Multiple Choice Identify the
choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
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1.
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Earth’s lithosphere is composed of
a. | the crust only. | b. | the mantle only. | c. | the crust and the
upper portion of the mantle. | d. | the mantle and the upper portion of the outer
core. |
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2.
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One hypothesis states that plate movement results from convection currents in
the
a. | mantle. | c. | lithosphere. | b. | asthenosphere. | d. | outer core. |
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3.
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A convergent boundary occurs where two plates
a. | move toward each other. | c. | move past each
other. | b. | move away from each other. | d. | move over each other. |
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4.
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A transform fault boundary occurs where two plates
a. | move toward each other. | c. | move past each
other. | b. | move away from each other. | d. | move over each other. |
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5.
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The reversal of Earth’s magnetic poles, as indicated by the rock on the
ocean floor, occurs on average every
a. | 100,000 years. | c. | 300,000 years | b. | 200,000 years. | d. | 400,000 years |
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6.
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A seismograph measures
a. | how much the surface of Earth moves during an earthquake. | b. | the speed of S
waves. | c. | the force of the earthquake. | d. | the location of the
epicenter. |
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7.
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The magnitude of earthquakes is expressed using
a. | the Richter scale. | c. | the amplitude of the P waves. | b. | the Mercalli
scale. | d. | the Mohs’
scale. |
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8.
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The magma of shield volcanoes is rich in
a. | nitrogen and oxygen. | c. | silica. | b. | magnesium and iron. | d. | hydrogen. |
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9.
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The rock labeled “B” is
a. | igneous. | c. | sedimentary. | b. | metamorphic. | d. | magma. |
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10.
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The rock labeled “A” is
a. | igneous. | c. | sedimentary. | b. | metamorphic. | d. | magma. |
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11.
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Limestone can be metamorphosed into
a. | gneiss. | c. | marble. | b. | shale. | d. | slate. |
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12.
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Weathering that does not alter the chemical composition of the rock is
called
a. | chemical weathering. | c. | biological weathering. | b. | physical
weathering. | d. | acid
weathering. |
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13.
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Which of the following valley shapes would glaciers produce?
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14.
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Rain is naturally
a. | slightly acidic. | c. | slightly basic. | b. | very acidic. | d. | very basic. |
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15.
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What is the layer directly beneath Earth’s crust called?
a. | oceanic crust | c. | outer core | b. | inner core | d. | mantle |
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16.
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Because of intense pressure, the inner core of Earth is
a. | liquid. | c. | solid. | b. | gaseous. | d. | plastic. |
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17.
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Which of the following gives evidence for plate tectonics?
a. | magnetic alignment of oceanic rock | b. | movement of crust away from a plate
boundary | c. | cooling molten rock | d. | the age of Earth’s
crust |
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18.
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Mid-oceanic ridges are formed by
a. | bends and folds along the subduction zone. | b. | cooled magma that
hardens between diverging plates. | c. | the diving of oceanic
plates. | d. | collisions of Earth’s continental crust. |
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19.
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Where do most earthquakes occur?
a. | along convergent boundaries | b. | at vents in Earth’s
crust | c. | near hot spots | d. | along shifting plate
boundaries |
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20.
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The location on Earth’s surface where most earthquake damage occurs is
called the
a. | focus. | c. | epicenter. | b. | vent. | d. | surface wave
point. |
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21.
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Longitudinal waves are called primary waves because they
a. | are shaped like a “P.” | b. | reach recording stations
first. | c. | only move across Earth’s surface. | d. | cause the most
destruction. |
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22.
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A _____ wave does not originate from the focus.
a. | transverse | c. | longitudinal | b. | direct | d. | surface |
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23.
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Which of the following statements is not true about the Richter
scale?
a. | The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake. | b. | Earthquakes with
equal ratings do not have the same severity. | c. | The Richter scale allows us to make predictions
of earthquake severity. | d. | Each step of the scale represents a 30-fold
increase in energy released. |
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24.
