Middle School Earth and Space Science : Distinguish between igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Distinguish Between Igneous, Metamorphic, And Sedimentary Rocks
Which of the following lists rocks that are metamorphic?
pumice, and obsidian
slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss
sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate
basalt, granite, quartz, and topaz
slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss
Metamorphic rocks are any rock type that has been altered by heat, pressure, and/or the chemical action of fluids and gases. Metamorphic rocks are classified by their structure and their dominant minerals. Metamorphic rock structure is either foliated (has a definite planar structure) or nonfoliated (massive, without structure). Metamorphic rocks include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Sedimentary rocks are layered rocks that are composed of accumulated sediments. Erosion and deposition play a key part in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Wind, water, ice, and chemicals break down existing rock into sediment that is then transported and deposited by wind, water, and glaciers. As sediment accumulates with time (thousands of years) it becomes compacted and cemented (lithified), eventually forming rock. Some common sedimentary rocks are shale, sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate.
Igneous rocks are those that solidify from a molten or partially molten state. These rocks are characterized as either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive rocks are formed above Earth’s surface as lava. Intrusive rocks form from molten material (magma) that flows and solidifies underground. Types of igneous rocks include basalt, granite, pumice, and obsidian.
Example Question #1 : Rock Formation And Transformation
What type of rock is pictured?
exfoliated metamorphic
extrusive igneous
foliated metamorphic
intrusive igneous
extrusive igneous
Metamorphic rocks are any rock type that has been altered by heat, pressure, and/or the chemical action of fluids and gases. Metamorphic rocks are classified by their structure and their dominant minerals. Metamorphic rock structure is either foliated (has a definite planar structure) or nonfoliated (massive, without structure). Metamorphic rocks include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Sedimentary rocks are layered rocks that are composed of accumulated sediments. Erosion and deposition play a key part in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Wind, water, ice, and chemicals break down existing rock into sediment that is then transported and deposited by wind, water, and glaciers. As sediment accumulates with time (thousands of years) it becomes compacted and cemented (lithified), eventually forming rock. Some common sedimentary rocks are shale, sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate.
Igneous rocks are those that solidify from a molten or partially molten state. These rocks are characterized as either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive rocks are formed above Earth’s surface as lava. Intrusive rocks form from molten material (magma) that flows and solidifies underground. Types of igneous rocks include basalt, granite, pumice, and obsidian.
Example Question #3 : Distinguish Between Igneous, Metamorphic, And Sedimentary Rocks
The rock pictured is a conglomerate of many fossils, sand, and minerals. What type of rock is it?
extrusive igneous
intrusive igneous
sedimentary
foliated metamorphic
sedimentary
Metamorphic rocks are any rock type that has been altered by heat, pressure, and/or the chemical action of fluids and gases. Metamorphic rocks are classified by their structure and their dominant minerals. Metamorphic rock structure is either foliated (has a definite planar structure) or nonfoliated (massive, without structure). Metamorphic rocks include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Sedimentary rocks are layered rocks that are composed of accumulated sediments. Erosion and deposition play a key part in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Wind, water, ice, and chemicals break down existing rock into sediment that is then transported and deposited by wind, water, and glaciers. As sediment accumulates with time (thousands of years) it becomes compacted and cemented (lithified), eventually forming rock. Some common sedimentary rocks are shale, sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate.
Igneous rocks are those that solidify from a molten or partially molten state. These rocks are characterized as either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive rocks are formed above Earth’s surface as lava. Intrusive rocks form from molten material (magma) that flows and solidifies underground. Types of igneous rocks include basalt, granite, pumice, and obsidian.
