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. Given several rock samples to observe, you notice each rock is visibly layered. In addition, each
sample has similar particle size, color, and arrangement. How would you classify these rock
samples?
A. Igneous
B. Amphibole
C. Sedimentary
D. Metamorphic
5. Basalt and granite are igneous rocks. 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.
Molten magma is pushed up towards the crust by pressure and convection, eventually cooling and
solidifying. What two types of rocks will form?
A. Extrusive igneous rock and Sedimentary rock
B. Extrusive igneous rock and Metamorphic rock
C. Intrusive igneous rock and Sedimentary rock
D. Intrusive igneous rock Metamorphic rock
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 the 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. There is no way to determine how much rock is there.
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 you site 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. If the amount of rock on the earth remains fairly constant how, is this possible if magma is
forming intrusive igneous rock, and volcanoes are constantly releasing lava (extrusive igneous
rock) which adds to the amount of solid rock on Earth?
A. The amount of lave released is so minimal that it does not count.
B. The lava is quickly eroded and so does not stay as a rock long enough to be counted.
C. Rock is always being melted and turned back into magma.
D. Intrusive igneous rock does not count toward the total until if 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. D, 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 break rock which is then deposited as
sediments that undergo compaction and cementation to form sedimentary rocks.
Response addresses all part of the question and includes only minor errors.
2 points
Response does not address all parts of the question.
1 point
Response is totally incorrect or no response provided.
0 points