Earth Boot Camp
4.7A
Examine properties of soils, including color
and texture, capacity to retain water, and
ability to support the growth of plants
#12 STAAR 2013, RC3; Supporting; 5.2D
1. A student conducts an investigation using four identical bottles, each with a hole in
the bottom. The student fills each can with a different type of soil and then adds 200
milliliters (ML) out of water to each bottle. The beakers below show the amount of
water that drains through the soil and out the bottom of each can.
A
B
C
D
Some plants have roots that reach very deep underground. Which type of soil will
most likely stop water from flowing to the deepest roots of these plants?
#12 STAAR 2013, RC3; Supporting; 5.2D
1. A student conducts an investigation using four identical bottles, each with a hole in
the bottom. The student fills each can with a different type of soil and then adds 200
milliliters (ML) out of water to each bottle. The beakers below show the amount of
water that drains through the soil and out the bottom of each can.
A
B
C
D
Some plants have roots that reach very deep underground. Which type of soil will
most likely stop water from flowing to the deepest roots of these plants?
2002 TAKS Information Booklet, #12
2. Three soil samples were tested to see how much water each could hold.
The same amount of water was added to each funnel of soil. Very few
plants would probably grow in the clay because the water would —
A
B
C
D
fail to reach the roots of the plants
become too cloudy
run through the soil too quickly
become poisonous to the plants
2002 TAKS Information Booklet, #12
2. Three soil samples were tested to see how much water each could hold.
The same amount of water was added to each funnel of soil. Very few
plants would probably grow in the clay because the water would —
A
B
C
D
fail to reach the roots of the plants
become too cloudy
run through the soil too quickly
become poisonous to the plants
2003—#3 (73%)
3. A student wants to find out which type of soil holds the most
water. He uses four identical pots with holes in the bottom. He
fills each pot with a different type of soil and waters the pots
with the same amount of water. How can he find out how
much water stays in the soil in each pot?
A By planting seeds and measuring plant growth in each pot
B By measuring the amount of water that drains from each pot
C By observing which soil looks wettest after the water has
been added to the pots
D By feeling the soil before and after adding water to each pot
2003—#3 (73%)
3. A student wants to find out which type of soil holds the most
water. He uses four identical pots with holes in the bottom. He
fills each pot with a different type of soil and waters the pots
with the same amount of water. How can he find out how
much water stays in the soil in each pot?
A By planting seeds and measuring plant growth in each pot
B By measuring the amount of water that drains from each pot
C By observing which soil looks wettest after the water has
been added to the pots
D By feeling the soil before and after adding water to each pot
2004 TAKS Information Booklet, #20
4. The pictures show a method used to collect data in an investigation. Different
kinds of materials were mixed with 100 grams of garden soil. An equal amount
of water was added to each mixture. Which of these was this investigation
designed to answer?
A
B
C
D
How well each material mixes with garden soil
How well each mixture holds water
How well each material supports plants
How well each mixture keeps its texture when wet
2004 TAKS Information Booklet, #20
4. The pictures show a method used to collect data in an investigation. Different
kinds of materials were mixed with 100 grams of garden soil. An equal amount
of water was added to each mixture. Which of these was this investigation
designed to answer?
A
B
C
D
How well each material mixes with garden soil
How well each mixture holds water
How well each material supports plants
How well each mixture keeps its texture when wet
2004—#27 (42%)
5. Similar containers were filled with different types of soil. Holes were
poked into the bottom of each container, and 300 milliliters of water were
added. The water that dripped out was collected and measured. According
to the information in the table, which type of soil retained water best?
A
B
C
D
Potting soil
Sandy soil
Gravel
Clay
2004—#27 (42%)
5. Similar containers were filled with different types of soil. Holes were
poked into the bottom of each container, and 300 milliliters of water were
added. The water that dripped out was collected and measured. According
to the information in the table, which type of soil retained (keep) water
best? **So since the water is staying in the soil, you’re looking for the LEAST
amount of water collected in the cups**
A Potting soil
B Sandy soil
C Gravel
D Clay
2009—#15 (67%)
6A. Some students added 500 milliliters of water to equal amounts of four
different samples of soil. In this investigation, which sample of soil held the
most water?
