wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Earth Layers & the Rock Cycle

Total questions: 62

Worksheet time: 32mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

If the model below represents a volcano and its relationship to the layers of the Earth, from which of the Earth's layers does the magma come?

a)

inner core

b)

crust

c)

outer core

d)

mantle

2.

Which of the following best describes the mantle?

a)

A. The mantle has properties of gases and liquids only.

b)

B. The mantle has properties of liquids only.

c)

C. The mantle has properties of solids only.

d)

D. The mantle has properties of both liquids and solids.

3.

What is the name of the layer of the Earth that is labeled with the letter W?

a)

crust

b)

mantle

c)

outer core

d)

inner core

4.

What can metamorphic rocks be made from?

a)

sedimentary rocks

b)

igneous rocks

c)

other metamorphic rocks

5.

What is the name of the layer of the Earth that is labeled with the letter X?

a)

outer core

b)

crust

c)

mantle

d)

inner core

6.

The Earth's core is made of two parts - the inner and outer core. The inner core is made mostly of

a)

liquid metal.

b)

nonmetallic gas.

c)

solid metal.

d)

nonmetallic liquid.

7.

The diagram below shows the basic materials and processes involved in the rock cycle. Which process is involved in breaking down solid rock and turning it into sediment?

a)

A. cementation

b)

B. melting

c)

C. compaction

d)

D. weathering

8.

Which of Earth's layers is the thinnest?

a)

mantle

b)

crust

c)

inner core

d)

outer core

9.

Which choice below shows the steps of the formation of sedimentary rock in the correct order?

a)

A. weathering → erosion → deposition → compaction/cementation

b)

B. weathering → erosion → compaction/cementation → deposition

c)

C. compaction/cementation → erosion → weathering → deposition

d)

D. erosion → weathering → deposition → compaction/cementation

10.

Which of the following lists Earth's compositional layers starting with Earth's center and ending with the outermost layer?

a)

crust, mantle, core

b)

mantle, crust, core

c)

core, mantle, crust

d)

crust, core, mantle

11.

Look at the model of the Earth above. Which layer of the Earth is labeled Y?

a)

the inner core

b)

the outer core

c)

the crust

d)

the mantle

12.

What is the name of the layer of the Earth that is labeled with the letter Z?

a)

mantle

b)

crust

c)

inner core

d)

outer core

13.

_______ rock is formed when debris is buried, compressed and cemented together.

a)

Magma

b)

Igneous

c)

Metamorphic

d)

Sedimentary

14.

The diagram below shows the basic materials and processes involved in the rock cycle. Which of the following processes moves rock materials across the surface of the Earth?

a)

erosion

b)

crystallization

c)

compaction

d)

melting

15.

Directions: What is the correct order of steps for a layer of sediment to become sedimentary rock?

a)

1. The sediment is deposited by wind, flowing water, or other natural processes. 2. The sediment is gradually buried and compacted. 3. Dissolved minerals completely cement the sediment together.

b)

1. The sediment is gradually buried and compacted. 2. The sediment is deposited by wind, flowing water, or other natural processes. 3. Dissolved minerals completely cement the sediment together.

c)

1. Dissolved minerals completely cement the sediment together. 2. The sediment is deposited by wind, flowing water, or other natural processes. 3. The sediment is gradually buried and compacted.

16.

Which one of the Earth's layers is the thinnest?

a)

inner core

b)

crust

c)

mantle

d)

outer core

17.

Which arrow on the picture below is pointed at the Earth's mantle?

a)

A. W

b)

B. Y

c)

C. Z

d)

D. X

18.

The hard and brittle outer layer of the Earth is known as the _______.

a)

core

b)

atmosphere

c)

mantle

d)

lithosphere

19.

Which of the following lists Earth's compositional layers in order of increasing density?

a)

A. crust, core, mantle

b)

B. crust, mantle, core

c)

C. core, mantle, crust

d)

D. mantle, crust, core

20.

The two most abundant elements in Earth's core are

a)

iron and nickel

b)

nickel and silicon

c)

silicon and oxygen

d)

iron and magnesium

21.

When rocks return to the Earth's mantle, they can eventually melt and become magma. _______ and _______ are the main factors that control this change.

a)

Temperature

b)

Pressure

c)

Density

d)

Composition

22.

Which of the following would be the best model of the Earth's layers?

a)

a water balloon

b)

a potato

c)

a peach

d)

a basketball

23.

