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Historical Geology Midterm Review

Total questions: 99

Worksheet time: 49mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
A naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid, having characteristic physical properties and a narrowly defined chemical composition:
a)
rock
b)
gem
c)
mineral
d)
glass
e)
magma
2.

Research indicates that the Earth came into existence approximately ____________ years ago.

a)

4.6 trillion years

b)

4.6 million years

c)

4.6 billion years

d)

4600 years

e)

460 years

3.

A geological process involving the structural deformation of the Earth's lithosphere, often associated with volcanic activity and metamorphism:

a)

subduction

b)

erosion

c)

orogeny

d)

sedimentation

e)

weathering

4.

The water bodies on Earth are part of the

a)

biosphere

b)

hydrosphere

c)

lithosphere

d)

mesosphere

e)

atmosphere

5.
The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus:
a)
orogeny
b)
atomic mass
c)
atom
d)
nucleus
e)
atomic number
6.

When a sedimentary rock has grains of varying sizes, it can be described as

a)

poorly sorted.

b)

well cemented.

c)

cross-laminated.

d)

densely compacted.

e)

finely graded.

7.

A fossil that is used to define and identify geologic periods; it is widespread and existed for a short span of geologic time:

a)

guide fossil

b)

sedimentary fossil

c)

epoch

d)

formation

e)

unconformity

8.
This ocean is in the intermediate phase of a Wilson Cycle:
a)
Atlantic Ocean
b)
Pacific Ocean
9.

States that layers of sedimentary rock are deposited in a time sequence, with the oldest on the bottom and the youngest on the top:

a)

principle of original horizontality

b)

principle of superposition

c)

principle of cross-cutting relationships

d)

principle of lateral continuity

e)

principle of inclusions

10.

Which organisms can survive without oxygen?

a)

aerobic

b)

photosynthesis

c)

evolution

d)

anaerobic

e)

metabolism

11.

Mercury is considered a _________ planet.

a)

terrestrial

b)

Jovian

12.

While trekking through the Canadian wilderness, you come across a terrain characterized by ancient igneous and metamorphic formations. What geological structure are you most likely traversing?

a)

platform.

b)

continental shelf.

c)

orogenic belt.

d)

continental rise.

e)

shield.

13.
Till deposits are associated with
a)
lakes.
b)
glaciers.
c)
sand dunes.
d)
playa lakes.
e)
beaches.
14.
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are part of the
a)
bioshpere
b)
hydrosphere
c)
lithosphere
d)
mesosphere
e)
atmosphere
15.

Atoms of the same element with different atomic masses are called:

a)

ions

b)

electrons

c)

isotopes

d)

neutrons

e)

daughter products

16.

What is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring?

a)

catastrophism

b)

uniformitarianism

c)

evolution

d)

natural selection

e)

speciation

17.

The theory of evolution by natural selection was proposed by

a)

Gregor Mendel.

b)

Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck.

c)

Charles Darwin.

d)

Aristotle.

e)

Charles Lyell.

18.

What term is used for evidence of ancient life activities, such as footprints, feeding marks, or burrows, excluding any physical remains of the organism itself?

a)

trace fossil

b)

carbonization

c)

cast

d)

mold

e)

permineralization

19.

The concept of organic evolution is supported by various forms of evidence and provides a comprehensive explanation of natural phenomena. Therefore, organic evolution is best described as a

a)

hypothesis

b)

law

c)

theory

d)

unifying concept

e)

working model

20.

Which layer of the Earth is composed of the crust and the uppermost mantle, and is involved in tectonic plate movements?

a)

lithosphere

b)

asthenosphere

c)

atmosphere

d)

biosphere

e)

mesosphere

21.

Identify the supercontinent that formed during the late Precambrian era:

a)

Laurasia

b)

Gondwana

c)

Rodinia

d)

Atlantis

e)

Pangaea

22.

Which process results in the production of two identical daughter cells?

a)

mitosis

b)

meiosis

c)

binary fission

d)

fertilization

e)

crossing over

23.