Example Question #4 : Distinguish Between Igneous, Metamorphic, And Sedimentary Rocks
What type of rock belongs in the space labeled "#2" in this diagram of the rock cycle?
sedimentary
metamorphic
igneous
not enough information
metamorphic
Metamorphic rocks are any rock type that has been altered by heat, pressure, and/or the chemical action of fluids and gases. Metamorphic rocks are classified by their structure and their dominant minerals. Metamorphic rock structure is either foliated (has a definite planar structure) or nonfoliated (massive, without structure). Metamorphic rocks include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Sedimentary rocks are layered rocks that are composed of accumulated sediments. Erosion and deposition play a key part in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Wind, water, ice, and chemicals break down existing rock into sediment that is then transported and deposited by wind, water, and glaciers. As sediment accumulates with time (thousands of years) it becomes compacted and cemented (lithified), eventually forming rock. Some common sedimentary rocks are shale, sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate.
Igneous rocks are those that solidify from a molten or partially molten state. These rocks are characterized as either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive rocks are formed above Earth’s surface as lava. Intrusive rocks form from molten material (magma) that flows and solidifies underground. Types of igneous rocks include basalt, granite, pumice, and obsidian.
Example Question #5 : Distinguish Between Igneous, Metamorphic, And Sedimentary Rocks
Which type of rock belongs in the blank labeled "#3" in the rock cycle diagram pictured?
sedimentary
igneous
metamorphic
none of these
sedimentary
Metamorphic rocks are any rock type that has been altered by heat, pressure, and/or the chemical action of fluids and gases. Metamorphic rocks are classified by their structure and their dominant minerals. Metamorphic rock structure is either foliated (has a definite planar structure) or nonfoliated (massive, without structure). Metamorphic rocks include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Sedimentary rocks are layered rocks that are composed of accumulated sediments. Erosion and deposition play a key part in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Wind, water, ice, and chemicals break down existing rock into sediment that is then transported and deposited by wind, water, and glaciers. As sediment accumulates with time (thousands of years) it becomes compacted and cemented (lithified), eventually forming rock. Some common sedimentary rocks are shale, sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate.
Igneous rocks are those that solidify from a molten or partially molten state. These rocks are characterized as either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive rocks are formed above Earth’s surface as lava. Intrusive rocks form from molten material (magma) that flows and solidifies underground. Types of igneous rocks include basalt, granite, pumice, and obsidian.
Example Question #6 : Distinguish Between Igneous, Metamorphic, And Sedimentary Rocks
How is intrusive igneous rock formed and what is the resulting texture?
Magma cools slowly, creating a coarse grained texture.
Magma cools slowly, creating a smooth texture.
Magma cools quickly, creating a coarse grained texture.
Magma cools quickly, creating a smooth texture.
Magma cools slowly, creating a coarse grained texture.
The answer is "Magma cools slowly, creating a coarse grained texture."
Metamorphic rocks are any rock type that has been altered by heat, pressure, and/or the chemical action of fluids and gases. Metamorphic rocks are classified by their structure and their dominant minerals. Metamorphic rock structure is either foliated (has a definite planar structure) or nonfoliated (massive, without structure). Metamorphic rocks include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Sedimentary rocks are layered rocks that are composed of accumulated sediments. Erosion and deposition play a key part in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Wind, water, ice, and chemicals break down existing rock into sediment that is then transported and deposited by wind, water, and glaciers.
As sediment accumulates with time (thousands of years) it becomes compacted and cemented (lithified), eventually forming rock. Some common sedimentary rocks are shale, sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate.
Igneous rocks are those that solidify from a molten or partially molten state. These rocks are characterized as either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive rocks are formed above Earth’s surface as lava. Intrusive rocks form from molten material (magma) that flows and solidifies underground.
Example Question #2 : Rock Formation And Transformation
What type of rock is granite? (Pictured above)
igneous
crystalline
metamorphic
sedimentary
igneous
The answer is "igneous."
Metamorphic rocks are any rock type that has been altered by heat, pressure, and/or the chemical action of fluids and gases. Metamorphic rocks are classified by their structure and their dominant minerals. Metamorphic rock structure is either foliated (has a definite planar structure) or nonfoliated (massive, without structure). Metamorphic rocks include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Sedimentary rocks are layered rocks that are composed of accumulated sediments. Erosion and deposition play a key part in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Wind, water, ice, and chemicals break down existing rock into sediment that is then transported and deposited by wind, water, and glaciers.
