Fill in each blank with the correct word from the lesson.

1. Soil is not just a growing medium — it is one of the most biologically rich _______s on Earth.
2. A single teaspoon of healthy soil contains approximately a billion bacteria, hundreds of thousands of fungi, and thousands of other _______isms.
3. _______s — mainly bacteria and fungi in soil — are the essential recyclers of the natural world.
4. When plants and animals die, decomposers break down the dead organic matter into simple _______ nutrients.
5. Each plays a role in maintaining soil structure, _______ cycling, and organic matter decomposition.

Choose the best option for each question.

1. Why are earthworms called 'nature's ploughs'?
   a) They eat insects that damage cropsb) They burrow through soil, aerating it and improving structurec) They produce seedsd) They protect soil from rain
2. What is the role of decomposers in soil?
   a) They make soil harderb) They kill plant rootsc) They break down dead matter and return nutrients to soild) They prevent water from entering soil
3. Approximately how many bacteria are in a teaspoon of healthy soil?
   a) About a thousandb) About a millionc) About a billiond) About a trillion

Write T for True or F for False in the brackets.

1. They burrow through soil, aerating it and improving structure is one of the key concepts in the lesson on Soil as Habitat.
2. They eat insects that damage crops is the main topic of this lesson.
3. They break down dead matter and return nutrients to soil is one of the key concepts in the lesson on Soil as Habitat.
4. They make soil harder is the main topic of this lesson.

1. In your own words, explain what Soil as Habitat means.
2. List two things you learned from this lesson on Soil as Habitat.