BETAThis platform is under active development; bugs, missing features, and risk of data loss are present. Thank you for your support!

Loading…

The rock cycle

Learn it by playing

Answer these questions to earn energy, then fish and explore. No account needed.

For teachers: ready-to-use diagrams for The rock cycle (Australian Curriculum Science, Earth and Space Science) — use them in your lesson, or run the topic as an interactive class activity your students play as a live game.

Practice questions

Free preview — 8 of 58 questions. Sign up to see them all.

1.Which of the following is NOT one of the three main rock types in the rock cycle?
Easy
- ASedimentary
- BMetamorphic
- CIgneous
- DVolcanic
2.Metamorphic rocks are formed by the cooling and solidification of magma.
Easy
True or false?
3.Which type of rock is formed from the lithification of buried sediment fragments?
Easy
- AIgneous
- BMetamorphic
- CSedimentary
- DVolcanic
4.Match each rock type with its typical formation process.
Medium
- Igneous
- Sedimentary
- Metamorphic
- Cooling of magma
- Lithification of sediment
- Heat and pressure alteration
5.An igneous rock that cools slowly beneath Earth's surface typically has a:
Medium
- AFine-grained texture
- BCoarse-grained texture
- CGlassy texture
- DFoliated texture
6.Arrange the following steps in the formation of a sedimentary rock from an igneous rock in the correct order.
Medium
- Weathering and erosion
- Transport and deposition
- Burial and compaction
- Lithification
7.Which of the following are agents of transport and deposition in the sedimentary rock cycle? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- AWater
- BWind
- CIce
- DMagma
- EGravity
8.Which type of metamorphism is caused by the heat of an igneous intrusion and may involve addition of fluids from the magma?
Hard
- ARegional metamorphism
- BContact metamorphism
- CDynamic metamorphism
- DShock metamorphism

