Earthworms

What is the relationship between earthworms and soil fertility?

• Earthworms decrease soil fertility by consuming nutrients
• Earthworms only thrive in infertile soils
• Earthworms have no impact on soil fertility
• Earthworms increase soil fertility by enriching the soil with nutrients

What is the primary purpose of earthworms in the ecosystem?

• To spread diseases to plants
• To compete with other soil-dwelling organisms
• To provide food for birds and other predators
• To create tunnels that aerate the soil

What is the meaning of the word 'noble' as used in the sentence 'Worms have a more noble purpose than snagging some fish off the end of the dock'?

• Scary
• Easy
• Quiet
• Important

How do earthworms help prevent soil erosion?

• By compacting the soil and making it less prone to erosion
• By building structures that block the flow of water
• By creating stable soil structure and channels for water to flow through
• By consuming plants that hold the soil together

Which of the following statements best describes the importance of earthworms in agriculture?

• Earthworms are only found in urban areas, not on farms
• Earthworms play a crucial role in maintaining soil health and crop productivity
• Earthworms are harmful pests that damage crops
• Earthworms are irrelevant to agricultural practices

What is a main idea in both passages?

• Earthworms do a job that is important to the environment.
• Earthworms are good at digging tunnels into the earth.
• Earthworms can be found in New Zealand and the Netherlands.
• Earthworms are thought of as scary creatures by many people.

How do earthworms contribute to water infiltration and drainage in soil?

• By blocking water flow with their tunnels
• By building dams that trap water underground
• By creating pathways for water to move through the soil
• By consuming excess water in the soil

What is the author's point of view in Passage 2?

• Watching earthworms dig tunnels is interesting.
• Earthworms are good to have as pets.
• Building an earthworm farm is hard work.
• Keeping earthworms in a jar is dangerous.

Which sentence helps the reader understand the meaning of the word 'burrows' in Passage 1?

• 'Earthworms eat the debris lying near the top of the ground, then they dig into the dirt making small tunnels.'
• 'Earthworms eat dead and decaying matter like leaves, grass, and even garbage.'
• 'It’s hard to tell by looking at them, but earthworms have mouths, and they love to eat.'
• 'Worms are nature’s recyclers.'

What is the significance of earthworms in nutrient cycling?

• Earthworms play a key role in recycling nutrients and making them available to plants
• Earthworms disrupt nutrient cycles by consuming excess nutrients
• Earthworms only consume nutrients and do not contribute to cycling
• Earthworms rely on plants to provide them with nutrients