Earth Science Quiz

Joshua spends the day at the beach with his family. He finds some smooth stones in the sand. What process causes such stones to become smooth?

• deposition

• erosion

• grooving

• weathering

Notice the ice splitting the rock. To which process does the ice contribute?

• deposition

• erosion

• polishing

• weathering

There is a relationship between landforms and wind. Given this relationship, which landform is the result of deposition?

• a canyon

• a desert

• a forest

• a mountain

Earth consists of the crust, the mantle, the outer core, and the inner core. Which label do scientists use when they refer to the four parts of Earth shown in the image?

• faults

• layers

• plates

• rings

Different types of plate motion produce boundaries that shape different landforms and cause different natural events. Which event will most likely occur where two plates move in different directions and slide against each other?

• an earthquake

• a fault

• a flood

• a volcano

Wind, water, and ice are involved in both weathering and erosion. However, weathering and erosion are two different processes. Which sentence states a difference between weathering and erosion?

• Erosion moves rocks without breaking them down.

• Weathering and erosion move rocks to new locations.

• Erosion breaks down rocks but doesn’t move them.

• Weathering moves rocks without breaking them down.

Many rocks contain gaps or cracks. In the diagram below, notice the relationship between the rock and the plant. Which statement describes what will happen to the rock and the plant over time?

• The rock will crush the plant.

• The plant will be buried in the rock.

• The plant will grow, and the crack will get bigger.

• The rock will stop the plant from growing bigger.

The movement of wind, water, or ice may have the effect of leaving a solid material behind. Which of the following descriptions is an example of such a deposition?

• sand in a river delta

• space in a sinkhole

• sunshine after a storm

• a breeze after a hurricane

The flow of water can cause soil erosion. This diagram shows soil erosion caused by rain. If the homeowner wants to stop the process of erosion, what can he or she do?

• plant grass

• install a sprinkler

• fill the hole with dirt

• install a chain link fence

During an experiment, Sagar found that a cube of sugar dissolves more quickly in a cup of hot water than in a cup of cool water. What might Sagar infer about water temperature and erosion rates?

• Water temperature has no effect on erosion rates.

• Colder water will cause rock to erode more quickly.

• Warmer water will cause rock to erode more quickly.

• Warmer water will flow down a slope more forcefully.