As sediment accumulates with time (thousands of years) it becomes compacted and cemented (lithified), eventually forming rock. Some common sedimentary rocks are shale, sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate.
Igneous rocks are those that solidify from a molten or partially molten state. These rocks are characterized as either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive rocks are formed above Earth’s surface as lava. Intrusive rocks form from molten material (magma) that flows and solidifies underground.
Example Question #7 : Distinguish Between Igneous, Metamorphic, And Sedimentary Rocks
You pick up a rock and it is composed of several different sized pebbles, sand, pieces of other rock cemented together. What type of rock are you holding?
mineral
igneous
metamorphic
sedimentary
sedimentary
The answer is "sedimentary."
Metamorphic rocks are any rock type that has been altered by heat, pressure, and/or the chemical action of fluids and gases. Metamorphic rocks are classified by their structure and their dominant minerals. Metamorphic rock structure is either foliated (has a definite planar structure) or nonfoliated (massive, without structure). Metamorphic rocks include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Sedimentary rocks are layered rocks that are composed of accumulated sediments. Erosion and deposition play a key part in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Wind, water, ice, and chemicals break down existing rock into sediment that is then transported and deposited by wind, water, and glaciers.
As sediment accumulates with time (thousands of years) it becomes compacted and cemented (lithified), eventually forming rock. Some common sedimentary rocks are shale, sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate.
Igneous rocks are those that solidify from a molten or partially molten state. These rocks are characterized as either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive rocks are formed above Earth’s surface as lava. Intrusive rocks form from molten material (magma) that flows and solidifies underground.
Example Question #8 : Distinguish Between Igneous, Metamorphic, And Sedimentary Rocks
Which type of rock is most likely to contain fossils?
obsidian
quartz
basalt
shale
shale
The answer is "shale" because shale is a type of sedimentary rock.
Metamorphic rocks are any rock type that has been altered by heat, pressure, and/or the chemical action of fluids and gases. Metamorphic rocks are classified by their structure and their dominant minerals. Metamorphic rock structure is either foliated (has a definite planar structure) or nonfoliated (massive, without structure). Metamorphic rocks include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Sedimentary rocks are layered rocks that are composed of accumulated sediments. Erosion and deposition play a key part in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Wind, water, ice, and chemicals break down existing rock into sediment that is then transported and deposited by wind, water, and glaciers.
As sediment accumulates with time (thousands of years) it becomes compacted and cemented (lithified), eventually forming rock. Some common sedimentary rocks are shale, sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate.
Igneous rocks are those that solidify from a molten or partially molten state. These rocks are characterized as either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive rocks are formed above Earth’s surface as lava. Intrusive rocks form from molten material (magma) that flows and solidifies underground
Example Question #3 : Rock Formation And Transformation
Slate is a metamorphic rock. Which best describes how slate is formed?
lava extrusions of iron
heating and pressurization of shale
weathering and deposition of gneiss
compaction of silica and sand
heating and pressurization of shale
The answer is "heating and pressurization of shale."
Metamorphic rocks are any rock type that has been altered by heat, pressure, and/or the chemical action of fluids and gases. Metamorphic rocks are classified by their structure and their dominant minerals. Metamorphic rock structure is either foliated (has a definite planar structure) or nonfoliated (massive, without structure). Metamorphic rocks include slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss.
Sedimentary rocks are layered rocks that are composed of accumulated sediments. Erosion and deposition play a key part in the formation of sedimentary rocks. Wind, water, ice, and chemicals break down existing rock into sediment that is then transported and deposited by wind, water, and glaciers.
As sediment accumulates with time (thousands of years) it becomes compacted and cemented (lithified), eventually forming rock. Some common sedimentary rocks are shale, sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate.
Igneous rocks are those that solidify from a molten or partially molten state. These rocks are characterized as either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive rocks are formed above Earth’s surface as lava. Intrusive rocks form from molten material (magma) that flows and solidifies underground.
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