2009—#15 (67%)
6A. Some students added 500 milliliters of water to equal amounts of four
different samples of soil. In this investigation, which sample of soil held the
most water?
6B. Which of the following soils would be best
for growing bean plants?
A
B
C
D
Sandy soil with big rocks
Loam that contains humus
Gravel and rocky soil
Clay soil that contains sand
6B. Which of the following soils would be best
for growing bean plants?
A Sandy soil with big rocks
B Loam that contains humus (humus is found in topsoil &
contains decayed plants & animals – VERY good for growing plants)
C Gravel and rocky soil
D Clay soil that contains sand
7. Which of the following types of soil will be the
hardest for plants to grow in?
A
B
C
D
Sandy soil that retains a great deal of water
Loam that contains humus and drains well
Topsoil that drains well and contains nutrients
Potting soil that is designed to improve plant growth
7. Which of the following types of soil will be the
hardest for plants to grow in?
A Sandy soil that retains a great deal of water (you want
some water to get to all the plants’ roots)
B Loam that contains humus and drains well
C Topsoil that drains well and contains nutrients
D Potting soil that is designed to improve plant growth
8. Plants grow very well in topsoil because it is
very rich. All of these processes help form the
rich topsoil EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
ocean tides
decay of organisms
weathering of rocks
erosion from wind and water
8. Plants grow very well in topsoil because it is
very rich. All of these processes help form the
rich topsoil EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
ocean tides
decay of organisms
weathering of rocks
erosion from wind and water
9. Four soil samples of equal volume were put in funnels with
filter paper. 200 mL of water was added to each sample and
the water that flowed out the bottom of the funnel was
collected and measured. What can you determine about the
soil samples from the data?
A
B
C
D
Soil sample R retained the most water.
Soil sample T was the driest soil.
Soil sample Q has more organic matter.
Soil sample S was about half sand.
9. Four soil samples of equal volume were put in funnels with
filter paper. 200 mL of water was added to each sample and
the water that flowed out the bottom of the funnel was
collected and measured. What can you determine about the
soil samples from the data?
A Soil sample R retained the most water. (Retained = kept water in
soil – it has the smallest # so Soil R kept in the most water)
B Soil sample T was the driest soil.
C Soil sample Q has more organic matter.
D Soil sample S was about half sand.
Water
Sand
Rocks
10. A sample of water and sediment was taken from a river. The
sand and rocks were allowed to settle in a jar for three hours,
as shown here. Which of these best explains why the rocks are
below the sand?
A
B
C
D
The sand is less dense than the rocks.
The water temperature is high enough to melt sand.
Sand particles dissolve more in water than rocks.
The sand particles trapped enough air to make them float.
Water
Sand
Rocks
10. A sample of water and sediment was taken from a river. The
sand and rocks were allowed to settle in a jar for three hours,
as shown here. Which of these best explains why the rocks are
below the sand?
A
B
C
D
The sand is less dense than the rocks.
The water temperature is high enough to melt sand.
Sand particles dissolve more in water than rocks.
The sand particles trapped enough air to make them float.
Top Soil
Clay Soil
Sandy Soil
11. The three soil samples shown above were tested to see how
much water would run through the funnel in a given amount of
time. The same amounts of soil and then water were added to
each funnel and allowed to drain for 1 minute. Which soil
retained the least amount of water?
A
B
C
D
Top soil
Clay soil
Sandy soil
Rocky soil
Top Soil
Clay Soil
Sandy Soil
11. The three soil samples shown above were tested to see how
much water would run through the funnel in a given amount of
time. The same amounts of soil and then water were added to
each funnel and allowed to drain for 1 minute. Which soil
retained the least amount of water?
A
B
C
D
Top soil (kept in the least amount – looking for the most water in cup)
Clay soil
Sandy soil
Rocky soil
12. Top soil has a rough texture with spaces
between the grains. This allows water to filter
quickly through the soil. Clay soil, however, is
composed of smoother particles that stick together
with little or no spaces between. What would
happen if clay were used as a water filtration
method? The water –
A
B
C
D
would flow freely through the clay.
would not flow easily through the clay.
in the clay would evaporate very quickly.
would change the clay into sedimentary rock.
