Rocks and Soils Assessment Study Guide

Plants need soil to grow. The roots of the plants grow down into the soil to hold the plant in place. The property of soil that tells us whether or not a soil is good for growing plants is the texture. If the texture is grainy, like sand, the roots will not be able to hold the plant in place. If the texture is too thick and hard, the roots will not be able to grow deep enough to hold the plant in place.

Which location would have the best soil texture for plants to grow?

• on the beach

• near a creek

• on a rock

• in the desert

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Most plants grow well in which type of soil?

• loam

• sand

• clay

• all of these

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What property of soil do the words in the list describe?

• texture

• compaction

• color

• odor

A sample of soil is shown in the picture. Which color sample does the soil sample match best?

• Y

• W

• Z

• X

Many plants cannot grow in sandy soil. Why is this true?

• Sandy soil does not hold enough water.

• Roots can easily push through sandy soil.

• Sandy soil has too many nutrients.

• Oxygen cannot pass through sandy soil.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Aubrey dug a small hole in the soil. The next day it rained. The hole filled with water and it did not empty even after several days of dry weather. What is the soil mostly made of?

• silt

• sand

• clay

• humus

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

_______ is an important resource for plants because it holds roots, stores nutrients, and provides support for plants.

• air

• water

• sunlight

• soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Water is being poured into the two cups of soil shown in the picture. Each cup has small holes in the bottom so that water can flow out, but the soil stays in.

Which best describes how the water will drain through the two cups?

• The soil will not let the water drain from either cup.

• Cup 1 will drain first.

• Cup 2 will drain first.

• Cup 1 and cup 2 will drain at the same speed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

A winding ditch cuts through a field.

What most likely formed the ditch?

• worms eating through the soil

• water flowing through the field

• wind blowing away the soil

• cattle digging in the field

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The roots of plants can hold soil in place. What can move soil if there are not enough plants?

• sunlight

• birds nesting

• cold weather

• wind