Tom and his cousin Lina were walking in a small garden behind What happens if there is no humus in the

us in the topsoil?​
their grandma’s house. The soil looked soft and dark. Lina bent A. Plants grow very well​ ​ B. Soil becomes poor​
down and touched it. It felt cool and a little wet. C. More animals live in it​ ​ D. Soil turns into metal
“Grandma says this is rich topsoil,” Tom said proudly. “It has a lot Which layer is MOST difficult for plant roots to grow into?​
of humus, so plants can grow well.” A. Bedrock B. Topsoil ​ C. Subsoil​ D. Humus
They walked farther and saw a place where the ground was cut If the rain washes away the topsoil, what will happen first? A.
open after last week’s heavy rain. They could see the layers of soil Plants will get fewer nutrients​
clearly—dark topsoil on top, lighter subsoil in the middle, and B. The bedrock becomes soft​
small rocks and parent material at the bottom. C. New soil forms quickly D. Worms will fly away
Lina’s eyes grew big. “Wow… the soil isn’t just one thing. It has Which sentence matches the information from the story?​
different layers, like a cake!” A. Parent rock forms new soil very slowly​
Tom nodded. “Yes! And each layer has a job. The topsoil gives B. Parent rock turns into water​
plants nutrients, the subsoil holds water, and the parent rock is C. Worms make bedrock soft​
where new soil slowly forms.” D. Nutrients come from rocks only
A little worm crawled out of the topsoil. Lina giggled. Subsoil is lighter in color. What does that tell us?​
A. It has more humus​ ​ B. It has less humus​
“Even animals live in the soil?”
C. It has more leaves​ ​ D. It is full of animals
“Of course,” Tom said. “Soil is a busy home for many living things.”
Why do farmers protect topsoil carefully?​
Lina said the soil felt “cool and a little wet.”​
A. It is the deepest layer​ B. Plants need it for nutrients​
What can we guess about the weather before they came?​
C. It is made of rocks​ D. It grows by itself quickly
A. It was sunny all day​ B. It had rained recently​
If the soil in Grandma’s garden lost all its worms, what might
C. It snowed​ ​ D. It was very windy
happen?​A. Soil becomes healthier B. Soil becomes less rich​
Tom called the soil “rich.”​
C. Plants grow taller D. Rocks become bigger
Which sentence BEST explains why he said that?​
Which situation is MOST similar to the soil layers Tom showed
A. It had many rocks​ B. It was hard and dry​
Lina? A. A sandwich with different fillings​
C. It had a lot of humus​ ​ D. It was orange
B. A glass of water C. A single piece of paper D. A ball
They saw soil layers because the ground was cut open after
Which action would help keep the topsoil healthy?​
heavy rain. What does this tell us about heavy rain?​
A. Cutting down all trees B. Pouring chemicals on the soil​
A. It can wash away the top layers B. It covers all layers​
C. Planting more plants​
C. It makes soil stronger​ D. It makes new soil appear
D. Removing all leaves from the ground
Lina compared the soil to a cake. What did she really mean? ​
Tom and Lina continued walking until they reached a wooden table
A. The soil was soft like bread​
in the garden. On the table were three jars filled with different
B. The soil was sweet C. The soil was yellow like cake​
soils: sand, clay, and loam. Grandma used them to teach children
D. The soil had different layers stacked on each other
about how water moves through soil.
Why do you think the topsoil was darker than the other layers?
Tom slowly poured water into the jar with sand.
A. It has more sunlight B. It has more humus​
C. It has more rocks D. It is closer to the parent material The water rushed straight down.
A worm came out of the soil. What does this show about the “It doesn’t stay!” Lina said. “It just runs through.”
soil? A. The soil is a habitat for living things​ Then Tom poured water into the clay jar.
B. The soil is too dry for animals C. The soil is too cold​ This time, the water stayed on top for a long time before slowly
D. The soil is only made of rocks disappearing into the soil.
Which idea is TRUE based on the story?​ “It’s like the clay doesn’t want to let the water in,” Lina whispered.
A. All layers do the same job​ B. Only topsoil is useful​ Last, they tried the loam jar.
C. Each soil layer has a different purpose​ The water moved down—not too fast, not too slow.
D. Soil is only important for worms
“It holds some water but still lets the rest pass through,” Tom
If the parent material is full of rocks, what will the new soil explained.
formed from it be like? A. It will have a lot of humus​
Lina nodded thoughtfully.
