The Surface of the Earth

Question 1

Define crust

Answer 1

hard, rocky, layer on the surface of Earth

Question 2

What is the surface of the Earth called

Answer 2

The crust

Question 3

What are the oceans

Answer 3

huge surfaces of the earth that are covered in water

Question 4

What is the lower, the continents or the oceans

Answer 4

the oceans

Question 5

what is the earths crust made of

Answer 5

ROCK. under the soil and under the sea, and deep beneath there is always ROCK

Question 6

What do we depend on from Earth to survive

Answer 6

Soil, Air, Water, sunlight

Question 7

What do plants use to make their own food

Answer 7

Water and nutrients in the soil, sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air

Question 8

What else do plants need soil for

Answer 8

To anchor their roots into the ground

Question 9

What do animals need to survive

Answer 9

Oxygen from the air, and water

Question 10

Where do animals get their energy from

Answer 10

They get their energy from what they eat as it is passed up through the food chain from plants

Question 11

Why do animals also depend on soil

Answer 11

because they get their energy from the plants that need the soil

Question 12

Define topsoil

Answer 12

The layer of soil that lies on the surface of the Earth

Question 13

Define decompose

Answer 13

Break down into small parts

Question 14

Define fertile soil

Answer 14

soil in which plants can grow well

Question 15

Define subsoil

Answer 15

The layer of soil that lies underneath the topsoil

Question 16

What is the land made up of

Answer 16

Mainly rocks, however, in most places soil covers the rocks

Question 17

how does soil form

Answer 17

In layers (Figure 3)

Question 17

Describe topsoil

Answer 17

Topsoil is dark in colour, it has the remains of dead plants and animals in it. Topsoil is the most nutrient-rich layer

Question 18

Where does the soils nutrients come from

Answer 18

From decomposed animals and plants, which break down into smaller parts and stay in the soil

Question 19

Where do plants grow best

Answer 19

In topsoil (fertile soil)

Question 20

What does the word sub mean

Answer 20

Under

Question 21

What happens to subsoil when it rains

Answer 21

nutrients from the topsoil are washed down into the subsoil

Question 22

Can plants get nutrients from subsoil

Answer 22

Yes, however, it is not as nutrient rich and fertile as topsoil

Question 23

What is below subsoil

Answer 23

Broken pieces of rock mixed with some soil

Question 24

What is at the very bottom layer of the earths crust

Answer 24

Solid rock

Question 25

Does soil form in solid rock layer

Answer 25

Yes

Question 26

What are some ways that soil supports life on earth

Answer 26

It can be the habitat in which animals live (aardvark)

It provides plants with nutrients and water, plants then provide food for animals

Question 27

Which layer of soil do farmers plant seeds and why

Answer 27

Topsoil, because it is the most fertile

Question 28

How is topsoil formed

Answer 28

Rocks are naturally broken into smaller and smaller pieces over time. Dead plant and animal matter mixes the rock pieces - slowly forming topsoil

Water and air causes rock near the surface of the earth to weaken and crumble.
Plants roots growing in cracks of rocks help to widen cracks and break the rock into small pieces.

Question 29

How is subsoil formed

Answer 29

After topsoil is formed, the rock below begins to break as water, air and plant roots move down past the topsoil to reach it

Question 30

Define microscope

Answer 30

An instrument that makes smaller things appear much bigger

Question 30

Define coarse grains

Answer 30

Large soil grains

Question 31

Define humus

Answer 31

dark material in the soil made of the fully decomposed remains of plants and animals

Question 32

Define fine soil grains

Answer 32

very small soil grans

Question 32

Define soil grains

Answer 32

small pieces of broken rock

Question 32

define eroded soil

Answer 32

soil that has been washed away by water and blown away by wind

Question 33

What are very small grains called

Answer 33

Clay grains

Question 33

What are large grains called

Answer 33

Sand grains

Question 34

What is clayey soil

Answer 34

Soil that has more fine grains than coarse grains of sand. If feels smooth when rubbed between fingers. It can feel sticky and hold a shape when wet

Question 35

How is humus formed

Answer 35

When plant and animal decompose fully. the compost turns into humus

Question 36

What does humus do for loamy soil

Answer 36

makes loamy light and nutrient rich. Making plants grow best in the loamy soil

Question 37

How small are clay grains

Answer 37

Can only be seen under a microscope

Question 39

What is sandy soil

Answer 39

Soil in which there are more coasre sand grains than fine grains. It feels gritty when you rub it between your fingers

Question 39

What is loamy soil

Answer 39

Soil that is a mixture of equal amount clay, sand and other soil grans. It contains humus.