SLCC GEO 1010 — Introduction to Geology
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best defines geology?
a) The study of stars and galaxies
b) The study of weather patterns
c) The study of Earth, its materials, and processes
d) The study of animal behavior
Geology is the study of Earth’s composition, structure, processes, and
history.
2. The two main branches of geology are:
a) Historical and Biological
b) Physical and Historical
c) Chemical and Physical
d) Structural and Biological
, Physical geology studies processes and materials; historical geology
studies Earth’s history and life.
3. The Earth’s lithosphere is composed of:
a) Crust only
b) Mantle only
c) Crust and uppermost mantle
d) Outer core
The lithosphere includes the rigid crust and upper mantle, forming
tectonic plates.
4. Which layer of the Earth is liquid?
a) Inner core
b) Outer core
c) Mantle
d) Crust
Seismic data show that the outer core is liquid iron and nickel,
generating Earth’s magnetic field.
5. The theory of plate tectonics states:
a) The continents do not move
b) Earth’s crust is one solid piece
c) Earth’s lithosphere is broken into plates that move
d) Earth is flat
Plate tectonics explains lithospheric plates floating and moving on the
asthenosphere.
, 6. Which evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support continental drift?
a) Satellite imagery
b) GPS data
c) Fossil distribution and rock similarities across continents
d) Magnetic reversals
Wegener used fossil evidence, mountain ranges, and rock types across
separated continents.
7. Mid-ocean ridges are associated with which type of plate boundary?
a) Convergent
b) Divergent
c) Transform
d) Subduction
Divergent boundaries create new ocean crust at mid-ocean ridges.
8. Subduction zones occur at:
a) Divergent boundaries
b) Transform boundaries
c) Convergent boundaries
d) Passive margins
Subduction happens when one plate sinks under another at convergent
boundaries.
9. Which mineral property is tested by scratching a porcelain plate?
a) Hardness
b) Streak
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following best defines geology?
a) The study of stars and galaxies
b) The study of weather patterns
c) The study of Earth, its materials, and processes
d) The study of animal behavior
Geology is the study of Earth’s composition, structure, processes, and
history.
2. The two main branches of geology are:
a) Historical and Biological
b) Physical and Historical
c) Chemical and Physical
d) Structural and Biological
, Physical geology studies processes and materials; historical geology
studies Earth’s history and life.
3. The Earth’s lithosphere is composed of:
a) Crust only
b) Mantle only
c) Crust and uppermost mantle
d) Outer core
The lithosphere includes the rigid crust and upper mantle, forming
tectonic plates.
4. Which layer of the Earth is liquid?
a) Inner core
b) Outer core
c) Mantle
d) Crust
Seismic data show that the outer core is liquid iron and nickel,
generating Earth’s magnetic field.
5. The theory of plate tectonics states:
a) The continents do not move
b) Earth’s crust is one solid piece
c) Earth’s lithosphere is broken into plates that move
d) Earth is flat
Plate tectonics explains lithospheric plates floating and moving on the
asthenosphere.
, 6. Which evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support continental drift?
a) Satellite imagery
b) GPS data
c) Fossil distribution and rock similarities across continents
d) Magnetic reversals
Wegener used fossil evidence, mountain ranges, and rock types across
separated continents.
7. Mid-ocean ridges are associated with which type of plate boundary?
a) Convergent
b) Divergent
c) Transform
d) Subduction
Divergent boundaries create new ocean crust at mid-ocean ridges.
8. Subduction zones occur at:
a) Divergent boundaries
b) Transform boundaries
c) Convergent boundaries
d) Passive margins
Subduction happens when one plate sinks under another at convergent
boundaries.
9. Which mineral property is tested by scratching a porcelain plate?
a) Hardness
b) Streak
