Exploring Earth's Surface

Conglomerate, sandstone, and siltstone are all examples of sedimentary rocks. Which of the following is the process of formation that these rocks have in common?

• evaporation

• cementation

• solidification

• condensation

What can cause granite to break down into soil over time?

• rain and wind

• sand deposition

• heat from magma

• pressure underground

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The diagram shown below shows a rift zone forming between two oceanic plates. Which of these actions is shown just below the center of the rift zone?

• subduction

• magma flowing up

• lava becoming solid

• continental crust melting

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Canyons, caverns, channels, and valleys all form because of erosion by water. Which landform listed is mainly formed because of erosion by groundwater?

• a broad valley

• a narrow canyon

• a human-made channel

• an underground cavern

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Emily used a tray filled with dirt as a model of a stream. Emily poured water into the top of the tray and observed how much erosion happened. Emily then increased the slope of the tray and repeated the experiment. What would happen if the slope of the tray increased?

• The speed of the water and the amount of erosion would increase.

• The speed of the water and the amount of erosion would decrease.

• The speed of the water would increase, while the amount of erosion would decrease.

• The speed of the water would decrease, while the amount of erosion would increase.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which of the following is the source of humus found in soil?

• bedrock

• B horizon

• parent rock

• plants and animals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which is an example of abrasion of a rock?

• a color change due to exposure to air

• a shape change due to exposure to wind

• a hole forming due to a reaction with water

• a layer falling off due to a lessening of pressure

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Minerals make up most of the rocks on Earth's surface. What are three changes that can cause minerals to form by metamorphism?

• temperature, melting, physical makeup

• pressure, physical makeup, melting

• temperature, melting, physical makeup

• temperature, pressure, chemical makeup

In places where there is loose sediment and strong wind, the wind can pick up the sediment and carry it. When the wind slows, it deposits the sediment. Which type of sediment will be dropped first as the wind slows?

• the biggest

• the lightest

• the smallest

• the heaviest

The diagram below shows a large region of Earth's crust. Which type of rock is forming deep below the surface?

• intrusive igneous rock

• extrusive igneous rock

• foliated metamorphic rock

• chemical sedimentary rock

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4