Which type of rock is formed through the transformation of existing rock types in a process involving heat, pressure, and mineral fluids?

a)

igneous rock

b)

sedimentary rock

c)

metamorphic rock

24.

This scientist applied thermodynamics to estimate the age of the Earth, concluding it was between 20 and 400 million years old.

a)

Hutton

b)

Joly

c)

Bishop Ussher

d)

Lyell

e)

Lord Kelvin

25.

What was a significant factor limiting the diversification of life forms during the Archean and Paleoproterozoic eras?

a)

The predominance of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes.

b)

The predominance of asexual reproduction in eukaryotes.

c)

Limited interbreeding between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

d)

Sexual reproduction in prokaryotes without genetic transfer.

e)

Sexual reproduction in eukaryotes without genetic transfer.

26.

What is the name for molten rock found beneath the Earth's crust?

a)

crust

b)

sediment

c)

core

d)

magma

e)

ash

27.

Which type of sedimentary rock is formed by the evaporation of water, leading to the deposition of minerals like halite and gypsum?

a)

evaporite

b)

intrusive

c)

magma

d)

peat

e)

volcaniclastic

28.
One important conclusion of Mendel's genetic studies with pea plants is
a)
mutation is the only important factor in change.
b)
genes controlling traits do not blend during inheritance, but are transmitted as discrete entities.
c)
the traits that an organism inherits are the average of the two alleles.
d)
if particular traits do not appear in each generation, they are lost from the species.
e)
once a trait becomes recessive, it is lost to the population forever.
29.

The Andes Mountains are an example of

a)

an oceanic-continental convergent plate boundary.

b)

a transform plate boundary.

c)

an oceanic-oceanic divergent plate boundary.

d)

a continental-continental convergent plate boundary.

30.

What is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose molecules?

a)

fermentation

b)

photosynthesis

c)

respiration

d)

transpiration

e)

oxidation

31.

What are sections of oceanic crust that have been thrust onto continental crust called?

a)

turbidites.

b)

ophiolites.

c)

ultramafics.

d)

layered intrusions.

e)

none of the above

32.
Isotopes of the same element have
a)
different numbers of protons, but the same number of neutrons.
b)
the same number of electrons, but different numbers of neutrons.
c)
different numbers of neutrons, but the same number of protons.
d)
different numbers of electrons, but the same number of neutrons.
e)
different numbers of protons and neutrons.
33.

What is the term for an erosional surface that separates parallel sedimentary layers?

a)

angular unconformity.

b)

disconformity.

c)

nonconformity.

d)

hiatus.

e)

bedding plane.

34.

Which concept suggests that geological changes occur gradually over time, similar to processes observed today?

a)

catastrophism

b)

neptunism

c)

plutonism

d)

uniformitarianism

e)

communism

35.

What type of bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, commonly found in substances like diamond?

a)

covalent bond

b)

metallic bond

c)

malleable

d)

orogeny

e)

ionic bond

36.

What state of matter is the Earth's outer core?

a)

Solid

b)

Liquid

c)

Gas

37.

Paleomagnetism is significant in geology because

a)

it helps in understanding the formation of Earth's magnetic field.

b)

it indicates that most rocks are devoid of magnetic properties.

c)

it shows how magnetic minerals can interfere with Earth's magnetic field.

d)

it reveals that magnetic minerals orient themselves towards the magnetic poles during rock formation.

e)

it has no relevance to geological studies.

38.
The nuclei of continental masses were formed by
a)
accretion.
b)
meteorite bombardment.
c)
subduction.
d)
deposition of limestone reefs.
e)
none of the above
39.
A type of metamorphic rock that results from the heating and compression of coal:
a)
quartzite
b)
marble
c)
gneiss
d)
anthracite
e)
slate
40.

What is the term for an erosional surface that separates older tilted layers from younger horizontal layers?

a)

angular unconformity.

b)

disconformity.

c)

nonconformity.

d)

hiatus.

e)

bedding plane.

