Question 1

Coal is a sedimentary rock that is made of organic matter.

Accepted Answer

Coal is formed from the remains of plants that were buried and compressed over millions of years. As the organic matter is subjected to heat and pressure, it transforms into coal, a sedimentary rock.

Question 2

The parent rock of marble is sandstone.

Accepted Answer

The parent rock of marble is limestone, not sandstone.

Question 3

A large proportion of feldspar sets arkose apart from regular sandstone.

Accepted Answer

Arkose is a type of sandstone that contains a high percentage of feldspar minerals, which sets it apart from regular sandstone.

Question 4

Mud cracks and ripple marks are common features of igneous rocks.

Accepted Answer

Mud cracks and ripple marks are not common features of igneous rocks, which are formed from solidification of molten material without exposure to water. These features are more commonly associated with sedimentary rocks that were deposited in environments with water present.

Question 5

All metamorphic rocks began as other rocks ("parent rocks")that were then subjected to elevated temperatures or pressures.

Accepted Answer

Metamorphic rocks are formed by the transformation of existing rocks (the parent rocks) through processes like heat and pressure. Therefore, all metamorphic rocks have a parent rock.

Question 6

Frying an egg is a non-geological example of contact metamorphism.

Accepted Answer

Contact metamorphism occurs when rocks are heated by the direct contact with a hot substance, without melting the rock, similar to how an egg changes when heated in a frying pan.

Question 7

In order to metamorphose, metamorphic rocks must melt.

Accepted Answer

Metamorphic rocks do not need to melt in order to undergo metamorphism. Metamorphism occurs due to changes in temperature, pressure, and/or chemically active fluids, which can alter the mineralogy and texture of the rock without melting it.

Question 8

Regional metamorphism occurs during ________.
A)intrusion of magma
B)mountain building
C)sheeting of exposed plutons of granite
D)chemical weathering of limestone in caves

Accepted Answer

Regional metamorphism is the result of pressure and temperature changes over large areas during mountain building or tectonic activity. The other choices do not typically result in regional metamorphism.

Question 9

Confining pressure produces foliated metamorphic rocks.

Accepted Answer

Foliated metamorphic rocks are typically formed under differential pressure, where pressure is greater in one direction, rather than confining pressure, which is equal in all directions.

Question 10

This photo shows a conglomerate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of  
This photo shows a conglomerate....

Question 11

Slate is a common nonfoliated metamorphic rock.

Accepted Answer

Slate is a common foliated metamorphic rock, which means it has a layered appearance, formed from the metamorphism of shale.

Question 12

The skeletal remains of plankton make up the sedimentary rock ________.
A)flint
B)breccia
C)travertine
D)chalk

Accepted Answer

The skeletal remains of plankton, particularly coccoliths, are the primary component of chalk. Chalk is a soft, porous sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation of these microscopic organisms over millions of years. Flint is a hard, sedimentary rock formed from the deposition of silica-rich material, while breccia is a type of sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation of coarse, angular rock fragments. Travertine is a type of sedimentary rock that forms from the precipitation of calcium carbonate from mineral-rich water.

Question 13

Given the right conditions any kind of rock can be transformed into any other kind of rock.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true because rocks can undergo processes such as melting, cooling, pressure, and chemical reactions that can transform them into different kinds of rocks. For example, sedimentary rocks can be transformed into metamorphic rocks through processes such as heat and pressure, and any type of rock can be transformed into igneous rock through melting and cooling. However, the process of transformation may take millions of years and require specific conditions to occur.

Question 14

Granite and gabbro have a similar ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Granite and gabbro have a similar ________....

Question 15

Compaction and cementation are the most common forms of lithification.

Accepted Answer

Compaction and cementation are the most common forms of lithification. Compaction involves the squeezing together of sediment particles by the weight of overlying layers, while cementation involves the filling in of spaces between particles by mineral precipitates. Together, these processes transform loose sediment into solid rock.

Question 16

Which of the following rock types represents the highest grade of metamorphism?
A)slate
B)phyllite
C)schist
D)gneiss

Accepted Answer

Gneiss represents the highest grade of metamorphism, as it has experienced the most intense levels of heat and pressure, resulting in the complete reorganization of minerals into distinct layers or bands.

Question 17

Which rock type is most likely to have been deposited in a high- energy environment (such as a very turbulent stream)?
A)conglomerate
B)shale
C)chert
D)microcrystalline limestone

Accepted Answer

Conglomerate is a type of sedimentary rock that is made up of rounded particles that are larger than 2 millimeters in size. These particles are typically transported by high-energy environments such as fast-moving rivers or turbid currents. Therefore, conglomerate is the most likely choice for a rock type that was deposited in a high-energy environment such as a very turbulent stream.

Question 18

Because of its rock cleavage, slate makes a better roofing material than rock gypsum.

Accepted Answer

Slate has a well-defined rock cleavage that allows it to be split into thin, flat sheets that make it an ideal roofing material. Rock gypsum, on the other hand, is not suitable for roofing because it lacks this cleavage and does not split easily into flat sheets.

Question 19

All varieties of limestone are dominated by the mineral calcite.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true, as calcite is the primary mineral component of all types of limestone.

Question 20

Rusting is an example of mechanical weathering.

Accepted Answer

Rusting is a chemical process and not a mechanical process, hence it is not an example of mechanical weathering.

Quiz 2: Rocks: Materials of the Solid Earth