B. It will be rocky C. It will be very dark D. It will be sandy
“So sand drains too fast, clay drains too slow, and loam is just
Which layer holds the MOST water?​A. Subsoil​
right for plants.”
B. Topsoil​ C. Bedrock​ D. Parent rock
Tom smiled.
If a plant’s roots only reached the subsoil, what might happen?
“Exactly. That’s why gardeners love loam. It helps plants get the
A. The plant will get less nutrients​
right amount of water.”
B. The plant will turn blue C. The plant will grow faster​
D. The plant will not need water What does the wooden table in the garden suggest?​
A. Grandma does science lessons there B. Grandma sells soil​
Why is humus important for plants? A. It adds nutrients​
C. The jars are decorations D. The table is broken
B. It gives color C. It moves rocks D. It makes soil colder
Why did the water “rush straight down” in the sand jar?​ Tom and Lina followed Grandma to a small shed beside the
A. Sand has very small spaces​ garden. Inside, there were baskets of vegetables, clay pots, and
B. Sand has large spaces between grains​ even bricks drying in the sun.
C. Sand mixes with water​ D. Sand becomes sticky Grandma picked up a carrot.
What can we infer about clay from the water staying on top? A. “See this? We grow food because we have good soil.”
Clay has tiny spaces, so water enters slowly​ Then she touched a clay pot.
B. Clay absorbs water quickly​
“People also use soil to make things—pots, tiles, and even houses
C. Clay melts in water​ ​ D. Clay turns into sand
in some places. Soil is not just for plants.”
Which soil type does not hold water well?​
Lina noticed the bricks outside. They were reddish brown and
A. Clay​ B. Loam​ ​ C. Sand​ ​ D. All of them
warm from the sunlight.
Why did Lina say “clay doesn’t want to let the water in”?​
“Are those made from soil too?” she asked.
A. The water bounced back up​
“Yes,” Grandma nodded. “Mix clay with water, shape it, then dry
B. Water took a long time to soak in C. Clay was moving​
and burn it. It becomes strong enough to build walls.”
D. Water disappeared immediately
Tom looked around.
What does the water movement in loam tell us?​
A. Loam is too hard for roots​ “So soil gives us food, helps us build things, and even cleans
B. Loam has a balance of sand, silt, and clay​ water when rain passes through it.”
C. Loam has no nutrients​ D. Loam has no air Grandma smiled.
Which soil type would flood easily during heavy rain?​ “That’s why we must take care of soil. Without healthy soil, life
A. Sand B. Loam C. Clay D. All soil types flood the same becomes difficult—not just for plants, but for people too.”
Why is loam good for plants?​ A. It keeps all the water​ Why did Grandma bring the children to the shed?​
B. It loses all the water​ ​ C. It turns into rock​ A. To show toys​ ​ B. To teach different uses of soil​
D. It gives plants both nutrients and the right water amount C. To hide from the rain​ ​ D. To sell vegetables
What does “drain” mean in the story?​ What can we infer about the carrots in the basket?​
A. Water stays on top B. Water moves downward​ A. They grew in poor soil B. They came from the supermarket​
C. Water becomes ice D. Water mixes with clay C. They were grown in Grandma’s soil​
Which soil has the fastest drainage?​ D. They were made from clay
A. Clay B. Sand C. Loam D. Humus Why were the bricks “warm from the sunlight”?​
If a plant needs a lot of water, which soil would be best?​ A. They were metal​ B. They were left outside to dry​
A. Sand B. Clay C. Loam D. Bedrock C. They were painted red D. They came from inside the shed
Which soil would be bad for carrots or potatoes (root Why does clay need to be “mixed with water, shaped, then
vegetables)? A. Sand B. Clay C. Loam D. Mixed soil burned”? A. To turn it into sand​ B. To make it cold​
C. To make it look pretty​ D. To make it strong and hard
What can we guess about sand after seeing how fast water
passed through it? A. Sand has big gaps B. Sand is sticky​ What does Tom mean when he says soil “cleans water”?​
C. Sand is heavy D. Sand holds water well A. Soil makes water colorful​
B. Soil removes dirt as water passes through​
What can gardeners learn from this experiment?​
C. Soil turns water into juice D. Soil stops rain from falling
A. Which soil helps plants grow well B. How to make rocks
C. How to paint the jars D. How to make water disappear Why is life difficult without healthy soil?​
A. People cannot play outside B. All houses become blue​
If it rains too much and the soil is sand, what happens first? ​
C. People have too much water​
A. The soil turns into mud B. Plants drown in water​
D. We cannot grow food or make useful things
C. Water drains very quickly D. Water becomes sticky
