Understanding Sedimentary Rocks

1. What process creates sediments?

• A) Weathering

• B) Deposition

• D) Compaction

• C) Sublimation

2. Sediments can vary in size from: A) Tiny particles to skyscraper-sized boulders B) Only small particles C) Medium rocks to large boulders D) Sand to small pebbles

• Only large boulders

• Small pebbles to large stones

• A) Tiny particles to skyscraper-sized boulders

• Tiny particles to medium rocks

3. How are layers of sedimentary rocks compacted together? A) By freezing B) By pressure from layers above or water C) By heat and magma D) By sunlight

• B) By pressure from layers above or water

• By chemical reactions in the air

• By erosion from wind

• By volcanic activity nearby

4. What type of sedimentary rock is formed from sand? A) Limestone B) Conglomerate C) Shale D) Sandstone

• D) Sandstone

• Granite

• Marble

• Slate

5. What makes conglomerate different from breccia? A) Conglomerate is made from jagged sediments, and breccia from rounded sediments B) Breccia is made from rounded sediments, and conglomerate from jagged sediments C) Conglomerate has smooth, rounded sediments, and breccia has jagged sediments D) They are the same type of sedimentary rock

• A) Conglomerate is made from rounded sediments, and breccia from jagged sediments

• D) Conglomerate and breccia are both made from the same type of sediments

• B) Breccia is made from smooth, rounded sediments, and conglomerate from jagged sediments

• C) Conglomerate has smooth, rounded sediments, and breccia has jagged sediments

6. What is the main ingredient in limestone? A) Sand B) Clay C) Calcium carbonate D) Silica

• C) Calcium carbonate

• D) Iron oxide

• A) Gypsum

• B) Sodium chloride

7. How are fossils formed in sedimentary rocks? A) By freezing B) By pressure and heat C) By being trapped in layers of sediment D) By erosion

• By being buried under ice

• By chemical reactions

• C) By being trapped in layers of sediment

• By volcanic activity

8. What is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces called? A) Erosion B) Weathering C) Compaction D) Cementation

• A) Erosion

• C) Compaction

• D) Cementation

• B) Weathering

9. Which of the following is a characteristic of shale? A) It is coarse-grained B) It is formed from clay particles C) It is very hard D) It is made from sand

• C) It is primarily composed of gravel

• A) It is formed from igneous rock

• D) It is a type of metamorphic rock

• B) It is formed from clay particles

10. What type of environment is most likely to produce limestone? A) Desert B) Ocean C) Mountain D) Forest

• A) Volcano

• C) Swamp

• D) Tundra

• B) Ocean