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Three Soils, Three Pots is a free printable Grade 2 science worksheet on testing three soils to find the one best suited to growing seeds, aligned to NGSS performance expectation 2-PS1-2. It prints 7 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

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Three Soils, Three Pots

2-PS1-2

NameDate

Read the record, then answer the questions.

1.Read the record, then answer the questions.

Three Soils, Three Pots

Three pots of soil, each sown with five bean seeds and given the same cup of water every two days for three weeks. THREE SOILS AFTER THREE WEEKS Sand: gritty to touch; water ran straight through; dry on top within a day; 2 small seedlings Clay: sticky and smooth when wet; water sat on top for an hour; still soggy; 1 seedling Garden soil: crumbly; water soaked in slowly; damp but not soggy; 5 tall green seedlings A worm was found in the garden soil only. Same seeds, same pots, same windowsill, same water.

  1. 1. Which soil is best for growing beans, from this test?
  2. 2. How many seedlings grew in the garden soil?
  3. 3. How did the clay feel when wet?
  4. 4. Why did only one seedling grow in the clay?
2.Why can roots rot in heavy clay?
  • A.Clay is too dry
  • B.Clay is too light
  • C.Clay can stay soggy, so the roots get too little air
3.Soil with rotting leaves mixed in grows strong plants. Why?
  • A.The leaves make the soil sandy
  • B.The rotting leaves add food to the soil and help it hold water
  • C.The leaves keep the sun off
4.Why are worms good for soil?
  • A.They make it sandy
  • B.They mix it and make tunnels that let air and water in
  • C.They make it dry
5.How could you test which soil holds the most water?
  • A.Pour the same water into each and measure how much drips out
  • B.Smell each one
  • C.Look at the color of each
6.How does sand feel when you rub it between your fingers?
  • A.Gritty
  • B.Sticky
  • C.Silky
7.Which soil would you choose for a tray of seeds?
  • A.Crumbly soil that holds water but does not go soggy
  • B.Dry sand that water runs through
  • C.Wet clay that stays soggy

LessonPrint · 2-PS1-2 · Set 6 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Three Soils, Three Pots

Set 6. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. The garden soil, where all 5 seedlings grew tall and green. 2. 5 tall green seedlings. 3. Sticky and smooth. 4. The clay stayed soggy, with water sitting on top.
  2. 2.Clay can stay soggy, so the roots get too little air
  3. 3.The rotting leaves add food to the soil and help it hold water
  4. 4.They mix it and make tunnels that let air and water in
  5. 5.Pour the same water into each and measure how much drips out
  6. 6.Gritty
  7. 7.Crumbly soil that holds water but does not go soggy

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to 2-PS1-2 of the Next Generation Science Standards.