41.

For a neutrally-charged atom to become a negatively-charged ion of the same element it must

a)

gain a proton

b)

gain an electron

c)

lose a proton

d)

lose an electron

e)

both a and d

42.
When an atom becomes positively charged, it is called a/an
a)
electron.
b)
neutron.
c)
ion.
d)
isotope.
e)
positron.
43.

Who is credited with the concept that geological changes are gradual and consistent over time?

a)

Hutton

b)

William Smith

c)

Darwin

d)

Werner

e)

Wegener

44.

You find a dark igneous rock with very small crystals that require a microscope to see. What does this indicate about the rock's formation?

a)

It formed slowly deep underground.

b)

It formed quickly deep underground.

c)

It formed slowly on the Earth's surface.

d)

It formed quickly on the Earth's surface.

e)

It was expelled as ash and later solidified.

45.

What is the name of the boundary where two tectonic plates move horizontally past each other?

a)

convergent

b)

divergent

c)

transform

46.

The Himalayas are an example of

a)

a continental-continental convergent plate boundary.

b)

an oceanic-continental convergent plate boundary.

c)

a transform plate boundary.

d)

an oceanic-oceanic divergent plate boundary.

47.

Where does seafloor spreading primarily occur?

a)

continental shelves.

b)

oceanic trenches.

c)

mid-ocean ridges.

d)

abyssal plains.

e)

island arcs.

48.

What is the term for a landform created by sediment deposition at the mouth of a river?

a)

estuary

b)

delta

c)

floodplain

d)

meander

e)

oxbow lake

49.

What is the stable interior part of a continent called?

a)

Shield.

b)

platform.

c)

orogenic belt.

d)

craton.

e)

greenstone belt.

50.

Which type of plate boundary is characterized by the creation of new oceanic crust?

a)

a continental-continental convergent plate boundary.

b)

a transform plate boundary.

c)

an oceanic-oceanic divergent plate boundary.

d)

a continental-continental divergent plate boundary.

e)

an oceanic-continental convergent plate boundary.

51.

Which principle explains that sedimentary layers extend in all directions until they thin out or encounter a physical barrier?

a)

principle of original horizontality

b)

principle of superposition

c)

principle of lateral continuity

d)

principle of cross-cutting relationships

e)

principle of uniformitarianism

52.

Neptune is considered a __________ planet.

a)

terrestrial

b)

Jovian

53.
New genetic characteristics can be added to prokaryotic organisms by
a)
mutation.
b)
natural selection.
c)
artificial selection.
d)
divergent evolution.
e)
mitosis.
54.

What type of metamorphism occurs due to the heat and fluids from a nearby magma body?

a)

orogeny

b)

contact metamorphism

c)

burial metamorphism

d)

nonconformity

e)

regional metamorphism

55.

Which ancient landmass included parts of present-day North America, Greenland, and parts of northwestern Scotland during the Precambrian era?

a)

Laurasia

b)

Laurentia

c)

Baltica

d)

Gondwana

e)

Eurasia

56.

Who is credited with the theory of continental drift, which proposed that continents move across the Earth's surface over geological time?

a)

Alexander du Toit, 1937.

b)

Frank Taylor, 1910.

c)

Alfred Wegener, 1912.

d)

Snider- Pelligrini, 1858.

e)

Harry Hess, 1962.

57.

What was the name of the supercontinent that existed during the Late Paleozoic and included most of Earth's landmasses?

a)

Laurasia

b)

Pangaea

c)

Rodinia

d)

Gondwana

e)

Baltica

58.

Which process is believed to have significantly contributed to the increase of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere during the Proterozoic era?

a)

Reduction in volcanic activity.

b)

Shrinking of oceanic bodies.

c)

Photosynthesis by cyanobacteria.

d)

Emergence of terrestrial flora.

e)

None of these.

