The document contains multiple choice questions about various geological and weathering processes. It includes questions about frost wedging, sources of minerals in seawater, weathering in different climates, agents that form landscapes like valleys and soil, and indicators of glacial erosion like U-shaped valleys and scratches on bedrock. The questions cover a wide range of topics relating to weathering, erosion, and landscape development over long periods of time.

1. 1. Base your answer to the following question on The
diagram below shows a process called frost wedging.
A) weathering B) cementing
C) metamorphism D) deposition
Frost wedging is an example of
A) weathering of seafloor rocks
B) weathering and erosion of continental rocks
C) deep-ocean organic-matter sediments
D) gases from underwater volcanic eruptions
2. What is the source of most dissolved minerals in
seawater?
3. Base your answer to the following question on Two landscape regions are shown below.
A) weathering and erosion B) lithospheric plate movement
C) folding and faulting D) metamorphism
The evidence shown indicates that currently each landscape region is being modified primarily by

2. 4. Base your answer to the following question on The diagram below shows the stump of a tree whose root
grew into a small crack in bedrock and split the rock apart.
A) chemical weathering B) deposition
C) erosion D) physical weathering
The action of the root splitting the bedrock is an example of
A) moist and warm B) moist and cold
C) dry and cold D) dry and warm
5. Chemical weathering occurs most rapidly in climates
which are
A) the cracking of rock caused by the freezing and
thawing of water
B) the transportation of sediment in a stream
C) the reaction of limestone with acid rainwater
D) the formation of a sandbar along the side of a
stream
6. Which is the best example of physical weathering?
A) hydrosphere and lithosphere
B) mesosphere and thermosphere
C) hydrosphere and atmosphere
D) lithosphere and atmosphere
7. Chemical weathering will occur most rapidly when rocks
are exposed to the
A) cold and humid B) cold and arid
C) hot and humid D) hot and arid
8. Chemical weathering of rocks occurs most rapidly in a
climate that is
A) a warm, dry climate
B) a cold, dry climate
C) a warm, moist climate
D) a cold, moist climate
9. Chemical weathering would be most effective in
10. Base your answer to the following question on the
diagram below, which shows a surface and
cross-sectional view of a portion of the Earth 15
kilometers from a mountain range.
A) metamorphism
B) cementation of sediments
C) biological activity
D) melting of rock material
The processes that change the boulder and cobbles into
soil are weathering and
A) cool and dry B) cool and wet
C) warm and dry D) warm and wet
11. Landscapes will undergo the most chemical weathering
if the climate is
A) less B) greater
C) the same
12. A large rock is broken into several smaller pieces.
Compared to the rate of weathering of the large rock,
the rate of weathering of the smaller pieces is

3. 13. Base your answer to the following question on The two
photographs below show dates on tombstones found in
a cemetery in St. Remy, New York. The tombstones
were 5 meters apart and both faced north. Tombstone A
had dates cut into the rock in 1922. Tombstone B had
dates cut into the rock in 1892.
A) Tombstone A is composed of minerals less
resistant to weathering than tombstone B.
B) Tombstone A has undergone a longer period of
weathering than tombstone B.
C) Tombstone A experienced cooler temperatures
than tombstone B.
D) Tombstone A was exposed to less acid rain than
tombstone B.
Which statement best explains why the dates are more
difficult to read on tombstone A than on tombstone B?
14. Base your answer to the following question on The
diagram below shows an outcrop of different layers of
sandstone in a region receiving heavy rainfall.
A) A B) B C) C D) D
Which sandstone layer appears to be the least resistant
to weathering?
15. Base your answer to the following question on the
Earth Science Reference Tables and the diagram below.
The diagram represents two branches of a valley
glacier. Points A, B, G, and H are located on the surface
of the glacier. Point X is located at the interface
between the ice and the bedrock. The arrows indicate
the general direction of ice movement.
A) biologic activity B) frost action
C) acid reactions D) chemical reactions
Which type of weathering most likely is dominant in the
area represented by the diagram?
16. Base your answer to the following question on the
Earth Science Reference Tables and the diagram below.
The diagram represents a geologic cross section of a
portion of the Earth's crust. The rock layers have not
been overturned.
A) sandstone B) shale
C) conglomerate D) limestone
Which type of rock appears to be most resistant to
weathering?
A) nitrogen B) hydrogen
C) water D) argon
17. Which substance has the greatest effect on the rate of
weathering of rock?

