EARTH SCIENCE REVIEWER

Directions: Read each item carefully. Choose the correct letter and write it on your answer
sheet.

1. The Malampaya Gas Field in Palawan supplies natural gas to Luzon. If it becomes
depleted, which of the following energy strategies should the Philippines prioritize to
ensure sustainable power supply?
A. Import more coal to replace natural gas.
B. Invest heavily in geothermal, solar, and wind energy.
C. Shift back to wood and biomass fuels.
D. Rely on oil imports indefinitely

2. Which of the following mineral characteristics refers to the tendency to break

along very smooth surfaces?
a. Cleavage
b. Color
c. Hardness
d. Luster

3. Which of the following is NOT true about the impact of geothermal energy resource to the
environment?
a. Geothermal power plants do not burn fuel to generate electricity, so the levels of air
pollutants they emit are low.
b. Geothermal features in national parks, such as geysers and fumaroles, making the site
promotes sustainability.
c. Most geothermal power plants inject the geothermal steam and water that they use back
into the earth for recycling purposes.
d. The construction of geothermal power plants destroys natural habitat disrupting
ecological niche.

4. Fossil fuels are finite resources. If the Philippines suddenly loses access to its coal
reserves, what would be the MOST immediate effect on its economy?
A. Increased use of renewable energy sources
B. Decline in electricity production and higher energy costs
C. No significant effect, since coal is renewable
D. Improved air quality but no economic changes

5. The Philippines imports most of its oil. Which of the following is the MOST practical long-
term solution to reduce dependence on imported oil?
A. Increase coal mining operations in Luzon and Mindanao
B. Invest more in renewable energy sources like solar and wind
C. Continue relying on Malampaya natural gas until it runs out
D. Import cheaper oil from different countries
6. The Philippines is one of the world's top producers of geothermal power. This is because
the country:
a. is abundant in natural gas.
b. is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
c. has many rocky and high mountains.
d. has numerous streams and rivers

7. If Earth had been slightly smaller in size, how would this affect its ability to sustain life?
a. It would have a thinner atmosphere and lose essential gases
b. It would have stronger gravity to hold more gases
c. Its distance from the Sun would remain unaffected
d. It would develop a stronger magnetic field

8. Silicates are one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. Which of the following example
is a silicate?
a. Amber
b. Apatite
c. Feldspar
d. Magnetite

9. Assessing the impact of plants, which of the following is TRUE about

geothermal and hydropower in terms of environmental concerns?
a. Geothermal is more environment friendly than hydropower plant.
b. Hydropower is more environment friendly than geothermal plant.
c. Both geothermal and hydropower plants are environment friendly.
d. The impact of the power plants to the environment depends on the situation.

10. A community stops using coal. Which mineral could replace it for nuclear energy?
A. Graphite
B. Uranium
C. Gypsum
D. Potash

11. A farmer’s crops are weak and soil is very compact. Which mineral should be applied?
A. Gypsum
B. Potash
C. Phosphate
D. Halite

12. Imagine a scenario where fossil fuels were formed in a high oxygen environment instead
of a low oxygen one. What would most likely happen?
A. Fossil fuels would form faster.
B. Fossil fuels might not form at all, since organic matter would decompose completely.
C. Fossil fuels would contain more carbon and be cleaner.
D. Fossil fuels would be renewable.
13. Quartz are composed of silicon and oxygen. Which common group of minerals do quarts
belong?
a. Oxide
b. Silicate
c. Sulfate
d. Sulfide

14. If natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, why is it still controversial to rely on it as a main
energy source?
A. It is too rare to be used.
B. It still emits greenhouse gases when burned.
C. It produces more energy than needed.
D. It cannot be transported safely.

