ESS 101 B LAB 5 QUIZ: SEDIMENTARY
ROCKS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE || 100% GUARANTEED
PASS
1. Which process involves the physical and chemical changes that occur in sediments after
burial but before metamorphism?
A. Lithification
B. Diagenesis
C. Catagenesis
D. Hydrolysis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Diagenesis encompasses all chemical, physical, and biological
changes undergone by a sediment after its initial deposition, excluding surface weathering
and metamorphism.
2. Which of the following clastic rocks indicates the highest energy transport environment?
A. Conglomerate
,B. Shale
C. Siltstone
D. Sandstone
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Conglomerates contain large, rounded clasts (gravel size) which
require high-energy agents like fast-moving water to be transported.
3. A sedimentary rock consisting of angular, gravel-sized fragments is called:
A. Conglomerate
B. Arkose
C. Wacke
D. Breccia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Breccia is characterized by large, angular clasts, indicating
minimal transport distance from the source rock.
4. What does a high degree of rounding in quartz grains suggest about their transport history?
A. The grains were transported a short distance.
B. The grains were transported a long distance or recycled.
C. The grains were transported by ice.
, D. The grains were formed by chemical precipitation.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Rounding occurs as grains collide during transport; the more
rounded they are, the longer they have been in the transport system.
5. Which mineral is the most common cement in sedimentary rocks?
A. Olivine
B. Biotite
C. Calcite
D. Pyroxene
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Calcite, silica (quartz), and iron oxides are the most common
cementing agents that bind sediments into rock.
6. A sandstone containing a significant amount (more than 25%) of feldspar is known as:
A. Quartz arenite
B. Arkose
C. Lithic wacke
D. Greywacke
Answer: B
ROCKS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE || 100% GUARANTEED
PASS
1. Which process involves the physical and chemical changes that occur in sediments after
burial but before metamorphism?
A. Lithification
B. Diagenesis
C. Catagenesis
D. Hydrolysis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Diagenesis encompasses all chemical, physical, and biological
changes undergone by a sediment after its initial deposition, excluding surface weathering
and metamorphism.
2. Which of the following clastic rocks indicates the highest energy transport environment?
A. Conglomerate
,B. Shale
C. Siltstone
D. Sandstone
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Conglomerates contain large, rounded clasts (gravel size) which
require high-energy agents like fast-moving water to be transported.
3. A sedimentary rock consisting of angular, gravel-sized fragments is called:
A. Conglomerate
B. Arkose
C. Wacke
D. Breccia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Breccia is characterized by large, angular clasts, indicating
minimal transport distance from the source rock.
4. What does a high degree of rounding in quartz grains suggest about their transport history?
A. The grains were transported a short distance.
B. The grains were transported a long distance or recycled.
C. The grains were transported by ice.
, D. The grains were formed by chemical precipitation.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Rounding occurs as grains collide during transport; the more
rounded they are, the longer they have been in the transport system.
5. Which mineral is the most common cement in sedimentary rocks?
A. Olivine
B. Biotite
C. Calcite
D. Pyroxene
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Calcite, silica (quartz), and iron oxides are the most common
cementing agents that bind sediments into rock.
6. A sandstone containing a significant amount (more than 25%) of feldspar is known as:
A. Quartz arenite
B. Arkose
C. Lithic wacke
D. Greywacke
Answer: B
