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Earth's Structures TEST Practice

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 12mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of these correctly lists Earth’s layers in order from the center to the surface?

a)

inner core, asthenosphere, lithosphere, outer core

b)

inner core, outer core, asthenosphere, lithosphere

c)

asthenosphere, lithosphere, outer core, inner core

d)

outer core, inner core, asthenosphere, lithosphere

2.

In the convection current of a pan of soup, the cooler, denser fluid

a)

stays on top

b)

stays where it is

c)

sinks to the bottom

d)

rises to the top

3.

A difference between the oceanic crust and the continental crust is that the oceanic crust is

a)

continually being created.

b)

older than the continental crust.

c)

composed chiefly of sedimentary rocks.

d)

more dense than the continental crust.

4.

Earth's lithosphere is broken into separate sections called

a)

plates

b)

faults

c)

trenches

d)

rifts

5.

The continental crust floats on top of the mantle because the crust is

a)

separated from the mantle by a layer of water.

b)

less dense than the mantle.

c)

made of a liquid material.

d)

made up of oxygen which is a light element.

6.

Subduction is

a)

the process that continually adds ocean floor.

b)

a device that bounces sound waves off underwater objects.

c)

the process by which oceanic crust sinks beneath trenches.

d)

the direct transfer of heat through solid materials.

7.

When an earthquake occurs, the speed of the seismic waves changes as they

a)

reflect off of boundaries.

b)

are pulled by the force of gravity.

c)

lose energy to surrounding rocks.

d)

move through different materials.

8.

Scientists rejected Wegener's theory because he could not

a)

describe how seeds moved from Africa to South America

b)

explain what force pushes or pulls continents

c)

describe the climate of Pangaea

d)

explain why continental crust was denser than oceanic crust

9.

What best describes the mantle of Earth?

a)

the smallest layer that is made up of molten rock

b)

the largest layer between the crust and outer core

c)

a solid layer made of iron and nickel

d)

a thin layer that is located on the surface

10.

Which event most likely takes place as the result of crustal movement along transform boundaries?

a)

Mountain building

b)

Earthquakes

c)

Volcanic activity

d)

Trenches

11.

The inner core of Earth is solid because of the

a)

magnetic field.

b)

amount of pressure.

c)

extreme temperature.

d)

rate of rotation.

12.

At which location does the movement of tectonic plates form isolated volcanic islands, such as Hawaii?

a)

subduction zone

b)

hot spot

c)

transform boundary

d)

divergent boundary

13.

Which statement best describes why fossils of the same land-dwelling species have been discovered in both South America and Africa?

a)

These organisms became extinct due to climate changes on these continents.

b)

These organisms once lived on one large landmass that later split into two continents.

c)

These organisms were separated by the formation of new mountain ranges.

d)

These organisms migrated to these two continents.

14.

As two continental plates collide, the edges of the plates are crumpled and uplifted. Which of these landforms is most likely a result of this type of collision?

a)

shield volcanoes

b)

normal faults

c)

mountain ranges

d)

u-shaped valleys

15.

An earthquake occurs in western Nevada. What most likely causes the earthquake?

a)

rotational imbalance due to changes in the location of Earth’s poles

b)

temperature variation due to Earth’s orbit around the Sun

c)

gravitational variation due to the Moon’s orbit around Earth

d)

stress due to the movement of Earth’s crustal plates

16.

Which of these tectonic plate boundaries is most likely to form a volcano?

a)

a continental plate sliding past a continental plate

b)

an oceanic plate colliding into a continental plate

c)

a continental plate colliding with a continental plate

d)

an oceanic plate sliding past a continental plate

17.

Which geologic feature most likely forms when an oceanic tectonic plate is slowly subducted beneath a continental tectonic plate?

a)

Continental rift valley

b)

Continental hot spot

c)

Mid-ocean ridge

d)

Ocean trench

18.

What causes the tectonic plates of Earth to continually move?

a)

rotation of the solid core

b)

convection currents in the mantle

c)

volcanic and seismic activity in the crust

d)

strong winds and storms

19.

Seafloor spreading occurs along certain boundaries in the ocean. Which are most likely to form at the boundary where the seafloor is spreading?

a)

strike-slip faults

b)

subduction zones

c)

mid-ocean ridges

d)

continental shelves

20.

When compared to the other layers of Earth, which layer has the lowest density?

a)

outer core

b)

crust

c)

inner core

d)

mantle