[The Secret of Soil – Part1] a. Subsoil b. Topsoil c.

Bedrock
Chapter1 – The Garden Mystery 9 Which layer is the hardest?
One sunny morning, Mia helped Grandpa water the a. Bedrock b. Subsoil c. Topsoil
garden. 10 What gives soil nutrients?
Some flowers were tall and bright, but others were small a. Humus b. Stones c. Sand
and weak. Chapter 3 – The Water Test
Mia frowned. “Why are they so different, Grandpa?” The next morning, Grandpa gave Mia three jars.
Grandpa chuckled, “Ah, little scientist! Maybe the soil is They filled one with sand, one with clay, and one with
keeping a secret. Let’s find out.” garden soil.
They both knelt down beside the flowers and touched the “Now pour water into each,” said Grandpa.
ground.
The water ran quickly through the sand.
The soil under the big flowers felt soft and dark.
But in the clay jar, the water stayed almost still.
The soil under the small flowers felt dry and gray.
Mia wrote in her notebook:
Mia whispered, “So… not all soil is the same?”
“Different soils absorb water differently.”
Mission1 – The First Discovery
Then she smiled, “So plants in sandy soil need more
1 Why were some flowers tall and others small? water!”
a. Because they had different soil Grandpa nodded proudly, “Exactly.”
b. Because Mia forgot to water them
Mission 3 – The Great Experiment
c. Because Grandpa cut them
11 What did Mia and Grandpa put in the jars?
2 What did the rich, soft soil look like?
a. different soils b. pebbles c. leaves
a. Dark and soft b. Gray and hard c. White and dry
12 In which soil did the water move fastest?
3 What did Mia learn at first?​ a. All soil is the same
a. sand b. clay c. garden soil
b. Soil can be different​ ​ c. Soil doesn’t matter
13 Which soil held water for a long time?
4 What word means “to find the truth”?
a. clay b. sand c. topsoil
a. forget b. investigate c. cover
14 What does “absorb” mean?
5 Who first suggested investigating the soil?
a. to take in water b. to lose water c. to color soil
a. Mia b. Grandpa c. The flowers
15 What did Mia learn about sandy soil?
Chapter 2 – Layers of Life
a. It needs more water b. It is bad for flowers ​
Grandpa brought a little shovel and said, c. It turns into rock
“Let’s dig carefully, Mia. Look—this top part is called Chapter 4 – The Secret of Growth
topsoil.
Later, Mia planted two pots of seeds: one with rich, dark
It’s dark because it’s full of humus—tiny bits of leaves and soil, and one with dry, gray soil.
creatures that once lived.
She watered them every day.
Plants love this part because it’s full of nutrients.”
After a week, the first pot was full of green sprouts.
They dug deeper. The next layer looked lighter and harder.
The second pot looked lonely—only one small plant.
“That’s subsoil,” said Grandpa. “Fewer roots live here.”
Mia clapped her hands. “Soil really matters!”
Mia peered even deeper, where rocks started to appear.
She opened her notebook and wrote:
“And that,” Grandpa pointed, “is the bedrock—the oldest,
“Rich soil has humus and nutrients.
hardest part of the earth!”
It helps plants grow tall and strong.”
Mission 2 – The Hidden Layers
Mission 4 – Growing Smarter
6 What is the top layer of soil called?
16 What made the first pot grow well?
a. subsoil b. topsoil c. bedrock
a. rich soil b. dry soil c. no sunlight
7 What makes topsoil dark?
17 How did Mia test her idea?
a. Humus b. Water c. Clay
a. She planted seeds in two kinds of soil
8 Which layer has fewer roots?
b. She asked her friends​​ c. She looked online “They dig tiny tunnels that let air and water pass through.”
18 What did the rich soil have? Mission1 – The Worm Workers
a. humus and nutrients b. stones and sand ​ 1 Why did worms come out after the rain?
c. clay and dust a. Because the ground was too wet
19 What did Mia learn from her test? b. Because they love sunshine
a. Soil helps plants grow b. Flowers grow the same c. Because they wanted food
everywhere c. Water is bad for soil 2 Where do worms live when the soil is dry?
20 What color was the healthy soil? a. In the sky b. In the soil c. In the trees
a. dark b. gray c. white 3 What do worms make in the soil?
Chapter 5 – The Little Scientist’s Journal a. Tunnels b. Holes in leaves c. Stones
At night, Mia showed Grandpa her notes: 4 Why are tunnels helpful?
“Soil has layers — topsoil, subsoil, bedrock. a. They let air and water move through
Rich soil has humus and nutrients. b. They make flowers disappear
Different soils absorb water differently.” c. They scare insects