Why did Grandma say soil is “not just for plants”?​
If the water in clay goes down very slowly, what might happen
A. Because it tastes delicious​
to plant roots? A. They may not get enough air D. They will float​
B. Because people can use soil in many ways​
B. They will grow faster C. They will become sand
C. Because soil can talk​ D. Because soil moves by itself
Imagine a place with very little rain. Which soil is best for
What does the shed full of items show about soil?​
farming? A. Sand B. Clay C. Loam D. Bedrock
A. Soil is only for farmers​
If you want to grow cactus, which soil should you choose?​
B. Soil has many functions in everyday life​
A. Clay B. Loam C. Sand D. Humus
C. Soil is dangerous​ D. Soil cannot be shaped
Lina said loam is “just right.” What does this tell us about good
What are bricks made of in many traditional villages?​
soil for plants?​ A. It must be perfect in every way​
A. Sand only B. Clay mixed with water C. Wood D. Metal
B. It should balance water and air​
Which item in the shed came directly from plants?​
C. It cannot have sand​ D. It must be dry all the time
A. Carrot​ B. Brick​ ​ C. Tile​ ​ D. Pot
If Grandma wanted to show soil that is terrible for water flow,
Why are clay pots useful? A. They keep food and water safely
what should she add?​
A. Rocks ​ B. More clay​ C. Leaves​ D. Sand B. They grow by themselves
C. They are made of soft soil D. They melt in rain C. Soil beneath them had been washed away​
What can we guess about clay compared to sand?​ D. Wind pushed them yesterday
A. Clay is softer and can be shaped​ Why did the soil have “small channels”?​
B. Clay is harder than metal C. Clay disappears in the sun​ A. Animals dug holes B. The soil cracked from heat​
D. Clay drains water very quickly C. People made them D. Water flowed quickly down the hill
Why do bricks need sunlight before burning?​ What does Lina mean when she says the channels look like
A. To remove water slowly​ B. To make them colorful​ “tiny rivers”? A. They are very deep like canyons​
C. To make them heavy​ ​ D. To make them cold B. They are filled with fish ​ C. They are full of plants​
What does “healthy soil” probably have?​ D. Water created paths as it moved
A. No air or water B. Many nutrients and living things​ Why did the soil feel loose and dusty in the open field?​
C. Only rocks​ ​ D. Only sand A. It was full of worms B. Wind had blown away the topsoil​
Which sentence matches the passage?​ C. It had too much water D. People watered it too often
A. Soil is only important for worms​ What can we infer about the field with no plants?​
B. Soil helps humans in many ways​ A. It is more likely to lose soil B. It is protected from wind​
C. Soil cannot be used for building​ C. It holds water very well ​ D. It grows strong trees
D. Clean water never touches soil Why do plants help slow down water erosion?​
When Grandma says “take care of soil,” she means—​ A. Roots and leaves block some of the water’s force​
A. Leave trash on the ground B. Let soil wash away​ B. Plants drink all the rain​ C. Plants become rocks​
C. Protect it and keep it healthy​ D. Paint the soil D. Plants move to cover the soil
If a country has very good clay soil, what industry might grow?​ Why does wind erosion happen more easily in dry places?​
A. Pottery and brick making​ A. Wet soil is heavier and harder to move B. Wet soil can fly​
B. Ice cream shops C. Space travel D. Airplane building C. Wet soil becomes sand D. Wet soil has no nutrients
If soil becomes polluted, which will happen FIRST?​ Based on the passage, which place is MOST at risk of wind
A. Buildings become taller​ B. Plants grow weaker​ erosion? A. A beach with loose sand​
C. Water becomes cleaner​ D. Clay turns to metal B. A forest C. A grass field D. A wet rice farm
Which item BEST shows that soil helps humans “every day”? A. What does “carry the topsoil away” mean?​
A toy robot B. A swimming pool C. A computer​ A. Soil moves to another place B. Soil becomes rock​
D. A clay pot used for cooking​ C. Soil grows taller D. Soil turns into plants
If we want to protect soil, which action is BEST?​ What is “erosion”? A. Soil being moved away by wind or water​
A. Growing more plants B. Burning fields all the time​ B. Soil being created C. Soil growing fruits D. Soil cleaning water
C. Throwing plastic on the ground D. Washing soil away​ Which action causes water erosion? A. Strong sunlight​
After lunch, Tom and Lina walked with Grandma to the edge of the B. Fast-moving rainwater C. Cold wind D. Snow falling
garden, where the hill sloped gently downward. The soil there
Which action causes wind erosion? A. Slow rain D. Cold nights​
looked uneven, and some plants leaned sideways.
