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Continental Drift/Plate Tectonics Review

Total questions: 100

Worksheet time: 1hrs 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the driving force behind plate tectonics?

a)

convection currents in the mantle

b)

Earth's magnetic field

c)

Strong winds from storms

d)

waves and tides

2.

Which of the following was evidence Wegner provided for Plate Tectonics

a)

Identical fossils of plants and animals on different continents

b)

Weather patterns

c)

ocean tides

d)

erosion

3.

What is the name of the supercontinent Alfred Wegner used?

a)

Pangea

b)

Laurasia

c)

Euamerica

d)

Wakanda

4.

Which is not a plate boundary in plate tectonics

a)

Vibranium

b)

Transform

c)

Divergent

d)

Convergent

5.

Which Plate boundary shows plates sliding past each other?

a)

Transform

b)

Divergent

c)

Convergent

d)

Conduction

6.

Which is a land feature created by transform boundaries

a)

Fault Lines

b)

Rift- Valleys

c)

Mid-Ocean ridges

d)

Islands

7.

Which is an example of Divergent Boundaries

a)

Mid- Atlantic Ridge

b)

Himalayas

c)

Aleutian Islands

d)

San Andreas Fault

8.

When more dense oceanic crust collide with less dense continental crust which will sink into the mantle

a)

Oceanic crust will sink because it is more dense

b)

Continental crust will sink because it is more dense

c)

Oceanic crust will rise because it is less dense

d)

Neither plate will sink

9.

Which is an example of continental/ continental convergent boundaries

a)

Himalayan (Mountains)

b)

San Andreas fault

c)

Iceland

d)

Aleutian Islands

10.

Which is an example of subduction?

a)

Andes Mountains

b)

Himalayan Mountains

c)

Aleutian Islands

d)

San Andreas Fault

11.

At the Mid-Atlantic Ridge the new crust is...

a)

Closer to the opening of the ridge

b)

Far away from the ridge

c)

On land

d)

There isn't any new crust being formed

12.

Transform boundaries create

a)

Earthquakes

b)

Mountains

c)

Valleys

d)

Mid-ocean ridges

13.

The lithosphere is broken up into different pieces called ______________.

a)

Borders

b)

Countries

c)

Plates

d)

Volcanoes

14.
When an oceanic plate and a continental plate collide, which one will subduct? 
a)
oceanic
b)
continental
c)
neither
d)
both
15.
A rift valley forms at a 
a)
convergent plate boundary
b)
divergent plate boundary
c)
transform boundary
d)
deep ocean trench
16.
A collision between two pieces of continental crust at a converging boundary produces a 
a)
mid-ocean ridge
b)
deep ocean trench
c)
volcanic mountain range
d)
folded mountain range
17.

Tectonic Plate movement is caused by ______________.

a)

the rotation of the Earth

b)

ocean tides

c)

convection currents in the mantle

d)

the moon's gravity

18.

Process where 1 tectonic plate bends & slides beneath another plate at a convergent boundary

a)

conduction

b)

convection

c)

subduction

d)

abduction

19.

Continental mountain ranges are usually associated with

a)

seafloor spreading

b)

convergent boundaries

c)

transform boundaries

d)

divergent boundaries

20.

Why does oceanic crust typically subduct under continental crust when the two converge?

a)

The oceanic crust is denser.

b)

The oceanic crust is less dense.

c)

The oceanic crust is thinner.

d)

The oceanic crust is colder.

21.

Why do most volcanoes on Earth exist along the "Ring of Fire?"

a)

The volcanoes are in the middle of a tectonic plate.

b)

The crust is thinner in that area.

c)

Earth's layers are hotter in that area.

d)

Tectonic plate boundaries are near.

22.

A subduction zone creates a _____ and a _____.

a)

mid-ocean ridge; mountains

b)

continent; oceans

c)

trench; volcanoes

d)

earthquake; tsunamis

23.

What is the difference in how volcanoes and mountains are formed?

a)

They are formed the same way

b)

Mountains are formed form subducted plates

c)

Volcanoes are formed from subducted plates

d)

Volcanoes are formed from converging continental plates

24.

What is the difference between a rift valley and a trench?

a)

Rift valleys are from subducted plates

b)

Trenches are from converging crusts

c)

They are they same, they just have different names

d)

Trenches are from subducted, rift valleys are from divergent

25.

Oceanic crust near the mid-ocean ridge is _____ than crust farther away from the ridge.

a)

younger

b)

older

c)

colder

d)

more dense

26.

