What is the correct order (starting from the surface) of Earth's layers?

crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

crust, outer core, inner core, mantle

mantle, outer core, inner core, crust

outer core, inner core, crust, mantle

Earth's inner core is...

a dense ball of solid iron and nickel.

a layer of molten iron and nickel.

a layer of rock that forms Earth's outer skin.

If we compare the temperature and pressure of Earth's mantle to the core, what differences can we expect as we move downward into Earth?

Both temperature and pressure increase.

Both temperature and pressure decrease.

Temperature decreases and pressure increases.

Temperature increases and pressure decreases.

What are the two kinds of crust?

lithospheric and asthenospheric

In Earth's crust, what type of rock is found under the oceans?

granite on top; basalt underneath

basalt on top; granite underneath

Geologists' main evidence about the structure of Earth's interior comes from

temperature measurements in deep mines

What is the difference between the inner and outer core?

The outer core is liquid, the inner core is solid.

The inner core is liquid and the outer core is solid.

The outer core is made of nickel and the inner core is made of iron.

The outer core is hotter than the inner core.

Why have geologists not reached the mantle?

It is too hot for humans to go there.

It is too smelly for humans to go there.

It doesn't have Wi-Fi so none of their instruments work.

Scientists have not figured out how to time travel.

Earth's Interior!

Quiz

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Other Sciences

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7th Grade

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Practice Problem

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About this resource

This quiz comprehensively covers Earth's interior structure, focusing on the four main layers (crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core) and their distinct characteristics. The content is perfectly suited for 7th grade Earth science students who are learning about planetary geology and Earth's internal composition. Students need to understand the sequential arrangement of Earth's layers from surface to center, recognize the physical states and compositions of each layer, and comprehend how properties like temperature, pressure, and density change with depth. The quiz requires knowledge of the lithosphere and asthenosphere as subdivisions within the broader layer system, understanding of different crustal types (continental versus oceanic), and awareness of how seismic waves provide evidence for Earth's internal structure. Students must also grasp fundamental geological concepts including convection currents in the mantle, the relationship between Earth's magnetic field and the outer core, and how extreme conditions at depth affect the physical properties of materials. This quiz was created by a classroom teacher who designed it for students studying Earth's interior structure in grade 7. The assessment serves multiple instructional purposes, functioning effectively as a comprehensive review before a unit test, homework practice to reinforce classroom learning, or formative assessment to gauge student understanding of key geological concepts. Teachers can use this quiz as a warm-up activity to activate prior knowledge before introducing plate tectonics, or as guided practice during direct instruction about Earth's layers. The multiple-choice format makes it ideal for quick comprehension checks and allows students to self-assess their understanding of fundamental Earth science principles. This assessment aligns with NGSS standard MS-ESS2-1, which requires students to develop models to describe the cycling of Earth's materials and the flow of energy that drives this process, and supports Common Core literacy standards in science through careful reading of scientific content and analysis of Earth's internal structure.