Soil and the surface of the Earth
Kinds of soil, the soil profile, how we protect soil, and sedimentary rock. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.
Know it already? Jump straight to the quiz
The soil profile
Weathering breaks rock down where it lies; erosion carries the soil away. Bare soil in heavy rain loses its topsoil. Farmers plant cover crops or build terraces on slopes.
Three kinds of soil
| Soil | Grains | Water |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy | Largest, roughest; feels gritty | Drains very quickly |
| Clayey | Finest; sticks together | Drains slowly; stays wet |
| Loamy | A mixture | Holds water, drains well |
The simplest test: see how fast water drains through the soil.
Rocks and fossils
Sedimentary rock is made of pressed layers of sand and mud. Most fossils are found in it: dead plants or animals are buried and slowly turn to stone. Fossils tell what lived long ago. Igneous rock forms when lava or magma cools.
The Earth’s crust and a soil investigation
The outer layer of the Earth is the crust. It is made of rock, even under the sea, and soil. Soil, air, water and sunlight support life on Earth.
| Soil | What happens when you pour water on it? |
|---|---|
| Sandy soil | The water drains through quickly; little stays behind |
| Clay soil | The water runs through slowly; the soil holds a lot of water |
| Loam soil | Holds enough water without getting waterlogged: the best for plants |
Fair test: use the same amount of soil and the same amount of water in each funnel.
Remember this and test yourself
- Soil = broken rock, humus, air and water.
- Sandy soil: coarse grains, water drains fast. Clayey soil: fine particles, stays wet, cracks when it dries.
- Loam is best for most plants: it holds water but still drains well.
- The topsoil holds the most humus; below it is subsoil, then rock and bedrock.
- Earthworms mix the soil and make tunnels for air; compost adds humus.
Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.
Sand = Sieve (water runs through). Clay = Clings (water stays). Loam = Lovely (just right for plants).
Important words
First say what the word means, then turn the card over.
Match column A to column B
Tap a word in column A, then its meaning in column B. You can also start in column B.
True or false?
Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.
Now the real quiz!
The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.
Take the quiz: Soil and the surface of the Earth- Read one part together and ask your child to tell it back in their own words.
- The ticks (“I know this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.
Follows CAPS for Grade 5 Natural Sciences and Technology. Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.