12. Top soil has a rough texture with spaces
between the grains. This allows water to filter
quickly through the soil. Clay soil, however, is
composed of smoother particles that stick together
with little or no spaces between. What would
happen if clay were used as a water filtration
method? The water –
A
B
C
D
would flow freely through the clay.
would not flow easily through the clay.
in the clay would evaporate very quickly.
would change the clay into sedimentary rock.
Top Soil
Clay Soil
Sandy Soil
Potting Soil
13. The four soil samples shown above were tested to see how much water
would run through the funnel in a given amount of time. The same amounts
of soil and then water were added to each funnel and allowed to drain for 1
minute. Which soil retained the most water?
A
B
C
D
Top soil
Clay soil
Sandy soil
Potting soil
Top Soil
Clay Soil
Sandy Soil
Potting Soil
13. The four soil samples shown above were tested to see how much water
would run through the funnel in a given amount of time. The same amounts
of soil and then water were added to each funnel and allowed to drain for 1
minute. Which soil retained (kept in) the most water?
A
B
C
D
Top soil
Clay soil
Sandy soil
Potting soil
14. Which of the following has the GREATEST
effect on the ability of soil to retain water?
A
B
C
D
The age of the soil particles
The size of the soil particles
The color of the soil particles
The luster of the soil particles
14. Which of the following has the GREATEST
effect on the ability of soil to retain (keep in)
water?
A
B
C
D
The age of the soil particles
The size of the soil particles
The color of the soil particles
The luster (shiny) of the soil particles
15. A student put some sand, clay, and water into a bottle and shook the
bottle. Then he put the bottle down. After two hours, the bottle looked
like the drawing above. What can the student conclude based on what
he sees in the bottle?
A
B
C
D
The water is heavier than the grains of clay and the grains of sand.
The grains of clay are heavier than the grains of sand and the water.
The grains of sand are heavier than the water and the grains of clay.
The water, grains of clay, and grains of sand are all of equal weight.
15. A student put some sand, clay, and water into a bottle and shook the
bottle. Then he put the bottle down. After two hours, the bottle looked
like the drawing above. What can the student conclude based on what
he sees in the bottle?
A
B
C
D
The water is heavier than the grains of clay and the grains of sand.
The grains of clay are heavier than the grains of sand and the water.
The grains of sand are heavier than the water and the grains of clay.
The water, grains of clay, and grains of sand are all of equal weight.
16. Through which type of soil will water move
most quickly?
A
B
C
D
Sandy soil with large pores
Humus soil with small pores
Clay soil with tiny pores
Solid rock with no pores
16. Through which type of soil will water move
most quickly?
A
B
C
D
Sandy soil with large pores
Humus soil with small pores
Clay soil with tiny pores
Solid rock with no pores
17. To find out which soil absorbs moisture
BEST, each container shown above must—
A
B
C
D
be made of a different material
have soil from the same place
be tested by the same person
contain the same amount of soil
17. To find out which soil absorbs moisture
BEST, each container shown above must—
A
B
C
D
be made of a different material
have soil from the same place
be tested by the same person
contain the same amount of soil
18. A student is comparing the erosion of different types of soil and
rocks. She makes piles of the materials that are equal in size and shape.
She slowly pours the same amount of water over each pile. Then she
measures the height of each pile. The table below shows her results.
Which pile of material eroded the MOST?
A Sand
B Pebbles
C Gravel
D Soil
18. A student is comparing the erosion of different types of soil and
rocks. She makes piles of the materials that are equal in size and shape.
She slowly pours the same amount of water over each pile. Then she
measures the height of each pile. The table below shows her results.
Which pile of material eroded (move/flow) the MOST?
A Sand
B Pebbles
C Gravel
D Soil (biggest difference 100-56=44 so it moved the most)
19. Your teacher has brought a sample of water to class. The
sample contains a mixture of small rocks, sand, and silt (very
fine soil) obtained from Buffalo Bayou. After a few hours, the
sample settles. Which diagram shows the layers in which the
sediments will settle?
A
C
B
D
19. Your teacher has brought a sample of water to class. The
sample contains a mixture of small rocks, sand, and silt (very
fine soil) obtained from Buffalo Bayou. After a few hours, the
sample settles. Which diagram shows the layers in which the
sediments will settle?
A
C
B
D
20. According to the
soil profile pictured to
the right, in which layer
are most of the soil’s
nutrients MOST LIKELY
found?