Grandpa smiled. “So, what’s the most important thing 5 What did Grandpa call worms?
about soil?” a. Soil’s little helpers b. Soil’s enemies​ c. Rainy guests
Mia thought for a moment, then said, Chapter 2 – The Secret Under the Surface
“It’s alive, Grandpa. It gives life!” Later that day, Mia dug a little deeper.
Mission 5 – Memory Master She found tiny white insects moving fast.
21 How many layers of soil did Mia write about? “Are they bad?” she asked.
a. two b. three c. four Grandpa shook his head. “No, they eat dead leaves and
22 What two things make soil rich? old roots.
a. humus and nutrients b. clay and stones ​ They help turn waste into humus.”
c. dust and sand Mia touched the dark soil and said softly, “It smells like
23 What does “different soils absorb water differently” forest cake!”
mean? Mission 2 – The Decomposers
a. Some let water pass fast, some slow 6 What were the tiny white insects doing?
b. All water stays the same a. Eating dead leaves b. Eating living roots c. Sleeping
c. Soil drinks water like people 7 What do these insects make when they break down
24 What did Mia mean when she said “Soil is alive”? leaves? a. Humus b. Rocks c. Sand

a. It helps living things grow b. It moves like animals 8 What is humus made from?

c. It breathes air a. Dead plants and animals b. Rainwater c. Pure clay

25 What did Mia become at the end? 9 Why is humus important for soil?

a. A soil scientist b. A dancer c. A chef a. It adds nutrients b. It removes air c. It makes it dry

[The Secret of Soil – Part 2] 10 What did Mia call the smell of rich soil?

