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Surface Processes on Earth

Total questions: 34

Worksheet time: 24mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The breaking down and changing of rocks at or near Earth's surface is called

a)

weathering

b)

mass movement

c)

sheet erosion

d)

uplift

2.

Which of the following is NOT a cause of mechanical weathering?

a)

unloading

b)

frost wedging

c)

dissolving

d)

biological activity

3.

Organic matter in soil is also called

a)

regolith

b)

humus

c)

talus

d)

loam

4.

A soil's texture is determined by its

a)

thickness

b)

mineral composition

c)

particle sizes

d)

water content

5.

Which factor has the greatest effect on soil formation?

a)

climate

b)

time

c)

atmospheric pressure

d)

distance from the ocean

6.

Which of the following is NOT a cause of chemical weathering?

a)

water dissolving rock

b)

frost wedging

c)

acid rain

d)

oxidation

7.

The movement of rock particles by wind, water, ice, or gravity is called...

a)

loam

b)

sedimentary

c)

deposition

d)

erosion

8.

During mechanical weathering, which statement best describes what happens to the mineral composition of the weathered rock?

a)

the mineral composition changes during mechanical weathering

b)

the mineral composition dissolves when exposed to water during mechanical weathering

c)

the mineral composition remains unchanged during mechanical weathering

d)

rocks are not made of minerals

9.

the mechanical breakup of rock caused by the expansion of freezing water in cracks and crevices

a)

exfoliation

b)

talus

c)

chemical weathering

d)

frost wedging

10.

The process of sediment being dropped or settling in a new location is called-

a)

precipitation

b)

deposition

c)

weathering

d)

erosion

11.
How do plants weather rocks?
a)
during photosynthesis
b)
when roots grow into cracks of rocks and expand the rock
c)
when the plant moves water from the roots to the leaves
12.
Weathering occurs fastest in
a)
cold, dry climates
b)
cold, wet climates
c)
hot, dry climates
d)
hot, wet climates
13.

Which of the following describes how microorganisms influence the chemical characteristics of soil?

a)

They loosen and mix the soil by digging burrows underground.

b)

They add inorganic material to the soil by weathering rocks on Earth’s surface.

c)

They add moisture to the soil by creating pores through which water can move.

d)

They add organic material to the soil by breaking down the remains of plants and animals.

14.

Which soil horizon typically contains the least organic matter?

a)

A horizon

b)

B horizon

c)

C horizon

d)

O horizon

15.
What is the name of a soil that is:
30% Sand
10% Silt
60% Clay
a)
Clay
b)
Silt loam
c)
sand
d)
Sandy loam
16.
Which of the following orders sediment particle size from smallest to largest?
a)
silt, sand, clay
b)
sand, silt, clay
c)
clay, sand, silt
d)
clay, silt, sand
17.

Which particles can wind most easily move?

a)

cobble

b)

pebbles

c)

silt

d)

gravel

18.

The result of this glacier will be a(n) ____.

a)

U-shaped valley with scratched bedrock

b)

U-shaped valley with round sediments

c)

V-shaped valley with scratched bedrock

d)

V-shaped valley with round sediments

19.

Which agent of erosion causes long, narrow, U-shaped valleys?

a)

wind

b)

landslides

c)

meandering rivers

d)

continental glaciers

20.

Deltas are landforms of...

a)

Erosion

b)

Transportation

c)

Deposition

d)

All of the above.

21.
Sediments are deposited in a river delta because the 
a)
velocity of the river decreased
b)
force of gravity decreased
c)
volume of the river increases
d)
gradient of the river increases
22.
How does freezing water cause the weathering of rocks?  The freezing water—
a)
keeps the rocks in place.
b)
makes the rocks last longer.
c)
expands cracks and breaks rocks.
d)
causes rocks to fall in landslides.
23.

Rain washing away soil from a hillside is an example of...

a)

Erosion

b)

Weathering

c)

Deposition

d)

Washing out

24.
How is a canyon formed?
a)
glaciers that eroded the rock
b)
ice wedging
c)
floods eroded the rock
d)
wind eroded the rock
25.
Which of these is an example of erosion?
a)
Light shining onto a mountain.
b)
Rain breaking down rocks on a mountain into smaller pieces. 
c)
Wind blowing away sediment to a new place on the mountain.
d)
All of the above.
26.
Flood water pounding against a canyon wall and wearing it down is an example of
a)
Weathering
b)
Erosion
c)
Deposition
d)
An avalanche
27.

Which process is responsible for breaking rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition?

a)

Compaction

b)

Mechanical weathering

c)

Deposition

d)

Chemical weathering

28.

What is the main component of soil that provides nutrients for plant growth?

a)

Sand

b)

Organic matter

c)

Clay

d)

Gravel

29.

Which of the following best describes deposition?

a)

The removal of soil by wind or water

b)

The breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces

c)

The dropping of sediments in a new location

d)

The movement of tectonic plates

30.

Which process involves the movement of sediments from one place to another?

a)

Weathering

b)

Erosion

c)

Deposition

d)

Compaction

31.

What is the main reason why clay soils retain more water than sandy soils?

a)

Clay particles are larger

b)

Clay has more organic matter

c)

Clay particles are smaller and pack tightly

d)

Clay is found in the O horizon

32.

Which process is responsible for breaking rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition?

a)

Compaction

b)

Mechanical weathering

c)

Chemical weathering

d)

Deposition

33.

What is the main cause of soil erosion on agricultural land?

a)

Volcanic activity

b)

Earthquakes

c)

Rainfall

d)

Wind

34.

Which of the following best explains why sandy soils drain water quickly?

a)

Sandy soils contain more organic matter

b)

Sandy soils have tightly packed particles

c)

Sandy soils are found in the B horizon

d)

Sandy soils have large particles and large pore spaces