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

Crystals are formed when molten rocks cool and harden inside the earth.

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the following question.

What are crystals? They are actually minerals that could grow in to a particular shape that they were supposed to be. The shape of a crystal is determined by various factors. We now know that our DNA determines the color of our eyes, how tall we shall get to be and what shape our bones would ultimately take. In the same way it is the chemistry of a mineral, i.e. the chemicals that a mineral is made of, that determines what shape its crystals would ultimately take. Thus it is possible to tell different minerals apart by analyzing the shape of their crystals.
 
Sometimes minerals form in limited spaces where there is very little room, so they don't acquire a proper crystalline shape. When there is just a big hunk of a mineral, we call it a massive mineral. When there is a definite shape with easily observable flat sides or layers, we call it a mineral crystal.

Most of the   crystals found on the earth were formed millions of years ago. Crystals form when rocks in liquid form inside the earth slowly cool and harden under typical conditions.   Crystals also form when liquids beneath the ground find their way into cracks and slowly deposit minerals in due course of time. It takes thousands of years for most mineral crystals to grow” into their usual shapes but a few   salts (like halite) can form so quickly that one can watch them grow at one’s own home!

Many people think that crystals as clear pretty stones that are used for jewelry. Amethyst is a commonly found quartz crystal. Crystals not have to be clear, however, those are the kinds you may usually see in jewelry stores.

 

  1. True

  2. False

  3. Can't say
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The passage directly states that 'crystals form when rocks in liquid form inside the earth slowly cool and harden under typical conditions.' 'Rocks in liquid form' is equivalent to molten rocks, making this statement true.

Multiple choice

Shield volcano is mainly made up of

  1. basalt

  2. salt

  3. mercury and copper

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

Shield volcanoes are built almost exclusively of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that forms from low-viscosity lava flows. This lava can travel long distances before cooling, creating the broad, gently sloping shield shape. Other options are incorrect: salt is not volcanic, mercury and copper are individual metals not found in volcanoes, and gasoline is a refined petroleum product.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sets represents orthosilicates only?

  1. Thortveitite, Phenacite, Willemite

  2. Benitoite, Beryl, Phenacite

  3. Willemite, Zircone, Kaolinite

  4. Phenacite, Willemite, Zircone

  5. Beryl, Thortveitite, Kaolinite
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Phenacite - Be2SiO4 : Orthosilicate Willemite - Zn2SiO4 : Orthosilicate Zircone - ZrSiO4 : Orthosilicate

Multiple choice

What is the study of the general physical characteristics of rocks called?

  1. Demography

  2. Geography

  3. Geology

  4. Lithology

  5. Geophysics
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

It is the study of the general physical characteristics of rocks. The lithology of a rock unit is a description of its physical characteristics visible at outcrop, in hand or core samples or with low magnification microscopy.

Multiple choice

Directions: In following question, four statements are provided. These statements form a coherent paragraph when properly arranged. Select the alternative representing the proper and logical sequencing of these statements.

A. It is fairly soft. B. The acid comes from rainwater. C. The rock in such places is limestone. D. And can be dissolved by a weak acid also.

  1. ABCD

  2. BACD

  3. CADB

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

In this question, A statement speaks about 'fairly soft'. So, the next statement should be in relation to it. D statement correctly follows A. It is so soft that it can even be dissolved by weak acids. Now, the next statement should about acid. D introduces 'acid' and B tells the source of acid, so, DB is also the key. This means ADB sequence is the most logical one. Option (3) which has CADB is the answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a feature of saddle quern?

  1. They were made of sandstones.

  2. Their bases were usually flat.

  3. They consisted of one base stone and another pounder.

  4. They were used for grinding grains, herbs and spices.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Their bases were usually convex, so that they could be set in the earth or in the mud to prevent their rocking.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements are correct?

  1. Basic lava is less viscous.
  2. Basic lava has large silica content.
  3. Acidic lava is more viscous.
  4. Acidic lava has less silica content.

  1. Only 1 and 2

  2. Only 1 and 3

  3. Only 2 and 3

  4. Only 2 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Lava refers both to molten rock expelled by a volcano during an eruption and the resulting rock after solidification and cooling. In general, the composition of lava determines its behaviour more than the temperature of its eruption. Acid lava comes from composite cone volcanoes, is slow moving and viscous. Basic lava comes from shield volcanoes, is runny and flows faster. Acidic lava is felsic, or high in quartz and potassium feldspars. Basic lava is mafic and higher in plagioclase feldspar.