1. Name:______________________
Period:______________________
Date:_______________________
Unit 4: Part 1 Surface Processes Deposition Quiz
Base your answer to questions 1 and 2 on the map below, which shows a portion of a stream
that flows southward. Letters A through E represent locations in the stream. Line XY is the
location of a cross section.
1. Where this stream’s velocity decreases from 300 to 200 centimeters per second, which size
sediment will be deposited?
1) cobbles 2) sand 3) silt 4) clay
2. At which two locations in this stream is deposition normally dominant over erosion?
1) A and D 2) B and E 3) C and E 4) D and C
3. The graph below shows the general pattern of erosion and deposition for a small tributary stream.
Points A, B, C, and D represent locations along the stream.
At which location is the erosional-depositional system of the stream in dynamic equilibrium?
1) A 2) B 3) C 4) D
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2. Name:______________________
Period:______________________
Date:_______________________
Unit 4: Part 1 Surface Processes Deposition Quiz
4. In a mountainous area, the rate of uplift is 1.5 meters per 1,000 years, and the rate of erosion is
2.6 meters per 1,000 years. As a result of these rates, the elevations in this area will
1) decrease 2) increase
3) remain the same
5. The diagrams below show gradual stages 1, 2, and 3 in the development of a river delta where a
river enters an ocean.
Which statement best explains why the river delta is developing at this site?
1) The rate of deposition is less than the rate of erosion.
2) The rate of deposition is greater than the rate of erosion.
3) Sea level is slowly falling.
4) Sea level is slowly rising.
6. A pebble with a diameter of 5.0 centimeters is being rolled in a rapidly moving stream. The
velocity of the pebble is most likely
1) less than the velocity of the stream 2) greater than the velocity of the stream
3) the same as the velocity of the stream
7. Particles of sediment A and sediment B were mixed in a container of water. They settled in the
pattern shown in the diagram below.
The pattern indicates that, compared to particles of sediment B, particles of sediment A have a
1) smaller volume 2) greater density 3) smaller volume 4) rougher texture
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3. Name:______________________
Period:______________________
Date:_______________________
Unit 4: Part 1 Surface Processes Deposition Quiz
8. The two pebbles shown below are dropped into a tank of water 1 meter deep.
Why does the hematite pebble settle faster than the quartz pebble?
1) Smaller objects settle faster than larger objects.
2) Flat objects settle faster than round objects.
3) Spherical objects have less gravitational attraction than flat objects.
4) Objects with higher density settle faster than objects with lower density.
9. A sedimentary particle is dropped into a cylinder of water. The particle will take the longest time to
settle if the particle has
1) low density, small size, and spherical shape
2) low density, small size, and flattened shape
3) high density, large size, and spherical shape
4) high density, large size, and flattened shape
10. Deposition within a meandering stream usually occurs on the inside of the curves because the
1) water velocity decreases 2) stream gradient increases
3) water is deeper 4) stream is narrower
11. Stream velocity and stream discharge were recorded continuously at the same location in a
stream channel. Which graph best shows the relationship between stream velocity and stream
discharge at this location?
1) 2) 3) 4)
12. Two streams, A and B, carry the same volume of water, but stream A has a greater velocity.
The most likely cause of this greater velocity would be that stream A
1) has more tributaries 2) has a wider streambed
3) flows down a steeper slope 4) travels over less resistant bedrock
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4. Name:______________________
Period:______________________
Date:_______________________
Unit 4: Part 1 Surface Processes Deposition Quiz
Base your answer to questions 13 through 15 on the block diagrams below, which show three
types of streams with equal volumes.
13. Explain how the differences between the type 1 and type 3 stream channels indicate that the
average velocities of the streams are different.
14. Explain how the cobbles and pebbles that were transported by these streams became smooth
and rounded in shape.
15. Explain why the outside of the curve of a meandering channel experiences more erosion than
the inside of the curve.
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