A
B
C
D
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
20. According to the
soil profile pictured to
the right, in which layer
are most of the soil’s
nutrients MOST LIKELY
found?
A
B
C
D
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
21. Which of the following properties MOST
directly affects the way water drains through
soil?
A
B
C
D
Color
Absorbency/Porosity
Odor
Density
21. Which of the following properties MOST
directly affects the way water drains through
soil?
A
B
C
D
Color
Absorbency/Porosity
Odor
Density
Start of MS ?’s
22. Students are investigated properties of soil. They picked
up the soil and rubbed it back and forth between their fingers.
They noticed the soil was made of many different sized
particles and felt smooth.
Which property of soil are the students examining?
A. Color
B. Mass
C. Fragrance
D. Texture
Start of MS ?’s
22. Students are investigated properties of soil. They picked
up the soil and rubbed it back and forth between their fingers.
They noticed the soil was made of many different sized
particles and felt smooth.
Which property of soil are the students examining?
A. Color
B. Mass
C. Fragrance
D. Texture
23. Soil in one location is different than soil in
another location. To better understand soil and
how it is different, geologist observe and
measure the soil’s –
A. length
B. mass
C. properties
D. gravity
23. Soil in one location is different than soil in
another location. To better understand soil and
how it is different, geologist observe and
measure the soil’s –
A. length
B. mass
C. properties
D. gravity
24. Geologist can tell a lot about soil from its
color. Nutrient rich soil is generally –
A. darker in color
B. gray in color
C. red in color
D. colorless
24. Geologist can tell a lot about soil from its
color. Nutrient rich soil is generally –
A. darker in color
B. gray in color
C. red in color
D. colorless
25. Students conducted an experiment to study the
effects of soil on a tomato plant. They placed the
plant in four different types of soil to determine which
type would best support plant growth. They placed
the plants by a window and watered each with equal
amounts of water very day for two weeks. What is
the variable in this simple experiment investigation?
A. soil
B. tomato plant
C. water
D. sunlight
25. Students conducted an experiment to study the
effects of soil on a tomato plant. They placed the
plant in four different types of soil to determine which
type would best support plant growth. They placed
the plants by a window and watered each with equal
amounts of water very day for two weeks. What is
the variable in this simple experiment investigation?
A. soil
B. tomato plant
C. water
D. sunlight
26. Which of the following has the greatest
effect on soil’s capacity to retain water?
A. soil color
B. soil particle size
C. soil texture
D. soil fragrance
26. Which of the following has the greatest
effect on soil’s capacity to retain (keep) water?
A. soil color
B. soil particle size
C. soil texture
D. soil fragrance
27. In an activity, students measured how much water was held
by different soil types. Each pot had 100 milliliters of water
poured into it.
Material
Water Drained Out
Clay
30 mL
Gravel
90 mL
Sand
40 mL
Potting soil
25 mL
According to the table, which material absorbed the most
water?
A. clay
B. gravel
C. sand
D. potting soil
27. In an activity, students measured how much water was held
by different soil types. Each pot had 100 milliliters of water
poured into it.
Material
Water Drained Out
Clay
30 mL
Gravel
90 mL
Sand
40 mL
Potting soil
25 mL
According to the table, which material absorbed the most
water?
A. clay
B. gravel
C. sand
D. potting soil
28. Which type of soil would be least likely to
support the growth of a rose bush?
A. potting soil
B. loamy soil
C. topsoil
D. clay soil
28. Which type of soil would be least likely to
support the growth of a rose bush?
A. potting soil
B. loamy soil (have lost of humus)
C. topsoil
D. clay soil
29. Students are selecting the soil to use in a group
project requiring the planting of a bean seed. They
want to select a solid that is rich in nutrients. Which
of the following properties would help students
determine which type of soil to use for their plant
project?
A. texture
B. color
C. particle size
D. density
29. Students are selecting the soil to use in a group
project requiring the planting of a bean seed. They
want to select a solid that is rich in nutrients. Which
of the following properties would help students
determine which type of soil to use for their plant
project?
A. texture
B. color
C. particle size
D. density
30. The table shows soil content and its associated color. The
Red River on the Oklahoma-Texas border is named for the
colored sedimentary rocks that make up the riverbed.
