Wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Earth Science

Total questions: 160

Worksheet time: 3hrs 0mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What layer has convection currents?

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Inner Core

d)

Outer Core

2.

"Bio" in biosphere means ____.

a)

air, vapor

b)

rock, earth

c)

water

d)

life

3.

"Atmo" in atmosphere means ____.

a)

air, vapor

b)

rock, earth

c)

water

d)

life

4.

"Hydro" in hydrosphere means ____.

a)

air, vapor

b)

rock, earth

c)

water

d)

life

5.

"Geo" in geosphere means ____.

a)

air, vapor

b)

rock, earth

c)

water

d)

life

6.

How do the geosphere and the atmosphere interact?

a)

Air contains water.

b)

Volcanic ash can enter the atmosphere.

c)

Living things need air to survive.

7.
The process that presses sediments together
a)

erosion

b)

compaction

c)

weathering

8.
The process by which running water, wind, or ice carry away bits of broken-up rock
a)
weathering
b)
sedimentation
c)
erosion
d)
cementation
9.
The process by which sediments settle out of water or wind
a)
deposition
b)
cementation
c)
weathering
d)
erosion
10.
The process that breaks up rock on Earth's surface?
a)
deposition
b)
erosion
c)
compaction
d)
weathering
11.
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
12.
A break in the Earth's crust 
a)
fault 
b)
mountain
c)
plate
d)
fossil 
13.
Which landform is created by running water cutting deep into the earth?
a)
Canyon
b)
Delta
c)
Mountain
d)
Dune
14.
Which landform is created by plates pushing together?
a)
Canyon
b)
Delta
c)
Mountain
d)
Sea arch
15.
Which landform is created by blowing wind?
a)
Canyon
b)
Sand dune
c)
Delta
d)
Mountain
16.
Which landform is created by deposition of sediments at the mouth of a river?
a)
Dune
b)
Canyon
c)
Delta
d)
Glacier
17.
Which of these things cause weathering?
a)
Wind
b)
Water
c)
Ice
d)
All of these
18.
The best example to demonstrate convection currents is a(n)
a)
alka seltzer tablet in water
b)
wind blowing 
c)
lava lamp
d)
electric oven
19.

When carbon dioxide dissolves from the air into the ocean, the interaction is between...

a)

The atmosphere and geosphere 

b)

The atmosphere and hydrosphere 

c)

The atmosphere and biosphere 

d)

The atmosphere and atmosphere 

20.

When a plants takes carbon dioxide from the air, which two spheres are interacting? 

a)

Biosphere and atmosphere 

b)

Geosphere and atmosphere 

c)

Hydrosphere and atmosphere 

d)

Atmosphere and atmosphere 

21.

The chemical and physical processes that break down rock at Earth's surface

a)

Weathering

b)

Erosion

22.

Processes by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and carried away by natural forces such as wind or water

a)

Weathering

b)

Erosion

23.
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
24.

Earthquakes most often occur

a)

in the middle of plates

b)

near plate boundaries

c)

where thunderstorms are

d)

along the coast

25.

The location on the Earth's surface where an earthquake occurs is referred to as

a)

tsunami

b)

focus

c)

epicenter

d)

subduction

26.
The spinning of an object on its axis is called______
a)
orbit
b)
rotation
c)
revolution
d)
tide
27.
Day and night is caused by the _____________ of earth on its axis.
a)
revolution
b)
orbit
c)
rotation
28.
How long does it take the Earth to make one REVOLUTION around the Sun?
a)
12 hours
b)
24 hours
c)
365 days
d)
29.5 days
29.
The Earth's _______ is an imaginary line that goes from the North Pole to the South Pole.
a)
vernal equinox
b)
axis
c)
solar eclipse
d)
solar flare
30.
When the Northern Hemisphere of Earth is Leaning away from the Sun, What season is the Southern Hemisphere experiencing?
a)
Summer
b)
Winter
c)
Spring
d)
Fall
31.
What season is letter A?
a)
Winter
b)
Summer
c)
Spring
d)
Fall
32.
When the Northern Hemisphere is pointing towards the sun, what season is the Southern Hemisphere?
a)
Winter
b)
Spring
c)
Fall
d)
Summer
33.
At position C, which hemisphere would have winter?
a)
Northern hemisphere
b)
Southern hemisphere
34.
At position A, which hemisphere would have summer?
a)
Northern hemisphere
b)
Southern hemisphere
35.
About how long does it take the moon to revolve around the earth?
a)
1 year
b)
365 days
c)
55 days
d)
29.5 days
36.

