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8th Grade Science Midterm Exam STUDY GUIDE (2025)

Total questions: 150

Worksheet time: 1hrs 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Chemical Weathering chemically changes a rocks....

a)

Composition

b)

Density

c)

Size and Shape

d)

Color

2.
What type of weathering is it when acid rain breaks down and changes the rock.
a)
chemical weathering 
b)
physical or mechanical weathering
c)
erosion
3.
Acid rain is most likely to cause...
a)
deposition
b)
glaciers to move
c)
chemical weathering
d)
mechanical weathering
4.
Rust that forms on rocks or metal because of extended exposure to oxygen is what example of chemical weathering?
a)
carbon dioxide (carbonic acid)
b)
acid rain
c)
oxidation
d)
lichens
5.
Which type of climate will have faster chemical weathering?
a)
Hot and Wet
b)
Cold and Dry
c)
Hot and Cold
d)
Cold and Wet
6.
Roots grow into cracks of a rock and pry them apart
a)
mechanical weathering
b)
chemical weathering
c)
erosion
d)
deposition
7.
oxidation produces rust on some rocks containing iron
a)
chemical weathering
b)
mechanical weathering
c)
erosion
d)
deposition
8.

Caves being formed by acid rain dissolving underground limestone are examples of what?

a)

Chemical Weathering

b)

Erosion

c)

Deposition

d)

Mechanical Weathering

9.
The process that breaks down rocks and other materials on Earth's surface is called
a)
weathering
b)
erosion
c)
soil conservation
d)
decomposition
10.
What is mechanical weathering?
a)
Process through which rocks are physically broken into smaller pieces.
b)
Rocks are broken down through chemical changes.
c)
Rocks are worn away from acid in plant roots.
d)
Rocks broken down by machinery.
11.
Which of the following is an example of mechanical weathering?
a)
Acidic groundwater dissolving limestone
b)
frost wedging
c)
Paper being burned
12.
During chemical weathering, what can happen to the type of rock that has undergone chemical weathering?
a)
a new rock is produced that is larger than the original rock
b)
a new rock is produced that is the same as the original rock
c)
a new rock is produced that is different from the original rock 
d)
no new rock is created - it is just smaller in size
13.
How is mechanical weathering different from chemical weathering?
a)
Chemical weathering happens over much shorter time frame than mechanical weathering.
b)
Chemical weathering changes the chemical composition of rocks; mechanical weathering does not.
c)
Chemical weathering occurs only in tropical climates; mechanical weathering occurs only in cool climates.
d)
Chemical weathering occurs only in the mountains; mechanical weathering occurs only on flat land.
14.
This type of weathering occurs when rock is physically broken down into smaller pieces of rock.
a)
mechanical weathering
b)
chemical weathering
c)
erosion weathering
d)
deposition
15.

Would plants growing throughout the ground cause mechanical or chemical weathering?

a)

Mechanical Weathering

b)

Chemical Weathering

16.

Sandy beaches are built up through the process of...

a)

Deposition

b)

Convection

c)

Weathering

d)

Destructive forces

17.

When water freezes in cracks in rocks, it expands causing the rock to break. This is known as...

a)

ice breaking

b)

ice wedging

c)

ice melting

d)

ice cutting

18.

The deposition of sediment at the mouth of a river is a constructive force known as a...

a)

Delta

b)

Shore

c)

Beach

d)

Pond

19.

What is it called when weathered rock is carried away?

a)

weathering

b)

erosion

c)

deposition

d)

breaking

20.

Which of these examples is deposition?

a)

wind blowing sand

b)

sand that was dropped on the beach by waves

c)

pebbles falling downhill due to gravity

d)

a tree root breaking a rock

21.

Water carrying sediment down a hill is an example of...

a)

weathering

b)

erosion

c)

deposition

22.

The process in which sediment settles out (drops to the bottom) of the water or wind that is carrying it

a)

Weathering

b)

Erosion

c)

Sedimentation

d)

Deposition

23.

Which erodes faster? Soft rock or Hard rock?

a)

hard rock

b)

medium rock

c)

soft rock

d)

none of the above

24.

Rocks could be broken down into gravel, sand, and find silt by which of the following?

a)

Wind

b)

Water

c)

Ice

d)

Plants

25.

the grinding away of rock by other rock particles carried in water, ice, or wind

a)

sediment

b)

deposition

c)

abrasion

d)

constructive processes

26.

the process in which sediment is laid down, dropped in new locations

a)

weathering

b)

erosion

c)

deposition

d)

destructive processes

27.

