AP Environmental Science : Introductory Concepts and Earth Science
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Rock Cycle
A sedimentary rock is buried deep within the earth. At a certain depth, the rock melts completely and recrystallizes. Which of the following best identifies what type of rock is formed post recrystallization?
Conglomerate
Metamorphic
Igneous
Sedimentary
Igneous
The question indicated that the rock melted completely. When a partially melted rock recrystallizes, it becomes a metamorphic rock; however, when a rock completely melts and any crystallization occurs, it results in the production of an igneous rock.
Example Question #2 : Rock Cycle
Which of the following best explains the difference between weathering and erosion?
Weathering is the process that creates sediment, while erosion is the process of transporting sediment
Weathering is the chemical process that creates sediment, while erosion is the physical process of creating sediment
Weathering is the physical process that creates sediment, while erosion is the chemical process of creating sediment
Erosion is the process that creates sediment, while weathering is the process of transporting sediment
Weathering is the process that creates sediment, while erosion is the process of transporting sediment
Weathering is a process that creates sediment. There are physical and chemical weathering processes. On the other hand, erosion is described as a process that transports sediment. Erosion transports sediment through exogenous processes, such as by water or wind.
Example Question #2 : Soil And Geology
In the desert, a rock can experience seasonal cycles of freezing and cooling. The heat of the day causes ice to melt and the cold temperatures at night causes water to freeze and expand inside cracks present in the rock. This example is indicative of which of the following types of weathering?
Physical weathering
Exergonic weathering
Chemical weathering
Seasonal weathering
Physical weathering
The freeze-thaw cycle acts like a chisel that produces fractures throughout the rock. Water rests in cracks on the rock’s surface and when it freezes it expands and causes more fractures. Water can then lay in these new fractures and further weather or crack the rock. This example represents a physical weathering process.
Example Question #2 : Rock Cycle
Which of the following statements about the rock cycle is not true?
Sedimentary rock can become metamorphic rock, but not igneous rock.
Metamorphic rock can become sedimentary rock or igneous rock.
Sedimentary rock can become metamorphic rock or igneous rock.
Igneous rock can form from either sedimentary or metamorphic rock.
Sedimentary rock can become metamorphic rock, but not igneous rock.
Rocks can transition between sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. Sedimentary rock forms from the weathering of any rock type. Igneous rock forms from the melting of any rock type. Metamorphic forms from recrystallization (without melting) any type of rock.
Example Question #1 : Rock Cycle
Which of the following kinds of rock is most commonly formed in desert environments?
Sandstone, a sedimentary rock
Gneiss, a metamorphic rock
Conglomerate, a sedimentary rock
Rhyolite, an igneous rock
Sandstone, a sedimentary rock
Sandstone is created in many environments, however it is most commonly produced in deserts and beaches.
Example Question #1 : Rock Cycle
Which of the following types of rock forms primarily in the Hawaiian Islands?
None of these
Igneous
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Igneous
The Hawaiian Islands were formed when hotspots that allowed the mantle to crystallize into igneous rock on the ocean floor. Over time this process created the island chain.
Example Question #1 : Rock Cycle
Which of the following pairs of terms best identifies the two types of igneous rock?
Metamorphic, volcanic
Intrusive, extrusive
Plutonic, mafic
Lava, ash
Intrusive, extrusive
Igneous rocks are divided into two types: intrusive and extrusive. Intrusive means that the rock cooled inside the earth and these rocks are usually large-grained. Extrusive means that the rock cooled outside the earth and is usually fine-grained (volcanic rock).
Example Question #11 : Rock Cycle
A stream with lots of pebbles of various shapes and sizes is buried. What type of rock will be created when these pebbles are lithified?
Igneous
Metamorphic
None of these
Sedimentary
Sedimentary
Pebbles of various sizes and shapes will create a sedimentary rock called a conglomerate rock.
Example Question #81 : Introductory Concepts And Earth Science
What type of rock will form when beach deposits composed of sand and shells are lithified?
None of these
Igneous
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Sedimentary
When lithified, sand and shells will create limestone. Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock.
Example Question #81 : Introductory Concepts And Earth Science
Which of the following aquatic environments will most likely form shale—a fine-grained sedimentary rock?
The inside bends (point bars) of streams where water velocity is slowest
The still, calm water found in a deep ocean basin
None of these
In a fast-paced, marine environment with high water velocity
The still, calm water found in a deep ocean basin
Shale is a very fine-grained sedimentary rock and it is often composed of clay particles. This means that it has to be deposited into a calm environment with little water movement.
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