Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION IV-A – CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF SAN PEDRO CITY
MIDTERM TEST IN EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE
Direction: Read the statement carefully then choose the letter of the BEST
answer. Answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Earth is the only planet capable of sustaining life because of the
following reasons, EXCEPT:
A. The Earth contains liquid water needed for life.
B. The Earth is not too far from nor near the Sun.
C. The Earth’s atmosphere contains Argon needed by living
things.
D. The Earth has the right amount and mix of elements needed
for life.
The only place in the cosmos where life is known to exist is the planet
that we call home, Earth. Which of the following statements best captures
this quality?
A. Trees can grow in the soil there.
B. It has oxygen-producing trees.
C. Its surface is covered in liquid water.
D. It serves as the home to numerous sophisticated organisms
Which of the following attributes contribute to Earth's unique ability to
support life, setting it apart from other planets in our solar system?
A. A strong magnetic field
B. An active geology that drives plate tectonics
C. A dense atmosphere with the right composition
D. A suitable distance from the Sun within the habitable zone
E. All of the above
5.
When carbon dioxide dissolves from the air into the ocean, which
subsystems are interacting?
A. Atmosphere and biosphere
B. Atmosphere and lithosphere
C. Atmosphere and lithosphere
D. Atmosphere and hydrosphere
6.
Which of the following options correctly identifies the four subsystems of
the Earth, across whose boundaries matter and energy flow?
A. Rainforest, desert, ocean, and tundra
B. Mantle, crust, outer core, and inner core
C. Lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere
D. Troposphere, exosphere, stratosphere, and mesosphere
7.
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept that the
Earth consists of four subsystems through which matter and energy flow
across their boundaries?
A. The formation of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean due to
the movement of tectonic plates.
B. The annual migration of birds from one continent to another
in search of food and nesting sites.
C. The growth of a tree in a forest, from a tiny seed to a mature
plant, absorbing nutrients from the soil and carbon dioxide
from the air.
D. The changing of seasons as the Earth orbits the Sun, leading
to variations in temperature and weather patterns.
8.
A.
Which of the following is a key factor that allows Earth to support life?
A. Lack of Water
B. Thin atmosphere
C. Extreme temperatures
D. Suitable combination of atmosphere, water, and temperature
Which of the following environmental phenomena best exemplifies the
interconnectedness of Earth's four subsystems, with matter and energy
flowing across their boundaries?
B.
C.
D.
9.
The recycling of water in the hydrologic cycle, involves
evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
The development of new technologies for space exploration,
such as Mars rovers and telescopes.
The migration of polar bears in search of food as Arctic ice
caps shrink due to climate change.
The creation of art and music by humans, influenced by their
cultural backgrounds and personal experiences.
Which mineral is known for its softness, often leaving a white streak on
a streak plate, and is commonly used in talcum powder?
A. Calcite
B. Feldspar
C. Quartz
D. Talc
10. Which mineral is commonly used in making chalk and is known for its
softness?
A. Calcite
B. Feldspar
C. Quartz
D. Talc
11. Which of the following physical properties is typically used to identify the
mineral quartz?
A. Its green coloration
B. A hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale
C. A glassy luster and conchoidal fracture
D. A cleavage pattern of 90-degree angles
12. Given a mineral with a chemical formula of FeS2 or Iron Sulfide, which
common rock-forming mineral is being described, and what is its key
identifying characteristic?
A. Pyrite, is known for its metallic luster and cubic crystal habit.
B. Biotite, is identified by its sheet-like structure and dark color.
C. Feldspar is recognized for its pink to reddish color and two
distinct cleavage planes.
D. Calcite, is famous for its reaction to hydrochloric acid,
producing effervescence.
13. How does society make use of one of the essential minerals, quartz?
A. Quartz is used by doctors in the detection and treatment of
cancer.
B. Quartz is one of the most crucial fertilizer ingredients in
agriculture.
C. Engineers utilize quartz glass as wall or window panels in
buildings.
D. is an instrument for cutting used in mining to extract other
minerals.
14. A student examines a mineral sample that is translucent, has a hardness
of 5.5 to 6, and exhibits a white streak. Which mineral is the most likely
match for these properties?
A. Calcite
B. Feldspar
C. Quartz
D. Talc
15. Which category of rocks is formed from the cooling and solidification of
molten magma or lava?
