Soil Formation Lesson

The organic matter in soil comes mostly from plants. Which of the following locations would most likely produce soil with the greatest amount of organic matter?

• A desert with very high temperatures

• A prairie with lots of grasses and flowers

• A mountain with extremely cold winds

• A river with quickly moving water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

A student made a mixture of sand, tiny rocks, small twigs, and some leaves. This student has modeled - 

• how rocks change over time

• the life cycles of plants

• the formation of soil

• how landforms are created

It can take a long time for soil to form. Which are the primary factors that affect soil formation?

• rainfall, temperature, wind, time, and plants

• time, climate, topography, plants, and animals

• parent rock, sunshine, plants, animals, and bacteria

• climate, parent rock, topography, living things, and time

Soil is composed of all of these natural materials EXCEPT

• weathered rock

• plant matter

• plastic substances

• animal remains

Which of the following processes will most likely contribute to the development of soil?

• Volcanic eruptions that make new land

• Building up of snow in very cold areas

• Migration of animals to warmer climates

• Breaking down of rock by wind, water, and ice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Plants and animals become part of soil when they -- 

• Die and Decay

• Produce offspring

• Grow and Develop

• Take in nutrients

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

One component of soil is decayed plant and animal remains, but the major component of soil is - 

• Fossil Fuels

• Weathered rocks

• Iron ore

• Salt water

The weathering of rocks into small pieces forms what natural resource?

• Minerals

• Water

• Coal

• Soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

How do plants contribute to the formation of soil? Plants - 

• cover the soil and shade it from sunlight

• die, decompose and become part of the soil

• use soil to grow and develop over time

• support the animal life in the soil

In which of the following soil layers is humus mostly found?

• A horizon

• B horizon

• C horizon

• D horizon

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3