Which one of the examples below is physical weathering?

a)

lichens growing on rock

b)

acid rain wearing away limestone

c)

oxidation (rusting) of a flag pole

d)

frost wedging splitting a rock apart

28.

Which of these is an example of erosion?

a)

light shining onto a mountain

b)

wind blowing away sediment

c)

rain breaking down rock

d)

all options are correct

29.

Rain WASHING AWAY soil from a hillside

a)

Weathering

b)

Erosion

c)

Deposition

30.

  1. Sinkholes and caverns are created by what process?

a)

chemical weathering

b)

mechanical weathering

c)

volcanism

d)

sublimation

31.

Where would a mudslide most likely occur?

a)

on a hill with lots of trees

b)

in a valley (down low) with lots of vegetiation

c)

on a hill with very little trees and vegetation

d)

in a desert with lots of hills

32.

A pile of rocks at the base of a cliff resulted from erosion by...

a)

ice

b)

running water

c)

wind

d)

gravity

33.

  1. The Appalachian Mountains are much lower and rounder today than they were millions of years ago because of… 

a)

plate tectonics

b)

volcanism

c)

isostasy

d)

weathering & erosion

34.

A river moving a pebble downstream is an example of erosion.

a)

True

b)

False

35.

Made up of the crust and upper part of the mantle

a)

Lithosphere

b)

Mesosphere

c)

Crust

36.

Outermost layer of Earth that is solid

a)

Lithosphere

b)

Mesosphere

c)

Crust

37.

Located between the core and the crust

a)

Lithosphere

b)

Core

c)

Mantle

38.

Weak layer of the mantle that flows slowly, “plastic like”

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Asthenosphere

39.

Extends from below the mantle to the center of Earth

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Core

40.

Use the diagram to identify what the name of layer [C] is.

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Core

41.

Use the diagram to identify what the name of layer [D] is.

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Core

42.

Use the diagram to identify what the name of layer [B] is.

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Core

43.

Use the diagram to identify what the name of layer [I] is.

a)

Inner Core

b)

Outer Core

c)

Lithosphere

44.

P waves travel faster than S waves

a)

True

b)

False

45.

Both P and S waves travel through solids.

a)

True

b)

False

46.

Only P waves travel through the Mantle

a)

True

b)

False

47.

Only P waves travel through the core.

a)

True

b)

False

48.

Only P waves travel through liquids.

a)

True

b)

False

49.

Which waves will reach a seismic station first?

a)

P waves

b)

S waves

c)

Both reach at the same time

50.

These waves can travel through the core...

a)

P waves only

b)

S waves only

c)

P and S waves

d)

Neither P nor S waves

51.

These waves can travel through solid rock...

a)

P waves only

b)

S waves only

c)

P and S waves

d)

Neither P nor S waves

52.

In the picture, which arrow is pointing to the layer that is a liquid?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

53.

Temperature ____ as waves travel deeper into the earth.

Hint: Think about what happens with temperature the further inward to Earth you go.

a)
Increases
b)
Decreases
54.

Density ____ as waves travel deeper into the earth.

Hint: Think about what happens with density the further inward to Earth you go.

a)
Increases
b)
Decreases
55.

Which type of wave is a longitudinal/compression wave?

a)

p wave

b)

s wave

c)

surface wave

d)

ryleigh wave

56.

Which type of wave is a transverse wave?

a)

p wave

b)

s wave

c)

surface wave

d)

ryleigh wave

57.

Which portion of the Earth can S waves NOT travel through?

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Core

58.

What is seismology?

a)

The study of seismic waves that exist in the exosphere.

b)

The study of waves within the ocean.

c)

The study of seismic waves (S & P waves) that are created by disturbances within Earth

d)

The study of only volcanic eruptions in the ocean. These disturbances create waves that travel through Earth's atmosphere

59.

S waves are waves that travel through ______________

a)

solid rock only

b)

liquid only

c)

solid and liquid

60.

P waves are waves that travel through ______________

a)

solid rock only

b)

liquid only

c)

solid and liquid

61.

S waves are __________ P waves

a)

faster than

b)

slower than

c)

the same speed as

62.

Certain seismic waves will not pass through liquids. The first place these waves do not pass through is the Earth's _____

a)

outer core

b)

inner core

c)

crust

d)

mantle

63.

