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Rocks & Soil Formation

Total questions: 28

Worksheet time: 14mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

When water, wind, or ice moves sediment from one place to another, it's called _______________.

a)

deposition

b)

erosion

c)

condensation

d)

evaporation

2.

The process in which sediment is laid down in new locations is called _______________.

a)

compaction

b)

deposition

c)

weathering

d)

erosion

3.

Rocks formed from compaction and cementation are called _______________ rocks.

a)

igneous

b)

sedimentary

c)

volcanic

d)

metamorphic

4.

The process that breaks down rocks into smaller pieces is called _______________.

a)

weathering

b)

evaporation

c)

condensation

d)

photosynthesis

5.

Rocks formed when magma cools and hardens are called _______________ rocks.

a)

igneous

b)

sedimentary

c)

metamorphic

d)

limestone

6.

Rocks that change due to heat and pressure are called _______________ rocks.

a)

sedimentary

b)

igneous

c)

metamorphic

d)

volcanic

7.

The ability of water to move through soil is called _______________.

a)

condensation

b)

infiltration

c)

precipitation

d)

evaporation

8.

The feel or proportion of different soil particles is called soil _______________.

a)

texture

b)

structure

c)

fertility

d)

moisture

9.

The ability of soil to hold and provide nutrients to plants is called _______________.

a)

salinity

b)

texture

c)

fertility

d)

porosity

10.

The solid layer of rock beneath all the soil is called _______________.

a)

bedrock

b)

topsoil

c)

humus

d)

clay

11.

1. ________________ Contains the most humus and nutrients.

a)

Subsoil

b)

Topsoil

c)

Clay

d)

Bedrock

12.

Which process in the rock cycle is responsible for changing sediment into sedimentary rock?

a)

Weathering & erosion

b)

Compaction & cementation

c)

Melting

d)

Cooling

13.

Which of the following correctly lists the names of the soil horizons from top to bottom?

a)

O, A, B, C, R

b)

A, B, C, O, R

c)

C, B, A, O, R

d)

R, C, B, A, O

14.

Contains clay and leached minerals.

a)

Bedrock

b)

Subsoil

c)

Humus

d)

Topsoil

15.

3. ________________ Partly weathered rock.

a)

Parent rock

b)

Igneous rock

c)

Sedimentary rock

d)

Metamorphic rock

16.

4. ________________ Solid rock beneath all soil.

a)

Gravel

b)

Clay

c)

Bedrock

d)

Sand

17.

The rock cycle is a ________________ process that builds, destroys and changes the rock in the Earth’s crust

a)

Monthly

b)

Weekly

c)

Fast

d)

Slow

18.

Which best describes soil?

a)

B. A mixture of small rock, air, water, and organic matter

b)

D. A mineral crystal

c)

C. A type of rock

d)

A. A solid mineral

19.

Soil that drains slowly most likely has a high amount of:

a)

Gravel

b)

Clay

c)

Sand

d)

Silt

20.

Which climate produces thick, fertile soil?

a)

Grasslands

b)

Desert

c)

Tropical rainforest

d)

Arctic

21.

Part 5: Matching Match the term to its description. A. Parent Rock

a)

Reduces water runoff and erosion

b)

Material from which soil forms

c)

Helps replenish nutrients in soil

d)

Decayed organic matter

e)

Movement of minerals downward through soil

22.

Part 5: Matching Match the term to its description. B. Humus

a)

Reduces water runoff and erosion

b)

Material from which soil forms

c)

Helps replenish nutrients in soil

d)

Decayed organic matter

e)

Movement of minerals downward through soil

23.

Part 5: Matching Match the term to its description. C. Leaching

a)

Reduces water runoff and erosion

b)

Material from which soil forms

c)

Movement of minerals downward through soil

d)

Helps replenish nutrients in soil

e)

Decayed organic matter

24.

Part 5: Matching Match the term to its description. D. Contour Plowing

a)

Material from which soil forms

b)

Decayed organic matter

c)

Movement of minerals downward through soil

d)

Reduces water runoff and erosion

e)

Helps replenish nutrients in soil

25.

Part 5: Matching Match the term to its description. E. Crop Rotation

a)

Material from which soil forms

b)

Decayed organic matter

c)

Movement of minerals downward through soil

d)

Reduces water runoff and erosion

e)

Helps replenish nutrients in soil

26.

1. Weathering and erosion work together to form soil by:

a)

combining water and air to make soil

b)

breaking down rocks and transporting the particles to create soil

c)

growing plants that turn into soil

d)

melting rocks to form new soil

27.

Humus is important for plant growth because:

a)

it increases the acidity of the soil to harmful levels.

b)

it prevents water from reaching plant roots.

c)

it improves soil fertility and provides nutrients to plants.

d)

it blocks sunlight from reaching the soil.

28.

Farmers can protect soil from erosion and nutrient loss by:

a)

leaving soil bare after harvest

b)

planting cover crops and using contour plowing

c)

removing all vegetation from fields

d)

increasing the use of chemical fertilizers only