Unit A: Studying Soil Scientifically

(Test Review)

Howard Middle School

6th grade

Test Review

• When soil is not taken care of, it can be blown away by wind.

• A scientific observation is a complete and accurate description.

• Manufactured fertilizers provide missing nutrients to the soil.

• Scientists describe soil based on color and how it feels.

Test Review

• Topsoil is a combination of rock, soil, air and water.

• Grassland soil is fertile farming soil.

• Organic material breaks down into nutrients.

• If the texture of a soil is sticky, it is likely to have a lot of clay in it.

Test Review

• Which is the correct rank of particle size (smallest to largest) for the ingredients listed?

–Clay, silt, sand

–Silt, sand, clay

–Sand, clay, silt

–Silt, clay, sand

Test Review

• Which of the following is not a scientific observation?

– Sara saw that the soil was dark brown.

– Sara counted the number of days it rained.

– Sara thinks the soil is too dry to grow plants.

– Sara’s thermometer showed that the temperature is 250C

Test Review

• What reasons could explain why a plant does not grow in a garden?

– Not enough or too much sunlight

– Not enough or too much water

– Not enough or too much air

– Not enough or too much soil nutrients

– Poor soil composition

Test Review• A sample of soil was tested for organic matter. The

test showed there wasn’t a lot of organic matter in the soil. What can be done to increase the organic matter in the soil? Give two possible solutions and an advantage and disadvantage for each solution. Use the table below to organize you ideas.

Solution Advantage Disadvantage

Add manufactured fertilizer

Add an organic fertilizer

Test Review• A certain kind of plant is studied for its watering needs.

Some people think this plant needs 10 liters of water per week to stay healthy. Looking at the information from a study shown in the table below, do you agree or disagree? Explain what evidence you used to make your decision.

Plant # Liters of water per week

Plant Appearance

1 2 Dry, yellow leaves, not healthy

2 4 Green, healthy

3 6 Green, healthy

4 8 Limp, leaves dropping, not healthy