Tectonic plates move _________, a few _________ each year

a)

quickly; yards (yd)

b)

quickly; feet (ft)

c)

slowly; miles (mi)

d)

slowly; centimeters (cm)

64.

Which TWO phenomenon's cause seismic waves?

a)

hurricanes

b)

earthquakes

c)

volcanoes

d)

tsunamis

65.

Based on the law of superposition, where would the oldest rocks be found.

a)

at the bottom

b)

at the top

c)

second from the bottom

d)

second from the top

66.

Which technique can be used to determine the numerical age of a rock? (apply a number)

a)

Radiometric dating

b)

Relative dating

67.

Which letter matches with the OLDEST layer of rock?

a)

W

b)

X

c)

Y

d)

Z

68.

What kind of dating is used to compare the age of a rock to those around it?

a)

Radiometric

b)

Relative

69.

The age of a rock compared to the ages of other rocks.

a)
relative age
b)
half-life
c)
absolute age
d)
radioactive decay
70.
The Law of Superposition helps scientists to determine what?
a)
The absolute age of rock layers
b)
The relative age of rock layers
c)
the super powers of rocks
71.
How old do Paleontologists believe the Earth is?
a)
2015 years old
b)
3.6 billion years old
c)
4.6 billion years old
d)
4.6 million years old
72.
According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
73.

Which of the following correctly lists the layers of rock in order from YOUNGEST to OLDEST?

a)
A, B, C, D, E
b)
B, C, D, E, A
c)
E, D, A, B, C
d)
C, B, A, D, E
74.
Which layer is the oldest and youngest?
a)

C = oldest

B = youngest

b)

C = oldest

E = youngest

c)

D = oldest

E = youngest

d)

A = oldest

B = youngest

75.
Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?
a)
F
b)
E
c)
B
d)
A
76.

Imagine you are a geologist studying rock layers in a canyon.

You see a layer of sandstone on each side of the canyon, but the middle part has been eroded away by a river, creating two sides.

Based on the principle of lateral continuity, what can you conclude about the layers?

a)

they layers are about the same age because they were once joined together

b)

the layers must contain at least 20 different types of rock

c)
the rock layers are unrelated
77.
The ________ states that layers of sediment were originally deposited horizontally under the action of gravity.
a)
law of superposition
b)
law of horizontality 
c)
uniformitarianism 
d)
unconformities
78.
Which of the following is the oldest?
a)
Layer L
b)

Layer S

c)

Layer E

d)

Layer A

79.

Which rock layer is oldest from Site 1?

a)

G

b)

B

c)

A

d)

E

80.

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

a)

Rock Layer W

b)

Rock Layer X

c)

Rock Layer Y

d)

Rock Layer Z

81.

The statement that the oldest layer will be at the bottom in an undisturbed sequence of rock layers is called the Principle of ....

a)
Inclusions
b)
Unconformities
c)
Cross-Cutting Relationships
d)
Superposition
82.

Which principle states that sediments spread out flat, in all directions, until they either thin out or run into a barrier.

a)

Principle of superposition

b)

Principle of original horizontality

c)

Principle of lateral continuity

83.

The idea that sedimentary rocks are deposited in horizontal layers unless disturbed by forces within the Earth can best be explained by which principle?

a)

Principle of horizontality

b)

Principle of Superposition

c)

Principle of original lateral continuity

84.

What scientific law tells us that if one rock layer contains pieces or fragments of another rock layer, then the fragments will be older than the rock layer that surrounds it.

a)

Cross-cutting Law

b)

Principle of Original Horizontality

c)

Principle of Inclusions

85.
According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found 
a)
At the top of the rock layers
b)
Near the bottom of the rock layers
c)
In the middle of the rock layers
d)
Somewhat near the surface
86.

Applying what you know about the Law of Superposition:

As you travel deeper DOWN into the Grand Canyon, the rocks get _____.

a)

younger

b)

older

c)

prettier

d)

nicer

87.

Which of the fossils is the oldest?

a)

Dinosaur

b)

Bird

c)

Shell

d)

Ammonite

88.

Which layer is OLDER? Layer M or Intrusion P?

a)

Layer M

b)

Intrusion P

89.

Which layer is OLDER? Layer E or Fault H?

a)

Layer E

b)

Fault H

90.

