1
90190
Level 1 Science, 2005
90190 Describe aspects of geology
Credits: Five
You should answer ALL the questions in this booklet.
For Assessor’s use only
Achievement
Describe aspects of geology.
Achievement Criteria
Achievement with
Excellence
Achievement with Merit
Explain aspects of geology.
Discuss aspects of geology.
Overall Level of Performance
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority, 2005
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the prior permission of the
New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
You are advised to spend 30 minutes answering the questions in this booklet.
QUESTION ONE
The picture below shows a riverbank exposure of a layer of sandstone overlying a light-coloured
mudstone.
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BE REPRODUCED HERE.
SEE BELOW.]
http://www.uky.edu/OtherOrgs/KPS/pages/conferences/australasianhtml/newzealand/newzealand2.html
(a)
Major types of rock are classified as being igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary. What type
of rock is sandstone?
(b)
Describe an important difference between mudstone and sandstone.
(c)
Discuss the processes that lead to the formation of sandstone. You should consider the rock
cycle and geological processes. A labelled diagram may assist with your answer.
Use this box for any diagrams.
L1 Science 2005, 90190 – page 2 of 5
QUESTION TWO
The picture below shows an example of the igneous rock obsidian.
Obsidian is often called volcanic glass.
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SEE BELOW.]
http://astron.berkeley.edu/~jrg/Polish/Obsidian-close-up.jpg
(a)
Explain how a glassy igneous rock like obsidian is made.
(b)
Igneous rocks are often classified as being plutonic or volcanic in origin.
Name a rock type that is volcanic (other than obsidian) and a rock type that is plutonic.
Volcanic:
Plutonic:
(c)
Explain why plutonic rocks have much larger crystals than volcanic rocks.
L1 Science 2005, 90190 – page 3 of 5
QUESTION THREE
Metamorphic rocks are pre-existing rocks that have undergone change through time.
(a)
Name TWO physical factors that are involved in the formation of a metamorphic rock.
1.
2.
(b)
Name TWO metamorphic rocks other than schist.
1.
2.
The ‘Otago schists’, as shown in the photograph below, make up a vast area of spectacular high
country in the South Island of New Zealand.
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http://www.cleangreen.co.nz/gallery1/central/4.htm
(c)
Name the type of metamorphism associated with the formation of schist.
(d)
Discuss how the metamorphic rock schist is formed.
Use this box for any diagrams that may assist your answer.
L1 Science 2005, 90190 – page 4 of 5
QUESTION FOUR
The diagram below illustrates a type of unconformity. An unconformity is a gap or break in the
rock record indicating changes in geological environments.
The letters A – E indicate layers of sedimentary rock.
(a)
Discuss a sequence of geological events that might have produced the pattern of sedimentary
rock strata as seen in the diagram above.
(b)
Explain how a geologist would determine that one rock layer is older or younger than another.
(c)
The picture below shows an igneous dike. A dike is a vertically intrusive igneous rock.
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BE REPRODUCED HERE.
SEE BELOW.]
http://mason.gmu.edu/~sharlan/adelmountainvolcanics_files
Explain why a geologist could be confident in stating that the igneous dike is younger than the
surrounding rock.
L1 Science 2005, 90190 – page 5 of 5