Test your basic knowledge |

Subject : science
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The fit of the continents - locations of past glaciations - the distribution of equatorial climatic belts - the distribution of fossils - and matching geologic units.






2. Theory confirmed by 1968 - geologists had developed the complete model of continental drift - sea-floor spreading - and subduction. Within this model - Earth's lithosphere consists of about 20 distinct pieces - or plates - that move relative to each






3. A linear belt in which continental lithosphere pulls apart - the lithosphere stretches horizontally.






4. Natural bond connecting rocks; mineral material that precipitates from water and fills the space between grains.






5. Rock formations still attached to the Earth's crust.






6. Mineral class; the molecule CO23 serves as the anionic group. Elements like calcium or magnesium bond to this group. Examples - calcite and dolomite.






7. Rigid outer layer of Earth - 100-150km thick. Consists of the crust plus the uppermost part of the mantle.






8. Farther down from a zone of leaching - new mineral crystals precipitate directly out of the water or form when the water reacts with debris - this the region where the new minerals and clay collect.






9. Places where intrusive igneous rock creates tabular intrusions cutting across rock that does not have layering - this nearly vertical - wall-like tabular intrusions is formed. Cut across layering within the earth.






10. Two different minerals which have the same composition but have different crystal structures.






11. Actively slipping segment of a fracture zone between two ocean ridge segments - these faults make a third type of plate boundary - transforms.






12. An exposure of bedrock.






13. Magma type; contains about 52% to 66% silica. Name indicates that these magmas have a composition between that of felsic and mafic magma.






14. The combination of processes that separate rock or regolith from its substrate and carry it away. Involves abrasion - plucking - scouring - and dissolution - and is caused by air - water or ice.






15. The absorption of water into the crystal structure of minerals - causes some minerals to expand.






16. Type of lava flow; surface layer of the lava freezes and then breaks up due to the continued movement of lava underneath - becomes a jumble of sharp - angular fragments - yielding a rubbly flow.


17. The difference between the expected strength of the Earth's main field at a certain location and the actual measure strength of the magnetic field at that location. Places where the field strength is stronger that expected are positive anomalies - an






18. Mineral group; olivine group - pyroxene group - amphibole group.






19. Subsoil - ions and clay leached and transported down from above accumulate here. As a result - new minerals form - and clay fills open spaces. Part of the zone of accumulation.






20. The distance that the world's deepest mine-shaft penetrates into the Earth beneath South Africa.






21. Volcanic landform; bulbous mass of congealed lava - associated with explosive eruptions of gas-rich magma.






22. Type of magma; low in silica - fluid - crystallize at high temperatures.






23. An ultramafic rock with large grains. intrusive - phaneritic igneous rock.






24. The boundary between two beds is a bedding plane; several beds constitute this structure.






25. A sedimentary bed that has developed a reddish color. The red comes from a film of iron oxide (hematite) that forms on grain surfaces.






26. Sedimentary rock consisting of cemented together solid fragments and grains derived from preexisting rocks.






27. Chemical precipitates; salt deposits formed as a consequence of evaporation. Examples - rock salt and gypsum.






28. The distance of the deepest well ever drilled - hole in northern Russia. Penetrates only about 0.03% of the Earth.






29. A reference to the supposed position of the Earth's magnetic pole at a time in the past.






30. Elongate submarine mountain ranges whose peaks lie only about 2-2.5km below sea level. Consist of a ridge axis - are roughly symmetrical - and can include escarpments - axial troughs - and valleys. Examples - Mid-Atlantic Ridge - East Pacific Rise -






31. Low-viscosity (basaltic) lava flows out of a volcano easily - whereas high-viscosity (andesitic and rhyolitic) lava can clog and build pressure within a volcano. Basaltic eruptions are typically effusive and produce shield volcanoes - whereas rhyolit






32. Chemical weathering during Which minerals dissolve into water.






33. Type of lava flow; a lava flow with warm - pasty surfaces wrinkling into smooth - glassy - rope-like bridges.






34. A mafic rock with large grains. Intrusive - phaneritic igneous rock.






35. A reference to the sinking of the lithosphere; allows for sediment to accumulate in regions where this occurs.






36. Created from preexisting rocks which undergo changes - such as the growth of new minerals in response to pressure and heat - and/or as a result of squashing - stretching - or shear.






37. Molten rock beneath Earth's surface.






38. A nearly horizontal - tabletop-shaped tabular intrusion - parallel to layering within the earth.






39. Mineral class; consist of a metal cation bonded to the anionic group. Many form by precipitation out of water at or near the Earth's surface. Example - gypsum.






40. Breaks intact rocks into unconnected grains or chunks - collectively called debris or detritus. Grain size from largest to smallest: boulders - cobbles - pebbles - sand - silt - mud/clay.






41. Blocks of rock that are solid and durable but composed of rough quartz sand grains cemented together.






42. Tree roots that grow into joints can push those joints open in this process.






43. The Earth radiated heat into space and slowly cooled. Eventually - the early formed sea of lava solidified and formed igneous rock. The cumulative effect of radioactivity has been sufficient to slow the cooling of the planet and subsequently allow fo


44. Along much of the perimeter of the Pacific Ocean - the ocean floor reaches astounding depths of 8-12km. These areas define elongate troughs - and they border volcanic arcs - the curving chains of active volcanoes.






45. Equant - meaning that they have the same dimensions in all directions. Or inequant - meaning their dimensions are not the same in all directions.






46. When different rocks in an outcrop undergo weathering at different rates.






47. Type of sedimentary rock; rocks whose grains are stuck together by cement.






48. Pea to plum-sized fragments of pyroclastic debris - consists of pumice or scoria fragments.






49. A mafic rock with small grains. Extrusive - aphanitic igneous rock.






50. Type of volcanic eruption; produce mainly lava flows - yield low-viscosity basaltic lavas.