Earth’s Crust Practice Test

Grade 7

Name: ______________________________                                                 Date: ___________________

 

1)  Match the words with their definition

Chemical weathering

 

A type of weathering that occurs because of living things

Mechanical weathering

 

Decaying plant and animal material in the soil

 

Biological weathering

 

A process used by farmers to prevent the loss of nutrients.  It involves planting a different plant in a field each year.

Zero tillage

 

A type of weathering that occurs when rocks collide

Crop rotation

 

A type of farming where fields are not ploughed each year.

Ore

 

A type of weathering that occurs because of chemicals in water.

Humus

 

Rock that is mined because it contains a valuable mineral.

 

 

2)  For each example, label what type of weathering is taking place.

           

a)  Tree roots from a tree growing on the side of a cliff causes rocks to break off  __________________

 

b)  Smooth rocks found on a beach ______________________________

 

c)  A paved driveway is cracked because of the roots from a nearby tree ______________________

 

d)  The weathering of an old statue because of acid rain  ____________________________

 

e)  A red brick house is sand blasted to make the bricks look new ________________________

 

 

3)    On the diagram below, label the levels of the earth.

                       

4)  Why is the inner core of the earth solid, even though it is so hot?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

5)  What two metals are found in large quantities in the centre of the earth?  Explain why.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

6)  Why isn’t it possible to identify all minerals by colour?  Use an example.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

7)  a)  A large mineral deposit is discovered just outside of Markdale.  The deposit is deep underground.  What 2 methods of mining could be used to mine the deposit? 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

b)  Pick one method listed in question 7a.  Describe that type of mining in detail.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

8)  How do mine operators ensure that tailings ponds are environmentally safe?  Include a diagram of a tailings pond in your answer.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9)  Water is an agent of both mechanical and chemical weathering.  Explain.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

10) a)   What four components must soil have in order for plants to grow?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b)  What component of fertile soil makes it a dark brown or black colour?  Why is this component so important for plant growth?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

11)  Some plants, such as cacti, must live in environments where there is little water in the soil.  What kind of soil mixture do these plants need?  Explain why.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

12)  Explain how the use of heavy machinery causes problems with the soil.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

13)  A farmer comes to you and asks you how to reduce erosion on his/her field.  What two suggestions would you give?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

14)  In the table below, list the three types of sedimentary rocks.  Briefly describe each type.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15)  In many parts of the world, there are large areas of sedimentary rock that extend for hundreds of kilometres.  What does this tell you about the ancient history of these areas?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

16)  Draw a series of diagrams that shows how layers of sediment in a lake turn to rock over time.

 

 

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1