What is the name for the process of recycling materials that make up the Earth's crust and mantle?

a)

the carbon cycle

b)

the water cycle

c)

the nitrogen cycle

d)

the rock cycle

24.

Which layer of the Earth is the coolest in temperature?

a)

the inner core

b)

the crust

c)

the outer core

d)

the mantle

25.

The main agents that cause metamorphic rocks to form are

a)

melting and cooling.

b)

heat and pressure.

c)

weathering and erosion.

d)

deposition and compaction.

26.

The Earth's mantle is

a)

cooler than both the crust and the core.

b)

hotter than both the crust and the core.

c)

hotter than the crust but cooler than the core.

d)

cooler than the crust but hotter than the core.

27.

Some rocks are pushed deeper into the Earth. As these rocks experience greater heat and pressure, what type of rock will they turn into if they do not melt?

a)

sedimentary

b)

molten

c)

metamorphic

d)

igneous

28.

What type of rock are mid-ocean ridges made of?

a)

sedimentary rock

b)

fossilized rock

c)

metamorphic rock

d)

igneous rock

29.

Look at the diagram of the rock cycle below. Which part of the cycle is missing?

a)

mineral integration

b)

crystallization

c)

sedimentation

d)

melting

30.

Most of the Earth's volume is contained in the _______ .

a)

A. outer core

b)

B. inner core

c)

C. mantle

d)

D. crust

31.

Which of the following is located at the center of the Earth?

a)

mantle

b)

atmosphere

c)

core

d)

crust

32.

What is the name of the layer of the Earth that is labeled with the letter W?

a)

inner core

b)

crust

c)

outer core

d)

mantle

33.

Which type of rock contains minerals arranged in crystals and forms when molten rock cools and turns solid?

a)

igneous rock

b)

metamorphic rock

c)

sedimentary rock

d)

fossilized rock

34.

The diagram below shows the Earth's primary tectonic plates. Which of the following statements is true?

a)

The Earth's mantle is made up of tectonic plates.

b)

The Earth's lithosphere is made up of tectonic plates.

c)

The Earth's lithosphere is entirely made up of liquid magma.

d)

The Earth's mantle is made up of continents.

35.

Layers of sand and other sediments that become sedimentary rock:

a)

always contain the remains of both plants and animals.

b)

can contain the remains of plants, animals, or both.

c)

can contain the remains of plants but not animals.

d)

can contain the remains of animals but not plants.

36.

A volcano is a geological formation that can erupt and release lava, ash, and gases. What is a volcano?

a)

A mountain that erupts

b)

A river that flows

c)

A forest that grows

d)

A desert that expands

37.

The mantle is the thick middle layer located between the Earth's ______ and Earth's core.

a)

crust

b)

ocean

c)

atmosphere

d)

surface

38.

The mantle has properties of both ______ and ______.

(a)  

39.

The hottest layer of the Earth is:

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Outer Core

d)

Inner Core

40.

Metamorphic rocks can be formed from ______ rocks, ______ rocks, or other ______ rocks.

a)

igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, or other metamorphic rocks.

b)

igneous rocks

c)

metamorphic rocks

d)

metamentaty rocks

41.

The inner core of the Earth is very dense and made mostly of a solid metal - ______.

a)

iron

b)

gold

c)

silver

d)

copper

42.

Solid rock is broken down into sediment by the processes of ______.

a)

weathering

b)

erosion

c)

deposition

d)

compaction

43.

What is weathering?

a)

The process of breaking down rocks and minerals through natural forces.

b)

The movement of tectonic plates.

c)

The formation of new rocks from magma.

d)

The process of photosynthesis in plants.

44.

Erosion is the transporting of the broken rock material, or sediments, to a new location, where it is ____.

a)

deposited

b)

eroded

c)

dissolved

d)

evaporated

45.

What is compaction in the context of sedimentary rocks?

a)

The process of sediments being pressed together under their own weight

b)

The chemical alteration of minerals within the rock

c)

The transportation of sediments by wind or water

d)

The melting of rocks into magma

46.

Cementation in sedimentary rock formation is:

a)

the process of sediments being compacted and glued together

b)

the melting of rocks to form magma

c)

the erosion of rocks by wind and water

d)

the cooling and solidification of magma

47.

