The Precambrian Earth
Practice Test
1.
Minerals with low densities crystallize from a magma at __________ denser minerals do.
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
hotter temperatures than
b.
always 10 degrees less than
c.
the same temperature as
d.
cooler temperatures than
2.
Why does continental crust rise higher above the surface of Earth than oceanic crust?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
Continental crust is thinner and less dense.
b.
Continental crust is less dense than the mantle.
c.
Continental crust is thicker and is less dense.
d.
Oceanic crust is under continental crust.
3.
A place where two plates slide laterally past each other is called a __________.
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
mid-ocean ridge
b.
convergent boundary
c.
transform boundary
d.
divergent boundary
4.
If a horizontal Devonian shale directly overlies a horizontal Ordovician limestone, what is the surface between the strata called?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
a nonconformity
b.
a disconformity
c.
an erosional surface
d.
an angular unconformity
5.
What isotope is used for finding the age of materials that are organic in origin?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
potassium-40
b.
uranium-238
c.
thorium-232
d.
carbon-14
6.
Why are salinities lower than average in some areas close to the equator?
a.
rapid evaporation
b.
stronger winds
c.
abundant precipitation
d.
larger clouds
7.
What is the process called when one plate is forced beneath another at a convergent plate boundary?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
convergence
b.
subtraction
c.
transformation
d.
subduction
8.
How are microcontinents fused together?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
by molten rock
b.
the erosion of mountains
c.
by seams called orogens
d.
by seams called faults
9.
According to the figure, what marked the end of the Mesozoic Era?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
mammals are abundant
b.
the building of the Appalachians ends
c.
the extinction of the dinosaurs
d.
the extinction of many marine invertebrates
10.
What evidence supports the hypothesis that Earth is 4.6 billion years?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
the age of rocks from the Moon
b.
the age of meteorites
c.
the age of zircon grains in granitic crustal rocks
d.
all of the above answers are correct
11.
Which feature shown in the figure is the oldest?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
H
b.
L
c.
Q
d.
P
12.
According to the figure, after four half-lives
22,820 years
, how much C-14 would be left?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
25%
b.
6.25%
c.
0%
d.
10%
13.
__________ are the building blocks of proteins.
SC.F.1.4.1
a.
Cyanide molecules
b.
Amino acids
c.
Formaldehyde molecules
d.
DNA and RNA
14.
Fossils of __________ from late Proterozoic rocks are found in all parts of the world.
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
trilobites
b.
the Burgess Shale fauna
c.
corals
d.
the Ediacaran fauna
15.
The oldest rocks on Earth are __________.
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
1 to 2 billion years old
b.
1.6 to 1.8 million years old
c.
3.96 to 3.8 billion years old
d.
3.5 billion years old
16.
What process is primarily responsible for the formation of Earth's oceans?
SC.D.1.4.4
a.
outgassing
b.
sea-floor spreading
c.
evolution
d.
plate tectonics
17.
__________ are rocks that have alternating bands of fine-grained quartz and iron oxides.
SC.D.1.4.4
a.
Sedimentary rocks
b.
Banded iron formations
c.
Red beds
d.
All Archean rocks
18.
What is the current era?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
Archean
b.
Cenozoic
c.
Paleozoic
d.
Mesozoic
19.
What is the average salinity of ocean water?
a.
37 ppt
b.
37 percent
c.
30 ppt
d.
35 ppt
20.
What is isostasy?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
Continental and oceanic crust displace the mantle, so they are in equilibrium.
b.
Continental crust floats on top of oceanic crust.
c.
equilibrium that has been established between continental and oceanic crust
d.
mantle material upwelling around crustal material because of gravity