Water that is present in underground streams is called.....

a)

Underground water

b)

Well water

c)

Waste water

d)

Ground water

37.

________ is a process where liquid water slowly turns to water vapour.

a)

Condensation

b)

Precipitation

c)

Evaporation

d)

Run-off

38.

________ is the process of water returning to the ground as rain or snow.

a)

Evaporation

b)

Condensation

c)

Run-off

d)

Precipitation

39.

________ is the process of plants using water through their leaves.

a)

Transpiration

b)

Evaporation

c)

Sublimation

d)

Condensation

40.

Sources of salt water on Earth include lakes, rivers and streams.

a)

True

b)

False

41.

Most of Earth's fresh water is in the form of...

a)

Ice

b)

Lakes

c)

Ponds

d)

Rivers

42.
What is an underground layer of rock or soil filled with water called?
a)
Aquifer
b)
Spring
c)
Well
d)
Reservoir
43.
What is the top of the water-filled spaces in the ground called?
a)
Groundwater
b)
Reservoir
c)
Water Table
d)
Well
44.
What do we call water that flows over the ground surface rather than soaking in?
a)
runoff
b)
discharge
c)
recharge
d)
tributary
45.
What is one condition necessary for a hurricane to form?
a)
Warm ocean water
b)
A strong cold front
c)
Cold ocean water
d)
A strong warm front
46.
The energy for the water cycle originally comes from the
a)
sun
b)
clouds
c)
salinity
d)
ice
47.

How are glaciers formed?

a)

Rain turned into snow

b)

Layers of snow are compressed over many years.

c)

Hot air convects and form snows.

d)

Long winter

48.

All bodies of fresh water, salt water, ice, and snow that are found above ground

a)

Groundwater

b)

Surface water

c)

Runoff

d)

Swimming pool

49.
Wastes produced by agriculture, households, industry, mining, and other human activities can end up in ______________.
a)
groundwater
b)
streams and rivers
c)
oceans
d)
All of these choices
50.

What describes the smaller streams and rivers that feed into the larger streams/rivers?

a)

Branches

b)

Tributaries

c)

Channels

d)

Aquifers

51.
A _____ is a mass of ice that moves downhill due to its weight.
a)
glacier
b)
erratic
c)
fjiord
d)
moraine
52.

Salinity means the level of _______________in the water.

a)

oxygen

b)

salt

c)

nitrogen

d)

salcite

53.
What is the scientific name for salt? 
a)
Sodium Acetate 
b)
Sodium Chloride 
c)
Chloride sodium 
d)
Hydroxide sulfate 
54.
Where does the intial source of energy come from that creates winds and thus surface currents?
a)
The moon
b)
The sun
c)
The wind
d)
The rotation of the Earth
55.

Differences in the moon's pull on different sides of the Earth cause _________.

a)

gravity

b)

lunar phases

c)

tides

d)

dabbing

56.
Formed by compacting & cementing of sediments
a)
Sedimentary
b)
Metamorphic
c)
Extrusive Igneous
d)
Intrusive Igneous
57.
Formed by weathering & erosion
a)
magma
b)
sediments
c)
sedimentary rock
d)
intrusive igneous
58.
Has wavy bands.
a)
sedimentary rock
b)
metamorphic rock
c)
extrusive igneous rock
d)
intrusive igneous rock
59.
Contains fossils. 
a)
sedimentary rocks
b)
metamorphic rocks
c)
extrusive igneous rocks
d)
intrusive igneous rocks
60.
A rock formed from fragments of other rocks is a(n)
a)
Metamorphic Rock
b)
Sedimentary Rock
c)
Extrusive Rock
d)
Igneous Rock
61.
A metamorphic rock in which the grains line up in parallel bands is a
a)
Clastic Rock
b)
Nonclastic Rock
c)
Nonfoliated Rock
d)
Foliated Rock
62.
If heat and pressure inside the Earth cause a rock to melt, the material that formed would be
a)
Metamorphic
b)
Magma
c)
Sedimentary
d)
Igneous
63.
The three groups of rocks are classified by
a)
How they form
b)
Color
c)
Grain size
d)
Chemical Composition
64.
This rock was formed by smaller pieces of rock that settled at the bottom of a lake millions of years ago. What type of rock is this?
a)
Sedimentary
b)
Igneous
c)
Metamorphic
65.
This rock was found near the mouth of a volcano. What type of rock is this?
a)
Sedimentary
b)
Igneous
c)
Metamorphic
66.
The process when rocks break into smaller pieces due to exposure to natural elements is called
a)
erosion
b)
weathering
c)
sediments
67.

