Year 1 Science: Roots: holding on and drinking
Part of the Year 1 Science parts of a plant chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page · Download worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF)
Roots: holding on and drinking
The roots are the part of a plant that grows down into the soil. They hold the plant firmly in the ground, so it does not fall over. They also soak up water from the soil.
The carrot we eat is a root. The leafy top of the carrot plant grows above the soil.
Key ideas
- Roots grow down into the soil.
- Roots hold the plant in the ground.
- Roots soak up water from the soil.
- A carrot is a root that we can eat.
Method. Look for the part that grows under the soil.
- Look at the picture. The orange carrot is under the soil.Orange carrot under the soil
- Name the part. A part that grows under the soil is a root.Under the soil = root
- Write the answer. The root
Check. The carrot is the part that grows down, so it is the root. ✓
Watch out. The leaves are above the soil, and we do not eat them as a carrot.
Method. Think about what would happen to a plant with no roots.
- Think about holding on. Without roots, a plant can fall over in the wind.Roots hold it in the soil
- Think about water. Roots soak up water from the soil for the plant to use.Roots take in water
- Write the answer. They hold the plant in the soil and soak up water.
Check. A plant with roots stands up in the soil. ✓
Watch out. Roots do not make flowers or seeds.
Method. Look at where the orange carrot is.
- Look at the soil line. The soil is the brown ground.Soil line in the middle
- Find the carrot. The carrot is under the soil line.Carrot under the line
- Write the answer. Below the soil
Check. The leafy top is above the soil, and the carrot is below it. ✓
Watch out. Leaves are above the soil. Carrots grow below it.
Watch out
Watch out: a carrot is a root, but the leaves on top of a carrot plant are not roots. The leaves grow above the soil.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Look at pictures of roots together, or see roots on a plant that has been lifted from a pot with help. Remind your child that roots stay in the soil. Wash hands after handling soil.
Try it at home
Grow a bean. With a grown-up, put a dried broad bean seed (from a garden centre or seed packet) between a damp paper towel and the side of a clear jar. Keep the towel damp and look at the bean each day for about two weeks. Do not eat the beans. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exercise 3B Roots: holding on and drinking
Method. Think about what the roots are for.
- Look at each choice. Roots grow in the soil, so they must do a job there.(a) and (c) are flower or seed jobs
- Choose the right job. Roots hold the plant in the soil.(b) hold the plant in the soil
- Write the answer. (b) hold the plant in the soil
Check. Pull a plant with no roots and it comes out easily. ✓
Watch out. Flowers and seeds do not come from roots.
Method. Think about what the roots take from the soil.
- Read the sentence. The roots take in a liquid that the plant needs.a liquid from the soil
- Name the thing. Roots soak up water.Water
- Write the answer. water
Check. Water a plant and the roots will soak it up. ✓
Watch out. Roots take in water. They do not take in leaves.
Method. Find the carrot root in the picture, then read its letter.
- Look for the carrot root. The carrot is the root, under the soil.The carrot root is shown as B.
- Read the letter next to it. Each part has its own letter.Carrot root = B
- Write the answer. B
Check. Point to the letter B with your finger. ✓
Watch out. Check the letter is next to the right part, not the part above or below it.
Method. Think about where each part grows.
- Think about the leaves. Leaves grow above the soil, where we can see them.Leaves: above the soil
- Think about the roots. Roots grow down into the soil, where we cannot see them.Roots: under the soil
- Write the answer. the roots
Check. Lift a plant pot gently with a grown-up and look. ✓
Watch out. Anything in the soil is hidden from us.
Method. Think about where roots grow.
- Think about what roots do. Roots grow down into the soil.Down, not up
- Decide. Because roots grow down, the sentence is false.False
- Write the answer. False
Check. Roots go down into the soil, so the answer is False. ✓
Watch out. Leaves and flowers grow above the soil.
Method. Think about holding the plant in the ground.
- Think about the roots. Roots hold the plant in the soil.Roots hold it firmly
- Decide. Holding the plant firmly helps it to stand up, so the sentence is true.True
- Write the answer. True
Check. A plant with good roots stays upright in the wind. ✓
Watch out. Roots help the plant stand up.
Method. Think about which food grows under the soil.
- Think about each food. A lettuce is a leaf. An apple is a fruit. A carrot grows under the soil.Lettuce: leaf. Apple: fruit.
- Choose the root. The carrot is the root.Carrot = root
- Write the answer. carrot
Check. Carrots grow in the soil, so they are roots. ✓
Watch out. Apples grow on trees, not in the soil.
Method. Think about what roots do in the soil.
- Look at what happened. The whole plant came out, roots and all.Roots came out with the plant
- Think about the job of roots. Roots hold the plant in the soil, so they come out with it.Roots hold it in the soil
- Write the answer. The roots hold the plant in the soil.
Check. Gently pull a weed with a grown-up and see the roots. ✓
Watch out. Pull gently, and wash your hands afterwards.
Method. Think about what holds a plant up.
- Think about the roots. Roots hold the plant firmly in the soil.Roots = hold in soil
- Think about the plant without roots. Without roots, nothing holds it in the ground, so it can fall over.No roots = can fall over
- Write the answer. Roots hold the plant in the soil, so without them it can fall over.
Check. A tall plant with no roots tips over easily. ✓
Watch out. Roots are the anchor of a plant.
Method. Think about which part of the plant takes in water.
- Read the sentence. Water is taken in from the soil, by the part in the soil.taken in from the soil
- Name the part. Roots take in water.Roots
- Write the answer. roots
Check. Roots soak up water, and stems and leaves do not. ✓
Watch out. The roots are the part in the soil.
Method. Think about where the water is, and where roots grow.
- Think about the damp paper. The water is in the damp paper.Water is in the paper
- Think about the roots. Roots grow down towards the water to soak it up.Roots grow down towards the water
- Write the answer. They will grow longer, down towards the water.
Check. Look at the bean each day and draw what you see. ✓
Watch out. Accept any answer that says the roots grow down, towards the water.