15. Which example shows minerals improving soil structure?

A. Adding gypsum to reduce compaction
B. Adding potash for potassium supply
C. Adding phosphate for roots and flowers
D. Using salt to kill weeds

16. Choose the correct letter and write it on your answer sheet.

17. Uranium is a heavy radioactive element from mineral uraninite. Although uranium is
radioactive which makes it harmful to human upon exposure, it is very useful to society
because it is important in ____________.
a. food production
b. generation of electricity
c. cleaning of coastal water
d. decomposition of solid waste

18. Which set of minerals are necessary in making fertilizer?

a. aluminum, iron and copper
b. potassium, nitrogen, and carbon
c. calcium, magnesium and potassium
d. potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen

19. Carbon dioxide dissolving from the air into the ocean is an interaction that occurs in
which system?
A. atmosphere and hydrosphere
B. atmosphere and atmosphere
C. atmosphere and geosphere
D. atmosphere and biosphere

20. What physical property of minerals is considered the least reliable in identifying
minerals?
a. Color
b. Hardness
c. Specific gravity
d. Streak

21. A rock sample contains both coarse and fine crystals. What does this mixed texture
reveal about its cooling history?
A. It cooled slowly beneath the surface.
B. It cooled quickly at the surface.
C. It started cooling slowly, then erupted and cooled quickly.
D. It cooled at the same rate in all areas.

22. If jeepneys and buses in the Philippines were suddenly required to shift from diesel (oil)
to natural gas, what would be the MOST likely result?
A. Air pollution would worsen due to natural gas emissions.
B. Transportation costs might increase, but emissions would be cleaner.
C. There would be no effect since both fuels are renewable.
D. The shift would cause vehicles to stop functioning.

23. Which of the following is not a function of Earth’s atmosphere?

a. It provides energy.
b. It provides significant insulation.
c. It protects Earth from harmful radiation.
d. It gives protection against small to medium size meteorites

24. Why is coal not a true mineral?

A. It comes from plant material
B. It is soft
C. It is black in color
D. It can burn

25. Geothermal energy comes from deep inside the earth due to:
a. slow decay of radioactive particles in the earth's core.
b. friction between tectonic plates.
c. rotation of the earth in its axis.
d. absorption of solar energy

26. Fossil fuels provide 90% of the world’s energy supply. What would be the MOST serious
global consequence if we continue to rely on them without transitioning to alternatives?
A. Reduced dependence on renewable energy
B. Continuous formation of fossil fuels underground
C. Depletion of reserves and worsening climate change
D. Balanced carbon cycle and stable climate

27. What is the most important factor that determines Earth’s temperature?
a. Size of the orbit
b. Distance from the sun
c. Gas in the atmosphere
d. Amount of water on the planet

28. Which rock type forms when sand grains are cemented together?
A. Sandstone
B. Granite
C. Obsidian
D. Coal

29. Which situation best shows contact metamorphism?

A. Lava touching nearby rocks and changing them
B. Rocks buried deep and squeezed over time
C. Sand turning into sandstone
D. Lava cooling in water

30. A student obtain a cup of quartz sand from a beach. A saltwater solution ispoured into
the sand and allowed to evaporate. The mineral residue from salt water solution cements
the sand grains together, forming a material that is most likely an:
A. Extrusive igneous rock
B. intrusive igneous rock
C. sedimentary rock
D. metamorphic rock

31. Regional metamorphism is most likely to occur when:

A. Lava cools quickly on the Earth’s surface.
B. Rocks are buried deep and exposed to heat and pressure over a wide area.
C. Rocks come in direct contact with magma.
D. Sediments are compacted and cemented.

32. Which of the following is true about rocks?

A. Rocks are composed of only one mineral.
B. Most rocks are a mixture of minerals.
C. Rocks do not contain minerals.
D. Coal is not considered a rock.

33. Why is Earth referred to as the “Goldilocks planet”?

a. Its distance from the Sun provides conditions just right for life
b. It has the most abundant minerals in the solar system
c. It is the closest planet to the Sun with water
d. Its atmosphere is thicker than all other planets

34. A volcano erupted, producing both pumice and basalt. What does this difference suggest
about the cooling history of each rock?
A. Both cooled slowly deep underground.
B. Pumice cooled quickly with trapped gases, while basalt cooled quickly with fewer gases.
C. Both cooled slowly with abundant gases.
D. Pumice cooled slowly with large crystals, while basalt cooled quickly.