This type of rock can contain fossils.

a)

sedimentary rocks

b)

metamorphic rocks

c)

extrusive igneous rocks

d)

intrusive igneous rocks

68.

This rock is formed in layers.

a)

Sedimentary

b)

Igneous

c)

Metamorphic

69.

This rock is changed by heat and pressure.

a)

Sedimentary

b)

Igneous

c)

Metamorphic

70.

What factors can lead to the formation of a sedimentary rock?

a)

melting and solidification

b)

extreme heat and pressure

c)

compaction and cementation

71.

When a mineral breaks along rough, jagged surfaces it's called

a)

fracture

b)

cleavage

c)

hardness

d)

streak

72.

The measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched.

a)

streak

b)

color

c)

luster

d)

hardness

73.

The way that a mineral reflects light. It can be metallic or non-metallic.

a)

streak

b)

hardness

c)

fracture

d)

luster

74.

The color left by a mineral in its powdered form.

a)

streak

b)

density

c)

hardness

d)

smudge

75.

What equipment would you need to do a mineral streak test?

a)

a long pointed iron rod

b)

a rough white ceramic tile

c)

a disposable sample of talc

d)

a low powered microscope

76.

Guess the Mineral!


This mineral is the hardest naturally occurring mineral. It is most often used in jewelry but can also be used on the tips of saw blades. What is the name of the mineral?

a)

Fluorite.

b)

Talc.

c)

Diamond.

d)

Sulfur.

77.
Breakage along smooth, flat planes
a)
fracture
b)
cleavage
c)
streak
d)
ore
78.
Metallic and nonmetallic are two examples of the physical property _______________.
a)
streak
b)
color
c)
luster
d)
cleavage
79.

What is weathering?

a)

The movement of sediment

b)

The breaking of sediment

c)

The dropping of sediment

80.

What is erosion?

a)

The movement of sediment

b)

The breaking of sediment

c)

The dropping of sediment

81.

What is deposition?

a)

The movement of sediment

b)

The breaking of sediment

c)

The dropping of sediment

82.

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

a)

weathering

b)

erosion

c)

deposition

83.

Beach waves dropping sand to create a beach is an example of...

a)

weathering

b)

erosion

c)

deposition

84.

All the water on Earth is known as...

a)

sediment

b)

lithosphere

c)

hydrosphere

85.

Small pieces of rock that have been weathered from a larger rock are known as...

a)

sand

b)

sediment

c)

soil

86.

The scientific term for land, crust or rock is...

a)

hydrosphere

b)

dirt

c)

lithosphere

87.

A landform made of sediment that is deposited where a river flows into an ocean or lake is called a...

a)

sea cave

b)

mountain

c)

delta

88.

Rain washing away soil from a hillside

a)

Weathering

b)

Erosion

c)

Deposition

89.
The diagrams  shows a natural process that weathers rock.
 Which statement best explains why this process results in weathering?
a)
frozen water acts as a solute
b)
water expands when it freezes
c)
the mass of water increases when it freezes
d)
frozen water dissolves most types of rock
90.
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
d)
Plants don't weather rocks
91.
Which agents  break down earth materials?
a)
wind only
b)
earthquakes and gravity
c)
ice and 007
d)
wind, water, and ice
92.
the breakdown or decomposition of rock that takes place when minerals change through chemical processes
a)
chemical weathering
b)
mechanical weathering
c)
erosion
d)
deposition
93.
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.
94.
A cliff formed near the ocean.  Which statement best describes how this cliff formed?
a)
Warm air melted the rock.
b)
Sun rays evaporated the rock.
c)
Ocean waves washed away rock.
d)
Plant roots pushed away the rock.
95.
Scratches and grooves in rocks from glacial movements are known as ____. 
a)
Alpine Glaciers
b)
Ice Sheets
c)
Striations 
d)
Talus 
96.
When people plant vegetation, they _____ erosion.
a)
Reduce
b)
Increase
c)
Start
d)
Do not effect 
97.

What scenario would you expect to find the most erosion due to runoff?

a)

A shallow slope covered with grass

b)

A shallow, bare slope

c)

A steep slope covered with evergreen trees

d)

A steep, bare slope

98.
How would you expect the sizes of sediments deposited on a mountain to compare to those deposited downriver?
a)
Larger
b)
Smaller
c)
The same
d)
It is impossible to predict
99.

The cross section below represents the transport of sediments by a glacier. At which location is deposition most likely the dominant process?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

100.