A. Igneous rocks
B. Metamorphic rocks
C. Organic rocks
D. Sedimentary rocks
16. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the formation of
sedimentary rocks in the rock cycle?
A. The exposure of granite to high pressure and temperature, causes
its minerals to recrystallize and form new mineral compositions.
B. The melting of pre-existing rocks deep within the Earth, leading to
the creation of new molten material.
C. The accumulation of sand, silt, and organic materials in a riverbed,
followed by compression and cementation over time.
D. The eruption of a volcano, with lava rapidly cooling on the Earth's
surface and forming crystalline structures
17. A geology student is given a rock sample to classify, and the sample
appears to have visible layers of sediment compacted together.
However, the student also noticed that the rock has distinct mineral
crystals that appear to have recrystallized over time. What classification
is most appropriate for this rock?
A. Igneous
B. Sedimentary
C. Metamorphic
D. None of the above; it's a new type of rock.
18. How does weathering differ from erosion in the geological processes of
changing the Earth's surface?
A. Weathering involves breaking down rocks and minerals, while
erosion involves transporting and depositing the resulting particles.
B. Weathering is a fast process, while erosion is slow and gradual.
C. Weathering only affects sedimentary rocks, while erosion affects
all rock types.
D. Weathering and erosion are essentially the same processes and
can be used interchangeably.
19. What is the primary force responsible for carrying weathered material
away from its original location and depositing it elsewhere through
erosion?
A. Wind
B. Gravity
C. Animals
D. Chemical reactions
20. Which of the following agents is responsible for transporting sand in a
desert environment?
A. Wind
B. Volcanic activity
C. Glacial movement
D. Tectonic plate shifts
21
22
A.
B.
C.
D.
What is the core made of?
A. Iron
B. Steel
C. Aluminum
D. Iron and Nickel
E. Both A and C
Which statement is true about the inner planets of our solar system?
They have very long years.
They include Mars and Jupiter.
They formed from dense elements.
They formed before the sun formed.
23. Which of the following statements accurately evaluates the source of the
Earth's internal heat?
A. The primary source of Earth's internal heat is the energy generated by
the nuclear fission occurring in its mantle.
B. Earth's internal heat primarily results from the heat of the Sun's radiation
penetrating the Earth's surface.
C. The majority of Earth's internal heat is produced by the friction generated
during earthquakes.
D. Earth's internal heat is primarily a result of the exothermic chemical
reactions within the Earth's crust.
24. How is magma typically formed in the Earth's crust and mantle?
A. Magma forms when solid rocks are exposed to high pressure deep within
the Earth.
B. Magma is generated by the condensation of water vapor in the Earth's
atmosphere.
C. Magma is the result of the cooling and solidification of molten rock on the
Earth's surface.
D. Magma is produced through the partial melting of rocks in the Earth's
mantle or crust.
25. Imagine you are a geologist studying a volcanic region. Describe the
process of magmatism, specifically how magma is formed in this volcanic
area.
A. Magma is formed by the compression of sedimentary rocks, which
then melt and rise to the surface.
B. Magma is created through the subduction of oceanic plates
beneath continental plates, causing the melting of rocks and
subsequent magma formation.
C. Magma is produced when groundwater seeps into the Earth's
mantle and triggers chemical reactions leading to melting.
D. Magma is generated by the accumulation of sediments in a
volcanic vent, which gradually melts and form molten rock.
26. Which of the following statements most accurately evaluates the process
of magmatism and the formation of magma within the Earth's crust and
mantle?
A. Magma is primarily created by the direct melting of rocks in the
Earth's mantle and is often associated with plate tectonics and
volcanic activity.
B. Magma forms when atmospheric pressure forces rocks to melt and
rise to the surface, leading to volcanic eruptions.
C. The primary source of magma is the cooling of molten rock on the
Earth's surface, leading to the crystallization of minerals.
D. Magma is produced through the infiltration of groundwater into the
Earth's crust, which triggers chemical reactions and melting of
rocks.
27. What are the primary agents responsible for the physical and chemical
changes that occur in rocks due to metamorphism, driven by changes in
pressure and temperature?
A. Water and wind
B. Heat and pressure
C. Biological processes
D. The Earth's magnetic field
28. You are a geologist studying a region with rocks that have undergone
metamorphism. Describe the specific physical and chemical changes
that typically occur in rocks due to the combination of increased pressure
and temperature.
