Geology and Earth Structure

The European concept of continental division has led to

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows.


The word “continent” actually meant mainland in the past, when the Greeks and Romans ruled the western world. The common view is that a big mass of land that is bigger than a single country and separated from other big masses of land either by sea, mountains or deserts should be a continent. However, a continent is defined upon the needs of a person. Historians divide the world into continents in a different manner. Geography teachers see it differently. Geologists see it from their own viewpoint and people of different countries divide the world into continents to suit their own purposes. There is quite a bit of confusion in the world over the number of continents, their names and their areas. For example, in Europe, they still believe the world to be divided into five continents as represented in the five rings of the Olympic flag. However, Americans divide the Earth’s land mass into seven continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica, for such division is the most reasonable and easiest for studying the world.

Which of the following statements is accepted by all?

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows.


The word “continent” actually meant mainland in the past, when the Greeks and Romans ruled the western world. The common view is that a big mass of land that is bigger than a single country and separated from other big masses of land either by sea, mountains or deserts should be a continent. However, a continent is defined upon the needs of a person. Historians divide the world into continents in a different manner. Geography teachers see it differently. Geologists see it from their own viewpoint and people of different countries divide the world into continents to suit their own purposes. There is quite a bit of confusion in the world over the number of continents, their names and their areas. For example, in Europe, they still believe the world to be divided into five continents as represented in the five rings of the Olympic flag. However, Americans divide the Earth’s land mass into seven continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica, for such division is the most reasonable and easiest for studying the world.

Directions: Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage (including spelling, punctuation and logical consistency). Then, choose the most appropriate option.

A. A seismograph records oscillation of the ground caused by seismic waves, B. vibrations that travel from its point of origin, through the Earth or along its surface. C. Stories about air travel mishaps are carefully edited out of news programs prepared for in-flight viewing, D. since they have no desire to increase the anxiety E. some passengers already feel about flying.

Directions: The sentence below has an underlined part. The underlined part may have an error of grammar or syntax. There are five options that seek to correct the error (including an option that simply repeats the sentence). Select the option that best replaces the underlined part.

Volcanism occurs on Earth in several geological settings, most of which are associated with the boundaries of the enormous, rigid plates that makes up the lithosphere.

Directions: The sentence has a part underlined. The part may have error of grammar and/or syntax. Identify the error and select the option that rectifies the error.

A seismograph records oscillation of the ground caused by seismic waves, vibrations that travel from its point of origin, through the Earth or along its surface.