The theory that pieces of Earth's lithosphere are in constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle is called

a)

Continental Drift

b)

Plate Tectonics

c)

Pangaea

d)

Earthquake

27.

A volcanically active area of the Earth's surface far from a tectonic plate boundary

a)

Fault

b)

Crust

c)

Core

d)

Hot Spot

28.

A break in the earth's crust

a)

Earthquake

b)

Fault

c)

Tectonic plates

d)

Boundary

29.

He is the German scientist who theorized that Pangaea split apart and drifted into different locations

a)

Alfred Wagner

b)

Harry Hess

c)

Alfred Wegener

d)

Alfred Wagoner

30.

This earth's layer is made up of the crust and a tiny bit of the upper mantle

a)

astenosphere

b)

inner core

c)

lithosphere

d)

geosphere

31.

As the melted rock cools and hardens,

it forms new ________.

a)

volcanoes

b)

hope

c)

core

d)

crust

32.

___________ is the hypothesis that states that the continents once formed a single landmass, broke up, and drifted to their present locations.

a)

Continental drift

b)

Sea-floor spreading

c)

Plate tectonics

d)

Mid-ocean range

33.

The lithosphere (crust) is broken into sections called

a)

plates

b)

faults

c)

ridges

d)

trenches

34.

Which of the following reasons is why tectonic plates move?

a)

The mantle has convection currents and the crust float and moves with these currents.

b)

The gravitational pull of the moon pulls differently on the different thicknesses of the plates.

c)

The inner core is spinning and moves the tectonic plates.

d)

The daily move of people, car, buses, trains, and ships create tectonic plate movement

35.

The majority of earthquakes and volcanoes occur at which of the following locations?

a)

The Pacific Ring of Fire

b)

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

c)

San Andreas Fault

d)

The Great Barrier Reef

36.

Where do Earthquakes usually occur?

a)

The central regions of very large continents

b)

Groups of islands farthest from any continents

c)

The steep slopes of the very oldest mountains

d)

The boundaries between continents and oceans

37.
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
38.

A type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together.

a)

sedimentary rock

b)

igneous rock

c)

metamorphic rock

39.
What evidence did Wegener use in his theory?
a)
Continents and fossils fitting together/matching-up like puzzle pieces 
b)
glacier scars and other climate evidence from temperature
c)
mountain ranges and rocks line up across continents
d)
all of the above
40.

Which statement best compares the theories of plate tectonics and continental drift?

a)

Plate tectonics and continental drift are two names for the same theory

b)

Continental drift proposes that the continents move; plate tectonics proposes the mechanism for how the continents move.

c)

Plate tectonics proposes that the continents move; continental drift proposes the mechanism for how the continents move.

d)

Continental drift proposes that the continents move; plate tectonics proposes that the continents are stationary.

41.

According to Wegener’s hypothesis of continental drift,

a)

Earth’s surface is made up of seven major landmasses.

b)

the continents were once joined together in a single landmass.

c)

Earth is slowly cooling and shrinking.

d)

the continents do not move.

42.

Any trace of an ancient organism that has been preserved in rock is called a

a)

landform

b)

landmass

c)

continent

d)

fossil

43.

Most geologists rejected Alfred Wegener's idea of continental drift because

a)

Wegener could not prove how the continents moved

b)

Wegener was interested in what Earth was like millions of years ago.

c)

They were afraid of a new idea.

d)

Wegener used several different types of evidence to support his hypothesis.

44.

Which type of evidence was not used by Alfred Wegener to support his continental drift hypothesis?

a)

evidence from fossils

b)

evidence from human remains

c)

evidence from landforms

d)

evidence from climate

45.

Tectonic plates are constantly moving. Why can't we sense this movement?

a)

The plates only move during the night.

b)

The plates only move a few centimeters a year.

c)

The convection currents causing the movement are in the mantle, and we cannot directly access that layer.

d)

Tectonic plate movement happens with oceanic crust, and we live on continental crust.

46.

The San Andres Fault is an example of a

a)

convergent boundary

b)

divergent boundary

c)

transform boundary

d)

subduction zone

47.

Which additional piece of evidence does Plate Tectonics have that Continental Drift did not?

a)

An explanation of what drives the motion

b)

Fossil Evidence

c)

Erosional features

d)

Rock correlations

48.

Why is continental crust so old compared to oceanic crust?

a)

Oceanic crust gets recycled when it reaches subduction zones

b)

Continental crust is never located near trenches

c)

Continental crust is usually located closer to ridges

d)

Oceanic crust gets recycled when it spreads to the ridges

49.

