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Science Quiz - Soil (Questions)

Soil may look simple, but it’s full of life. In KS2 Science, pupils explore how soil forms, why it matters, and the creatures that live in it.

Explore the Topic →

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Fascinating Fact:

A single handful of healthy soil can contain more living organisms than there are people on Earth.

In KS2 Science, pupils discover that soil is made from rock particles, organic matter, water, and air. It supports plants, recycles nutrients, and provides a home for countless organisms.

Key Terms

Humus: Decayed plant and animal material that enriches soil with nutrients.
Topsoil: The upper layer of soil where most plants grow and organisms live.
Minerals: Natural substances from rocks that help plants grow strong and healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is soil made of in KS2 Science?

Soil is made of tiny rock particles, decayed plants and animals, water, and air. This mixture creates a rich environment for living things.

Why is soil important for plants?

Soil is important because it holds water, nutrients, and provides support for roots. Without soil, most plants could not grow properly.

How do earthworms help the soil?

Earthworms mix the soil and add nutrients by breaking down organic matter. Their tunnels also let air and water reach plant roots more easily.

Try These Related Quizzes

1.

Soil is a mixture of several materials. Which of the following is not part of the mixture?

[ ]	Water
[ ]	Humus
[ ]	Air
[ ]	Oil

2.

What is the decaying material found in soil called?

[ ]	Clay
[ ]	Humus
[ ]	Sand
[ ]	Fibre

3.

The colour of a soil shows what materials it contains. Having a large amount of iron makes soil which colour?

[ ]	Reddish-brown
[ ]	Black or dark brown
[ ]	Pale greyish-white
[ ]	Yellowish-grey

4.

Which of the following words describes how well soil allows water to drain away?

[ ]	Compacted
[ ]	Decay
[ ]	Suitability
[ ]	Permeability

5.

Which soil is best for growing a wide variety of crops?

[ ]	Heavy clay soil
[ ]	Sandy soil
[ ]	Loam
[ ]	Acidic soil

6.

Soil provides which of the following?

[ ]	A home for plants and animals
[ ]	Nutrients for plants
[ ]	An environment for waste decomposition (rotting)
[ ]	All of the above

7.

Heathers, flowering plants which commonly grow on moors, prefer which type of soil?

[ ]	Chalky soil
[ ]	Acid soil
[ ]	Waterlogged soil
[ ]	Alkaline soil

8.

You can test soil type by rolling a small amount of soil between your fingers. How would you know if you had a clay soil?

[ ]	The soil would stick together, but only if you squeezed it with some force
[ ]	The soil would crumble easily
[ ]	The soil would stick together easily
[ ]	None of the above

9.

Which type of soil would crumble easily if you rubbed it between your fingers?

[ ]	Sandy soil
[ ]	Loam
[ ]	Acidic soil
[ ]	Clay soil

10.

How would you test the permeability of soil?

[ ]	By rolling some soil between your fingers
[ ]	By waiting for rain and then observing the soil
[ ]	By measuring how much water you pour into pots of different soils and comparing how much drains away
[ ]	By watering the soil and letting it drain onto litmus paper

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - What is soil made from?

Science Quiz - Soil (Answers)

1.

Soil is a mixture of several materials. Which of the following is not part of the mixture?

[ ]	Water
[ ]	Humus
[ ]	Air
[x]	Oil

Soil also contains weathered bedrock, clay and sand

2.

What is the decaying material found in soil called?

[ ]	Clay
[x]	Humus
[ ]	Sand
[ ]	Fibre

Humus is the decayed remains of organisms (plants, animals, insects, etc.) that have died

3.

The colour of a soil shows what materials it contains. Having a large amount of iron makes soil which colour?

[x]	Reddish-brown
[ ]	Black or dark brown
[ ]	Pale greyish-white
[ ]	Yellowish-grey

Soils containing a lot of iron become a rusty colour

4.

Which of the following words describes how well soil allows water to drain away?

[ ]	Compacted
[ ]	Decay
[ ]	Suitability
[x]	Permeability

The more permeable soil is, the easier it is for water to drain away - less-permeable soil holds water better

5.

Which soil is best for growing a wide variety of crops?

[ ]	Heavy clay soil
[ ]	Sandy soil
[x]	Loam
[ ]	Acidic soil

Loam is very fertile because it has plenty of humus to provide nutrients to the plants; it is also permeable enough to contain air, but not so permeable that it allows water to drain away too quickly

6.

Soil provides which of the following?

[ ]	A home for plants and animals
[ ]	Nutrients for plants
[ ]	An environment for waste decomposition (rotting)
[x]	All of the above

We rely on soil for many things

7.

Heathers, flowering plants which commonly grow on moors, prefer which type of soil?

[ ]	Chalky soil
[x]	Acid soil
[ ]	Waterlogged soil
[ ]	Alkaline soil

Climate has an important effect on soil - high rainfall will usually produce an acidic soil

8.

You can test soil type by rolling a small amount of soil between your fingers. How would you know if you had a clay soil?

[ ]	The soil would stick together, but only if you squeezed it with some force
[ ]	The soil would crumble easily
[x]	The soil would stick together easily
[ ]	None of the above

Clay soil is sticky when wet, and forms hard lumps. In hot weather it often cracks

9.

Which type of soil would crumble easily if you rubbed it between your fingers?

[x]	Sandy soil
[ ]	Loam
[ ]	Acidic soil
[ ]	Clay soil

Sandy soil does not hold moisture very well

10.

How would you test the permeability of soil?

[ ]	By rolling some soil between your fingers
[ ]	By waiting for rain and then observing the soil
[x]	By measuring how much water you pour into pots of different soils and comparing how much drains away
[ ]	By watering the soil and letting it drain onto litmus paper

Observing after rain might give you a rough idea but measuring how much water drains would be a proper scientific test