Weathering, Erosion, and Soil
Practice Test
1.
What is the source of heat inside Earth that melts rocks into magma?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
geothermal energy
b.
other molten rocks
c.
the decay of radioactive elements
d.
Earth's core is hotter for no reason.
2.
Electrons tend to occupy the __________ energy level.
SC.A.1.4.5
a.
second
b.
intermediate
c.
lowest available
d.
highest available
3.
"You find a soil sample with 50 percent sand, 20 percent silt, and 40 percent clay. Use the figure to determine the soil's texture.
a.
loam
b.
sandy clay loam
c.
silt loam
d.
clay loam
4.
An Mg +2 particle has __________ electrons.
SC.A.1.4.5
a.
lost two
b.
gained two
c.
gained one
d.
lost four
5.
When rocks undergo chemical changes as the result of chemical reactions it is called __________.
SC.A.1.4.1
a.
erosion
b.
chemical weathering
c.
frost wedging
d.
hydrolysis
6.
"In the figure, which flat of crops would suffer the least amount of erosion?
a.
the one with vertical rows
b.
both would suffer the same amount of erosion
c.
the one with horizontal rows
d.
it is impossible to tell from this
7.
"What is the reaction of water with other substances called?
SC.A.1.4.1
a.
physical weathering
b.
hydrolysis
c.
oxidation
d.
erosion
8.
What process reduces the pore space in sediments due to the weight of overlying sediments?
a.
compaction
b.
cementation
c.
metamorphism
d.
erosion
9.
Which is not a characteristic of a mineral?
a.
naturally occurring
b.
definite crystal structure
c.
organic solid
d.
specific chemical composition
10.
What is the hardness of quartz?
a.
9
b.
4
c.
7
d.
2
11.
What do different grades of metamorphic rocks reflect?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
relative amount of temperature and cementation
b.
relative amount of compaction
c.
relative amount pressure and temperature
d.
relative amount of pressure only
12.
What type of weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces of rock without chemical change?
a.
chemical weathering
b.
clastic sediments
c.
physical weathering
d.
erosional weathering
13.
Why does a water molecule have a bent shape?
SC.A.1.4.5
a.
because it occurs on Earth as a solid, liquid, and a gas
b.
it's a compound
c.
it has ionic bonds
d.
it's a polar molecule
14.
Before metamorphism, marble was what type of rock?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
schist
b.
limestone
c.
rock salt
d.
siltstone
15.
The removal and transport of weathered materials is known as __________.
a.
erosion
b.
frost wedging
c.
hydrolysis
d.
oxidation
16.
What is the correct atomic composition of quartz?
a.
two silica atoms
b.
four atoms of silica and oxygen each
c.
two oxygen atoms and one silica atom
d.
two silica atoms and one iron atom
17.
What soil horizon has high concentrations of organic matter and humus?
a.
horizon B
b.
horizon A
c.
horizon Z
d.
horizon C
18.
A mineral is __________ if it can be mined for profit.
a.
an ore
b.
a rock
c.
an igneous rock
d.
a crystal
19.
According to the symbols shown in the figure, in which state of matter do these elements occur?
SC.A.1.4.3
a.
gas
b.
solid
c.
plasma
d.
liquid
20.
What is the temperature change in Earth's crust called?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
geothermal gradient
b.
radioactive decay
c.
thermal energy
d.
hydrothermal gradient
