Geography · Science General

Rocks and Earth Materials

1,176 Questions

Study geographical questions centered around rocks, minerals, and earth materials. The focus is on the formation and identification of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. These earth science topics are commonly tested in civil services and state level examinations.

Igneous rocksSedimentary rocksMetamorphic processEarth materialsGeomorphic symbols

Rocks and Earth Materials Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate answer from the options given below:-

____ are the cooled portion of magma chambers?

  1. Batholiths

  2. Laccoliths

  3. Dykes

  4. Phacoliths
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Batholiths are massive igneous rock formations that form when magma cools and solidifies deep underground, representing the cooled portions of large magma chambers. They are the largest intrusive bodies (e.g., Sierra Nevada batholith). Dykes are vertical intrusions, laccoliths are dome-shaped, and phacoliths are concave-convex forms.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate answer from the options given below:-

Which is the main source of minerals?

  1. Magma

  2. Sea floor

  3. High mountain ridge

  4. Continental plate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Magma is the primary source of minerals as it contains dissolved elements and compounds that crystallize into various minerals as it cools. Most mineral deposits originate from magmatic processes through igneous activity or hydrothermal fluids derived from magma. While some minerals come from other sources, magma is the dominant contributor to mineral formation.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate answer from the options given below:-

Which among is true about the feldspar?

  1. Silicon and oxygen are the common elements in all the feldspar

  2. It is used in ceramic and glass making

  3. Half of the earth crust is made up of the feldspar

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All statements are true about feldspar: (1) All feldspars contain silicon and oxygen as fundamental elements in their structure, (2) Feldspar is essential in ceramic and glass manufacturing due to its fluxing properties, and (3) Feldspar makes up approximately 41% of the continental crust by weight, making it the most abundant mineral group.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate answer from the options given below:-

_____ is the most important component of the sand and granite?

  1. Quartz

  2. Feldspar

  3. Pyroxene

  4. Amphibole
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Quartz is the most important and abundant component in both sand (as individual grains) and granite (as a major mineral constituent). It is extremely hard, chemically resistant, and makes up about 12% of the continental crust. Feldspar, pyroxene, and amphibole are also present but quartz is the dominant component.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate answer from the options given below:-

Which among is true about the quartz?

  1. It consist of silica

  2. It is used in radio and radar

  3. Important component of the granite

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All statements are correct about quartz: (1) Quartz consists entirely of silica (SiO2), (2) Due to its piezoelectric properties, quartz is used in radio and radar equipment for frequency control, and (3) Quartz is a major component of granite, typically making up 20-60% of the rock. These properties make quartz one of the most economically significant minerals.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate answer from the options given below:-

Which mineral is mainly used in the igneous and metamorphic rocks?

  1. Amphibole

  2. Quartz

  3. Pyroxene

  4. Mica
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Mica is predominantly found in both igneous and metamorphic rocks, occurring as sheets or flakes due to its perfect basal cleavage. While quartz and pyroxene are common in igneous rocks, and amphibole in metamorphic rocks, mica is distinctive for being abundant in BOTH rock types. Biotite and muscovite are the two most common mica minerals.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate answer from the options given below:-

Which among is wrong about the mineral Mica?

  1. It forms the 4 % of the earths crust

  2. It is used in the electrical instruments

  3. It comprises of potassium, aluminum, magnesium, iron and silica

  4. Hornblende is another form of the Mica
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Hornblende is an amphibole mineral, not a form of mica. Mica is a distinct silicate mineral group (phyllosilicates) known for its perfect basal cleavage, while hornblende belongs to the amphibole group with different crystal structure and properties. The other statements about mica are factually correct.

Multiple choice

The term ‘rock’ comprises

  1. an aggregate of minerals, usually two or more

  2. a naturally occurring mass of solid, inorganic or organic

  3. a firm and coherent mass of the earth’s crust

  4. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Correct option is (4). 

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the pair with same relation

TRIASSIC: JURASSIC

  1. Granitic: Basaltic

  2. Troposphere: Stratosphere

  3. Igneous: Metamorphic

  4. Oceanic: Atmosphere
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Triassic and Jurassic are consecutive geological periods in Earth's history (Triassic comes before Jurassic). The relationship is 'sequential time periods'. Similarly, troposphere and stratosphere are consecutive layers of Earth's atmosphere (troposphere is below stratosphere).

Multiple choice

How can we calculate the age of rock?

  1. By determining the presence of lead

  2. By determining the presence of ammonia

  3. Both 1 & 2

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The age of rocks can be calculated through radiometric dating, particularly by measuring the presence of lead isotopes that result from the radioactive decay of uranium. Lead-lead dating is a specific method used in geological dating.