Earth Science — Semester B Practice

Question 1 of 10

TEKS 8A-8F Easy

The physical or chemical breakdown of rock into smaller pieces at Earth's surface is called:

A deposition

B subduction

C weathering

D condensation

Explanation

Weathering breaks rock down in place; it is distinct from erosion (the transport of the pieces).

Question 2 of 10

TEKS 8A-8F Easy

A stream is able to erode and transport the largest, heaviest particles when its velocity is:

A zero (standing still)

B decreasing to a stop

C high (fast-moving)

D low (slow-moving)

Explanation

Faster-moving water has more energy, so it can erode and carry larger, heavier sediment.

Question 3 of 10

TEKS 7A-7F Easy

Earth’s major layers, from the outside inward, are the:

A crust, core, and mantle

B core, mantle, and crust

C crust, mantle, and core

D mantle, crust, and core

Explanation

From surface to center: crust, then mantle, then core.

Question 4 of 10

TEKS 7A-7F Easy

A rock that forms from the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava is classified as:

A igneous

B a single mineral

C sedimentary

D metamorphic

Explanation

Igneous rock forms when molten material (magma/lava) cools and solidifies.

Question 5 of 10

TEKS 8A-8F Easy

The fan-shaped or triangular deposit of sediment that forms where a river enters a quiet ocean or lake is a:

A canyon

B glacier

C delta

D sand dune

Explanation

As a river loses speed entering still water, it drops sediment, building a delta.

Question 6 of 10

TEKS 7A-7F Easy

A rock is best defined as:

A a naturally occurring solid made of one or more minerals

B a manufactured building material

C the preserved remains of an organism

D a single pure chemical element

Explanation

Most rocks are mixtures of one or more minerals.

Question 7 of 10

TEKS 8A-8F Medium

The process by which weathered rock and sediment are picked up and transported by water, wind, or ice is:

A crystallization

B cementation

C erosion

D weathering

Explanation

Erosion is the transport of sediment by an agent such as running water, wind, or glacial ice.

Question 8 of 10

TEKS 8A-8F Easy

Increasing the steepness (slope) of the land will generally cause the rate of erosion to:

A decrease

B stop completely

C increase

D stay exactly the same

Explanation

Steeper slopes give running water and gravity more energy, increasing erosion.

Question 9 of 10

TEKS 7A-7F Easy

The relative hardness of a mineral is measured using the:

A Celsius scale

B pH scale

C Mohs hardness scale

D Richter scale

Explanation

The Mohs scale (1 = talc to 10 = diamond) ranks minerals by scratch resistance.

Question 10 of 10

TEKS 7A-7F Easy

A crack or break in rock along which movement has taken place is called a:

A fault

B delta

C contour

D mineral

Explanation

A fault is a fracture in rock along which the two sides have moved relative to each other.

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