Essentials of Geology, Marshak - Complete test bank - exam questions - quizzes (updated 2022)

INTERLUDE A: Rock Groups




MULTIPLE CHOICE



1. A(n) ________ material is held together, solid, and must be broken apart to separate it into
smaller pieces.

a. unconsolidated c. coherent

b. paved d. buttressed


ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: A.2

OBJ: Understand the geologic definition of rock. MSC: Remembering



2. A(n) ________ of minerals forms a rock.

a. compilation c. mass

b. aggregate d. assembly


ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: A.2

OBJ: Understand the geologic definition of rock. MSC: Remembering



3. Rocks are ________ and thus not man-made.

a. coherent c. rare

b. synthetic d. natural


ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: A.2

OBJ: Understand the geologic definition of rock. MSC: Remembering



4. A pile of unconsolidated sediment is NOT ________ and therefore NOT a rock.

, a. coherent c. natural

b. aggregated d. solid


ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: A.2

OBJ: Understand the geologic definition of rock. MSC: Understanding



5. A piece of concrete from a driveway is NOT considered a rock because it ________.

a. is made of one mineral c. is unconsolidated

b. does not contain minerals d. is man-made


ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: A.2

OBJ: Understand the geologic definition of rock. MSC: Understanding



6. Which one of the pictures does NOT show (a) rock(s)?




Figure A Figure B




Figure C Figure D

, a. Figure A c. Figure C

b. Figure B d. Figure D


ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: A.2

OBJ: Understand the geologic definition of rock. MSC: Applying



7. Which of the following describes a rock?

a. a pile of damp sand still holding the form of a bucket

b. a collection of crystals that fit together like puzzle pieces

c. cobblestones cemented together to form a walkway

d. a layer of mud at the bottom of a dry river bed


ANS: B DIF: Moderate REF: A.2

OBJ: Understand the geologic definition of rock. MSC: Applying



8. What is the difference between a rock that is cemented and a rock that is crystalline?

a. A rock that is cemented contains rounded grains that are held together by cement, whereas
a crystalline rock contains angular grains held together by cement.

b. Crystalline rocks contain minerals, while cemented rocks contain rock fragments; both are
held together by static forces between grains.

c. Minerals are held together as interlocking pieces in a cemented rock, whereas grains are
held together by minerals precipitated in pore spaces in a crystalline rock.

d. Minerals are held together as interlocking pieces in a crystalline rock, whereas in a
cemented rock the grains do not fit together like puzzle pieces and instead are held
together by cement.


ANS: D DIF: Moderate REF: A.2

OBJ: Understand the geologic definition of rock. MSC: Analyzing

, 9. Which is a characteristic used to classify a rock?

a. mineral stability c. water content

b. rock texture d. degree of weathering


ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: A.3

OBJ: Understand the basis that geologists use to classify rock into three classes.

MSC: Remembering



10. Igneous rocks form from ________.

a. heat and pressure applied to a rock

b. precipitation of minerals out of a solution

c. sediments cemented together

d. molten rock cooling and forming crystals


ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: A.3

OBJ: Understand the basis that geologists use to classify rock into three classes.

MSC: Remembering



11. Which type of rock is formed by precipitation of minerals from a solution?

a. metamorphic c. sedimentary

b. glassy d. igneous


ANS: C DIF: Moderate REF: A.3

OBJ: Understand the basis that geologists use to classify rock into three classes.

MSC: Remembering



12. Composition describes the ________.