How do we know that Intrusion A is YOUNGER THAN Layer C?

a)

Law of Superposition

b)

Law of Cross Cutting Relationships

c)

Law of Exclusions

d)

Law of Unconformities

91.
Analyze the seashell found in the white layer.  Which statement is true of the rock layer that contains this fossil?
a)
It could also contain a fossil from the bottom layer.
b)
It is older than the layers below it.
c)
It is younger than the layers above it.
d)
It is older than the layers above it.
92.
Scientists use ______ to help figure out geologic time.
a)
earthquakes
b)
plate tectonics
c)
rock layers
d)
erosion
93.

Which Layer is the youngest?

a)

Layer X

b)

Layer Z

c)

Layer W

d)

Layer Y

94.

boundary between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other

a)

convergent boundary

b)

divergent boundary

c)

transform boundary

d)

Ring of Fire

95.

a tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, come together, or crash into each other

a)

divergent boundary

b)

transform boundary

c)

convergent boundary

d)

continental drift (Pangea)

96.

a plate boundary where two plates move past each other in opposite directions

a)

transform boundary

b)

seafloor spreading

c)

convergent boundary

d)

divergent boundary

97.

In an ocean divergent boundary, the formation of new ocean crust as a result of magma pushing upward and outward from Earth's mantle to the surface is called....

a)

seafloor spreading

b)

Ring of Fire

c)

continental drift (Pangea)

d)

geological event

98.

Alfred Wegner presented a hypothesis that the continents once formed a single landmass, broke up, and drifted to their present locations. This theory was called...

a)

Ring of Fire

b)

geological event

c)

continental drift (Pangea)

d)

plate tectonics

99.

section of the lithosphere that is broken up into different sections and slowly moves over the asthenosphere.

a)

subduction

b)

fault

c)

plate tectonics

d)

boundary

100.

the process by which oceanic crust sinks beneath a deep-ocean trench and back into the mantle at a convergent plate boundary.

a)

subduction

b)

fault

c)

plate tectonics

d)

boundary

101.

the place where two tectonic plates meet

a)

fault

b)

African plate

c)

boundary

d)

Eurasian plates

102.

What did Alfred Wegener use to support his theory?

a)

fossil records

b)

Italian dressing

c)

meteors

d)

photosynthesis

103.

Which boundary CANNOT create volcanoes?

a)

subduction zones

b)

transform boundaries

c)

convergent boundaries

d)

divergent boundaries

104.

Type of Boundary where plates collide

a)

Divergent

b)

Convergent

c)

Transform

105.

This type of convergent boundary creates mountains

a)

Continental-Continental

b)

Continental-Oceanic

c)

Oceanic-Oceanic

106.

This type of Boundary results when plates separate

a)

Divergent

b)

Convergent

c)

Transform

107.

This types of boundary results when plates slide past each other

a)

Transform

b)

Divergent

c)

Convergent

108.
What kind of plate boundary is shown here?
a)
divergent
b)
convergent
c)
transform
d)
subducting
109.
What kind of plate boundary is shown here?
a)
divergent
b)
convergent
c)
transform
d)
submergent
110.
What geologic feature/event you be most likely to find at a transform boundary?
a)
Earthquakes
b)
Volcanoes
c)
Mountains
d)
Rift Valleys
111.
What kind of plate boundary is shown here?
a)
divergent
b)
convergent
c)
transform
d)
strike slip
112.
Which of the following causes Earth's tectonic plates to move?
a)
Energy from the Sun
b)
Magnetic Pole Reversal
c)
Convection currents in the mantle
d)
Faults in Mountain Ranges
113.

Which of the following is the name of the ancient supercontinent formed 280 Million Years ago.

a)
Pangea
b)
Gondwanda
c)
Laurasia
d)
Neverland
114.

Mid Ocean ridges are formed by ___________________________ plate boundaries

a)

Convergent

b)

Divergent

c)

Transform

115.
Mountains are created when....
a)
Two continental plates collide
b)
Two oceanic plates pull apart
c)
An Oceanic plate subducts under a Continental Plate
d)
Two continental plates pull apart
116.
The San Andreas Fault in California is an example of a ________.
a)
divergent boundary
b)
convergent boundary
c)
transform fault
d)
subduction zone
117.

The area around the pacific plate where boundaries form is called...

a)

death ring

b)

fire zone

c)

ring of fire

d)

zone of fire

118.

A subduction zone is formed...

a)
when one tectonic plate sinks below another
b)
at every type of convergent plate boundary
c)
at every type of divergent plate boundary
d)
at transform boundaries
119.

Which layer of the Earth is the thinnest?

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Outer core

d)

Inner core

120.