B. Strong winds blowing loose soil C. People watering plants​
“Last month, we had very heavy rain,” Grandma said. “Look at
What helps the soil stay in place on a hill?​
these small channels on the ground. Water rushed down the hill
A. Rocks ​ B. Plant roots​ C. Shoes ​ D. Air
and carried the topsoil away.”
Why does heavy rain increase erosion?​
Lina touched one of the little channels.
A. It makes soil lighter​ B. It pushes soil with strong force​
“It’s like tiny rivers cut through the soil,” she said. C. It dries soil​ ​ D. It turns soil white
“Yes,” Grandma nodded. “That is water erosion. When rainwater Which item BEST protects soil from erosion?​
moves too fast, it pulls soil with it.” A. Plastic bags​ ​ ​ B. A large hat​
They continued walking and reached a dry, open field. The ground C. A thick layer of plants​ ​ D. A wooden stick
here was dusty, and the soil felt loose under their shoes. What does “powder-like soil” show?​
Grandma pointed at the bare land. A. Soil is rich in nutrients​ B. Soil is full of clay​
“When there are no plants to hold the soil, the wind blows it away. C. Soil has lost moisture and structure D. Soil is frozen
That is wind erosion.” If a farmer cuts down all plants on a hill, what will likely happen
Tom picked up a handful of dusty soil. It slipped through his next? A. Soil becomes stronger B. Water erosion increases​
fingers like powder. C. Soil becomes sticky​ ​ D. Wind stops blowing
“So water washes soil away, and wind blows soil away,” he said Which place would suffer MOST from water erosion?​
slowly. “But both happen more when the land doesn’t have plants.” A. A steep hill with no plants B. A flat field with tall grass​
“Exactly,” Grandma replied. “Plants protect the soil. Their roots C. A forest floor​ ​ D. A garden with many roots
hold it in place, and their leaves slow down the rain and the wind.” If a country has many deserts and very strong winds, which
Why were some plants leaning sideways on the hill?​ erosion type is a bigger problem? A. Water erosion​
A. They were sleeping B. They were growing too fast​ B. Wind erosion​ C. Ice erosion​ D. No erosion at all
How can people reduce soil erosion in both windy and rainy C. How to grow vegetables D. Why soil is dry
areas? A. Grow more plants to protect the soil​ A fossil is: A. A new plant B. A toy C. A piece of metal​
B. Remove all plants​ C. Build walls on top of soil​ D. A mark or remains of a living thing​
D. Blow more wind across the fields Why do fossils form slowly? A. Fish turn into sand immediately​
In the late afternoon, Grandma brought Tom and Lina to a quiet B. Animals make fossils quickly​ C. Rocks grow fast​
corner of the yard where she kept a small wooden box. Inside the D. It takes many years for sediment to build up
box were strange-looking stones with shapes on them—leaf Which word describes the layers of mud & sand covering the
marks, tiny shells, and even the outline of a fish. animal? A. Wind B. Sediment C. Lightning D. Leaves
Lina lifted one carefully. What is MOST needed for fossil formation?​
“It looks like a fish drawing on a rock!” A. Fast-moving water B. Layers of sediment over time​
“That’s a fossil,” Grandma said. “Fossils are the remains or marks C. A windy day​ ​ D. Bright sunlight
of living things that lived long ago.” Which fossil would show that an area used to be underwater?A.
Tom ran his finger along the stone. A fish fossil B. A leaf fossil​
“But how can a fish become part of a rock?” C. A dinosaur footprint D. A bird feather
Grandma smiled. What does a shell fossil tell scientists?​
A. The place was once a desert B. The place had water long ago​
“Long ago, the fish died and sank to the bottom of a lake. Layer by
C. The place had wind erosion D. The shell turned into a plant
layer, mud and sand covered it. Over many years, the soft parts
disappeared, and the minerals in the water slowly turned the fish’s What happens if an animal dies but is NOT covered by
shape into stone. That’s how fossils form.” sediment? A. It becomes a fossil quickly​
B. It will likely decay and leave no fossil​
Lina looked amazed.
