soil is an inexhaustible resource.

• Soil is a renewable resource.

• Soil is a non-renewable resource.

Sally was working on an experiment in which she grew elephant ear plants in three different kinds of soil. She gave each plant the same amount of light and water. She observed the plants for one week. The diagrams below represent the plants at the start of the experiment and at the end of one week.

Which of the following is a valid conclusion based on the information given about Sally’s experiment?

• The plant in soil type 3 grew the most.

• All plants would grow the best in soil type 1.

• Elephant ear plants grow best in soil type 1.

• There is too much clay in soil type 3.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What would MOST likely help plants to grow in soil type 2?

• Adding sand to the soil

• Adding fertilizer to the soil

• Adding clay to the soil

• Burning the soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which if the following is NOT a renewable resource?

• Lumber

• Soil

• Water

• Gasoline

Fred was working on an experiment to compare how different types of soils support plant life. He has three different types of soils.

Fred is going to put amounts of soil into 3 containers then add water and plant seeds to each container.

In order for his experiment to be accurate, Fred must –

• mix all three soil types together before filling the containers

• add different amounts of water to each container

• put a different type of soil into each container making sure to put the same amount of soil into each container

• put a different type of soil into each container as well as different amounts of soil into each container

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which of the following would make Fred’s test LESS accurate?

• Using the same amount of water in each container

• Using different amounts of water in each container

• Putting the same number of beans in each container

• Putting the same amount of soil into each container

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

Two of the same kind of plant were put in the same place, given an equal amount of water and sunlight, and given different types of soil. Orlando observed the plants for one week. After one week, Orlando drew pictures of each plant.

Which of the following is a valid conclusion based on the pictures Orlando drew?

• The type of soil did not affect the plants

• The plants would grow better in soil type 1

• The plants would grow better in soil type 2

• The plant in soil type 2 needed more water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1