Earth's Processes Practice Quiz

Which of these phrases defines subsidence?

• Earth's crust rising

• Earth's crust sinking

• Earth's crust shifting horizontally

• Earth's crust moving in any direction

As a glacier moves along the ground, it transports rocks. These rocks pass over the ground and create scratches in the bedrock. Which statement correctly describes these processes?

• The transport of rocks and scratching of the bedrock are both examples of erosion.

• The transport of rocks and scratching of the bedrock are both examples of weathering.

• The transport of rocks is an example of erosion, and the scratching of the bedrock is an example of weathering.

• The transport of rocks is an example of weathering, and the scratching of the bedrock is an example of erosion.

After heavy rainfall, a stream causes more erosion than usual. Which statement is the most likely reason for this?

• The stream contains less water and moves faster.

• The stream contains more water and moves faster.

• The stream contains less water and moves slower

• The stream contains more water and moves slower

While hiking in the mountains, Tanya observed a narrow and steep valley with running water at the bottom of it. What most likely caused the valley to first form?

• an earthquake

• rock slide

• running water

• erosion by wind

Rainwater can break down rocks by dissolving minerals in the rocks. Acid rain is rainwater that is more acidic than normal rainwater. Acid rain can also dissolve the minerals in rocks faster than normal rainwater can. Which statement about acid rain is true?

• Acid rain causes less erosion than normal rainwater does.

• Acid rain causes more erosion than normal rainwater does.

• Acid rain causes less weathering than normal rainwater does.

• Acid rain causes more weathering than normal rainwater does.

Over a long period of time, igneous rock can change into sedimentary rock. What must happen to igneous rock before it can change into sedimentary rock?

• It must be broken down as sediment

• It must melt and become magma

• Its minerals must be dissolved in water

• It must be exposed to high heat and temperature

What force is mainly responsible for the erosion and deposition that happens in landslides, mudslides, and rockfalls?

• Ice

• Gravity

• Temperature

• Wind

The tallest sand dunes in North America are found in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado. These dunes were formed from the sand at the bottom of a dry lake bed. Which of the following agents is most likely responsible for the formation of the sand dunes?

• gravity

• ice

• water

• wind

What can result when acids in groundwater weather limestone rocks underground?

• Caves can form as the acids dissolve rocks over time.

• Crystals can grow as the water deposits minerals on the rocks.

• Sand formations can build up as the water causes abrasion of the rocks.

• Molten rock can form as the chemical reactions with the acids heat the rocks.

How does chemical weathering differ from physical weathering?

• Human activity causes chemical weathering but does not cause physical weathering.

• Chemical weathering does not break rocks down into smaller parts, but physical weathering does.

• Chemical weathering is acid precipitation and pressure, and physical weathering is wind and temperature changes.

• Chemical weathering happens when the bonds that hold minerals together break; physical weathering happens when physical actions wear away and crack the rocks.