C. It turns into clay​ D. It becomes dust in one day
“So fossils are like time machines… They tell us what animals and
Which sentence is TRUE based on the passage?​
plants looked like before we were born.”
A. Fossils can tell stories from the past​
“That’s right,” Grandma said. “By studying fossils, scientists learn
B. Fossils form in one night C. Fossils are painted by people​
about Earth’s past—the weather, the oceans, and the creatures that
D. Fossils only come from dinosaurs
no longer live today.”
If a scientist finds many fish fossils on a mountain, what does
Tom held up the fossil of a leaf.
that show? A. The mountain was once underwater​
“Then this leaf is telling us a story too.” B. Fish can climb mountains C. The fossils flew there​
“Yes,” Grandma nodded. “Every fossil carries a story from the D. The mountain formed yesterday
Earth.” If the Earth had no fossils, what would happen?​
Why did Grandma keep the fossils in a wooden box?​ A. Scientists wouldn’t know much about ancient life​
A. They are very old and must be protected​ B. Plants couldn’t grow​ C. Soil would disappear​
B. They are too heavy​ C. They are used as toys​ D. Mountains would fall down
D. They grow inside the box Which place is MOST likely to form fossils?​
Why did Lina say the fossil looked like “a fish drawing”?​ A. A dry field with strong wind​ B. A busy city​
A. Someone painted it B. The fish is alive C. The rock is soft​ C. A lake bottom with slow sediment D. A playground
D. The fossil shows the shape of the fish​ Why do fossils of soft animals (like worms) rarely form?​
What can we infer about the lake where the fish fossil came A. They run too fast B. Their bodies are already stone​
from? A. Sediment covered dead animals slowly​ C. Their bodies decay quickly D. They do not touch water
B. It was full of ice C. People carved pictures in the lake​
MINI TEST 1
D. The lake dried in one day
Why is topsoil usually darker than the layers below it?​
Why did the soft parts of the fish disappear?​
A. It gets more sunlight​ ​ B. It has more humus​
A. Animals ate it B. They broke down over time​
C. It has more rocks​ ​ D. It is older
C. They turned into leaves D. They became water
If a plant’s roots only grow into the subsoil, what might happen?
What do minerals do during fossil formation?​
A. It gets fewer nutrients B. It grows stronger​
A. Turn into animals B. Replace the shape of the dead organism​
C. It gets more sunlight D. It grows faster
C. Make water move faster​D. Clean the rock
Which situation will create new soil the slowest?​
Why did Lina call fossils “time machines”?​
A. Forest floor​ B. Garden with worms​
A. They can travel B. They show things from the past ​
C. Rocky mountain​ D. Lake bottom
C. They move by themselves D. They shine in the dark
Which soil layer gives plants most of their nutrients?​
What does the leaf fossil tell Tom?​
A. Bedrock B. Topsoil C. Subsoil D. Parent material
A. The leaf was made of stone​ B. The leaf lived long ago​
Which sentence is MOST accurate?A. Topsoil forms very quickly​
C. The leaf was drawn on the rock D. The leaf came from space
B. Parent rock slowly forms new soil​
What can scientists learn from fossils?​
C. Subsoil is the softest layer D. Humus is made of rocks
A. How to build houses B. What ancient Earth was like
If heavy rain removes topsoil, what is the FIRST effect on plants? What does “soil cleans water” mean? A. Water disappears​
A. They get fewer nutrients B. They turn yellow​ ​ B. Soil removes dirt as water passes through​
C. They grow longer stems D. They get deeper roots immediately C. Soil turns water into juice​ D. Soil becomes cleaner
What can we infer if the soil is dark, soft, and full of roots?​ Which item MOST depends on clay soil? A. A plastic bottle​
