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Grade 4 · Science · Unit 3 of 6

Soil Detectives

What soil is made of and why it matters

What your child practises

Practises the nature and types of soil (sandy, clay and loam), what makes soil fertile, the layers of soil, and how people look after it.

Manitoba Curriculum learning outcome: SCI.4.E.9, SCI.4.E.10 · the nature and types of soil, and the properties of fertile soil

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which living thing helps break down dead leaves into humus?

    • mountains
    • decomposers such as fungi and worms
    • clouds
    Show answer

    decomposers such as fungi and worms

    Hint: Decomposers recycle dead plants and animals.

  2. Question 2

    Which soil feels sticky when wet and holds a lot of water?

    • clay soil
    • sandy soil
    • gravel
    Show answer

    clay soil

    Hint: Clay particles are very tiny.

  3. Question 3

    Which soil is a mix of sand, silt, clay and humus?

    • sandy soil
    • gravel
    • loam
    Show answer

    loam

    Hint: Loam is great for growing plants.

  4. Question 4

    Which kind of soil would be best for a vegetable garden?

    • pure sand
    • loam with compost
    • pure gravel
    Show answer

    loam with compost

    Hint: Loam holds water but also drains.

  5. Question 5

    Which would help keep soil healthy?

    • adding compost
    • adding plastic
    • adding oil
    Show answer

    adding compost

    Hint: Compost adds humus and nutrients.

  6. Question 6

    Which soil would be too dry for most plants to grow?

    • loam
    • humus-rich soil
    • pure sand
    Show answer

    pure sand

    Hint: Sand does not hold water well.

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