This type of weathering in which rock is physically broken into smaller pieces.

a)

Chemical weathering

b)

Erosion

c)

Mechanical weathering

d)

Deposition

101.

The grinding/scratching away of rock by other rock particles carried in water, ice, or wind

a)

Frost wedging

b)

Exfoliation

c)

Oxidation

d)

Abrasion

102.

Plants/animals digging under ground with roots or claws to break apart rocks.

a)

Frost wedging

b)

Abrasion

c)

Burrowing

d)

Exfoliation

103.

A type of chemical weathering in which a substance combines with oxygen, as when iron oxidizes, forming rust.

a)

Acid rain

b)

Oxidation

c)

Reaction to water

d)

Exfoliation

104.

The image above depicts the effects of chemical weathering breaking down limestone. Which type of chemical weathering causes this reaction?

a)

Acid rain

b)

Oxidation

c)

Exfoliation

d)

Abrasion

105.

Which type of sediment does wind erosion most strongly affect?

a)

Loose, sandy soil

b)

Wet rocks

c)

Wet, compacted soil

d)

Dry, compacted soil

106.

Which of the following agents is the usually responsible for the formation of canyons?

a)

Gravity pulling

b)

Wind blowing

c)

Flowing water

d)

Glaciers moving

107.

What is the difference between weathering and erosion?

a)

Erosion breaks down the rocks, and weathering carries the broken pieces away.

b)

Erosion carries broken pieces away, and weathering builds the pieces back up into another land mass.

c)

Weathering carries broken pieces away, and erosion builds the pieces back up into another land mass.

d)

Weathering breaks down rocks, and erosion carries the broken pieces away.

108.

________________ is the breaking off and/ or disintegration of larger rocks into smaller rocks.

a)

Erosion

b)

Weathering

c)

Deposition

d)

Lotic

109.

_____________ is the dropping off/ depositing of rocks.

a)

Metamorphosis

b)

Deposition

c)

Weathering

d)

Erosion

110.

What is the flat area of land that has sediment deposited when water overflows from rivers?

a)

Estuary

b)

Floodplain

c)

Wetland

d)

Tributary

111.

A place where fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean.

a)

Estuary

b)

Divide

c)

Wetland

d)

Tributary

112.

Which number best represents a floodplain?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

113.

The small rivers in this diagram to connect together represent...

a)

Tributaries

b)

Run-off

c)

The Floodplain

d)

The Watershed Boundaries

114.

Water that collects in cracks and pores in underground soil and rock layers.

a)

Groundwater

b)

Surface Water

c)

Permeable

d)

Impermeable

115.

This word describes when rock has spaces that allows water to move through

a)

Permeable

b)

Impermeable

c)

Surface Water

d)

Drainage Divide

116.

Water that flows along Earth's surface to eventually return to the ocean is called ___.

a)

Runoff

b)

Storm drain

c)

Surface water

d)

Tributary

117.
Water stored  in cracks and pores below the Earth's surface is called:
a)
Groundwater
b)
Bogs
c)
Water in the ground
d)
surface water
118.
Sand is ___________, meaning that water can pass through easily.
a)
Permeable
b)
Impermeable
c)
Solid
d)
Soft
119.

An underground layer of permeable rock or sediment that holds water?

a)

Reservoir

b)

Aquifer

c)

Groundwater

d)

Watershed

120.

Which part of a river provides the best evidence that water weathers and erodes the land it flows over?

a)

Headwaters

b)

Mouth

c)

Delta

d)

Tributaries

121.

A watershed is an area of land that drains into a river system.

a)

true

b)

false

122.

Water that collects in cracks and pores underground in soil and rock layers.

a)

ground water

b)

surface water

123.

The __________ is the end of a river.

a)

source

b)

mouth

124.

The part of a river that is near the source.

a)

upstream

b)

downstream

125.

A floodplain is a flat area of land next to a river that is prone to flooding.

a)

true

b)

false

126.

Why are estuaries important?

a)

They are among the most productive ecosystems in the world.

b)

They are home to a wide variety of plant and animal life.

c)

They provide protection to wildlife from severe weather.

d)

All of the above

127.

A partially enclosed body of water where freshwater and saltwater mix.

a)

estuary

b)

wetland

128.

An area of land that is saturated (covered) by water permanently or seasonally.

a)

wetland

b)

estuary

129.

The "examples" in the image represent living factors in a watershed. These are also known as ____________ factors.

a)

biotic

b)

abiotic

130.

Select the abiotic factor from the list below.

a)
b)
c)
d)
131.

Water evaporates from the leaves of plants in a process called...

a)

transpiration

b)

collection

c)

condensation

d)

precipitation

132.