A diagram of Earth's layers is provided. Which letter in the diagram identifies the layer scientists believe to be in a liquid state?

a)

Location A

b)

Location B

c)

Location C

d)

Location D

121.

Oceans and other bodies of water are found on which layer of Earth?

a)

Outer core

b)

Crust

c)

Mantle

d)

Inner core

122.

Which of the following best describes Earth's asthenosphere?

a)

Liquid rock that can reach the surface

b)

Solid rock that is broken into plates

c)

Dense molten rock that moves the crust

d)

Metal rock at the center of the Earth

123.

Which layer of Earth is broken up into giant moving plates?

a)

Asthnosphere

b)

Lithosphere

c)

Inner core

d)

Outer core

124.
What is the correct order (starting from the surface) of Earth's layers?
a)
crust, mantle, inner core, outer core
b)
mantle, outer core, inner core, crust
c)
inner core, outer core, mantle, crust
d)
crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
125.
How does temperature change as you move from the crust to the core?
a)
it gets cooler
b)
it gets hotter
c)
it stays the same
d)
the core is frozen
126.

Which Layer of the Earth is the most dense, and is also solid?

a)

Inner Core

b)

Outer Core

c)

Mantle

d)

Crust

127.

Which Layer of the Earth has convection currents?

a)

Inner Core

b)

Outer Core

c)

Mantle

d)

Crust

128.

Which Layer of the Earth is made of molten (melted) Nickel and Iron?

a)

Inner Core

b)

Outer Core

c)

Mantle

d)

Crust

129.

Which layer of the Earth is the largest layer?

a)

Inner Core

b)

Outer Core

c)

Mantle

d)

Crust

130.

What are the two types of Earth's Crust?

a)

Oceanic and Continental

b)

water and land

c)

ocean and dessert

d)

crust and mantle

131.

The Lithosphere is made up of the ___________.

a)

Crust and Upper Mantle

b)

Inner and Outer Cores

c)

Outer Core and Lower Mantle

d)

Lower and Middle Mantle

132.
Which box has a higher density?  
a)
Box A
b)
Box B
c)
cannot be determined
d)
they are the same
133.

Density ______________________ as you go deeper into the Earth.

a)

increases

b)

decreases

c)

goes up or down depending on the layer

d)

stays the same

134.

Pressure ______________________ as you go deeper into the Earth.

a)

increases

b)

decreases

c)

goes up or down depending on the layer

d)

stays the same

135.

Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust?

a)

true

b)

false

136.

This layer of the Earth has been described as having characteristics like plastic.

a)

A. Lithosphere

b)

B. Asthenosphere

c)

C. Mesosphere

d)

D. Inner Core

137.

What is the only layer of the Earth that is completely liquid metal?

a)

A. Crust

b)

B. Mantle

c)

C. Inner Core

d)

D. Outer Core

138.

Which layer is # 20.

a)

A: Mesosphere

b)

B: Lithosphere

c)

C: Asthenosphere

139.

As we travel deeper into the Earth which of the following is true:

a)

A. Pressure goes up and temperature goes down

b)

B. Pressure goes down and temperature goes up

c)

C. Both pressure and temperature go up

d)

D. Both pressure and temperature go down

140.

Which layer is # 18?

a)

A: Mesosphere

b)

B: Lithosphere

c)

C: Asthenosphere

141.

Which of Earth’s layers has the lowest density?

a)

Crust

b)

Inner core

c)

Mantle

d)

Outer core

142.

What is the general term for location E and F on the diagram?

a)

Lithosphere

b)

Mantle

c)

Crust

d)

Asthenosphere

143.

What do we call location A on the diagram?

a)

mantle

b)

lithosphere

c)

inner core

d)

outer core

144.

What do we call location H on the diagram?

a)

mantle

b)

asthenosphere

c)

inner core

d)

outer core

145.

What type of crust is location E on the diagram?

a)

Continental Crust

b)

Oceanic Crust

c)

Bread Crust

146.

What do we call location B on the diagram?

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Outer Core

d)

Inner Core

147.

What do we call the layer at location D?

a)

mantle

b)

asthenosphere

c)

inner core

d)

outer core

148.

This layer is 67% of Earth's mass, and is the layer between the crust and the core. Layer H

a)

Mantle

b)

Asthenosphere

c)

Oceanic Crust

d)

Mesosphere

149.

What do we call location G on the diagram?

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Lithosphere

d)

Asthenosphere

150.

Which layer is composed mostly of iron?

a)

Z

b)

Y

c)

V

d)

X

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