4. A) cold and dry B) warm and dry
C) cold and moist D) warm and moist
18. In which type of climate does the greatest amount of
chemical weathering of rock occur?
A) B)
C) D)
19. Which graph best represents the chemical weathering
rate of a limestone boulder as the boulder is broken into
pebble-sized particles?
20. Base your answer to the following question on the
Earth Science Reference Tables, the geologic cross
section of bedrock shown below, and your knowledge
of Earth science. The cross section shows bedrock
exposed along part of the Genesee River in New York
State. The rock has not been overturned.
A) shales B) gypsum
C) dolostones D) salt
Which rock layers in this formation appear to be the
most resistant to weathering?

5. 21. Base your answer to the following question on The
diagram below represents a sedimentary rock outcrop.
A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4
Which rock layer is the most resistant to weathering?

6. 22. Base your answer to the following question on the map and cross sections below. The map shows measured
changes in the position of Niagara Falls since 1678. The cross sections show the two parts of Niagara Falls:
Horseshoe Falls and American Falls. Letters A through D represent the same rock layers at both locations.
A) A B) B C) C D) D
Which rock layer shows the most resistance to weathering and erosion at Horseshoe Falls?

7. 23. Base your answer to the following question on The
cross section below shows sedimentary bedrock layers
A, B, C, and D exposed at Earth’s surface.
A) A B) B C) C D) D
Which layer appears to be the least resistant to
weathering?
24. Base your answer to the following question on The
generalized cross section below shows the sedimentary
rock layers at Niagara Falls in western New York State.
A) Lockport dolostone B) Rochester shale
C) Grimsby sandstone D) Queenston shale
Which rock layer appears to be most resistant to
weathering and erosion?

8. 25. Base your answer to the following question on The block diagram below shows a cross section of a
landscape. Letters A, B, C, D, and E represent different rock layers.
A) A and B B) B and D C) C, D, and E D) A, C, and E
Which rock layers appear to be most resistant to weathering?
A) Rocks A and C are made of larger particles than
rock B.
B) The particles in rocks A and C are more firmly
cemented than those in rock B.
C) The minerals in rocks A and C erode faster than
those in rock B.
D) Rocks A and C have not been exposed to
weathering as long as rock B.
26. What is the best explanation for the shape of the cliff in
the diagram?
A) I and II B) II and III
C) I and III D) II and IV
27. In the cross section of the hill shown below, which rock
units are probably most resistant to weathering?

9. 28. Base your answer to the following question on the cross section below, which shows the bedrock of a
portion of the Helderberg Escarpment, located in Thacher State Park near Albany, New York. The rock
formations are identified by name.
A) Esopus and Oriskany
B) Onondaga and Coeymans
C) Schoharie, and Marcellus and Hamilton
D) New Scotland, and Schenectady and Indian Ladder beds
Which formations appear to be the most resistant to weathering?

10. 29. The diagram below represents a cross section of a series
of tilted sedimentary rock layers that have recently been
uplifted from sea level. The entire flat surface is
exposed to weathering and erosion by the same climate.
The graph shows the relative rate of rock weathering in
this particular climate.
A)
B)
C)
D)
Which cross-sectional diagram best represents the
probable landscape development after a period of
50,000 years?
30. The diagram below represents a cross section of a
portion of the Earth's crust.
A) erosion of the surface of rock layer A
B) folding of rock layer B
C) deposition of rock layer C
D) faulting along line XY
Which geologic event is the most recent?
A) erosion of continental rocks
B) submarine landslides from the mid-ocean ridges
C) icebergs that have broken off of continental
glaciers
D) submarine volcanic eruptions
31. The major source of sediments found on the deep ocean
bottom is
32. The diagram below represents a landscape area.
A) wind erosion B) wave erosion
C) stream erosion D) glacial erosion
The labeled surface features of this landscape area
resulted mainly from
33. The diagram below shows a hand-sized rock sample
with parallel sets of grooves. This rock sample was
found in a gravel bank in central Vermont.
A) stream erosion B) wind erosion
C) a landslide D) glacial erosion
The grooves were most likely caused by

