Success TutoringWorksheets
WorksheetYear 5Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 5 Soil Types: Sand, Clay and Loam Worksheet

Students compare sandy, clay and loam soils by grain size, feel and how well they hold water, explain why loam is best for most plants, and analyse a drainage investigation that measures how much water passes through each soil.

Instant download · No sign-up · Free for personal, classroom and homeschool use

Year
Year 5
Subject
Science
Topic
Earth, Rocks & Weather
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
30 minutes
Curriculum
New Zealand Curriculum
Questions
17
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • comparing the properties of different soils
  • linking grain size to drainage
  • explaining which soils suit plants
  • analysing results and identifying variables

Curriculum: New Zealand Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Soil Types: Sand, Clay and Loam

Ready for more? Move on to Year 6 Science.

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 5 students (typically ages 9–10) working on earth, rocks & weather. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 30 minutes for 17 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Explore more Year 5 science resources.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 5 · Science · Earth, Rocks & Weather

Soil Types: Sand, Clay and Loam

Name

Date

Score /

Think about grain size and the gaps between grains.

Part A: Not all soil is the same

Read the passage. Then circle the best answer.

Soil is made of tiny pieces of rock mixed with humus (decayed plant and animal material), air and water. The size of the rock pieces gives each soil different properties.

Sandy soil has large grains with big gaps between them. It feels gritty, and water drains through it quickly, so it dries out fast and loses nutrients.

Clay soil has very tiny particles packed tightly together. It feels smooth and sticky when wet and holds lots of water, but drains slowly and can become waterlogged. It can set hard when dry.

Loam is a mix of sand, silt and clay with lots of humus. It holds enough water and nutrients for plants but still lets extra water drain away and air reach the roots. Most garden plants grow best in loam.

1.Which soil has the largest grains?
  1. Aclay
  2. Bsandy soil
  3. Cloam
  4. Dsilt
2.Water drains through sandy soil quickly because…
  1. Asand is wet already
  2. Bthere are big gaps between the grains
  3. Csand is sticky
  4. Dsand has lots of humus
3.Which soil feels sticky when wet and holds lots of water?
  1. Asandy soil
  2. Bclay soil
  3. Cgravel
  4. Dloam
4.Why is loam the best soil for most garden plants?
  1. AIt drains water too fast.
  2. BIt holds some water, drains well and is rich in humus.
  3. CIt never gets wet.
  4. DIt is the heaviest soil.
5.A plant's roots are rotting because the soil stays waterlogged. Which soil is it most likely growing in?
  1. Asandy soil
  2. Bclay soil
  3. Cloam
  4. Dgravel

Part B: Compare the soils

6.Match each soil to its description.
  • sandy soil
  • clay soil
  • loam
  • sticky, holds water
  • crumbly, rich in humus
  • gritty, drains fast
7.When water passes through soil, we say the soil (answer space).
8.Decayed plant and animal material in soil is called (answer space).
9.A gardener has very sandy soil. Why might adding compost help? (answer space)

Part C: True or false?

Write True or False.

10.Clay soil drains faster than sandy soil. ☐ True   ☐ False
11.Loam contains a mix of different-sized particles. ☐ True   ☐ False
12.The size of soil grains affects how fast water drains. ☐ True   ☐ False
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

More Year 5 earth, rocks & weather resources

  • Worksheet

    Rocks, Soil and the Water Cycle

    Students learn how igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks form, what soil is made of, and how water moves around the Earth through…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    35 min
    Questions
    17 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Worksheet

    Measuring the Weather: Weather Instruments

    Students learn how scientists measure the weather with instruments — thermometers for temperature, rain gauges for rainfall, wind vanes…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    30 min
    Questions
    15 questions
    Answers
    Answers included

Earth, Rocks & Weather in other year levels

Was this resource helpful?

About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring Science Team
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.