Earth Science, Tarbuck - Complete test
bank - exam questions - quizzes (updated
2026)
, Test Bank for Earth Science 14th Edition
Earth Science, 14e (Tarbuck/Lutgens)
Chapter 1 Introduction to Earth Science
1) What are the basic differences between the disciplines of physical and historical
geology?
A) Physical geology is the study of fossils and sequences of rock strata; historical
geology is the study of how rocks and minerals were used in the past.
B) Historical geology involves the study of rock strata, fossils, and geologic events,
utilizing the geologic time scale as a reference; physical geology includes the study of
how rocks form and of how erosion shapes the land surface.
C) Physical geology involves the study of rock strata, fossils, and deposition in relation to
plate movements in the geologic past; historical geology charts how and where the plates
were moving in the past.
D) none of the above—physical geology and historical geology are essentially the same.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: 1.1 What Is Earth Science
Bloom's Taxonomy: 1 Remember
2) The study of Earth's atmosphere is known as .
A) astronomy
B) oceanography
C) meteorology
D) cosmology
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: 1.1 What Is Earth Science
, Test Bank for Earth Science 14th Edition
Bloom's Taxonomy: 1 Remember
3) Which science is not used within the Earth sciences?
A) Chemistry
B) Physics
C) Biology
D) Mathematics
E) None of the above; Earth Science makes use of all of these sciences.
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic: 1.1 What Is Earth Science
Bloom's Taxonomy: 3 Apply
, Test Bank for Earth Science 14th Edition
4) Oceanography is the study of the oceans and geology is the study of the earth, so what
is meteorology?
A) the study of meteors
B) the study of the Sun's impact on the upper atmosphere
C) the study of the atmosphere
D) the study of how to be a TV newscaster
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: 1.1 What Is Earth Science
Bloom's Taxonomy: 1 Remember
5) Sedimentary rocks with marine fossils are exposed at the top of Mt. Everest. Which
scientists would make most use of this observation in their study?
A) Meteorologists, because they could use the fossils as a guide to ancient climates
B) Geologists, because their elevation is related to physical geology and fossils are
related to Earth history
C) Oceanographers, because the fossils can tell us about periods when the earth was
covered with water to the height of Mt. Everest
D) Astronomers, because they can study how life came from outer space to Earth
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: 1.1 What Is Earth Science
Bloom's Taxonomy: 2 Understand
6) Hurricanes and tornados are natural disasters. What branch of the Earth sciences
studies the origin of these phenomena?
A) Meteorology
B) Geology
bank - exam questions - quizzes (updated
2026)
, Test Bank for Earth Science 14th Edition
Earth Science, 14e (Tarbuck/Lutgens)
Chapter 1 Introduction to Earth Science
1) What are the basic differences between the disciplines of physical and historical
geology?
A) Physical geology is the study of fossils and sequences of rock strata; historical
geology is the study of how rocks and minerals were used in the past.
B) Historical geology involves the study of rock strata, fossils, and geologic events,
utilizing the geologic time scale as a reference; physical geology includes the study of
how rocks form and of how erosion shapes the land surface.
C) Physical geology involves the study of rock strata, fossils, and deposition in relation to
plate movements in the geologic past; historical geology charts how and where the plates
were moving in the past.
D) none of the above—physical geology and historical geology are essentially the same.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: 1.1 What Is Earth Science
Bloom's Taxonomy: 1 Remember
2) The study of Earth's atmosphere is known as .
A) astronomy
B) oceanography
C) meteorology
D) cosmology
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: 1.1 What Is Earth Science
, Test Bank for Earth Science 14th Edition
Bloom's Taxonomy: 1 Remember
3) Which science is not used within the Earth sciences?
A) Chemistry
B) Physics
C) Biology
D) Mathematics
E) None of the above; Earth Science makes use of all of these sciences.
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic: 1.1 What Is Earth Science
Bloom's Taxonomy: 3 Apply
, Test Bank for Earth Science 14th Edition
4) Oceanography is the study of the oceans and geology is the study of the earth, so what
is meteorology?
A) the study of meteors
B) the study of the Sun's impact on the upper atmosphere
C) the study of the atmosphere
D) the study of how to be a TV newscaster
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: 1.1 What Is Earth Science
Bloom's Taxonomy: 1 Remember
5) Sedimentary rocks with marine fossils are exposed at the top of Mt. Everest. Which
scientists would make most use of this observation in their study?
A) Meteorologists, because they could use the fossils as a guide to ancient climates
B) Geologists, because their elevation is related to physical geology and fossils are
related to Earth history
C) Oceanographers, because the fossils can tell us about periods when the earth was
covered with water to the height of Mt. Everest
D) Astronomers, because they can study how life came from outer space to Earth
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: 1.1 What Is Earth Science
Bloom's Taxonomy: 2 Understand
6) Hurricanes and tornados are natural disasters. What branch of the Earth sciences
studies the origin of these phenomena?
A) Meteorology
B) Geology