A. It is topsoil with humus B. It is bedrock C. It is clay​ B. A brick house C. A metal spoon D. A cotton T-shirt
D. It is parent rock Why are vegetables in Grandma’s basket a sign of healthy soil?
What does “parent material” suggest about soil formation?​ A. They are shiny B. Plants need rich soil to grow well​
A. Soil forms quickly​ C. They are heavy​D. They come from the store
B. Soil forms from rock slowly over time​ What can we infer if a pot breaks easily?​
C. Soil grows like plants​ ​ D. Soil melts into water A. The clay was weak or not burned well​
Which layer is hardest for roots to grow into?​ B. The clay was too strong C. The pot was made of metal​
A. Subsoil B. Topsoil​ C. Bedrock​ D. Humus D. The pot had too many rocks
If a gardener sees many worms in the soil, what does it tell What human activity helps keep soil useful?​
them?​ A. Soil is too dry​ ​ B. Soil is rich and healthy​ A. Removing all plants B. Throwing trash​
C. Soil is full of rocks​ ​ D. Soil is very sandy C. Growing crops responsibly D. Burning fields often
Why does water drain fastest through sand?​ Why does water erosion happen more on hills?​
A. Sand absorbs water D. Sand has humus​ A. Water moves slowly B. Water moves quickly downhill​
B. Sand has large spaces between grains C. Sand is sticky C. Hills are made of sand D. Hills have no soil
Which soil type holds the MOST water?​ If plants are removed from a field, what happens first?​
A. Sand​ ​ B. Loam​ ​ C. Clay​ D. Gravel A. Soil becomes healthy B. Wind blows loose soil away​
If soil drains too slowly, what might happen to plant roots?​ C. Soil becomes sticky D. Rain stops
A. They get too much air B. They may rot from too much water​ Why do plant roots prevent erosion?​
C. They grow faster​ D. They turn into clay A. They clean the air B. They hold soil in place​
If a cactus grows well in a soil type, that soil is probably—​ C. They make soil fly D. They melt the soil
A. Clay​ B. Waterlogged​ C. Sandy​ D. Pure humus Which situation shows water erosion?​
Why is loam considered the best soil for most plants?​ A. Dust blowing across a dry field​
A. It drains too fast​ B. It drains too slow​ B. Small channels cut into soil after rain​
C. It balances water and air​ D. It has only sand C. Soil turning red D. Rocks falling from a mountain
A farmer in a very rainy area should avoid which soil?​ Which place is MOST at risk of wind erosion?​
A. Loam B. Clay​ C. Sand​ D. Mixture of soils A. Wet rice field​ ​ B. Beach with loose sand
When water sits on top of the clay before soaking in, it suggests: C. Forest floor​ ​ D. Garden with tall plants
A. Clay particles are very small B. Clay is full of holes​ Why does loose, dry soil blow away easily?​
C. Clay drains very fast D. Clay has no minerals A. It is heavy B. It has no moisture to hold it together​
Which soil type would dry quickest in the sun?​ C. It has many roots​ D. It sticks to rocks
A. Clay​ B. Sand​ C. Loam​ ​ D. Humus If a farmer plants grass on a slope, what will happen over time?
A plant that needs constant moisture will grow BEST in—​ A. More soil will wash away B. Erosion will decrease​
A. Sand​ ​ B. Clay​ ​ C. Loam​ D. Bedrock C. Wind will stop ​D. Soil will disappear
If water rushes straight through a soil sample, what can we Why do heavy storms make erosion worse?​
infer? A. The soil has big spaces​ B. The soil is very sticky​ A. Rain pushes soil with strong force​
C. The soil has too much humus​ D. The soil is clay B. Rain makes soil harder C. Rain turns humus into rock​
D. Rain adds more clay
Why can clay be shaped into pots? A. It drains water fast​
B. It is soft when wet C. It becomes glass​ D. It is full of sand What can we infer if soil forms “tiny rivers” after rain?​
A. Water moved fast​ B. Soil became metal​
Why are bricks dried in the sun before burning?​
C. Plants grew quickly​ D. Wind pushed the water
A. To make them colorful B. To remove water slowly​
C. To make them cold​ ​ D. To melt the clay Which action helps reduce BOTH wind and water erosion?​
A. Removing trees ​ B. Planting more vegetation​
Which statement is TRUE about soil and building materials? ​
C. Digging deep holes​ D. Leaving soil bare
A. Soil is only used for farming​
B. Clay can be used to make tiles and bricks​ Fossils form best when the dead organism—​
C. Sand can become wood D. Humus turns into metal A. Lies on the ground uncovered​ B. Floats for many years​