A. Rocks become more porous, and minerals dissolve into
groundwater, resulting in sedimentary rock formation.
B. Minerals within rocks recrystallize, and the rock's texture and
mineral composition change, often developing foliation in response
to differential stress.
C. Rocks become less dense, and minerals undergo chemical
reactions with atmospheric gases, causing weathering and erosion.
D. Rocks experience increased fracturing and shattering, leading to
the formation of breccias and conglomerates.
29. Which of the following statements most accurately evaluates the physical
and chemical changes in rocks due to metamorphism, driven by changes
in pressure and temperature?
A. Metamorphism primarily involves the melting of rocks into magma,
followed by the cooling and solidification of new igneous rocks.
B. During metamorphism, rocks experience changes in mineral
composition, texture, and often develop foliation due to differential
stress, which leads to the formation of metamorphic rocks.
C. Metamorphism results in rocks becoming less dense and more
porous, leading to the formation of sedimentary rocks.
D. Metamorphism is a process that primarily involves the oxidation of
minerals, causing rocks to change color but not their physical
properties.
30. How do the formation processes of intrusive (plutonic) and extrusive
(volcanic) igneous rocks differ?
A. Intrusive rocks form on the Earth's surface, while extrusive rocks
form beneath the Earth's surface.
B. Intrusive rocks cool and solidify quickly, while extrusive rocks cool
and solidify slowly.
C. Intrusive rocks are coarse-grained, while extrusive rocks are finegrained.
D. Intrusive rocks have a glassy texture, while extrusive rocks are
characterized by mineral crystals.
31. Compare and contrast the formation of intrusive and extrusive igneous
rocks in terms of their cooling environments.
A. Intrusive rocks generally cool beneath the Earth's surface, while
extrusive rocks primarily cool on the Earth's surface.
B. Both intrusive and extrusive rocks cool beneath the Earth's surface,
but they differ in their grain sizes.
C. Intrusive rocks typically cool on the Earth's surface, while extrusive
rocks primarily cool beneath the Earth's surface.
D. Both intrusive and extrusive rocks cool on the Earth's surface, with
similar grain sizes.
32. Compare and contrast the formation of intrusive (plutonic) and extrusive
(volcanic) igneous rocks in terms of their cooling rates and resulting grain
sizes.
A. Intrusive rocks cool slowly beneath the Earth's surface, forming
coarse-grained textures, while extrusive rocks cool quickly on the
Earth's surface, resulting in fine-grained textures.
B. Intrusive rocks cool quickly on the Earth's surface, forming finegrained textures, while extrusive rocks cool slowly beneath the
Earth's surface, resulting in coarse-grained textures.
C. Intrusive rocks cool on the Earth's surface, forming fine-grained
textures, while extrusive rocks cool beneath the Earth's surface,
resulting in coarse-grained textures.
D. Intrusive rocks cool beneath the Earth's surface, forming coarsegrained textures, while extrusive rocks cool on the Earth's surface,
resulting in fine-grained textures.
39. Which principle of stratigraphy states that in a sequence of sedimentary
rocks, the youngest rocks are at the top, and the oldest rocks are at the
bottom?
A. Principle of Superposition
B. Principle of Original Horizontality
C. Principle of Lateral Continuity
D. Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships
40. What is the law of lateral continuity in stratigraphy primarily concerned
with?
A. The sequence of fossils found within rock layers
B. The arrangement of rock layers in a vertical sequence
C. The extension of rock layers horizontally across a given area
D. The relationship between igneous and sedimentary rocks
Using the Laws of Stratigraphy, refer to the figure below and answer questions
41 and 42.
33. This occurs when there is both horizontal and vertical movement,
resulting in a combination of strike-slip and dip-slip motion.
A. Oblique Slip Faulting
B. Oblique Slip Folding
C. Transcurrent Faulting
D. Transcurrent Folding
34. In plate tectonics, which type of boundary is typically associated with the
formation of faults due to the sliding or grinding of plates past each other?
A. Convergent boundary
B. Divergent boundary
C. Subduction boundary
D. Transform boundary
35. Explain how plate movement at convergent boundaries leads to the
formation of folds and faults.
A. Compression at convergent boundaries creates folds, and shear
forces generate faults.
B. Tension at convergent boundaries forms folds, and compression
leads to faulting.