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Where do volcanoes tend to form?
a. | convergent plate boundaries | c. | hot spots | b. | divergent plate
boundaries | d. | All of the
above |
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25.
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Shield volcanoes are known for their
a. | mild eruptions. | c. | small size. | b. | viscous magma. | d. | ash production. |
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26.
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What determines the severity of volcanic eruptions?
a. | composition of magma | c. | frequency of eruptions | b. | size of the
volcano | d. | number of
vents |
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27.
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Volcanoes that form along convergent plate boundaries are located
a. | along the Ring of Fire. | c. | at high
altitudes. | b. | at the edges of plate collisions | d. | underwater. |
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28.
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Cinder cone and composite volcanoes both
a. | go dormant quickly. | c. | are of similar size. | b. | have trapped gas. | d. | have mild
eruptions. |
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29.
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Feldspar is considered a _____ because it has a characteristic chemical
composition and a definite internal structure.
a. | sedimentary rock | c. | igneous rock | b. | mineral | d. | metamorphic
rock |
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30.
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An igneous rock forms when molten rock
a. | cools. | c. | crystallizes. | b. | hardens. | d. | All of the
above |
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31.
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Why does obsidian, an igneous rock, appear smooth and glassy?
a. | Its crystals cool quickly. | c. | It has large, numerous
crystals. | b. | Its crystals cool slowly. | d. | None of the above |
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32.
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Which of the following statements is not true about sedimentary
rocks?
a. | They are formed from compressed layers of sediment. | b. | They are formed when
dissolved minerals fuse sediments together. | c. | They may contain old rocks. | d. | They are completely
inorganic. |
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33.
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Which of the following transforms sedimentary rocks into metamorphic
rocks?
a. | seasonal heating and cooling | c. | extreme heat and
pressure | b. | Earth’s magnetic field | d. | radioactive
decay |
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34.
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_____ occurs when water fills cracks in rock and freezes.
a. | Frost wedging | c. | Deposition | b. | Chemical weathering | d. | Oxidation |
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35.
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What causes rock fragments to move down inclines?
a. | magnetism | c. | gravity | b. | minerals | d. | magma |
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36.
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Abrasion caused by particles in water is a type of
a. | acid precipitation. | c. | sediment deposition. | b. | physical weathering. | d. | chemical
weathering. |
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37.
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Water plays a part in chemical weathering during
a. | leaching. | c. | oxidation. | b. | acid precipitation. | d. | All of the
above |
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38.
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Which process forms ocean cliffs?
a. | glacial abrasion | c. | deforestation | b. | deposition | d. | water erosion |
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39.
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The continental crust is deepest beneath
a. | oceans. | c. | valleys. | b. | mountains. | d. | rivers. |
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40.
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About 80 percent of Earth’s volume is made up of
a. | crust. | c. | inner core. | b. | mantle. | d. | outer core. |
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41.
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Which of these does not support the theory of plate tectonics?
a. | Some continental coastlines fit together. | b. | Similar fossils are
found on separate continents. | c. | Older rocks are found farther apart in the
Mid-Atlantic Ridge. | d. | Earth’s core is
solid. |
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42.
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A geologic feature of divergent plate boundaries in oceanic crust is the
formation of
a. | mountain ranges. | c. | U-shaped valleys. | b. | fossils. | d. | faults. |
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43.
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A zone where oceanic crust dives beneath continental crust is called a zone
of
a. | subduction. | c. | reduction. | b. | divergence. | d. | rifting. |
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44.
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Earthquakes occur mostly
a. | in the middle of continents. | c. | at plate
boundaries. | b. | in the asthenosphere. | d. | at the edges of the continents. |
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45.
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Which of the following is not a characteristic of S waves?
a. | They travel slower than P waves. | b. | They travel through solids and
liquids. | c. | They are transverse waves. | d. | None of the
above |
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