Transcript Unit A: Studying Soil Scientifically

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
Easy to get
Add an organic
fertilizer
Replaces nutrients Takes time to
over time
break down
Pollute the
environment
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