4th Grade VRE Soil Properties

3 layers of soil formed in a jar after adding water and shaking. The next day the bottom light colored layer is most likely...

• dirt

• clay

• sand

• silt

Roots grow down easily in this type of soil, which is a mixture of sand, silt, and clay. What type of soil is it?

• topsoil

• subsoil

• loam

• humus

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Sandy Soil....

• feels rough to the touch

• feels extremely hard when dry

• holds the largest amount of moisture

• feels smooth and light to the touch

Sandy Soil.....

• water drains right through it

• feels extremely hard when dry

• holds the largest about of moisture

• feels smooth and light to the touch

The texture of silt is best described by...

• gritty when dry, sticky when wet

• smooth when dry, slippery when wet

• powdery when dry, smooth when wet

• rough when dry, gritty when wet

What best describes why silt is dark in color?

• It retains large amounts of water because it drains poorly.

• It is made mostly of salt, calcium, and other dark minerals found in nature.

• It contains large amounts of nutrients and organic matter

• It contains large amounts of magma from prehistoric volcanic eruptions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The texture of the soil is very soft and a lot like flour. It is not sticky or gritty. It is most likely what kind of soil?

• humus

• sand

• silt

• gravel

What type of soil is best suited for growing tall cacti?

• loam

• sandy

• inorganic

• clay

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Compare the layers of soil. Where will you find the most organic matter?

• subsoil

• topsoil

• sand

• bedrock

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

You need to examine the properties of soil. Which property of soil can you compare without touching or experimenting with it?

• texture

• capacity to hold water

• mass

• color