A tectonic plate is made of what layer of earth?

a)

Crust

b)

Lithosphere

c)

Asthenosphere

d)

Mantle

50.

Alfred Wegener proposed the Theory of Continental Drift. Which one of these does NOT support the theory Wegener proposed?

a)

Fossils that were similar were found on different continents.

b)

Bacteria was found all over the world.

c)

Shape of continents fit together to form a supercontinent called Pangea

d)

Climate seen as glacial or ice sharring are found all over the world.

51.
Name the boundary
a)
convergent boundary
b)
divergent boundary
c)
transform boundary
d)
sergent boundary
52.
Name the boundary
a)
convergent boundary
b)
divergent boundary
c)
transform boundary
d)
sergent boundary
53.

Which of the following features are evidence that many continents were at one time near Earth's south pole?

a)

glacial deposits

b)

earthquakes

c)

volcanoes

d)

battery magnets

54.

When tectonic plates of more density and less density collide, what happens?

a)

The plate that is more dense fractures.

b)

The plate that is more dense rises.

c)

The plate that is less dense subducts.

d)

The more dense plate subducts.

55.

What do these color strips show between South America and Africa with the Theory of Plate Tectonics?

a)

Similar cultures

b)

Similar fossils

c)

Similar languages

d)

Similar weather

56.

What type of plate boundary is shown in this picture

a)

a convergent oceanic-oceanic boundary

b)

a divergent oceanic-oceanic boundary

c)

a convergent oceanic-continental boundary

d)

a divergent oceanic-continental boundary

57.
Hawaii is not located near any plate boundaries, yet it is made up entirely of volcanoes. This occurs because Hawaii sits directly on top of a _________________.
a)
Crater
b)
Tephra
c)
Hot spot
d)
Composite volcano
58.

What is the difference between a rift valley and a trench?

a)

Rift valleys are from subducted plates

b)

Trenches are from converging crusts

c)

They are they same, they just have different names

d)

Trenches are from subducted, rift valleys are from divergent

59.

Why do most volcanoes on Earth exist along the "Ring of Fire?"

a)

The volcanoes are in the middle of a tectonic plate.

b)

The crust is thinner in that area.

c)

Earth's layers are hotter in that area.

d)

Tectonic plate boundaries are near.

60.

What process continually adds new crust to the ocean floor?

a)

subduction

b)

convection

c)

seafloor spreading

d)

magnetic reversals

61.

What do we call the sections the lithosphere is broken into?

a)

blocks

b)

plates

c)

tectonics

d)

crust

62.

A break in the earth's crust

a)

Earthquake

b)

Fault

c)

Tectonic plates

d)

Boundary

63.

The gradual movement of the continents across the Earth's surface through geological time

a)

Plate tectonics

b)

Continental Drift

c)

Earthquake

d)

Sea-floor Spreading

64.

Which earth layer is the LEAST dense?

a)

crust

b)

mantle

c)

outer core

d)

inner core

65.

Which earth layer is the MOST dense?

a)

crust

b)

mantle

c)

outer core

d)

inner core

66.

Which earth layer is the THICKEST?

a)

crust

b)

mantle

c)

inner core

d)

outer core

67.

Which earth layer is the thinnest?

a)

crust

b)

mantle

c)

outer core

d)

inner core

68.

Which layer is represented at A?

a)

crust

b)

mantle

c)

outer core

d)

inner core

69.

Which layer is represented at B?

a)

crust

b)

mantle

c)

outer core

d)

inner core

70.

Which layer is represented at C?

a)

crust

b)

mantle

c)

outer core

d)

inner core

71.

Which layer is represented at D?

a)

crust

b)

mantle

c)

outer core

d)

inner core

72.

The tectonic plates float on which semiliquid layer?

a)

Asthenosphere

b)

Crust

c)

Inner Core

d)

Lithosphere

73.

A tsunami is caused by what?

a)

tectonic plates moving underwater

b)

inactive volcanoes building up pressure

c)

tectonic plates sinking

d)

the crust melting into the mantle

74.
Where does sea-floor spreading take place?
a)
Convergent Boundaries
b)
Transform Boundaries
c)
Land Boundaries
d)
Mid-Oceanic Ridges
75.
Temperature _____________________ as you go deeper into the earth.
a)
increases
b)
decreases
c)
goes up and down depending on the layer
d)
stays the same
76.
Which layer of the Earth is responsible for Earth's magnetic field?
a)
outer core
b)
inner core
c)
mantle
d)
crust
77.
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
78.
The core is made-up of what two elements?
a)
iron and nickel
b)
iron and oxygen
c)
nickel and silicon
d)
oxygen and silicon
79.
Why is the Inner Core solid?
a)
Extreme Heat
b)
High Pressure
c)
All the layers are solid
d)
It's made of rock
80.
The circular pattern of heating, rising, cooling, sinking of magma in the mantle causing tectonic plates to move.
a)
Plate Tectonics
b)
Convection Currents
c)
Pangaea
d)
Subduction
81.