Content
Color
Calcite
White
Carbon
Black
Glauconite
Green
Iron
Red
According to the table, which mineral is most likely contained
in the riverbed??
A. carbon
B. calcite
C. iron
D. glauconite
30. The table shows soil content and its associated color. The
Red River on the Oklahoma-Texas border is named for the
colored sedimentary rocks that make up the riverbed.
Content
Color
Calcite
White
Carbon
Black
Glauconite
Green
Iron
Red
According to the table, which mineral is most likely contained
in the riverbed??
A. carbon
B. calcite
C. iron
D. glauconite
31. Soil with humus helps support the growth
of plants. Which of the soil types below would
most likely contain the greatest amount of
humus?
A. sand
B. gravel
C. loam
D. clay
31. Soil with humus helps support the growth
of plants. Which of the soil types below would
most likely contain the greatest amount of
humus?
A. sand
B. gravel
C. loam
D. clay
32. Which of the following soils has the
roughest texture?
A. potting soil
B. silt
C. clay
D. sand
32. Which of the following soils has the
roughest texture?
A. potting soil
B. silt
C. clay
D. sand
Soil Type
???
Clay
Red, fine texture, small particles
Sand
Tan, large particles, course texture
Potting soil
Black, medium coarse texture, medium particles
33. Based on the information provided in the table
above, what would be the most appropriate title for
the second column?
A. soil color
B. soil behavior
C. soil properties
D. soil texture
Soil Type
???
Clay
Red, fine texture, small particles
Sand
Tan, large particles, course texture
Potting soil
Black, medium coarse texture, medium particles
33. Based on the information provided in the table
above, what would be the most appropriate title for
the second column?
A. soil color
B. soil behavior
C. soil properties
D. soil texture
34. Which tool would be useful in measuring
the amount of water that drained from a pot of
soil?
A. beaker
B. collecting net
C. pan balance
D. ruler
34. Which tool would be useful in measuring
the amount of water that drained from a pot of
soil?
A. beaker
B. collecting net
C. pan balance
D. ruler
35. Environmental scientists focus on studying soil for all
the following reasons EXCEPT—
A. to focus on environmental quality as it relates to soil
B. to investigate issues like soil contamination
C. to analyze how human use impacts local soil
D. to study how soil can be used destructively and
ineffectively
35. Environmental scientists focus on studying soil for all
the following reasons EXCEPT—
A. to focus on environmental quality as it relates to soil
B. to investigate issues like soil contamination
C. to analyze how human use impacts local soil
D. to study how soil can be used destructively and
ineffectively
36. Students extend a soil investigation over a four-week
period in order to conduct two more trial runs before
reporting their final conclusions. What is the purpose in
repeating the investigation?
A. To make accurate measurements
B. To collect detailed information
C. To increase reliability of results
D. To form a testable hypothesis
36. Students extend a soil investigation over a four-week
period in order to conduct two more trial runs before
reporting their final conclusions. What is the purpose in
repeating the investigation?
A. To make accurate measurements
B. To collect detailed information
C. To increase reliability of results
D. To form a testable hypothesis
37. Upon completion of the soil investigation, students conducted
that the soil’s ability to retain water was an important factor in
sustaining plant growth. Which of the following questions would
be appropriate when testing this hypothesis?
A. Do plants grow better by adding water to the soil?
B. How does water change the texture of the soil?
C. Which type of soil has the capacity to hold in the most water?
D. How much water is needed to test soil retention?
37. Upon completion of the soil investigation, students conducted
that the soil’s ability to retain water was an important factor in
sustaining plant growth. Which of the following questions would
be appropriate when testing this hypothesis?
A. Do plants grow better by adding water to the soil?
B. How does water change the texture of the soil?
C. Which type of soil has the capacity to hold in the most water?
D. How much water is needed to test soil retention?
38. Students are examining properties of soil, such as a
soil’s ability to support the growth of diverse plants.
Which would be most effective to use for an extended
period of time when observing plant growth in soil?
A. beaker
B. planetarium
C. terrarium
D. statium
38. Students are examining properties of soil, such as a
soil’s ability to support the growth of diverse plants.
Which would be most effective to use for an extended
period of time when observing plant growth in soil?
A. beaker
B. planetarium
C. terrarium
D. stadium