ESS 101 B LAB 1 QUIZ: SEDIMENTARY
ROCKS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE || 100% GUARANTEED
PASS
1. Which process involves the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments without
changing their chemical composition?
A. Mechanical Weathering
B. Hydrolysis
C. Oxidation
D. Dissolution
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Mechanical weathering, such as frost wedging or abrasion,
physically breaks rocks apart while keeping the mineral chemistry intact.
2. In the context of sedimentary maturity, a ‘mature’ sediment is characterized by which of
the following?
A. Well-rounded quartz grains and excellent sorting
B. Angular grains and poor sorting
C. High percentage of unstable minerals like feldspar
,D. Presence of large rock fragments and clay
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Mature sediments have undergone extensive transport,
removing unstable minerals and resulting in well-rounded, well-sorted quartz grains.
3. Which mineral is most resistant to chemical weathering at the Earth’s surface?
A. Olivine
B. Pyroxene
C. Calcium-rich Plagioclase
D. Quartz
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: According to Goldich’s weathering series, quartz is the most
stable mineral at surface conditions because it forms last in Bowen’s Reaction Series.
4. What is the primary difference between a Conglomerate and a Breccia?
A. The shape of the clasts
B. The size of the grains
C. The mineral composition of the matrix
D. The cementing agent
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: Conglomerates contain rounded clasts indicating significant
transport, whereas Breccias contain angular clasts suggesting minimal transport.
5. Lithification is a two-step process consisting of:
A. Erosion and Deposition
B. Melting and Recrystallization
C. Compaction and Cementation
D. Weathering and Transport
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Lithification turns loose sediment into solid rock through
compaction (reducing pore space) and cementation (precipitating minerals between
grains).
6. Which sedimentary structure indicates a past environment where water or wind flowed in
a single, consistent direction?
A. Asymmetrical ripple marks
B. Symmetrical ripple marks
C. Mud cracks
D. Graded bedding
Answer: A
ROCKS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE || 100% GUARANTEED
PASS
1. Which process involves the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments without
changing their chemical composition?
A. Mechanical Weathering
B. Hydrolysis
C. Oxidation
D. Dissolution
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Mechanical weathering, such as frost wedging or abrasion,
physically breaks rocks apart while keeping the mineral chemistry intact.
2. In the context of sedimentary maturity, a ‘mature’ sediment is characterized by which of
the following?
A. Well-rounded quartz grains and excellent sorting
B. Angular grains and poor sorting
C. High percentage of unstable minerals like feldspar
,D. Presence of large rock fragments and clay
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Mature sediments have undergone extensive transport,
removing unstable minerals and resulting in well-rounded, well-sorted quartz grains.
3. Which mineral is most resistant to chemical weathering at the Earth’s surface?
A. Olivine
B. Pyroxene
C. Calcium-rich Plagioclase
D. Quartz
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: According to Goldich’s weathering series, quartz is the most
stable mineral at surface conditions because it forms last in Bowen’s Reaction Series.
4. What is the primary difference between a Conglomerate and a Breccia?
A. The shape of the clasts
B. The size of the grains
C. The mineral composition of the matrix
D. The cementing agent
Answer: A
, Conceptual Explanation: Conglomerates contain rounded clasts indicating significant
transport, whereas Breccias contain angular clasts suggesting minimal transport.
5. Lithification is a two-step process consisting of:
A. Erosion and Deposition
B. Melting and Recrystallization
C. Compaction and Cementation
D. Weathering and Transport
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Lithification turns loose sediment into solid rock through
compaction (reducing pore space) and cementation (precipitating minerals between
grains).
6. Which sedimentary structure indicates a past environment where water or wind flowed in
a single, consistent direction?
A. Asymmetrical ripple marks
B. Symmetrical ripple marks
C. Mud cracks
D. Graded bedding
Answer: A