Old-earth (or deep-time) geologists believe the earth to be ______________ years old.

a)

millions of

b)

several thousand

c)

billions of

d)

hundreds of

82.
What are the three main layers of the Earth?
a)
Center, Middle, Outer
b)
Center, Mantle, Crush
c)
Core, Mantle, Crust
d)
Core, Middle, Crush
83.

What is the correct order of earths layers from outside to inside?

a)

crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

b)

mantle, outer core, inner core, crust

c)

inner core, outer core, crust, mantle

d)

crust, outer core, inner core, mantle

84.

Which is true about oceanic crust?

a)

It is thinner and less dense than continental crust.

b)

It is thinner and more dense than continental crust.

c)

It is thicker and more dense than continental crust.

d)

It is thicker and less dense than continental crust.

85.

Which is true about continental crust?

a)

It is thinner and more dense than oceanic crust.

b)

It is thinner and less dense than oceanic crust.

c)

It is thicker and more dense than oceanic crust.

d)

It is thicker and less dense than oceanic crust.

86.

Which diagram shows how continetal mountains form?

a)
b)
c)
d)
87.

The motion of tectonic plates can cause both slow and rapid changes, which is an example of rapid change?

a)

earthquake

b)

seafloor spreading

c)

mountain building

d)

ocean trench formation

88.

Which option below best describes how the flow of heat through the mantle affect the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates?

a)

heat is transferred from the mantle to the curst by radiation which then causes the plates to move on the surface

b)

earth's tectonic plates move due to the graviational pull at eath's core and the flow of heat due to conduction in the mantle

c)

in thematle heated materal cools and becomes less dense as it rises to the surface froming a heated cell which causes the crust to harden and move the plates

d)

in the mantle heated materical expandes and rises towards the crust where it then cools, becomes denser and sinks, forming a convection current which casues plate motion

89.

What type of boundary are you most likely to find a volcano at?

a)

diverging

b)

converging ocean and contiental

c)

converging continental and contiental

d)

transform

90.

What is the difference between CONTINENTAL CRUST and OCEANIC CRUST?

a)

Oceanic crust is beneath the continents while continental crust is under the oceans.

b)

Oceanic crust is part of the mantle while continental crust is part of the outer core.

c)

Continental crust is above the continents while continental crust is under the oceans.

d)

Continental crust is beneath the continents while oceanic crust is under the oceans.

91.
What type of event will occur at this boundary?
a)
Earthquake
b)
Volcano Eruption
c)
Tornado
d)
Mountain Building
92.
How is it possible for new crust to be formed without increasing the surface area of the Earth?
a)
Crust is destroyed at the same time it is created
b)
New crust is underwater where it sinks
c)
New crust breaks more easily than old crust
93.
The Great Rift Valley in Africa and the Mid-Ocean Ridge were all created by this boundary
a)
Divergent
b)
Convergent
c)
Reform
d)
Transform
94.
What are the two types of crust
a)
continental and oceanic
b)
ocean and upper
c)
lower and upper
d)
pizza and subway
95.
The San Andreas fault is located where the Pacific plate and North American plate meet, and is also a transform boundary. If it were a CONVERGENT boundary, what would form on the continent?
a)
a river
b)
a rift valley
c)
a chain of islands
d)
a volcanic mountain
96.
Put the Earth layers in order from coolest to hottest:
a)
crust, outer core, inner core, mantle
b)
crust, mantle, inner core, outer core
c)
mantle, crust, inner core, outer core
d)
crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
97.

If a scientist found a fish fossil in the desert, what can they infer?

a)

An animal ate the fish.

b)

That water covered the area long ago.

c)

Today's fish looks the same

d)

The fish is endangered.

98.
Which statement is true about the fossil record?
a)
It is a record of all living things
b)
It shows how our climate has remained the same over time
c)
It provides evidence for history of life on Earth
d)
It does not support the theory of evolution
99.
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
100.
Which rock layer contains the newest fossils?
a)
F
b)
E
c)
B
d)
C

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