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Minerals, Rocks, Weathering, Erosion, & Deposition Quiz

Total questions: 34

Worksheet time: 17mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In the processes responsible for changing sediments into sedimentary rock are compaction and

a)

intrusion

b)

cementation

c)

stratification

d)

foliation

2.

Which of the following properties of minerals is usually tested on an unglazed porcelain plate?

a)

streak

b)

hardness

c)

fracture

d)

cleavage

3.

Which statement about the formation of a rock is best supported by the rock cycle?

a)

Sediment must be compacted and cemented before it can change to sedimentary rock.

b)

Igneous rock must be melted and cooled before it can change to sedimentary rock.

c)

Sedimentary rock must condense before it can change to metamorphic rock.

d)

Sedimentary rock must cool before it can change to metamorphic rock.

4.

Which of the following best describes the mineral composition of the rock?

a)

The layers show that the rock was formed by one or more minerals that cooled very quickly.

b)

The layers show that the rock was formed by a single element under high pressure.

c)

The layers show that the rock was formed by a single element under extreme heat.

d)

The layers show that the rock was formed by one or more minerals that compacted over time.

5.

Josh noticed several cracks in the sidewalk. Weeds were growing through them, causing the cracks to expand. What process is this?

a)

erosion

b)

sedimentation

c)

deposition

d)

weathering

6.

Which is the correct definition of a mineral's streak?

a)

a line of ore in the mineral that is a different color

b)

a crystal in the mineral that is a different color

c)

the color of the powder a mineral makes

d)

the color of the outside of the mineral

7.

The diagram models a rock before and after undergoing some process. Which process is most likely modeled by the diagram?

a)

Water weathering the rock, settling in the crack and freezing, then breaking the rock as it expands.

b)

Winds weathering the rock, moving through the crack and causing the rock to break apart.

c)

Gravity eroding the rock, pulling down on its particles and causing it to break apart.

d)

Water eroding the rock, breaking down and carrying away loose rock particles.

8.

Which would most likely increase erosion caused by a stream?

a)

increased rainfall

b)

decreased animal life

c)

increased evaporation

d)

decreased temperature

9.

During a field trip to a Kansas state park, Uriah observes a rock in the shape of a mushroom, as shown. What is the most likely reason for the shape of the rock?

a)

animals eroding the rock

b)

wind weathering the rock

c)

acid rain dissolving the hard parts of the rock

d)

growth of small plants in the cracks of the rock

10.

The diagram shows debris left in the path of a glacier. Which most likely describes the event in the diagram?

a)

It is an example of erosion by wind.

b)

It is an example of erosion by ice.

c)

It is an example of physical weathering by water.

d)

It is an example of physical weathering by gravity.

11.

Rocks are broken down into smaller particles by which process?

a)

erosion

b)

weathering

c)

conservation

d)

decomposing

12.

Granite cools very slowly from molten rock and therefore has very large crystals that are visible with the naked eye. Using this information, what is granite?

a)

a metamorphic rock

b)

an extrusive rock

c)

a sedimentary rock

d)

an igneous rock

13.

Sandstone is formed when sand becomes buried under new layers of material and, over thousands of years, cements together to form rock. Sandstone can be classified as which type of rock?

a)

igneous

b)

metamorphic

c)

sedimentary

d)

volcanic

14.

The 2 graphics show processes which change the surface of Earth. Which best describes the processes in the graphics?

a)

Graphic X shows sediment being moved through erosion, and graphic Y shows rocks being broken down through deposition.

b)

Graphic X shows sediment being broken down through weathering, and graphic Y shows sediment being moved through erosion.

c)

Graphic X shows rocks being broken down through deposition, and graphic Y shows sediment being moved through weathering.

d)

Graphic X shows sediment being moved through weathering, and graphic Y shows rocks being broken down through sedimentation.

15.

The picture shows a rock sample formed from a collection of rock particles that have been cemented together. Which type of rock is shown in the image sample?

a)

igneous

b)

metamorphic

c)

sedimentary

d)

volcanic

16.

How are rocks most often classified?

a)

by their age

b)

by their mass

c)

by their location

d)

by their formation

17.

Sedimentary rocks such as sandstone often contain cracks or ripples. These marks show that a number of sedimentary rocks form

a)

in pockets of molten rock

b)

inside ice in mountain ranges

c)

under sands in the desert

d)

at the bottom of bodies of water

18.

A student analyzing an unknown rock that formed on Earth's surface observes that the rock has no layers, no individual particles or crystal grains, and is smooth and glassy. The unknown rock is most likely classified as

a)

extrusive metamorphic rock

b)

intrusive metamorphic rock

c)

extrusive igneous rock

d)

intrusive igneous rock

19.

Which processes lead to the formation of igneous rock?

a)

heat and pressure

b)

melting and cooling

c)

erosion and weathering

d)

compacting and cementing

20.

Obsidian is a type of rock that forms when lava cools rapidly. Which picture shows where obsidian is most likely to form?

a)
b)
c)
d)
21.

A section of marble is formed when intense pressure and heat change limestone into marble. Which type of rock is marble?

a)

igneous

b)

metamorphic

c)

sedimentary

d)

sandstome

22.

Which type of rock is formed by the cooling of magma?

a)

metamorphic

b)

sedimentary

c)

igneous

d)

classic

23.

The minerals inside of some rocks will change under intense heat and pressure inside the Earth. Which type of rock will the changed minerals form?

a)

igneous

b)

sedimentary

c)

metamorphic

d)

basalt

24.

Laura is comparing two minerals by shining a bright light on them and seeing how much is reflected off. What is Laura measuring?

a)

color

b)

streak

c)

luster

d)

hardness

25.

How could a student figure out the hardness of an unknown mineral sample?

a)

by observing whether the sample has the same streak as known samples

b)

by observing how the sample bounces light from its surface

c)

by observing what happens when the sample is put in water

d)

by observing whether the sample can be scratched by known samples

26.

A pocket of melted rock, or magma, has formed deep below the surface of Earth. After the pocket of magma slowly cools, what does the magma become?

a)

igneous rock

b)

marble rock

c)

sedimentary rock

d)

metamorphic rock

27.

Under which conditions are minerals formed?

a)

high pressure and low temperature

b)

low pressure and high temperature

c)

high pressure and high temperature

d)

low pressure and low temperature

28.

What is a rock that contains a metal or other useful mineral that can be mined and sold at a profit?

a)

an alloy

b)

a gem

c)

an ore

d)

a crystal

29.

The table shows the Mohs hardness scale of 10 minerals. What would be the hardness of a mineral that can scratch Orthoclase but not Quartz?

a)

5

b)

6.5

c)

7

d)

7.5

30.

The picture shows two rocks being tested. Which property is most likely being tested?

a)

hardness

b)

texture

c)

streak

d)

color

31.

Which of the following is not an example of chemical weathering?

a)

dissolution

b)

hydrolysis

c)

oxidation

d)

exfoliation

32.

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are all composed of

a)

fossils

b)

minerals

c)

sediments

d)

pure metals

33.

This picture shows a winding stream. Points W, X, Y, and Z represent locations along the stream. Which statement about Point Y is most likely true?

a)

Y is the shallow part of the stream because of erosion.

b)

Y is the shallow part of the stream because of deposition.

c)

Y is the deep part of the stream because of deposition.

d)

Y is the deep part of the stream because of deposition.

34.

Uriah noticed several cracks in the sidewalk. Weeds were growing in them causing the cracks to expand. What process is this?

a)

erosion

b)

sedimentation

c)

deposition

d)

weathering