Earth Science Quiz

Name:

Date:

Instructions: From tectonic plates to the water cycle, test your recall of Earth science concepts and geological facts.

1.
What are the large, moving pieces of Earth's crust called?
A
Mantle sections
B
Continental shelves
C
Fault lines
D
Tectonic plates
2.
What is the molten rock beneath Earth's surface called?
A
Magma
B
Lava
C
Obsidian
D
Pumice
3.
What scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes?
A
Richter scale
B
Beaufort scale
C
Mohs scale
D
Fujita scale
4.
What is the hardest naturally occurring mineral?
A
Diamond
B
Corundum
C
Quartz
D
Topaz
5.
What layer of the atmosphere protects us from ultraviolet radiation?
A
Troposphere
B
Thermosphere
C
Stratosphere (ozone layer)
D
Mesosphere
6.
What are the three main types of rocks?
A
Calcium, silicate, and oxide
B
Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
C
Crystal, mineral, and fossil
D
ite,ite, andite
7.
What causes ocean tides?
A
Gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun
B
Earth's rotation alone
C
Wind patterns
D
Underwater volcanoes
8.
What is the innermost layer of the Earth?
A
Inner core
B
Mantle
C
Outer core
D
Crust
9.
What process describes the continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation?
A
Carbon cycle
B
Nitrogen cycle
C
Water cycle
D
Rock cycle
10.
What was the ancient supercontinent called that contained all present-day landmasses?
A
Laurasia
B
Rodinia
C
Gondwana
D
Pangaea
11.
What type of rock is formed from cooled lava or magma?
A
Fossil
B
Sedimentary
C
Igneous
D
Metamorphic
12.
What is the Ring of Fire?
A
A meteor shower pattern
B
A solar phenomenon
C
A zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions around the Pacific
D
A geological formation in Africa
13.
How old is the Earth, approximately?
A
4.5 billion years
B
2.5 billion years
C
6.5 billion years
D
10 billion years
14.
What is a fossil?
A
A type of mineral
B
A volcanic rock
C
A crystal formation
D
Preserved remains or traces of ancient life
15.
What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water?
A
About 50%
B
About 60%
C
About 71%
D
About 85%

Answer Key

Question 1

D. Tectonic plates

Question 2

A. Magma

Question 3

A. Richter scale

Question 4

A. Diamond

Question 5

C. Stratosphere (ozone layer)

Question 6

B. Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic

Question 7

A. Gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun

Question 8

A. Inner core

Question 9

C. Water cycle

Question 10

D. Pangaea

Question 11

C. Igneous

Question 12

C. A zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions around the Pacific

Question 13

A. 4.5 billion years

Question 14

D. Preserved remains or traces of ancient life

Question 15

C. About 71%

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