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

What is the term for a cave formed by the cooling and solidification of lava?

  1. Solutional cave

  2. Lava tube

  3. Sea cave

  4. Glacial cave
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Lava tubes are formed by the cooling and solidification of lava, creating a hollow tunnel.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of glacial deposit?

  1. Till

  2. Loess

  3. Moraine

  4. Esker
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Loess is a windblown deposit, not a glacial deposit.

Multiple choice

Which type of glacial deposit is a large boulder that has been transported by a glacier?

  1. Moraine

  2. Esker

  3. Drumlin

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

An erratic is a large boulder that has been transported by a glacier.

Multiple choice

Which type of glacial deposit is a cylindrical hole in bedrock that was formed by the swirling action of water and sediment?

  1. Kettle

  2. Pothole

  3. Cirque

  4. Roche moutonnée
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A pothole is a cylindrical hole in bedrock that was formed by the swirling action of water and sediment.

Multiple choice

What is the primary composition of the Earth's crust?

  1. Iron and Nickel

  2. Silicates

  3. Gases

  4. Water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Earth's crust is primarily composed of silicate minerals, which are compounds of silicon, oxygen, and other elements.

Multiple choice

Which layer of the Earth is composed primarily of iron and nickel?

  1. Crust

  2. Mantle

  3. Outer Core

  4. Inner Core
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The outer core is primarily composed of iron and nickel and is in a liquid state.

Multiple choice

What is the process responsible for the formation of volcanoes?

  1. Erosion

  2. Weathering

  3. Plate Tectonics

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

Volcanoes are formed when magma from the Earth's mantle rises to the surface and erupts.

Multiple choice

What is the process responsible for the formation of sedimentary rocks?

  1. Erosion

  2. Weathering

  3. Metamorphism

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

Sedimentary rocks are formed through the accumulation and compaction of eroded materials.

Multiple choice

What are the three main types of rocks?

  1. Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic

  2. Igneous, sedimentary, and volcanic

  3. Igneous, metamorphic, and volcanic

  4. Sedimentary, metamorphic, and volcanic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The three main types of rocks are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock. Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediment. Metamorphic rocks are formed from the alteration of existing rocks by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions.

Multiple choice

What is the most common mineral in the Earth's crust?

  1. Quartz

  2. Feldspar

  3. Mica

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

Quartz is the most common mineral in the Earth's crust. It is a hard, crystalline mineral with a chemical composition of SiO2. Quartz is found in a variety of rocks, including granite, sandstone, and quartzite.

Multiple choice

What is the process by which rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock?

  1. Igneous

  2. Sedimentary

  3. Metamorphic

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

Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock. Igneous rocks can be classified into two main types: intrusive and extrusive. Intrusive igneous rocks are formed when magma cools and solidifies within the Earth's crust. Extrusive igneous rocks are formed when magma cools and solidifies on the Earth's surface.

Multiple choice

What is the process by which rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediment?

  1. Igneous

  2. Sedimentary

  3. Metamorphic

  4. Volcanic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediment. Sediment is material that has been weathered and eroded from existing rocks. Sedimentary rocks can be classified into three main types: clastic, chemical, and organic. Clastic sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of fragments of existing rocks. Chemical sedimentary rocks are formed from the precipitation of minerals from solution. Organic sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of the remains of plants and animals.

Multiple choice

What is the process by which rocks are formed from the alteration of existing rocks by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions?

  1. Igneous

  2. Sedimentary

  3. Metamorphic

  4. Volcanic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Metamorphic rocks are formed from the alteration of existing rocks by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions. Metamorphic rocks can be classified into two main types: regional and contact. Regional metamorphic rocks are formed when large areas of rock are subjected to heat and pressure over a long period of time. Contact metamorphic rocks are formed when rocks are subjected to heat and pressure from the intrusion of magma.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of igneous rock?

  1. Basalt

  2. Granite

  3. Rhyolite

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

Basalt is the most common type of igneous rock. Basalt is a dark-colored, fine-grained rock that is formed from the cooling and solidification of lava. Basalt is found in a variety of locations, including the ocean floor, the continents, and the moon.

Multiple choice

What is the most common type of sedimentary rock?

  1. Sandstone

  2. Limestone

  3. Shale

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

Sandstone is the most common type of sedimentary rock. Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock that is formed from the accumulation and compaction of sand grains. Sandstone is found in a variety of locations, including deserts, beaches, and riverbeds.