Content Benchmark E.8.C.2
Students know rocks at Earth’s surface weather, forming sediments that are buried, then compacted,
heated and often recrystallized into new rock. E/S
Sample Test Questions
1st Item Specification: Understand the rock cycle, identify each type of rock (igneous, sedimentary,
and metamorphic) and identify the processes needed to create each type of rock.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
1. The three rock types are
A. intrusive, extrusive, and weathered.
B. igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
C. volcanic, layered, and igneous.
D. conglomerate, eroded, and slumped.
2. Metamorphic rock forms when the structure of pre-existing rock is changed. What processes can
change rock in this manner?
A. Extruding and Cooling
B. Compaction & Cementation
C. Weathering & Erosion
D. Heat & Pressure
3. The process by which rocks are broken down by water, wind, or ice is
A. mechanical weathering.
B. chemical weathering.
C. biological weathering.
D. structural weathering.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
4. Several rock samples are observed to be visibly layered with similar particle size, color and
arrangement. The rock samples should be classified as
A. igneous.
B. amphibole.
C. sedimentary.
D. metamorphic.
5. A sample of basalt has smaller crystals than a sample of granite. What is the most likely reason
for this? The basalt
A. forms when magma cools slowly.
B. forms when magma cools quickly.
C. contains lighter elements than granite.
D. contains heavier elements than granite.
2nd Item Specification: Recognize the processes of the rock cycle.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
6. Which of the following does NOT happen in the rock cycle?
A. Organization
B. Deposition
C. Burial
D. Uplift
7. Magma is a result of what process?
A. Cementation
B. Crystallization
C. Melting
D. Metamorphism
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
8. Use the following diagram to answer the question.
Which two classes of rock will form near or at Earth’s surface?
A. Extrusive igneous and sedimentary
B. Sedimentary and intrusive igneous
C. Metamorphic and igneous
D. Metamorphic and sedimentary
3rd Item Specification: Understand that matter is conserved in the rock cycle.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
9. Throughout the rock cycle many processes take place (weathering, sedimentation, transformation).
What happens to the total amount of material?
A. It stays the same as its form changes.
B. It increases as its form changes.
C. It decreases as its form changes.
D. It fluctuates as its form changes.
10. When rock material erodes off of a mountain and is deposited in a valley, the total amount of
rock, sand and sediments
A. increases from the amount solid parent rock.
B. decreases the amount solid parent rock.
C. remains the same as the amount of solid parent rock.
D. is unable to be determined.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
11. Scientists believe the amount of rock 50 million years from now will be the same as the current
amounts. What evidence could be sited for the previous claim?
A. The total amount of rock on Earth fluctuates greatly.
B. The total amount of rock on Earth appears to be constant.
C. The amount of sedimentary rock increases while the amount of metamorphic rock decreases.
D. The amount of igneous rock increases while the amount of sedimentary rock decreases.
12. The amount of rock on the earth remains fairly constant, yet the amount of lava and magma
fluctuates. What is the BEST possible explanation?
A. The amount of lava released is so minimal that it cannot be recorded.
B. The lava is quickly eroded and so does not stay as a rock long enough to be recorded.
C. Rock is contently being melted and turned back into magma.
D. Intrusive igneous rock is not recorded until it reaches the Earth’s surface.
Content Benchmark E.8.C.2
Students know rocks at Earth’s surface weather, forming sediments that are buried, then compacted,
heated and often recrystallized into new rock. E/S
Constructed Response Sample
1.
The diagram below represents the rock cycle.
(from http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/earthsci/rockcycle.htm)
A. The melting of rocks, below the surface of the Earth produces magma (E). When magma
solidifies, what type of rock (D) can form?
B. Describe two processes this rock (D) can undergo. Provide details of where each
processes takes place.
C. What are the results of these processes discussed in part B? Complete the diagram and
provide evidence for your answers.
Content Benchmark E.8.C.2
Students know rocks at Earth’s surface weather, forming sediments that are buried, then compacted,
heated and often recrystallized into new rock. E/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. B, DOK Level 1
2. D, DOK Level 1
3. A, DOK Level 1
4. C, DOK Level 2
5. B, DOK Level 2
6. A, DOK Level 1
7. C, DOK Level 1
8. A, DOK Level 2
9. A, DOK Level 1
10. C, DOK Level 1
11. B, DOK Level 2
12. C, DOK Level 2
Constructed Response E.8.C.2 Score Rubric:
Response addresses all parts of the question clearly and correctly.
A. Diagram is completed correctly.
3 points
B. Processes and locations identified: metamorphism below the earth’s surface
under conditions of extreme heat and pressure, along with weathering and
erosion at the earth’s surface. Metamorphism is the process in which rocks
undergo intense heat and pressure below the earth’s surface resulting in
metamorphic rock.
C. Weathering and erosion breakdown rock which is then deposited as
sediments that undergo compaction and cementation to form sedimentary
rocks.
2 points
1 point
0 points
Response addresses all part of the question and includes only minor errors.
Response does not address all parts of the question.
Response is totally incorrect or no response provided.