The estimated temperature range of Earth's core is:

a)

1000-2000°C

b)

2000-3000°C

c)

3000-5000°C

d)

5000-7000°C

48.

Earth's layers, from outside to the center, are the crust, the mantle, the outer core, and the inner core. Which is at the very center of Earth?

a)

inner core

b)

crust

c)

mantle

d)

outer core

49.

The Earth's hottest and most dense layer is the ____.

a)

mantle

b)

crust

c)

outer core

d)

inner core

50.

Sedimentary rock is formed by layers of sediments settling on top of other layers of sediment.

a)

True

b)

False

51.

Erosion is the process by which blowing wind or running water carries away pieces of earth material.

a)

True

b)

False

52.

The Earth's lithosphere is the rocky, rigid, and brittle outer layer of the planet. True or False?

a)

True

b)

False

53.

21. The Earth's compositional layers in order of increasing density are: crust, mantle, core. The layers increase in density with depth (i.e., the layer at the surface of the Earth—the crust—is the least dense, and the layers toward the center of the Earth—the mantle and the core—are more dense) as a result of the composition of materials in each layer as well as an increase in pressure with depth.

a)

crust, mantle, core

b)

core, mantle, crust

c)

mantle, crust, core

d)

core, crust, mantle

54.

What is the composition of the Earth's core?

a)

The Earth's core is made mostly of iron, with lesser amounts of nickel.

b)

The Earth's core is made mostly of silicon, with lesser amounts of oxygen.

c)

The Earth's core is made mostly of magnesium, with lesser amounts of aluminum.

d)

The Earth's core is made mostly of carbon, with lesser amounts of sulfur.

55.

What are the main factors responsible for rocks melting and becoming magma?

a)

Heat and pressure

b)

Cold and pressure

c)

Heat and cold

d)

Pressure and cold

56.

What is magma and how does it relate to lava?

a)

Magma is melted rock trapped beneath the Earth's surface, pushed upward by convection currents, and when it reaches the Earth's surface, it is called lava.

b)

Magma is a type of sedimentary rock found on the ocean floor, and when it solidifies, it becomes lava.

c)

Magma is a type of volcanic ash that cools and hardens into lava when it contacts water.

d)

Magma is a gaseous substance found in the Earth's atmosphere, and when it condenses, it forms lava.

57.

25. Which would represent the layers of the Earth best with its three layers of skin, flesh, and pit that could be designated the crust, mantle, and core of the Earth.

a)

Peach

b)

Water balloon

c)

Basketball

d)

Potato

58.

What is the rock cycle?

a)

The rock cycle is the name given to the process that the materials of the Earth's crust and mantle go through as they are naturally recycled, changed, and reformed.

b)

The rock cycle is a type of bicycle used for mountain climbing.

c)

The rock cycle is a musical genre that combines rock and classical music.

d)

The rock cycle is a method of training rocks to perform in circuses.

59.

What is the temperature of the earth at the inner core and the crust?

a)

The temperature of the earth is the hottest at the inner core and is the coolest at the crust.

b)

The temperature of the earth is the same at the inner core and the crust.

c)

The temperature of the earth is the coolest at the inner core and the hottest at the crust.

d)

The temperature of the earth is moderate at both the inner core and the crust.

60.

What is a metamorphic rock?

a)

A metamorphic rock is rock that has changed in composition or form, usually due to heat and pressure. Metamorphic rocks can be formed from igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, or other metamorphic rocks.

b)

A metamorphic rock is a type of rock that forms from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.

c)

A metamorphic rock is a rock that is formed from the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles.

d)

A metamorphic rock is a rock that is formed by the evaporation of water, leaving behind minerals.

61.

30. After sedimentary rock has formed, it can be further buried, pushed, or pulled into the Earth's interior. When the depth is great enough, heat and pressure cause the mineral structure of the rock to change, and the rock becomes a metamorphic rock. Greater amounts of heat can melt rock to form magma. Magma rises upward because it is less dense than the surrounding rock. When magma cools enough, it turns to solid, igneous rock. If this igneous rock is uplifted and exposed at the Earth's surface, it can be weathered and eroded to form new sediments, which can eventually become new sedimentary rocks. What type of rock is formed when magma cools?

a)

Sedimentary rock

b)

Metamorphic rock

c)

Igneous rock

d)

Magma

62.

What is the thickest layer of the Earth?

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Outer Core

d)

Inner Core