C. Is quickly covered by sediment D. Turns into sand
If a village has a lot of clay soil, what industry might grow?​
A. Pottery B. Fishing C. Space travel D. Oil mining Why do fossils take so long to form?​
A. Sediment builds slowly, layer by layer B. Rocks grow fast​
Why is soil important for people even if they are not farmers? ​
C. Animals turn to stone quickly D. Water stops moving
A. Soil helps filter water and make materials​
B. Soil moves their houses C. Soil keeps the air warm​ What can a fish fossil on land tell us?​
D. Soil is used to make computers A. The land was once underwater B. Fish walked on land
C. Someone carved a picture D. The fish lived in a tree If water stays on top of soil for a long time, the soil is probably—​
Why do leaf fossils have clear shapes? A. Leaves draw pictures​ A. Sandy B. Clay C. Loam D. Pebbles
B. Minerals fill the space where the leaf used to be​ Which soil type will heat up quickest in the sun?​
C. Leaves never break D. Leaves turn into animals A. Wet clay B. Dark loam C. Dry sand D. Humus-rich soil
Why are fossils called “stories from Earth”? A. They sing songs​ Which soil type makes it hardest for roots to get air?​
B. They show ancient life and environments​ A. Clay B. Sand C. Loam D. Mixture of sand and humus
C. They grow on trees D. They change shape A plant that needs good drainage should NOT be planted in—​
What happens if an animal dies but is eaten quickly or rots A. Clay soil B. Sandy soil C. Loam soil D. Mixed garden soil
completely? A. It becomes a strong fossil B. It becomes clay​ Which problem appears when a farmer uses ONLY sand for
C. It likely leaves no fossil D. It turns into a plant planting? A. Soil becomes sticky B. Water stays on top​
Which fossil would show that a place was once a forest?​ C. Plants drown in too much water D. Plants dry out quickly
A. Shell fossil B. Leaf fossil C. Fish fossil D. Shark tooth Why does loam help plants grow evenly?​
Scientists find a shell fossil on a mountain. What does that A. It’s made only of sand B. It balances drainage & water holding​
mean? A. The mountain moved or rose over time​ C. It becomes rock quickly D. It has no nutrients
B. Someone dropped a shell​ What does fast-draining soil show about particle size?​
C. The shell fell from an airplane D. The mountain is new A. Very large B. Very tiny C. All the same D. Mixed with metal
Which animal is LEAST likely to form a fossil?​ If a soil sample feels sticky when wet, it is probably—​
A. Turtle B. Fish C. Worm D. Dinosaur A. Sand B. Loam C. Clay D. Gravel
Why do fossils help scientists understand Earth’s history?​ Why are clay bricks heated at very high temperatures?​
[Link] show what organisms & environments were like long ago​ A. To make them soft B. To make them strong​
B. They show future weather C. They change colors​ C. To keep them wet D. To make them colorful
D. They help plants grow Which job depends MOST on healthy soil?​
MINI TEST 2 A. Pilot B. Farmer C. Chef D. Painter
Which clue shows soil has a lot of humus? A. It is pale and hard​ Which object shows that soil can become a building material?​
B. It’s dark and crumbly C. It’s gray and rocky D. It’s full of shells A. A plastic cup B. A clay roof tile​
If a plant has VERY long roots reaching deep into subsoil, what C. A metal spoon D. A glass window
does that suggest? A. Topsoil was washed away​ What does it mean when water becomes clearer after passing
B. The plant hates water C. The plant grows upside down​ through soil?​
D. Subsoil gives many nutrients A. Soil cleaned the water B. Soil changed into sand​
Which soil layer forms the slowest?​ C. Water washed away nutrients D. Water became polluted
A. Topsoil B. Subsoil C. Humus D. Bedrock Why are vegetables from rich soil bigger and healthier?​
If worms disappear from the soil, what will happen next?​ A. They get more nutrients B. They get more sunlight​
A. Soil becomes richer B. Soil becomes less healthy​ C. They grow in clay D. They are washed often
C. More humus forms quickly D. Parent rock breaks faster Which human activity harms soil the MOST?​
Which layer contains the most broken pieces of rock?​ A. Growing trees B. Throwing plastic waste​
A. Topsoil B. Subsoil C. Parent material D. Humus C. Leaving leaves on the ground D. Making compost
What can we infer if soil is light-colored and has very few roots?​ If clay soil is too wet, what might happen to buildings made from
