ESS 101 B Geology Lab 5 Quiz Sedimentary Rocks 2026/2027 – Complete 200 Exam Questions and Verified Answers | 100% | – Guaranteed Pass – Already Graded A+

ESS 101 B Geology Lab 5 Quiz
Sedimentary Rocks 2026/2027 –
Complete 200 Exam Questions and
Verified Answers | 100% | –
Guaranteed Pass – Already Graded
A+


PART 1: WEATHERING & SEDIMENT FORMATION

Question 1: What are the three categories of sedimentary
rocks based on their composition and mode of formation?

 A) Igneous, metamorphic, and volcanic
 B) Clastic (detrital), chemical/biochemical, and organic
 C) Limestone, sandstone, and shale
 D) Felsic, intermediate, and mafic

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Sedimentary rocks are divided into three categories
depending on what type of sediment(s) they are made of: (1)
Clastic (or detrital), composed of clasts (broken pieces) of other
rocks; (2) Chemical and biochemical, formed by the precipitation
of ions; and (3) Organic, composed of organic materials.

, Question 2: Which type of weathering physically breaks rock
into smaller pieces without changing its chemical
composition?

 A) Chemical weathering
 B) Mechanical (physical) weathering
 C) Biological weathering
 D) Oxidation

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Mechanical weathering (also called physical
weathering) occurs when rock physically breaks into smaller
pieces. Processes include frost wedging, abrasion, and exfoliation.
Chemical weathering involves chemical reactions that alter or
dissolve minerals.




Question 3: What type of weathering transforms existing
minerals into new minerals and releases ions into the
environment?

 A) Mechanical weathering
 B) Physical weathering
 C) Chemical weathering
 D) Thermal weathering

Correct Answer: C

, Rationale: Chemical weathering transforms existing minerals into
new minerals and releases ions into the environment through
reactions such as hydrolysis, oxidation, and dissolution. For
example, hydrolysis turns plagioclase into kaolinite clay.




Question 4: The process by which loose sediment is
transformed into solid sedimentary rock is called:

 A) Weathering
 B) Erosion
 C) Lithification
 D) Metamorphism

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Lithification is the process where sediments are
compacted and cemented together to form hard rock,
encompassing both compaction and cementation stages.




Question 5: Which two processes are involved in lithification?

 A) Weathering and erosion
 B) Compaction and cementation
 C) Melting and cooling
 D) Deposition and transportation

Correct Answer: B

, Rationale: Lithification involves compaction (squeezing sediments
under pressure to reduce pore space) and cementation (dissolved
minerals depositing in spaces between sediments, binding them
together).




Question 6: What is the correct order of the processes that
produce sedimentary rocks from pre-existing rocks?

 A) Erosion → Weathering → Deposition → Lithification
 B) Weathering → Erosion → Deposition → Lithification
 C) Deposition → Weathering → Erosion → Lithification
 D) Lithification → Weathering → Erosion → Deposition

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct sequence is weathering (breaking down
rocks), erosion (transport of sediments), deposition (sediments
settle), and lithification (compaction and cementation).




Question 7: The original source of sediment (where clasts
came from) is called:

 A) Depositional basin
 B) Provenance
 C) Lithification site
 D) Weathering front

Correct Answer: B