ESS 101 A LAB 1 QUIZ - ADVANCED
EARTH SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
UPDATE || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
1. Which of the following best describes the difference between a scientific hypothesis and a
scientific theory?
A. A hypothesis is a proven fact, while a theory is an educated guess.
B. A theory is a tentative explanation, whereas a hypothesis is a law of nature.
C. A hypothesis is a testable proposal, while a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of
some aspect of the natural world.
D. There is no functional difference between the two terms in geology.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In science, a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction. A
theory is a broad explanation that has been extensively tested and supported by a vast
body of evidence.
2. Based on the principle of isostasy, what happens to the continental crust when a large ice
sheet melts?
A. The crust subsides further into the mantle.
,B. The density of the crust increases significantly.
C. The crust undergoes isostatic rebound and rises.
D. The crust becomes thinner due to horizontal stretching.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Isostasy refers to the gravitational equilibrium between Earth’s
lithosphere and asthenosphere. Removing the weight of an ice sheet causes the crust to
‘float’ higher, known as post-glacial rebound.
3. What is the primary chemical difference between the Earth’s crust and the mantle?
A. The crust is enriched in iron and magnesium compared to the mantle.
B. The mantle is composed primarily of liquid iron, while the crust is solid silicate.
C. The mantle is composed of ice and the crust is composed of rock.
D. The crust contains more silica and aluminum, while the mantle is richer in magnesium
and iron.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Earth’s crust is made of lighter silicate minerals
(Felsic/Intermediate), whereas the mantle is ultramafic, consisting of denser minerals rich
in iron and magnesium like olivine.
4. Which physical layer of the Earth acts as a plastic, allowing the plates above it to move?
A. Lithosphere
, B. Inner Core
C. Asthenosphere
D. Outer Core
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The asthenosphere is a mechanically weak, ductile region of the
upper mantle that behaves plastically, facilitating the movement of the rigid lithospheric
plates.
5. On a topographic map, how is a vertical cliff represented?
A. Widely spaced contour lines
B. V-shaped contour lines pointing uphill
C. Contour lines that merge or touch
D. Closed loops with hachure marks
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: When contour lines merge or are extremely close together, it
indicates a very steep slope or a vertical cliff.
6. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a substance to be classified as a mineral?
A. Organic origin
B. Naturally occurring
EARTH SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
UPDATE || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
1. Which of the following best describes the difference between a scientific hypothesis and a
scientific theory?
A. A hypothesis is a proven fact, while a theory is an educated guess.
B. A theory is a tentative explanation, whereas a hypothesis is a law of nature.
C. A hypothesis is a testable proposal, while a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of
some aspect of the natural world.
D. There is no functional difference between the two terms in geology.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In science, a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction. A
theory is a broad explanation that has been extensively tested and supported by a vast
body of evidence.
2. Based on the principle of isostasy, what happens to the continental crust when a large ice
sheet melts?
A. The crust subsides further into the mantle.
,B. The density of the crust increases significantly.
C. The crust undergoes isostatic rebound and rises.
D. The crust becomes thinner due to horizontal stretching.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Isostasy refers to the gravitational equilibrium between Earth’s
lithosphere and asthenosphere. Removing the weight of an ice sheet causes the crust to
‘float’ higher, known as post-glacial rebound.
3. What is the primary chemical difference between the Earth’s crust and the mantle?
A. The crust is enriched in iron and magnesium compared to the mantle.
B. The mantle is composed primarily of liquid iron, while the crust is solid silicate.
C. The mantle is composed of ice and the crust is composed of rock.
D. The crust contains more silica and aluminum, while the mantle is richer in magnesium
and iron.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Earth’s crust is made of lighter silicate minerals
(Felsic/Intermediate), whereas the mantle is ultramafic, consisting of denser minerals rich
in iron and magnesium like olivine.
4. Which physical layer of the Earth acts as a plastic, allowing the plates above it to move?
A. Lithosphere
, B. Inner Core
C. Asthenosphere
D. Outer Core
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The asthenosphere is a mechanically weak, ductile region of the
upper mantle that behaves plastically, facilitating the movement of the rigid lithospheric
plates.
5. On a topographic map, how is a vertical cliff represented?
A. Widely spaced contour lines
B. V-shaped contour lines pointing uphill
C. Contour lines that merge or touch
D. Closed loops with hachure marks
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: When contour lines merge or are extremely close together, it
indicates a very steep slope or a vertical cliff.
6. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a substance to be classified as a mineral?
A. Organic origin
B. Naturally occurring
