Soil: What Is in It and Why Plants Need It Worksheet

Question 1

Name three things that can be found in healthy soil.

Accepted Answer

Healthy soil can contain tiny rock pieces, decayed plant and animal matter, water, air, and living things like worms or insects.

Question 2

A student looks closely at soil and finds sand, small bits of leaves, a tiny worm, and damp spots. What does this tell you about the soil?

Accepted Answer

This tells me the soil has minerals from rocks, organic matter from leaves, living things, and water.

Question 3

Why do plant roots grow down into the soil?

Accepted Answer

Plant roots grow down into the soil to take in water and nutrients and to help hold the plant in place.

Question 4

Circle the two things plants can get from soil: sunlight, water, nutrients, moonlight.

Accepted Answer

Plants can get water and nutrients from soil. Plants get sunlight from the Sun, not from soil.

Question 5

Look at a soil layer diagram. The top layer has dark soil with leaves and roots. Why is this top layer important for plants?

Accepted Answer

The top layer is important because it often has many nutrients, decayed plant matter, water, air, and roots growing in it.

Question 6

What is humus?

Accepted Answer

Humus is dark material in soil made from dead plants and animals that have broken down. It adds nutrients to the soil.

Question 7

A plant in dry soil is wilting. What does the plant probably need, and how does soil help?

Accepted Answer

The plant probably needs water. Soil helps by holding some water near the roots so the plant can take it in.

Question 8

Why is air in soil important for plant roots?

Accepted Answer

Air in soil is important because roots need air to stay healthy and keep growing.

Question 9

Two pots have bean plants. Pot A has loose, damp soil. Pot B has packed, dry soil. Which plant will probably grow better, and why?

Accepted Answer

The plant in Pot A will probably grow better because loose, damp soil gives roots water and space for air.

Question 10

Explain how worms can help soil.

Accepted Answer

Worms help soil by making tunnels that let air and water move through the soil. Their waste can also add nutrients.

Question 11

Which soil would let water pass through faster: sandy soil or clay soil? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

Sandy soil would let water pass through faster because it has larger spaces between its particles than clay soil.

Question 12

A gardener mixes old leaves into garden soil. How can this help the plants later?

Accepted Answer

The old leaves can break down into humus, which adds nutrients to the soil and helps plants grow.

Question 13

Fill in the blanks: Soil is made of tiny pieces of blank, bits of dead plants and animals, water, air, and living things.

Accepted Answer

Soil is made of tiny pieces of rock, bits of dead plants and animals, water, air, and living things.

Question 14

Look at the picture of a plant. Label one part that gets water from the soil and one part that makes food using sunlight.

Accepted Answer

The roots get water from the soil, and the leaves make food using sunlight.

Question 15

Why can very poor soil make it hard for plants to grow?

Accepted Answer

Very poor soil can make it hard for plants to grow because it may not have enough water, air, nutrients, or space for roots.

Soil: What Is in It and Why Plants Need It