Chapter1 – A Rainy Morning a. Forest cake b. Dirty ground c. Old dust

It had rained all night. Chapter 3 – When Soil Gets Tired

When Mia stepped into the garden, she saw something A week later, Mia noticed something strange.
wiggling on the path. Some of her garden soil looked pale and hard.
“Worms!” she said. “So many!” “Grandpa, my soil looks tired!”
Grandpa smiled. “Yes, they come up when the ground is Grandpa nodded. “That’s because it has lost nutrients.
too wet. But when it’s dry, they go back into the soil to Too much planting and no rest can make soil weak.”
work.” “Soil needs rest too?” Mia gasped.
“Work?” Mia asked. “What do worms do?” “Yes,” said Grandpa, “or it becomes poor soil—bad for
“They are soil’s little helpers,” Grandpa said. growing.”
They decided to add compost to bring life back. She smiled and added one last line:
Mission 3 – Helping Soil Rest “If we take care of the soil, it will take care of us.”
11 What did Mia notice about the soil? Mission 5 – The Soil’s Secret Lesson
a. It looked pale and hard b. It looked darker 21 What three things did Mia write about soil?
c. It was full of worms a. Layers, worms, and humus b. Rocks, sand, and water
12 Why did the soil lose nutrients? c. Mountains, rivers, and clouds
a. It was used too much b. It was too clean 22 What did worms do?
c. It rained too hard a. Dug tunnels b. Ate flowers c. Collected rain
13 What happens when soil becomes poor? 23 What did insects do?
a. Plants don’t grow well b. Plants grow faster a. Made humus b. Slept c. Carried seeds
c. Worms dance 24 What helps plants drink water?
14 How can we help tired soil? a. Roots b. Bedrock c. Air
a. Add compost b. Stop watering c. Add stones 25 What did Mia learn at the end?
15 What does compost do? a. Gives nutrients back to soil a. Soil is alive and must be cared for
b. Takes water away c. Makes soil cold b. Soil is dirty and useless c. Soil is only for worms
Chapter 4 – The Life Beneath Our Feet [The Secret of Soil – Part 3]
One afternoon, Mia sat quietly on the grass. Chapter1 – Science Fair Day
She imagined all the creatures living below: worms, The school was buzzing with excitement.
insects, tiny roots, drops of water, and rocks.
Today was Science Fair Day, and everyone had a project
“They all live together,” she whispered. to show.
Grandpa nodded, “Yes, the soil is like a small city—each Mia carried her jars of sand, clay, and garden soil
part has its job.” carefully to her table.
“Who’s the builder?” asked Mia. Her poster said: “Different Soils, Different Stories.”
“The worms,” said Grandpa. When it was her turn, Mia smiled nervously.
“And who’s the cleaner?” “Hello! I’m Mia, and I studied how soil helps plants grow.
“The insects.” Let me show you my water test experiment!”
Mia laughed. “Then the roots are the people—they live She poured water into the jars.
there!”
The judges watched closely as water moved fast through
Mission 4 – The Soil City sand but slowly through clay.
16 What did Mia imagine under the ground? Mission1 – The Experiment Returns
a. A small city ​ b. A swimming pool c. A treasure chest 1 What special day was it at school?
17 Who are the “builders” of the soil city? a. Sports Day b. Science Fair Day c. Garden Day
a. Worms b. Roots c. Rocks 2 What did Mia bring to the fair?
18 Who are the “cleaners”? a. Her soil experiment b. A flower bouquet c. A painting
a. Insects b. Plants c. Water drops 3 What did her poster say? a. “Plants are fun” ​
19 What do roots do in the soil? a. Live and take nutrients b. “Different Soils, Different Stories” c. “Water and Wind”
b. Sleep and hide c. Turn into worms 4 In which soil did the water move fastest?
20 Why did Grandpa say soil is like a city? a. It has cars a. sand b. Clay c. garden soil
b. Each part has a job c. It has buildings 5 Why did water move slowly in clay?
Chapter 5 – The Soil’s Promise a. Because clay holds water longer
Before bedtime, Mia wrote her journal: b. Because clay hates water​
c. Because Mia poured too little
“Soil isn’t just dirt. It’s alive.
Chapter 2 – The Garden Model
Worms dig tunnels, insects make humus, and roots drink
water. After her demonstration, Mia showed a small garden
model she built.
Every layer and creature works together.”
It had four layers: topsoil, subsoil, parent rock, and Chapter 4 – The Question from the Judge
bedrock. One judge asked, “Mia, how can people take care of soil?”
She placed tiny plastic roots in the topsoil, and little toy Mia thought for a moment.
worms underneath.
“Don’t throw trash on the ground,” she said. “Add
“These worms make tunnels for air and water,” she said compost, grow plants, and let worms work.”
proudly.
Another judge smiled, “So soil needs care—just like living
“Without them, the soil can’t breathe.” things!”
The judges nodded in approval. Mia nodded, “Yes. If we take care of soil, it takes care of
One whispered, “She really understands the layers of life.” us.”
Mission 2 – Layers of Life Again Mission 4 – Caring for the Earth
6 How many layers did Mia show in her model? 16 What question did the judge ask?
a. Two​ ​ b. Three​​ c. four a. How can people take care of soil?
7 Which layer did she put the roots in? b. What color is soil? c. Who made the soil?
a. Subsoil​ b. topsoil ​ c. bedrock 17 What was Mia’s first answer?
8 What did the worms in her model represent? a. Don’t throw trash on the ground
a. Creatures that help soil breathe b. Stop watering c. Step on worms
b. Decorations​ ​ c. Enemies of plants 18 What did Mia say helps soil stay healthy?
9 What did the judge say about Mia? a. Adding compost b. Using rocks c. Removing worms
a. She really understands the layers of life 19 What happens if we care for soil?
b. She forgot her project​ c. She copied someone else a. It takes care of us b. It disappears c. It becomes dirty
10 What happens if there are no worms in soil? 20 Why did the judges smile?
a. The soil can’t breathe well a. Mia understood how to protect nature
b. The soil becomes colorful c. The flowers disappear b. Her model was shiny c. She brought cookies
Chapter 3 – The Living Soil Chapter 5 – The Soil Scientist
Next, Mia opened a jar of dark, soft soil. When the fair ended, Mia stood beside Grandpa.
“This is rich soil,” she said. Her project had a ribbon that said “Best Young Scientist.”
“It has humus from old leaves and nutrients that make Grandpa smiled, “You’ve learned the soil’s secret.”
plants grow.” Mia whispered, “Soil isn’t just under our feet—it’s part of
She lifted a small magnifying glass. our life.”
“Look! There are tiny white insects. They break down She looked at her hands, still dusty from the garden.
leaves into humus. They weren’t dirty—they were full of life.
Soil is full of life!” And the earth beneath her feet seemed to smile back.
The judges leaned closer, amazed. Mission 5 – The Final Challenge
“Soil is alive,” Mia said. “Every part works together—just 21 What award did Mia win? a. Best Young Scientist
like a team.” b. Fastest Runner c. Best Artist
Mission 3 – The Living Lesson 22 Who was proud of her?
11 What made the soil rich? a. Grandpa b. The worms c. The teacher only
a. Humus and nutrients b. Rocks and dust c. Sand and water 23 What did Mia say about soil? a. It’s part of our life
12 What tool did Mia use to show the insects? b. It’s only for plants c. It’s useless dirt
a. A magnifying glass b. A camera c. A spoon 24 What did the dusty hands remind her of?
13 What did the insects do in the soil? a. Made tunnels a. Life in the soil b. Hard work
b. Broke down dead leaves c. Ate roots c. Rainy weather
14 What did Mia call the soil? a. Alive b. Dirty c. Boring 25 How did the story end?
15 What did the insects help create? a. Mia felt connected to the earth
a. Humus b. Stones c. Clay b. Mia forgot her project c. The soil disappeared