Understanding Soil Properties

What does one tablespoon of soil have more of than the total number of people on Earth?

• Particles of clay

• Living organisms

• Drops of water

• Grains of sand

What is NOT a criterion for classifying soil?

• Color

• Ability to absorb water

• Smell

• Texture

What indicates a soil rich in organic matter?

• Smooth texture

• Rough texture

• Dark color

• Light color

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which soil particle size retains the least amount of water?

• Gravel

• Sand

• Silt

• Clay

What type of soil particles has the largest surface area that resists the flow of water?

• Clay

• Silt

• Gravel

• Sand

Which of the following sequences correctly orders soil particles from largest to smallest?

• Gravel, sand, silt, clay

• Clay, silt, sand, gravel

• Sand, gravel, clay, silt

• Silt, sand, gravel, clay

What is essential for soil to support plant growth?

• Being completely dry

• Retaining just the right amount of water

• Retaining very little water

• Retaining too much water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What does topsoil contain?

• Only large sized particles

• Only small sized particles

• A combination of particles of different sizes

• No organic matter

Why is soil important to all life?

• It is a major source of water

• It provides air for breathing

• It supports the growth of plants

• It is where all animals live

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What does lighter colored soil indicate?

• It is wetter than dark soil

• It contains more nutrients

• It has less organic matter

• It is better for plant growth