Listening practice test, Grades 8–9 — question 6 of 27
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Planning the Soil Project
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Nadia: So we said we'd test which kind of soil holds the most water, right? Sand, clay and potting soil.
Jordan: Right. But I read the science fair rules last night, and every project needs at least three trials for each sample.
Nadia: Three trials each? That's nine tests, and the fair is in two weeks.
Jordan: It's not as bad as it sounds. Each test takes about twenty minutes. The slow part is drying the soil out between trials. That takes days.
Nadia: Then let's not reuse the soil. My uncle works at a garden center. If he gives us a whole bag of each kind, we can use fresh soil every time.
Jordan: That would work. And it's more fair, too. Soil we already used might be packed down, and that could change how much water it holds.
Nadia: I'll text him tonight. You make the data table, and I'll write the materials list.
Jordan: Deal. And let's take a photo of every trial. Ms. Guerrero said the judges like to see the process.
Choose the best answer.
What do the students decide to do instead of drying the soil between tests?
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