35. An astronomer observed an Earth-sized like planet in a distant galaxy. Based on the
data, the planet is at the same distance from its star, like Earth to its star-the sun. It is also
covered with a thick atmosphere which is composed of carbon dioxide and shows no
volcanic activity. What can you infer from these data?
a. The Earth-like planet is hot and nutrient cycling occurs.
b. The Earth-like planet is cold and nutrient cycling occurs.
c. The Earth-like planet is hot and no nutrient cycling occurs.
d. The Earth-like planet is cold and no nutrient cycling occurs.

36. Which sequence shows the correct order from magma to sedimentary rock?
A. Cooling → Weathering → Deposition → Cementation
B. Cooling → Melting → Deposition → Cementation
C. Deposition → Cooling → Melting → Weathering
D. Melting → Cooling → Erosion → Cementation

37. A geologist finds dark-colored, fine-grained rock on the ocean floor. Which rock is this?
A. Basalt
B. Granite
C. Diorite
D. Marble

38. Which of the following BEST explains why fossil fuels are considered non-renewable?
A. They require millions of years to form under heat and pressure.
B. They are formed only from volcanic processes.
C. They can be instantly replaced by planting more trees.
D. They are infinite in supply beneath Earth’s crust.

39. At a geothermal power plant, wells are drilled 1 or 2 miles deep into the Earth. How
does it work?
I. The cooled water is pumped back into the Earth to begin the process again.
II. When the water reaches the surface, the pressure is dropped, which
causes the water to turn into steam
III. Hot water is pumped from deep underground through a well under high
pressure.
IV. The steam cools off in a cooling tower and condenses back to water.
V. The steam spins a turbine, which is connected to a generator that produces
electricity.
a. III – II – V – IV – I
b. III – V – II – IV – I
c. III – II – IV – V – I
d. III – IV – II – V – I
40. A volcanic eruption releases gases, destroys nearby forests, and pollutes rivers. Which
subsystems are directly involved?
a. Geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere
b. Geosphere and hydrosphere only
c. Atmosphere and biosphere only
d. Hydrosphere and geosphere only

41. Coal has four major ranks: lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite. Which of
the following statements BEST evaluates their differences?
A. Higher carbon content means higher energy efficiency.
B. Lower carbon content means higher durability.
C. Anthracite produces less heat than lignite.
D. Lignite is the cleanest coal type.

42. A newly discovered planet has the same size and distance from its star as Earth, but it
lacks greenhouse gases. What would most likely happen?
a. Its temperature will remain stable
b. Its surface will be too cold to sustain life
c. Its atmosphere will thicken due to gravity
d. It will still support life as long as water exists

43. A fossil of a seashell is found in a sedimentary rock high in the mountains. What does
this most likely indicate?
A. The area was once underwater.
B. The rock was originally igneous.
C. The fossil formed during metamorphism.
D. The shell was blown to the mountain by wind.

44. Silicates are one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. Which of the following
example is a silicate?
a. Amber
b. Apatite
c. Feldspar
d. Magnetite

45. Rocks vary in color, size, texture and shape. They are classified based on how they were
formed. Which of the following deals with the study of rocks?
A. Biology
B. Geology
C. Paleontology
D. Petrology

46. What is the type of rock formed from lava that cools quickly that results to finergrain
and smaller size of crystals?
A. Extrusive igneous rock
B. Intrusive igneous rock
C. Sedimentary rock
D. Metamorphic rock

47. Which of the following shows the CORRECT sequence of fossil fuel formation?
A. Burial of remains → Chemical alteration → Pressure & temperature increase → Oil/gas
formation
B. Chemical alteration → Burial of remains → Oil/gas formation → Pressure increase
C. Pressure increase → Oil/gas formation → Burial of remains → Chemical alteration
D. Burial of remains → Pressure decrease → Oil/gas formation → Cooling

48. A bridge is planned in an area with heavy truck traffic. Which mineral-based material is
best for strength?
A. Steel from iron ore
B. Clay bricks
C. Marble tiles
D. Gypsum panels

49. When nitrogen is returned to the soil when dead plants decompose is an interaction that
occurs in what system?
A. biosphere and atmosphere
B. geosphere and atmosphere
C. biosphere and geosphere
D. atmosphere and geosphere

50. Which mineral is best for jewelry because it is shiny and does not rust?
A. Gold
B. Copper
C. Iron
D. Zinc