Space Farming

Which statement identifies the central idea of the text?

• Farming techniques that are used in space can also be applied to plants on Earth.

• The plants grown in space don't provide the same nutrients as those grown on Earth.

• Scientists are still struggling to keep plants that are grown in space alive.

• Growing plants in space presents problems that gardeners don't encounter on Earth.

Which detail from the text best supports the central idea of the text?

• "And it's a good thing she has already started her work, because extraterrestrial gardening can be tricky." (Paragraph 2)

• "Gravity pulls down cold air, and warm, lightweight air rises. So the air is shifting even when we can't feel a breeze." (Paragraph 12)

• "On the Mir Space Station, Dr. Musgrave tried a new greenhouse that had a fan pulling in a constant supply of the air inside the space station." (Paragraph 13)

• "Using Dr. Musgrave's method, he completed the first seed-to-seed experiment in space, and moved one plant closer to an extraterrestrial garden." (Paragraph 14)

Which of the following describes the relationship between plant growth and gravity?

• Gravity helps plants grow in the correct direction and moves air to provide them with carbon dioxide.

• Gravity forces the stems of plants up from the soil and encourages them to grow stronger and taller.

• Gravity pushes down on plants and requires them to develop strength to grow tall and straight.

• Gravity helps move oxygen towards plants so that they don't starve from the lack of air in space.

Which property is most important when choosing a soil from the local gardening store to grow tomato plants?

• color of the soil

• ability to retain water

• temperature of the soil

• where the soil came from

Plants get the minerals they need to flourish from:

• Sun

• Rain

• Clean air and carbon dioxide

• Soil

Ann planted some seeds in three different areas. Predict which one will give the plant the best chance to germinate (grow).

• 
• 
• 
• 

True or False:

The sun is the most important part of life.

• True

• False

What is the definition of a producer?

• An organism that makes food for OTHER organisms.

• An organism that has to eat to live.

• An organism that makes its OWN food.

• An organism that breaks down the remains.

The Sun plays a major role in helping a plant grow because it–

• Provides sunlight to the plant to help it grow

• provides fertilizer to the plant.

• provides soil to the plant.

• helps the rocks on the ground.

Plants need sunlight for warmth and energy.

• True

• False