A. It is topsoil B. It has little humus​ it? A. They become stronger B. They may crack or weaken​
C. It is full of nutrients D. It is underwater C. They melt D. They turn white
Why do scientists study soil layers?​ Why must clay be shaped quickly before it dries?​
A. To learn about plant needs B. To play games​ A. Clay becomes hard when dry B. Clay becomes liquid​
C. To find dinosaurs D. To make jewelry C. Clay becomes metal D. Clay disappears
If a tree grows in very shallow soil, what might be a problem?​ Which action helps soil stay productive for farming?​
A. Too much humus B. Roots cannot hold it firmly​ A. Leaving fields bare B. Adding organic matter​
C. Roots get too much air D. Tree becomes a fossil C. Removing all plants D. Burning all leaves
Which event will change the soil layers the MOST?​ If a place has very little clay, what product will be rare there?​
A. Light breeze B. A landslide C. A sunny day D. Planting flowers A. Plastic toys​
Why does topsoil take a long time to form?​ B. Paper sheets​
A. Rocks grow quickly B. Leaves become nutrients slowly​ C. Pottery​
C. Water removes humus D. Bedrock melts D. Bread
Which soil type needs the MOST watering?​ Why does erosion happen faster on bare ground?​
A. Clay B. Loam C. Sand D. Humus A. Soil is protected​
Why do sandy beaches dry very fast after rain?​ B. No plants hold soil in place​
A. Sand has big spaces B. Sand becomes clay​ C. Soil becomes sticky​
C. Sand holds water tightly D. Sand turns white D. Wind slows down
What does it mean when soil forms a deep groove after rain?​ Which condition is REQUIRED for fossil formation?​
A. Rainwater flowed slowly​ A. Fast decay​
B. Water erosion was strong​ B. Quick burial in sediment​
C. There were many worms​ C. Strong wind​
D. Wind blew the groove D. Dry weather
Which action reduces wind erosion the MOST?​ What does a fossil of a leaf tell scientists?​
A. Watering soil​ A. There were many trees once​
B. Planting trees​ B. The leaf turned into metal​
C. Removing roots​ C. Leaves make rocks​
D. Digging deep holes D. The leaf lived recently
A sandy desert is likely to experience—​ Why does sediment help make fossils?​
A. Water erosion​ A. It protects remains from rotting​
B. Wind erosion​ B. It melts into rock quickly​
C. Clay erosion​ C. It dries the remains instantly​
D. No erosion D. It shakes the ground
Why is soil with moisture harder for wind to move?​ If scientists find fish fossils at the top of a hill, what does that
A. It is heavier​ suggest?​
B. It becomes sand​ A. Fish lived in trees​
C. It floats​ B. Earth’s land changed over time​
D. It breaks C. People carved the fossils​
Which field is MOST at risk of water erosion?​ D. The fossils floated upward
A. Flat land with tall grass​ Which fossil best shows that a place had warm weather long
B. A steep hill with no plants​ ago?​
C. A forest with thick roots​ A. Woolly mammoth​
D. A garden with mulch B. Palm leaf​
What happens first if strong wind blows across loose soil?​ C. Shark tooth​
A. Soil compacts​ D. Pine tree seed
B. Soil is blown away​ Why are fossils useful for learning Earth’s history?​
C. Soil becomes darker​ A. They show past life forms​
D. Soil grows plants B. They change color​
Why do farmers plant cover crops?​ C. They grow over time​
A. To decorate​ D. They make soil
B. To protect soil from erosion​ A fossil shows footprints of a small animal. What can scientists
C. To dry the soil​ learn?​
D. To remove nutrients A. How fast it ran​
When plants slow down raindrops before they hit the soil, this B. That the animal was made of rocks​
reduces—​ C. That the animal lived underwater​
A. Fossil formation​ D. That the animal was a plant
B. Water erosion​ If an area has many fossils, what does it suggest?​
C. Soil color​ A. Many organisms lived and died there​
D. Root growth B. The area was always dry​
Which clue shows a place suffered wind erosion?​ C. No sediment was present​
A. Deep channels after rain​ D. Animals never lived there
B. Dust clouds rising from dry soil​
C. Wet soil with worms​
D. Soil turning darker
What can we infer from a fossil of a sea shell found far inland?​
A. The shell walked there​
B. The land used to be underwater​
C. The fossil is fake​
D. The area has no soil
Why do fossils of soft animals rarely form?​
A. Soft bodies decay quickly​
B. Soft animals hide​
C. Soft animals turn to sand​
D. Soft animals never die