CSST Practice Exam Study Guide
Practice Questions Test Bank and
Detailed Solutions 2026/ 2027
Section I: Stress, Strain, Deformation, Faults & Folds
Question 1
In geology, what is stress?
A. The change in the shape of a rock
B. The force per unit area acting on a rock
C. The movement of rocks along a fault
D. The breaking of a rock
Correct Answer: B. The force per unit area acting on a
rock
Rationale: Stress is the force applied per unit area of a rock.
When sufficient stress is applied, rocks may deform or
fracture.
,Question 2
Which type of stress pulls rocks apart?
A. Compression
B. Confining stress
C. Tension
D. Shear
Correct Answer: C. Tension
Rationale: Tensional stress pulls rocks apart and commonly
occurs where Earth's crust is being stretched.
Question 3
Which type of stress squeezes rocks together?
A. Tension
B. Compression
C. Shear
D. Elastic stress
Correct Answer: B. Compression
Rationale: Compression pushes rocks toward one another. It
is especially associated with convergent plate boundaries.
,Question 4
A deeply buried rock experiences stress from surrounding
material that prevents it from deforming easily. What type of
stress is this?
A. Tensional stress
B. Shear stress
C. Confining stress
D. Strike-slip stress
Correct Answer: C. Confining stress
Rationale: Confining stress results from pressure exerted
equally around a deeply buried rock.
Question 5
Which statement best describes deformation?
A. The amount of energy released by an earthquake
B. A change in the shape of a rock caused by stress
C. The angle of a fault
D. The distance between seismic waves
, Correct Answer: B. A change in the shape of a rock
caused by stress
Rationale: Deformation is the change in the shape or volume
of a rock resulting from stress.
Question 6
A rock returns to its original shape after the applied stress is
removed. What type of deformation has occurred?
A. Plastic deformation
B. Elastic deformation
C. Permanent deformation
D. Fracturing
Correct Answer: B. Elastic deformation
Rationale: Elastic deformation is reversible. Once the stress
is removed, the rock returns toward its original shape.
Question 7
A rock remains permanently deformed after the stress is
removed. Which type of deformation occurred?
Practice Questions Test Bank and
Detailed Solutions 2026/ 2027
Section I: Stress, Strain, Deformation, Faults & Folds
Question 1
In geology, what is stress?
A. The change in the shape of a rock
B. The force per unit area acting on a rock
C. The movement of rocks along a fault
D. The breaking of a rock
Correct Answer: B. The force per unit area acting on a
rock
Rationale: Stress is the force applied per unit area of a rock.
When sufficient stress is applied, rocks may deform or
fracture.
,Question 2
Which type of stress pulls rocks apart?
A. Compression
B. Confining stress
C. Tension
D. Shear
Correct Answer: C. Tension
Rationale: Tensional stress pulls rocks apart and commonly
occurs where Earth's crust is being stretched.
Question 3
Which type of stress squeezes rocks together?
A. Tension
B. Compression
C. Shear
D. Elastic stress
Correct Answer: B. Compression
Rationale: Compression pushes rocks toward one another. It
is especially associated with convergent plate boundaries.
,Question 4
A deeply buried rock experiences stress from surrounding
material that prevents it from deforming easily. What type of
stress is this?
A. Tensional stress
B. Shear stress
C. Confining stress
D. Strike-slip stress
Correct Answer: C. Confining stress
Rationale: Confining stress results from pressure exerted
equally around a deeply buried rock.
Question 5
Which statement best describes deformation?
A. The amount of energy released by an earthquake
B. A change in the shape of a rock caused by stress
C. The angle of a fault
D. The distance between seismic waves
, Correct Answer: B. A change in the shape of a rock
caused by stress
Rationale: Deformation is the change in the shape or volume
of a rock resulting from stress.
Question 6
A rock returns to its original shape after the applied stress is
removed. What type of deformation has occurred?
A. Plastic deformation
B. Elastic deformation
C. Permanent deformation
D. Fracturing
Correct Answer: B. Elastic deformation
Rationale: Elastic deformation is reversible. Once the stress
is removed, the rock returns toward its original shape.
Question 7
A rock remains permanently deformed after the stress is
removed. Which type of deformation occurred?
