ESS 101 B LAB 4 QUIZ: SEDIMENTARY
ROCKS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE || 100% GUARANTEED
PASS
1. Which process involves the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks at or near the
Earth’s surface?
A. Lithification
B. Weathering
C. Metamorphism
D. Intrusion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Weathering is the process that breaks down pre-existing rocks
into smaller fragments or ions through mechanical or chemical means.
2. Which of the following describes the process of turning loose sediment into solid rock?
A. Erosion
B. Lithification
C. Crystallization
D. Deformation
,Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Lithification consists of compaction and cementation, turning
loose grains into a coherent sedimentary rock.
3. A sedimentary rock consisting of rounded gravel-sized particles is called:
A. Conglomerate
B. Sandstone
C. Breccia
D. Shale
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Conglomerates are characterized by rounded clasts larger than
2mm, indicating significant transport distance.
4. What is the primary difference between breccia and conglomerate?
A. Grain size
B. Mineral composition
C. Degree of sorting
D. Clast shape
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Breccia contains angular clasts, while conglomerate contains
rounded clasts; both have large grain sizes.
5. Which mineral is the most common cement in sedimentary rocks?
A. Calcite
B. Olivine
C. Biotite
D. Pyroxene
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Calcite, along with silica and iron oxides, is one of the most
common cementing agents due to its solubility in groundwater.
6. Which of these sedimentary rocks is composed primarily of microcrystalline quartz?
A. Chert
B. Limestone
C. Gypsum
D. Rock Salt
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Chert is a hard, dense chemical sedimentary rock made of
cryptocrystalline silica (quartz).
ROCKS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027 UPDATE || 100% GUARANTEED
PASS
1. Which process involves the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks at or near the
Earth’s surface?
A. Lithification
B. Weathering
C. Metamorphism
D. Intrusion
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Weathering is the process that breaks down pre-existing rocks
into smaller fragments or ions through mechanical or chemical means.
2. Which of the following describes the process of turning loose sediment into solid rock?
A. Erosion
B. Lithification
C. Crystallization
D. Deformation
,Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Lithification consists of compaction and cementation, turning
loose grains into a coherent sedimentary rock.
3. A sedimentary rock consisting of rounded gravel-sized particles is called:
A. Conglomerate
B. Sandstone
C. Breccia
D. Shale
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Conglomerates are characterized by rounded clasts larger than
2mm, indicating significant transport distance.
4. What is the primary difference between breccia and conglomerate?
A. Grain size
B. Mineral composition
C. Degree of sorting
D. Clast shape
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Breccia contains angular clasts, while conglomerate contains
rounded clasts; both have large grain sizes.
5. Which mineral is the most common cement in sedimentary rocks?
A. Calcite
B. Olivine
C. Biotite
D. Pyroxene
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Calcite, along with silica and iron oxides, is one of the most
common cementing agents due to its solubility in groundwater.
6. Which of these sedimentary rocks is composed primarily of microcrystalline quartz?
A. Chert
B. Limestone
C. Gypsum
D. Rock Salt
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Chert is a hard, dense chemical sedimentary rock made of
cryptocrystalline silica (quartz).