11. 34. The diagrams below show the stages, A through D, in
the formation of an oxbow lake over a period of time.
[The arrows indicate the direction of streamflow.]
A) erosion, resulting in a sudden increase in the
stream's gradient
B) deposition, resulting in a sudden increase in the
stream's gradient
C) erosion along the outside banks of the curve in a
meandering stream
D) deposition along the outside banks of the curve in
a meandering stream
Oxbow lakes are generally formed by

12. 35. The photograph below shows an eroded plateau found in the southwestern United States.
A) crustal uplift and stream erosion B) crustal uplift and glacial erosion
C) crustal folding and stream erosion D) crustal folding and glacial erosion
The landscape was developed by the processes of
36. The diagram below shows a portion of a stream.
A) erosion due to a decrease in stream velocity
B) erosion due to an increase in stream velocity
C) deposition due to a decrease in stream velocity
D) deposition due to an increase in stream velocity
The sand bars formed as a direct result of
37. The picture below shows a geological feature in the
Kalahari Desert of southwestern Africa.
A) wind erosion
B) volcanic eruption
C) earthquake vibrations
D) plate tectonics
Which process most likely produced the present
appearance of this feature?

13. 38. Base your answer to the following question on The
cross section below shows a soil profile.
A) erosion by glaciers
B) erosion by running water
C) capillarity and human activity
D) weathering and biological activity
This soil was formed primarily by
A) human beings B) running water
C) wind D) glaciers
39. The chief agent of erosion on Earth is
40. The map below shows a stream flowing into a lake.
Locations A, B, and C are at the water's edge, and
location D is on the lake bottom.
A) Erosion is dominant at A and C; deposition is
dominant at B and D.
B) Erosion is dominant at B and C; deposition is
dominant at A and D.
C) Erosion is dominant at A and D; deposition is
dominant at B and C.
D) Erosion is dominant at B and D; deposition is
dominant at A and C.
Which statement best describes erosion and deposition
in this stream area
41. Base your answer to the following question on the
diagram below, which represents the landscape features
associated with a meandering stream. Points W, X, Y,
and Z are locations along the stream bank.
A) W B) X C) Y D) Z
At which location is erosion greatest?

14. 42. Base your answer to the following question on
the diagram below, which represents the landscape features associated with a meandering river. Letters W,
X, Y, and Z represent locations on the floodplain.
A) W B) X C) Y D) Z
At which location is erosion greatest?
43. The map below shows the area surrounding a
meandering stream.
A) A B) B C) C D) D
At which point is erosion greatest?
44. The map below shows the top view of a meandering
stream as it enters a lake.
A) Erosion is dominant at A and D, and deposition is
dominant at B and C.
B) Erosion is dominant at B and C, and deposition is
dominant at A and D.
C) Erosion is dominant at A and C, and deposition is
dominant at B and D.
D) Erosion is dominant at B and D, and deposition is
dominant at A and C.
At which points along the stream are erosion and
deposition dominant?

15. 45. Base your answer to the following question on The
photograph below shows an arch of rock located in the
western United States.
A) The bedrock in the arch was more resistant to
weathering and erosion than the surrounding
bedrock that was removed.
B) An earthquake forced bedrock upward into the
shape of an arch.
C) Sand and gravel were deposited and compacted in
the shape of an arch.
D) An underground glacier tunneled through the
bedrock.
How did the arch most likely form?
46. The diagram below represents a geologic cross section
of a portion of the Earth's surface. The letters identify
different layers of sedimentary rock.
A) A B) B C) C D) D
Which rock layer is probably the most resistant to
erosion?
A) It flows slowly, producing a V-shaped valley.
B) It flows slowly, producing a U-shaped valley.
C) It flows rapidly, producing a V-shaped valley.
D) It flows rapidly, producing a U-shaped valley.
47. Which statement best describes a stream with a steep
gradient?
48. Base your answer to the following question on the
diagram which represents a profile of a mountain
glacier in the northern United States.
A) U-shaped valley with polished bedrock
B) V-shaped valley with jagged bedrock
C) flat plain with bedrock that has been
metamorphosed
D) deep ocean trench with bedrock that has been
melted and cooled
If the climate warms, causing the glacier to melt away,
the region that the glacier formerly occupied will be a
49. The diagram below shows a glacial landscape.
A) U-shaped valleys
B) many stream valleys
C) sorted sediment on the valley floor
D) the landslide near the valley
Which evidence suggests that ice created this
landscape?

