Earth Science Quiz

The diagram shows three rock layers. Which statement about the age of the rock layers is correct?

• The top layer is oldest.

• The middle layer is oldest.

• The bottom layer is oldest.

• All layers are the same age.

Scientists found many fern fossils in a location that is now a desert. Which explanation for this fossil find is most likely?

• Ferns used to be able to grow in the desert.

• The landscape of the area changed over time.

• Many years ago humans misplaced the fossil.

• The fern migrated from the forest to the desert after it died.

Which type of landform includes the tallest landforms on Earth?

• hill

• plain

• valley

• mountain

The picture shows a canyon. What caused the rock layers in the canyon to be revealed?

• an earthquake

• a flowing river

• humans digging

Rain that falls on rock goes into cracks in the rock. What happens when the water freezes in these cracks?

• The cracks get wider.

• The cracks get smaller.

• The cracks get weaker.

• The cracks get stronger.

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

Which of these is an example of erosion?

• termites building mounds

• land drying out and cracking

• waves carrying sand out to sea

• people cutting down forests to build houses

This beaver builds a dam for shelter. How does this affect the beaver’s environment?

• The beaver can add nutrients to soil.

• The beaver can make a lake in a river.

• The beaver erodes the shore of the lake.

• The beaver weathers the rocks in the river.

Joanie brought home several different items from the beach. Which item is a fossil?

• a clam that died on the way home

• a rock with an imprint of a seashell

• a clump of seashells stuck together

• two seashell halves that fit together

The cliffs and the beach in this picture were shaped by weathering and erosion.

How will the landforms in the picture most likely change as these processes continue?

• The holes in the cliffs will become smaller.

• The cliffs will get taller and become rougher.

• The cliff will erode and the beach will become larger.

• The beach will build larger deposits and soon become a large rock.