STAAR Released

Which statement best describes the processes of weathering and erosion?

• Weathering and erosion are directly responsible for the breakdown of any type of rock into smaller particles and the carrying away of the loose sediments.

• Weathering and erosion are directly responsible for depositing loose sediments on the bottom of the ocean, forming layers of sediment.

• Weathering and erosion are directly responsible for the amount of water in a river that transports sediments to the sea.

• Weathering and erosion are directly responsible for the transportation, deposition and compaction of loose sediments on the seafloor.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which diagram models the process of compaction leading to the formation of Sedimentary Rock?

• F

• G

• H

• J

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Erosion is one of the processes involved in the formation of Sedimentary Rock. Which of these best describes the process of erosion?

• Rocks are broken into smaller pieces that remain in the same location.

• Pressure compacts layers of sediment and turns them into rock.

• Pieces of rock or soil are carried from one place to another.

• Sediment grains fall to the bottom of a lake to form Sedimentary Rock.

Some students make a model to show one of the first steps in the formation of sedimentary rock. The students pour 2 centimeters of light-colored sand into a clear plastic box. Then they add 1 centimeter of gravel. Finally they pour 2 centimeters of dark-colored sand on top of the gravel. Which characteristic of sedimentary rock does this model best show?

• Sedimentary rock is made of layers.

• Sedimentary rock is cemented bits of rock.

• Sedimentary rock is often limestone.

• Sedimentary rock is common in Texas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The model below shows layers of sediment on the floor of an ocean. Which of the following best explains how these layers can become rock over many years?

• Sand in the sediment melts and turns into rock.

• The weight of the water compacts the sediment into rock.

• Changing water temperatures turn sand in the sediment into rock.

• Pollution caused by humans turns the sediment into rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The diagram below shows the sequence of the processes that turn solid rock into sandstone. Which two processes best complete this diagram?

• Melting and cooling

• Erosion and compaction

• Compaction and cementation

• Evaporation and dissolving

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Sedimentary rocks form when broken bits of other rock are deposited and then –

• buried and squeezed and cemented together.

• melted by the heat of the Earth’s core.

• completely dissolved in salt water in the ocean.

• used by humans as a natural resource.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

In addition to long periods of time, all of the following are necessary for the formation of sedimentary rock EXCEPT –

• extreme heat.

• organic matter.

• various sediment.

• intense pressure.

Several layers of sedimentary rock are illustrated. They are in the same order as when they first formed. Which layer formed first?

• Rock Layer W

• Rock Layer X

• Rock Layer Y

• Rock Layer Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following is a process that creates the sediments that form sedimentary rock?

• Wind, water, and ice breaking rock into smaller pieces

• Heat from the earth melting rock below the surface

• Volcanoes putting out lava that cools to form new rock

• Continents pushing together to fold layers of rock

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2