Soil Quiz

What is the primary role of soil in an ecosystem?

• To provide water for plants

• To protect plants from animals

• To anchor plant roots and supply nutrients

• To filter oxygen from the air

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Which of the following is NOT a component of soil?

• Organic matter

• Water

• Air

• Rocks from outer space

What is the process by which soil forms over time?

• Decomposition

• Erosion

• Soil formation

• Photosynthesis

Which layer of soil is rich in organic matter and supports most plant growth?

• Bedrock

• Topsoil

• Subsoil

• Parent material

What type of soil is best for farming because it holds nutrients and water but drains well?

• Clay soil

• Sand soil

• Loam soil

• Peat soil

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the rate of soil erosion?

• Amount of vegetation

• Soil texture

• Temperature of the air

• Slope of the land

What is the term for tiny organisms in the soil that help decompose organic material?

• Earthworms

• Fungi

• Bacteria

• All of the above

Which of these is an example of soil pollution?

• Soil becoming compacted by heavy machinery

• Soil being enriched by compost

• The introduction of chemicals that harm the soil

• Soil gaining more organic material over time

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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Which of the following is a characteristic of clay soil?

• It is very loose and drains quickly

• It is very sticky when wet and holds water well

• It is very coarse and contains large particles

• It is light and nutrient-poor

Which of the following practices helps to prevent soil erosion?

• Overgrazing

• Deforestation

• Planting cover crops

• Removing plant roots

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5