Rock Cycle & Soil Formation
TEST
Name: __________________________________
Modifications: ___________________________
1. What is the name for the process of recycling materials that make up the Earth’s crust and mantle?
a. the nitrogen cycle
b. the carbon cycle
c. the rock cycle
d. the water cycle
2. What are the two main factors in the mantle that contribute to the rock cycle?
a. layering and pressure
b. pressure and heat
c. heat and weathering
d. weathering and layering
3. What kind of new rock is formed when igneous rock is subjected to weathering, erosion, compaction, and cementation?
a. magma
b. sedimentary rock
c. metamorphic rock
d. igneous rock
4. Layers of sand and other sediments that become sedimentary rock
a.
b.
c.
d.
can contain the remains of plants, but not animals
can contain the remains of plants, animals, or both
always contain the remain of both plants and animals
can contain the remains of animals but not plants
5. What new kind of rock is formed when sedimentary rock is subjected to heat and pressure?
a. igneous rock
b. sedimentary rock
c. metamorphic rock
d. magma
6. Igneous rocks are made of
a.
b.
c.
d.
a mixture of materials made from both living and nonliving processes
materials that came from living things and that accumulated on the seafloor
materials that crystallized from magma or lava, not from once-living things
fossil fuels and other materials that came from once-living things
7. 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. metamorphic
b. igneous
c. sedimentary
d. molten
8. Which of the following is composed of weathered rocks and decomposed organic material from dead plants and animals?
a. igneous rocks
b. volcanoes
c. mantle
d. soil
c. weathering and erosion
d. cooling
9. A rock at the earth’s surface is primarily affected by the forces of
a. heat and pressure
b. pressure only
10. A rock deep underground is primarily affected by forces of
a. extreme heat and pressure
b. cooling
c. weathering and erosion
d. heat only
11. What do weathering and erosion have in common?
a. they both occur underground
c. they both break down rocks and minerals
b. they both involve the application of heat and pressure
d. they both bring about chemical changes in rocks and minerals
12. All of the following are examples of erosion(movement of sediment) EXCEPT –
a.
b.
c.
d.
the wind in the desert blows sand against a rock.
a glacier picks up boulders as it moves.
a flood washes over a riverbank, and the water carries small soil particles downstream.
an icy winter causes the pavement in a road to crack.
13. What impact does weathering have on soil formation?
a.
b.
c.
d.
chemical weathering adds helpful chemicals to the soil
rocks are broken down into smaller pieces, and finally into sediment
mechanical weathering adds ice to the soil, which turns into water
volcanic eruptions contribute metamorphic rocks to the soil
14. Which best explains the relationship between parent rock and soil composition?
a.
b.
c.
d.
weathered parent rock determines the number of organisms found in the soil.
weathered parent rock determines the amount of air found in the soil.
weathered parent rock is the largest component of soil.
weathered parent rock is the smallest component of soil.
15. Which of these things is a primary ingredient of humus?
a. dead plant material
b. rocks from the earth’s crust
c. minerals
d. metals
16. Which soil horizon usually contains humus?
a. B horizon
b. A horizon
c. C horizon
d. O horizon
17. Why is topsoil darker than the other levels of soil?
a. it contains more organic matter
c. it contains volcanic rock
b. it contains all the darker-colored minerals
d. it contains bits of burned trees
18. Three funnels were filled with equal volumes of pebbles, fine sand, and coarse sand, as shown in the diagram below. The
same amount of water was poured into each funnel.
Which correctly lists the order in which the water passed through the funnels, from fastest to slowest?
a. pebbles, fine sand, coarse sand
b. pebbles, coarse sand, fine sand
c. fine sand, coarse sand, pebbles
d. coarse sand, pebbles, fine sand
19. Soil that drains slowly most likely has a high amount of
a. ash
b. sand
c. clay
20. How do the nutrients necessary for plant growth get into the soil?
a. the soil absorbs sunlight
c. organic matter is decayed in the soil
b. water filters through the soil
d. the soil is exposed to air
d. peat
21. Soil will pack down over time which decreases the ability of the soil to hold water. Which animals would best help the soil
hold water?
a. earthworms making tunnels under the surface
c. horses making trenches when they gallop
b. cattle making depressions with their hooves
d. sheep pulling up plants by their roots
22. The soil of an ecosystem determines the kinds of organisms that are able to live there. Which of the following soil
characteristics can have an effect on the ecosystem of an area?
a. the particle size of the soil
c. the composition of the soil
b. the texture of the soil
d. all of the above
23. Which environment would produce soil at a faster rate?
a. an environment located in warm, wet regions
c. an environment without any vegetation
b. an environment that consists of many slopes
d. an environment with high rates of erosion
24. A class is conducting an experiment on how different types of soil can affect the growth of a plant. Which are the main
factors the class should consider when designing the experiment?
a. the soil texture and the amount of water it can hold
c. the color of the container for the soil and the plant
b. the types and amounts of sugars found in the soil
d. the shape and color of the seeds planted in the soil
25. Farmers must monitor the quality of their soil because
a. it shows which pollutants are in the air
c. it helps determine how high the crops with grow
b. the health of the soil determines the health of their crops
d. the state requires them to
26. The process of contour plowing allows farmers to grow crops along the contours of a hill. What benefits does this type of
farming have?
a. it shows which pollutants are in the air
c. it helps slow water run-off and prevent soil erosion
b. it helps protect the plants during freezing weather
d. it helps farmers to harvest more quickly
27. Different crops use different nutrients in the soil. If the same crop is planted in a field year after year, soon the nutrients the
crop needs will be used up. What measures do many farmers take in order to control this issue?
a. they practice crop rotation
c. they plant cover crops
b. they build sloped terraces
d. they till farm fields before planting crops
28. Soil is a renewable resource if properly maintained. Which of the following helps to maintain healthy soil?
a. planting the same crop year after year
c. overwatering
b. doubling the recommended amount of pesticides
d. no-till farming
29. Which of the following can negatively impact soil quality?
a. careful ranching practices
b. vegetation
c. improper disposal of chemicals
d. crop rotation
30. Soil conservation involves protecting ______________ and preventing _____________.
a. soil layers; erosion
b. soil quality; erosion
c. soil layers; pollution
d. topsoil; pollution