16. 50. Base your answer to the following question on the photograph below, which shows a mountainous region
cut by a large valley in its center.
What characteristic of this large valley supports the inference that glacial ice formed the valley?
A) mass movement B) wave action
C) running water D) glacial ice
51. U-shaped valleys and parallel grooves in bedrock are
characteristics of erosion by
A) glaciers B) wind
C) wave action D) running water
52. A landscape region that has broad, U-shaped valleys
with polished and grooved bedrock was most likely
formed by
A) running water B) ocean currents
C) wind D) glacial ice
53. Which agent of erosion formed the long U-shaped
valleys now occupied by the Finger Lakes in central
New York
State?
A) a glacier B) a stream
C) waves D) wind
54. The occurrence of parallel scratches on bedrock in a
U-shaped valley indicates that the area has most likely
been eroded by
55. The cross section below shows a V-shaped valley and
the bedrock beneath the valley.
A) surface winds B) running water
C) glacial ice D) ocean waves
Which agent of erosion is responsible for cutting most
V-shaped valleys into bedrock?

17. 56. Base your answer to the following question on the cross section below, which represents part of the
Atlantic Ocean seafloor. An earthquake occurred on November 18, 1929, triggering an underwater
sediment flow. The location of the epicenter is labeled. Letters A through D indicate locations on the
seafloor. Time, in hours, at each lettered location represents the arrival of the sediment flow after the
earthquake.
Calculate the gradient of the ocean floor between locations A and D and label your answer with the correct
units.
Gradient = __________________
A) decreases B) increases
C) remains the same
57. As the gradient of a stream increases, the stream's
ability to carry sediment

18. 58. Base your answer to the following question on the
Earth Science Reference Tables and the diagrams
below. Diagram I represents a stream's profile before an
earthquake. Diagram II represents the same stream's
profile after an earthquake elevated a portion of the land
and produced a waterfall.
A) less B) greater
C) the same
Compared to the stream's average gradient before the
earthquake, the stream's average gradient after the
earthquake is

19. 59. Base your answer to the following question on the topographic map below. Points X and Y are locations on
Squab Hollow Creek.
Determine the gradient of Squab Hollow Creek between point X and point Y by following the directions
below.
a Write the equation used to determine the gradient.
b Substitute values into the equation.
c Solve the equation and label the answer with the correct units.
A) decreases B) increases
C) remains the same
60. If the gradient of a stream increases at a certain
location, the probability that sediment will be deposited
at that location

20. 61. Base your answer to the following question on the contour map below. Points A, B, Y, and Z are reference
points on the map. Note that portions of the map are incomplete.
A) 26 m/km B) 70 m/km C) 130 m/km D) 350 m/km
The gradient of Blue Stream between point A and point B is approximately

21. 62. Base your answer to the following question on the topographic map shown below. Points A, B, C, and D
are reference points on the map. Elevations are measured in meters.
Calculate the gradient of Long Creek between points C and D and label the answer with the correct units.
Base your answers to questions 63 and 64 on the profile
shown below, which shows the pattern of horizontal
sorting produced at a particular time when a
sediment-laden stream enters the ocean.
A) a decrease in the stream's gradient
B) a decrease in the amount of sediment in the
stream
C) an increase in the stream's discharge
D) an increase in the density of the sediment
63. Which change in the stream would cause pebbles to be
deposited farther offshore?
A) decreases in width
B) decreases in kinetic energy
C) increases in potential energy
D) increases in velocity
64. Deposition of these sediments occurs when a stream
enters the ocean because the stream current
A) glaciers B) streams
C) winds D) ocean waves
65. Which erosional agent typically deposits hills of
unsorted sediments?
A) wind B) glacial ice
C) running water D) ocean waves
66. A deposit of rock particles that are scratched and
unsorted has most likely been transported and deposited
by
A) wind B) glaciers
C) ocean waves D) running water
67. How would unsorted piles of angular sediments most
likely be transported and deposited?