C. Folds and faults result from plate movement at divergent
boundaries.
D. Shearing forces at divergent boundaries cause folds, and
compression creates faults.
36. Describe the geological processes at divergent boundaries that lead to
the formation of folds and faults.
A. Tension at divergent boundaries results in fold formation, while
shear forces generate faults.
B. Compression at divergent boundaries causes rocks to fold, and
lateral forces create faults.
C. Folds form due to the collision of plates at divergent boundaries,
while faults result from plate divergence.
D. Faults form as a result of tension at divergent boundaries, and
compression generates folds.
37. A student is explaining how plate movement leads to the formation of
folds and faults. They mention that transform plate boundaries are often
associated with strike-slip faults. Evaluate the accuracy of this statement.
A. The student's statement is accurate. Transform plate boundaries
are indeed associated with strike-slip faults.
B. The student's statement is partially accurate. Transform plate
boundaries can be associated with various types of faults, not just
strike-slip.
C. The student's statement is inaccurate. Transform plate boundaries
are primarily associated with normal faults.
D. The student's statement is entirely inaccurate. Transform plate
boundaries have no connection to fault formation.
38. A geology student is discussing how convergent plate boundaries lead
to the formation of both folds and thrust faults. Evaluate the
completeness of this explanation.
A. The student's explanation is complete and accurate. Convergent
plate boundaries do indeed generate both folds and thrust faults.
B. The student's explanation is incomplete. While convergent plate
boundaries can produce thrust faults, they are not associated with
fold formation.
C. The student's explanation is mostly inaccurate. Convergent plate
boundaries mainly lead to the formation of normal faults, not folds
or thrust faults.
D. The student's explanation is entirely inaccurate. Convergent plate
boundaries have no connection to fault or fold formation.
41. Which of the layers/events is the youngest among the given choices
below?
A. Layer I
B. Layer D
C. Event E
D. Event B
42. Which of the layers/events is the oldest among the given choices below?
A. Layer I
B. Layer D
C. Event E
D. Event B
For Questions 43 and 44, Evaluate the accuracy of the statements provided.
43. What does the Principle of Original Horizontality primarily explain in
stratigraphy?
A. The formation of igneous rocks
B. The tilting of sedimentary rocks
C. The folding of rock layers over time
D. The initial horizontal deposition of sediments
44. Which geological features are considered when applying the law of
cross-cutting relationships in stratigraphy?
A. The types of fossils present in rock layers
B. The relative age of volcanic rocks
C. Faults and intrusions in rock layers
D. The chemical composition of sedimentary rocks
45. What is the primary focus of relative dating methods when determining
the age of stratified rocks?
A. Determining the precise numerical age of a rock layer
B. Estimating the age of a rock layer in comparison to other nearby
layers
C. Measuring the radioactive decay of minerals within a rock layer
D. Analyzing the composition of rock layers for isotopic ratios
46. Which method of dating is primarily concerned with determining the age
of stratified rocks based on their position in a sequence of rock layers
and the law of superposition?
A. Radiometric dating
B. Relative dating
C. Carbon dating
D. Absolute dating
For questions 47-50, refer to the table below, according to the missing
information with an associated question number, choose the best answer for
each question from the given choices.
PARENT
ISOTOPE
DAUGHTER
ISOTOPE
HALF
LIFE
VALUE
NO. OF HALF
LIFE ELAPSED
AGE OF
SAMPLE
Uranium 238
Lead 206
4.47
B.Y.
(47)
4.4B.Y.
Uranium 235
Lead 204
(48)
4.757
3.33 B.Y.
Thorium
232
Radium 228
14
B.Y.
(49)
13.8B.Y.
Carbon 14
Nitrogen 14
0.0057
M.Y.
7.246
(50)
LEGEND: B.Y. = Billion years, M.Y. = Million years
47. What is the elapsed half life?
A. 0.98
B. 0.97
C. 0.99
D. 1
48. What is the half life value?
A. 700 M.Y.
B. 702 M.Y.
C. 701 M.Y.
D. 703 M.Y.
49. What is the elapsed half life?
A. 0.98
B. 0.97
C. 0.99
D. 1
50. What is the age of the sample.
A. 0.041301 M.Y.
B. 0.041303 M.Y.
C. 0.041300 M.Y.
D. 0.041302 M.Y.