Rocks, Erosion, and Weathering Name: ______
Test Date: ______Core: ______
Matching
For each item record the letter of the description that best applies to each word in the space provided.
______1. horizon A. decayed organic matter that turns into a dark-colored
material
______2. humus B. when water breaks rocks apart by entering cracks and
freezing, then thawing
______3. ice wedging C. occurs when materials containing iron are exposed to
oxygen and water
______4. leaching D. removal of minerals that have been dissolved in
water
______5. litter E. method of building level-topped areas onto the sides
of steep hills or mountains so that crops can be grown
______6. oxidation F. organic material such as leaves and twigs that may be
changed to humus by decomposing organisms
______7. soil G. a layer in the soil profile
______8. terracing H. surface processes that break down rock
______9. weathering I. mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter,
mineral fragments, water, and air
______10. organic J. living; contains carbon
______11. inorganic K. not formed by plants or animals; they have no carbon.
Short Answer
12. Describe ways people can help reduce erosion in areas subject to excessive erosion.
______
13. What is the difference between rocks and minerals?
______
List the agents of erosion.
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
What are the properties used to identify minerals?
1.______
2.______
3.______
4.______
5.______
Graphic Organizer
Use the words below to fill in the rock cycle chart below.
Metamorphic Compaction Igneous
Melting Sedimentary Heat
Science Safety
The proper way to smell a mixture or chemical in a lab is to______.
a. smell it straight from the flask b. waft it toward your nose.
c. use the smelling mask for protection d. never smell chemicals in a lab
Directions: Circle either TRUE or FALSE after reading each statement.
1. TRUE or FALSE Planting vegetation helps reduce erosion.
2. TRUE or FALSE Glaciers are large masses of ice and snow which remain stationary.
3. TRUE or FALSE Glacially eroded valleys are V-shaped.
4. TRUE or FALSE Minerals are made of inorganic substances
5. TRUE or FALSE Dunes are a mound of sediment drifted by water.
6. TRUE or FALSE The side of a sand dune facing the wind has a steeper slope.
Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
_____ 1. A ____ is usually formed of two or more minerals.
a. minerals b. rock c. gems d. crystals
_____ 2. Solids that have a repeating pattern of atoms are called ____.
a. minerals b. rocks c. gems d. crystals
_____ 3. Minerals that can be cut and polished, giving them a beautiful appearance, are called ____.
a. minerals b. rocks c. gems d. crystals
_____ 4. Igneous rocks that form when lava cools under the crust inside Earth, rather than on the surface, are called ____ igneous rocks.
a. intrusive b. metamorphic c. extrusive d. sedimentary
_____ 5. The ____ shows how rocks are recycled from one type to another.
a. rock cycle b. ore c. chemical d. nonfoliated
_____ 6. Igneous rocks that form when lava cools on Earth’s surface are called ____ igneous rocks.
a. intrusive b. metamorphic c. extrusive d. sedimentary
_____ 7. A mineral is called a(n) ____ if it contains something that can be useful and sold.
a. rock cycle b. ore c. chemical d. nonfoliated