How does surface water end up underground?

a)

infiltration

b)

evaporation

c)

precipitation

d)

condensation

133.

All the water and any pollution in a watershed drain into an estuary, and eventually the ocean.

a)

true

b)

false

134.

What definition BEST describes a watershed?

a)

An area where water infiltrates the soil

b)

An area where aquatic plants and animals thrive

c)

An area where snow melts and changes into liquid water

d)

An area that collects precipitation and drains it to the lowest point

135.

The use of pesticides and fertilizers is carefully monitored because of the effect they can have on the environment. Which of the following is a possible negative effect of the use of these chemical on the environment?

a)

These chemicals are expensive to produce.

b)

Runoff carries these chemicals into lakes and streams.

c)

Storage space for these chemicals is limited.

d)

Theses chemicals cannot be purchased in large bulk.

136.

All water below the surface of land is called__________.

a)

water table

b)

watershed

c)

groundwater

d)

runoff

137.

The process where water or irrigation runs over land and seeps into the ground, or flows into streams or oceans.

a)

water cycle

b)

runoff

c)

precipitation

d)

evaporation

138.

Rapid growth of algae in a pond is often the result of -

a)

loss of habitat due to commercial building.

b)

flooding that causes water levels to rise.

c)

excess nutrients from fertilizer runoff.

d)

clogged river tributaries entering a lake.

139.

As water flows it picks up...

a)

fertilizers, oils and pesticides

b)

sugar and spice and everything nice

c)

sunshine, sugar, and carbon dioxide

d)

oxygen and carbon dioxide

140.

How can you help protect watersheds (select ALL correct answers!)

a)

clean up after your pet

b)

stop littering

c)

reduce amount of fertilizers and pesticides

d)

nothing

141.

Which of these MOST LIKELY forms when large

sections of Earth’s crust collide with each other?

a)

Reefs

b)

Gullies

c)

Craters

d)

Mountains

142.

What occurs at a transform boundary

a)

earthquakes

b)

mountain chains

c)

rift valleys

d)

volcanic formations

143.

Which describes the motion of the plates near a transform boundary?

a)

tectonic plates collide

b)

tectonic plates pull apart

c)

tectonic plates slide past one another

d)

tectonic plate goes underneath another plate

144.
Hot air rises because...
a)
it is less dense
b)
it is heavier
c)
it is more dense
d)
it contains Helium
145.
According to the map, which city is likely experiencing warmer weather?
a)
Seattle
b)
Chicago
c)
Boston
d)
San Diego
146.
Which of the following is most likely a cause of hurricanes?
a)
Cooler ocean temperatures
b)
Warmer ocean temperatures
c)
Large ocean waves
d)
Strong ocean currents
147.
What type of weather usually goes with this symbol?
a)

Clear, sunny skies

b)

Cloudy skies

c)

Hot temperature

d)

Thunderstorms

148.
This is the symbol for a... 
a)
Occluded Front
b)
Stationary Front
c)
Warm Front
d)
Cold Front 
149.
This is the symbol for a... 
a)
Cold Front
b)
Warm Front
c)
Stationary Front
d)
Occluded Front 
150.
Which of the following will heat the fastest? 
a)
water
b)
land
c)
both heat at equal rates
151.
The conditions of the atmosphere at a certain time and place. 
a)
weather
b)
climate
c)
precipitation
d)
atmosphere
152.

What is the big difference between climate and weather?

a)

Weather can only happen on certain occasions and climate can happen anytime anywhere

b)

Weather is how if feels outside for one day and climate is how it feels for periods of time

c)

There is no difference between them

d)

Weather is real and climate is fake

153.

Which one is a warm front?

a)
b)
c)
d)
154.

What is a barometer?

a)

A tool used to measure temperature

b)

A tool used to measure rainfall

c)

A tool used to measure air pressure

d)

A person who studies weather

155.

The amount of water vapor in the air-

a)

humidity

b)

climate

c)

generalization

156.

This is measured and recorded daily-

a)

climate.

b)

weather.

c)

seasons.

157.

Climate is the average weather conditions recorded over a span of--

a)

days

b)

weeks

c)

years

158.

Which best describes climate?

a)

Summers are usually hot and dry.

b)

It rained last week.

c)

Yesterday it was cold and windy.

159.
What are the daily conditions of temperature, humidity and precipitation?
a)

weather

b)

climate

160.
What does this tool do?
a)
Tells how hot it is
b)
Measures wind direction
c)
Measures wind speed
d)
Measures rain