Soil Formation and Conservation

Which environment would most likely have rich, fertile soil?

• a desert plain
• a coastal plain
• a mountain peak
• a flood plain

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

If soil is permeable 

• water cannot flow through it
• water easily flows through it
• it contains many minerals
• it contains few minerals

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Humus is an organic material that makes up soil.  Which characteristic best indicates that soil has a high humus content?

• the color of the sample
• the mass of the sample
• the amount of clay in the sample
• the amount of rock in the sample

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A gardener wants to increase the ability of garden soil to retain water.  Which of these should the gardener add to the soil?

• coarse sand
• loose gravel
• nitrogen pellets
• organic material

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

How can the type of bedrock under soil affect the characteristics of the soil? (see diagram)

• by preventing soil erosion
• by absorbing excessive rain water
• by contributing small rock particle to the soil
• by providing surface area for nutrient accumulation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which soil component has the least capacity for holding water?

• silt
• clay
• sand
• humus

Soil color is closely related to its content. Which element causes soil to appear red?

• iron
• silicon
• calcium
• magnesium

The diagram shows two soil samples after a heavy rainstorm.  Which property of soil is illustrated in the diagram?

• geographic origin
• relative porosity
• chemical composition
• nutrient content

What most likely happens to soil when crops are not rotated from year to year?

• The soil nutrients are depleted
• The soil fertility increases
• The soil becomes more porous
• The soil erodes less rapidly

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Soil will pack down over time which decreases the ability of the soil to hold water.  Which animals would best help the soil hold water?

• earthworms making tunnels under the surface
• cattle making depressions with their hooves
• horses making trenches when they gallop
• sheep pulling up plants by their roots

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4