Science 7: Planet Earth

Topic 1 Quiz

Name: _________________________

Multiple Choice (10 marks)

1.Scientists estimated the age of the Earth to be about 4.6 billion years old, using
evidence and theories. Then they constructed a model of what Earth is composed of. A
model is based on what is…

a) known
b) inferred
c) observed
d) proven

2. Compared to the other layers of the Earth, the crust, at a temperature of 5 degrees
celsius is…

a) thicker than the upper mantle

b) thinner than all the layers
c) thicker than the lower mantle
d) thicker than all the layers

3. A special machine is used to measure earthquakes. It is called the ...

a) richter scale
b) seismogram
c) seismologist
d) seismograph

4. The source of an earthquake can be determined by recording the interval time

between different seismic waves. The first place that rocks break below the surface in an
earthquake is called the ...

a) focus
b) fault line
c) epicenter
d) shadow zone
5. Scientists study the effect of an earthquake by locating this point, which is the place on
the surface that is directly above where the earthquake first began, called the ...

a) focus
b) fault line
c) epicenter
d) shadow zone

6. Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington was thought to be dormant, until it erupted
suddenly and caused enormous damage. After the eruption, people who lived in Ontario
had to clean this off their cars because the prevailing wind carried it that far …

a) lava
b) magma
c) ash
d) smoke
e) rock fragments

7. Not very many volcanologists use this special suit to study molten lava up close, but
those who do are able to get close enough to the magma flow to make observations,
take measurements, or collect gas and lava samples. This special suit is coated with ...

a) reflective plastic
b) fireproof insulation
c) reflective metal
d) flammable liquid

8. Rory was driving to school and her mother pointed out that there were so many
potholes on the road. Thanks to science class, Rory was able to explain that water enters
the cracks in the pavement and freezes, causing the ice to expand and the pavement to
break apart. The type of weathering he investigated was classified as ...

a) chemical
b) biological
c) mechanical
d) gravitational
9. On a field trip to the foothills, the class was amazed, when their teacher pointed out a
tree growing in a rock. The roots of the tree had worked their way into the cracks and
split the rock in many places. The type of weathering they observed was classified as ...

a) chemical
b) biological
c) mechanical
d) gravitational

10. A science field trip included a stop at the 'Big Rock' in Okotoks. The students on the
field trip learned that the big rock originated from a…

a) moraine
b) esker
c) iceberg
d) glacier

Matching (6 marks)

11. Match each layer of the Earth with its description. Answers may be used multiple
times.

1. Crust 2. Mantle 3. Outer core 4. Inner core

_____ a. 84% of Earth’s total volume

_____ b. Solid ball made of mostly iron
_____ c. Layer made of mostly liquid iron
_____ d. Layer that all human life lives on
_____ e. Has convection currents that push the tectonic plates
_____ f. Evidence is collected by drilling
True or False (5 marks)

12. Identify TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) for the following statements:

a. ______: Weathering is the breakdown of rocks and minerals into sediments.

b. ______: Magma is melted rock that flows out onto the surface of the Earth.

c. ______: Erosion is when rocks are deposited in a new location.

d. ______: Earthquakes are an example of an incremental change because the

jdwnjkentectonic plates move slowly over time.

e. ______: Wind, water, and ice are examples of forces that slowly change Earth’s

hbvjhvvhfeatures.

Short Answer (14 marks)

13. Give one similarity and one difference between weathering and erosion. (2 marks)

Similarity Difference
14. You are a geologist studying the Earth’s layers and must write a report on your
findings. In your report you must: pick a layer of the Earth, describe what and how you
will examine that layer, and describe two characteristics that you would find about that
layer. (4 marks)

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15. Miss Mak is such a brilliant scientist that she is able to create a brand new planet for
all her students to live on. Fast forward a few billion years, predict 2 changes that may
have occurred. State whether they are sudden or incremental, what caused them, and
what effect it had on the land. (8 marks)

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