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Grade 5 Decomposers & Matter Cycles Worksheet with Answers

Grade 5 (US) · Year 6 (UK) · Class 5 (India) · Science

Unit 3: Matter & Energy in EcosystemsFood Chains & DecomposersNGSS 5-LS2-1

How decomposers recycle matter back into the soil and air. This free upper elementary worksheet has 11 questions and a full answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF — every answer is checked by code, not guessed.

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Decomposers & Matter Cycles

Grade 5 · Science

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Class

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Learning goal: Food Chains & Decomposers · NGSS 5-LS2-1

Directions: Read each question carefully and write your answer on the line.

RememberCycles of matter

Plantstake in CO₂Animalseat plantsRespirationgives out CO₂Decomposersreturn nutrientsBurningfuelsadds CO₂
  1. 1

    In a sealed jar with a plant and a snail, why can both survive for a while?

  2. 2

    Name a decomposer.

  3. 3

    Why are decomposers important?

  4. 4

    What gas do animals breathe out that plants use?

  5. 5

    What happens to a fallen leaf over time?

  6. 6

    Why is a compost pile warm inside?

  7. 7

    What would happen if there were no decomposers?

  8. 8

    What are decomposers?

  9. 9

    Trace matter: grass → rabbit → fox → ? → soil

  10. 10

    Why do farmers add compost to soil?

  11. 11

    Where does the carbon in a dead tree go when it decays?

★ Challenge corner for fast finishers

I am the hardest natural mineral. What am I?

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Teacher's comments

Free printable worksheets with answer keys · aethelsystems.com/worksheets/science/5/matter_cycles

Answer key (click to show)
  1. 1.the plant makes oxygen and food; the snail gives off carbon dioxide and waste
  2. 2.fungi (mushrooms), bacteria or worms (any one)
  3. 3.they recycle nutrients back to the soil
  4. 4.carbon dioxide
  5. 5.it breaks down and becomes part of the soil
  6. 6.decomposers give off heat as they break things down
  7. 7.dead things would pile up and soil would lose nutrients
  8. 8.living things that break down dead plants and animals
  9. 9.decomposers
  10. 10.it adds nutrients that help plants grow
  11. 11.into the soil and the air as carbon dioxide
  12. ★diamond (challenge corner)

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