59.
This archbishop calculated the date of creation of the Earth based upon Old Testament genealogy:
a)
James Ussher
b)
Alfred Wegener
c)
Charles Darwin
d)
James Hutton
e)
William Smith
60.

What is the term for a distinct layer of sedimentary rock that can be mapped and has clear boundaries?

a)

stratum

b)

intrusive

c)

formation

d)

mineral

e)

zone

61.

While exploring a canyon, you notice a dike of igneous rock that intersects the horizontal layers of sedimentary rock. The igneous rock is ___________ than the sedimentary rock.

a)

younger

b)

older

62.

What is the term for the origin of life from inorganic substances?

a)

fermentation

b)

plate tectonics

c)

cellular respiration

d)

abiogenesis

e)

volcanism

63.
The East African Rift is an example of a _________ plate boundary.
a)
convergent
b)
divergent
c)
transform
64.

Due to the effects of heat and pressure altering the isotopic composition, _________ rocks are often challenging to date precisely using radiometric methods.

a)

igneous

b)

sedimentary

c)

metamorphic

65.

The branch of science concerned with the study of fossils:

a)

geology

b)

genetics

c)

paleontology

d)

ecology

e)

anatomy

66.
An explanation for some natural phenomenon that is testable and is supported by a large body of evidence (e.g., plate tectonics):
a)
hypothesis
b)
scientific law
c)
transgression
d)
principle
e)

theory

67.
Fluvial is a term referring to
a)
glaciers and glacial deposits.
b)
waves and wave deposits.
c)
turbidity currents and turbidites.
d)
river activity and river deposits.
e)
chemical processes and evaporites.
68.

The decay rate of carbon 14 is measured in _________ years.

a)

5730

b)

40000

c)

4.5 billion

d)

48.8 billion

e)

704 million

69.

A surface within the rock record representing a period of nondeposition or erosion, separating younger strata from older rocks:

a)

discontinuity

b)

fossil

c)

stratification

d)

erosion

e)

unconformity

70.

The process by which organisms disturb sediment layers:

a)

erosion

b)

compaction

c)

bioturbation

d)

cementation

e)

weathering

71.

Determining the sequence of geologic events by examining rock layers is known as

a)

stratigraphy

b)

catastrophism

c)

relative dating

d)

radiometric dating

e)

none of the above

72.

What principle is used in radiometric dating to determine the age of rocks?

a)

The layering of sedimentary rocks.

b)

The decay rate of unstable isotopes.

c)

The alignment of magnetic minerals.

d)

The fossil content within the rock.

e)

The growth rings in trees.

73.

The transformation of loose sediment into a solid sedimentary rock is known as

a)

crystallization.

b)

cementation.

c)

lithification.

d)

erosion.

e)

weathering.

74.

Which scientist proposed that the age of the Earth could be determined by its cooling rate, estimating it to be between 20 and 400 million years?

a)

Hutton

b)

Joly

c)

Bishop Ussher

d)

Lyell

e)

Lord Kelvin

75.
Geologists resolved the apparent polar wandering paradox by concluding that
a)
each continent had its own magnetic pole during successive geological periods.
b)
the magnetic poles for each continent had moved over geological time.
c)
the magnetic poles have remained in one location and each of the continents has moved.
d)
both the poles and the continents have moved over time.
e)
none of the above
76.

The type of cell division that results in gametes, such as sperm and eggs, with half the usual number of chromosomes is called:

a)

mutation

b)

mitosis

c)

meiosis

d)

natural selection

e)

evolution

77.

After two half-lives, a radioactive element will have _________ of its original parent atoms.

a)

1/2

b)

1/4

c)

1/3

d)

1/8

e)

1/16

78.

What is the term for a distinct layer of sedimentary rock that can be identified and mapped across a region?

a)

stratum

b)

intrusion

c)

formation

d)

layer

e)

zone

79.
A group of closely related species:
a)
kingdom
b)
phylum
c)
order
d)
genus
e)
family
80.

Graded bedding is typically observed when

a)

sediment layers are eroded by water currents.

b)

sediment is deposited on a gentle slope.

c)

turbidity currents deposit coarse particles followed by finer particles.

d)

layers of sediment are disrupted by tectonic activity.

e)

turbidity currents deposit fine particles followed by coarser particles.

81.

What are the surfaces called that mark the boundaries between different sedimentary layers?

a)

stratigraphic columns

b)

unconformities

c)

bedding planes

d)

geological formations

e)

stratigraphic systems

82.

What is the name of the surface that forms when younger sedimentary rocks are deposited on top of older igneous or metamorphic rocks?

a)

angular unconformity.

b)

disconformity.

c)

nonconformity.

d)

hiatus.

e)

bedding plane.

83.

What term is used for volcanic materials that are ejected during an explosive eruption?

a)

igneous

b)

extrusive

c)

pyroclastic

d)

lithification

e)

sedimentary

84.

Which sedimentary environment is typically associated with large-scale cross-beds exceeding 10 feet in height?

a)

lake

b)

desert dune

c)

delta

d)

fluvial

e)

glacial

85.

What is the primary division of geologic time, during which a system of rocks was formed?

a)

epoch

b)

biozone

c)

period

d)

series

e)

unconformity

86.

The initial framework of the geologic time scale was primarily established by

a)

observations of changes in fossil records.

b)

the principles of natural selection.

c)

analysis of mineral isotopes.

d)

radiometric dating of rock layers.

e)

distribution of minerals across regions.

87.

Which process is believed to have played a crucial role in the evolution of complex cells from simpler ones?

a)

endosymbiosis

b)

abiogenesis

c)

stratification

d)

progradation

e)

outgassing

88.

Which eon is characterized by the Earth's initial cooling and solidification?

a)

Archean

b)

Eoarchean

c)

Hadean

d)

Paleoarchean

e)

Proterozoic

89.

You find a dark igneous rock with very small crystals that require a microscope to see. What does this indicate about the rock's formation?

a)

It formed slowly deep underground.

b)

It formed quickly deep underground.

c)

It formed slowly on the Earth's surface.

d)

It formed quickly on the Earth's surface.

e)

It was formed from volcanic ash that later solidified.

90.

A coastal feature formed by the accumulation of sand, often found parallel to the shore and separated by a body of water:

a)

spit

b)

barrier island

c)

headland

d)

estuary

e)

lagoon

91.

The age of the oldest ocean floor is nearly _________ years.

a)

300000

b)

4.6 billion

c)

70000

d)

180 million

e)

3.96 billion

92.

What type of bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, commonly found in substances like diamond?

a)

covalent bond

b)

metallic bond

c)

malleable

d)

orogeny

e)

ionic bond

93.

Cells that do not have a nucleus enclosed within membranes are called:

a)

prokaryotic

b)

eukaryotic

94.

Which of the following is not a rank in the Linnaean taxonomy system?

a)

class

b)

family

c)

genus

d)

domain

e)

tribe

95.

What is the term for the time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to transform into a stable form?

a)

igneous

b)

geochronology

c)

half-life

d)

sediment

e)

absolute age

96.

Which of the following characteristics is not associated with the asthenosphere?

a)

It is located below the lithosphere.

b)

It is composed of solid rock.

c)

It flows slowly over geological time.

d)

It facilitates the movement of tectonic plates.

e)

It shares the same material as the upper mantle.

97.

What is the term for an unconformity where sedimentary layers are deposited on top of eroded igneous or metamorphic rocks?

a)

nonconformity

b)

disconformity

c)

guide fossil

d)

transgression

e)

angular unconformity

98.

Which fossil discovery supported the theory of continental drift?

a)

Glossaurus.

b)

Pecopteris.

c)

Neuropteris.

d)

Glossopteris.

e)

Messopteris.

99.

An organized group of components that work together to form a complex whole:

a)

system

b)

hypothesis

c)

theory

d)

uniformitarianism

e)

scientific method

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