More questions

9.Which of the following is an example of an extrusive igneous rock that cools so rapidly it may form a natural glass?
Hard
- AGranite
- BBasalt
- CObsidian
- DPumice
10.Match each rock type with the correct formation process.
Medium
- Igneous
- Sedimentary
- Metamorphic
- Cooling and solidification of magma
- Lithification of sediment
- Heat and pressure altering existing rock
11.Arrange the following steps in the correct order for the formation of an igneous rock from a sedimentary rock via the rock cycle.
Hard
- Sedimentary rock is buried deep underground
- Sedimentary rock melts to form magma
- Magma cools and crystallizes into igneous rock
- Sedimentary rock is subjected to heat and pressure to become metamorphic rock
12.Which of the following are types of sedimentary rocks? (Select all that apply)
Hard
- AClastic
- BBiogenic
- CPrecipitate
- DFoliated
- EIntrusive
13.The graph shows the temperature and pressure conditions under which different metamorphic rocks form. Which rock forms at the highest temperature and pressure?
Medium
- ASlate
- BSchist
- CGneiss
- DGranite
14.A sample of rock is found to contain fossils of marine organisms and has a granular texture with visible grains cemented together. The rock is most likely:
Hard
- AIgneous intrusive
- BMetamorphic foliated
- CSedimentary clastic
- DSedimentary chemical
15.Which of the following processes are involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- AWeathering
- BMelting
- CErosion
- DLithification
- EMetamorphism
16.Obsidian is an extrusive igneous rock that cools so rapidly it forms a natural glass.
Easy
True or false?
17.Match each rock type with its typical grain size description.
Medium
- Intrusive igneous
- Extrusive igneous
- Clastic sedimentary
- Fine-grained
- Coarse-grained
- Variable, often cemented fragments
18.Arrange the following events in the order they occur during the formation of a metamorphic rock from an igneous rock.
Hard
- Igneous rock is buried deep underground
- Rock is subjected to high temperature and pressure
- Minerals recrystallise and foliation may develop
- Metamorphic rock is formed
19.Which type of rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma?
Easy
- ASedimentary
- BMetamorphic
- CIgneous
- DFossiliferous
20.A student measures the density of three rock samples: A (2.6 g/cm³), B (2.9 g/cm³), C (3.2 g/cm³). Which sample is most likely to be basalt (density ~3.0 g/cm³)?
Medium
- ASample A
- BSample B
- CSample C
- DNone of the above
21.A student collects a rock sample that has a glassy texture and no visible crystals. Which type of rock is it most likely to be?
Medium
- AGranite
- BObsidian
- CBasalt
- DPumice
22.Regional metamorphism is caused by the heat of an igneous intrusion.
Easy
True or false?
23.Which of the following is the driving force behind the rock cycle?
Easy
- APlate tectonics and the water cycle
- BWind and rain
- CVolcanic eruptions only
- DEarth's magnetic field
24.Sedimentary rocks can only form from the lithification of fragments of other sedimentary rocks.
Easy
True or false?
25.Arrange the following steps in the correct order for the formation of a sedimentary rock from an igneous rock via the rock cycle.
Medium
- Weathering and erosion of igneous rock
- Transport and deposition of sediment
- Burial and compaction
- Lithification
26.Match each rock type with the correct description of its formation.
Medium
- Igneous
- Sedimentary
- Metamorphic
- Formed by cooling and solidification of magma
- Formed by lithification of sediment
- Formed by alteration under heat and pressure
27.Arrange the following steps in the correct order for the formation of a metamorphic rock from a sedimentary rock via the rock cycle.
Medium
- Weathering and erosion of sedimentary rock
- Burial and compaction to form new sedimentary rock
- Exposure to high temperature and pressure causing metamorphism
- Deposition of sediment
28.Which of the following are types of metamorphism? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- AContact
- BRegional
- CSedimentary
- DIgneous
29.The rock cycle is driven by plate tectonics and the water cycle.
Medium
True or false?
30.A rock sample has a fine-grained texture and contains small crystals visible only under a microscope. It was formed from lava that cooled quickly on Earth's surface. This rock is most likely:
Hard
- AGranite
- BObsidian
- CBasalt
- DPumice
31.Which of the following is an example of a biogenic sedimentary rock?
Easy
- ASandstone
- BLimestone
- CGranite
- DMarble
32.Arrange the following events in the order they occur during the formation of an igneous rock from a metamorphic rock via the rock cycle.
Hard
- Metamorphic rock is buried deep underground
- Metamorphic rock melts to form magma
- Magma cools and crystallizes to form igneous rock
- Magma rises to the surface or stays underground
33.A student finds a rock with a coarse-grained texture and large, visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. The rock is most likely:
Medium
- Abasalt
- Bobsidian
- Cgranite
- Dlimestone
34.Which of the following are examples of biogenic sedimentary rocks? (Select all that apply)
Hard
- Acoal
- Bsandstone
- Cchalk
- Drock salt
- Efossiliferous limestone
35.Contact metamorphism occurs when rocks are heated by nearby magma without being melted.
Easy
True or false?
36.A rock sample has a glassy texture and no visible crystals. It was most likely formed by:
Medium
- Aslow cooling of magma deep underground
- Brapid cooling of lava on Earth's surface
- Ccompaction of sediment under high pressure
- Dmetamorphism of limestone under heat
37.A student is testing a rock sample with dilute hydrochloric acid. The rock fizzes vigorously, releasing carbon dioxide bubbles. Which type of rock is the student most likely testing?
Medium
- AGranite (igneous)
- BSandstone (sedimentary)
- CLimestone (sedimentary)
- DSlate (metamorphic)
38.Regional metamorphism typically produces foliated rocks due to directed pressure.
Easy
True or false?
39.Place the following steps in the correct order for the formation of a metamorphic rock from an igneous rock via the rock cycle.
Medium
- Igneous rock is buried deep underground
- Heat and pressure cause recrystallization without melting
- Metamorphic rock forms with new mineral alignment
- Burial and tectonic forces increase temperature and pressure
40.Which of the following is the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller fragments by exposure to the atmosphere?
Easy
- AWeathering
- BErosion
- CDeposition
- DLithification
41.Complete the sentence: The process by which rocks are broken down into smaller fragments by exposure to the atmosphere is called ___.
Easy
The process by which rocks are broken down into smaller fragments by exposure to the atmosphere is called ____.
42.What is the name of the process by which rocks are changed physically or chemically due to high temperatures and pressures?
Medium
43.Fill in the blanks: The rock cycle is driven by two main forces: ___ and the ___.
Hard
The rock cycle is driven by two main forces: ____ and the ____.
44.The rock cycle operates over millions of years. If a process takes 50 million years to complete one full cycle, how many cycles could occur in 2.5 billion years?
Medium
45.Explain the difference between contact metamorphism and regional metamorphism.
Hard
46.A granite sample contains 40% quartz, 30% feldspar, and 30% mica by mass. If the sample mass is 500 g, what is the mass of feldspar in grams?
Medium
47.Complete the sentence using the correct terms.
Medium
The two main forces that drive the rock cycle are ____ and the ____.
48.Describe one way in which the water cycle contributes to the rock cycle.
Hard
49.Fill in the blanks to describe the rock cycle.
Medium
The rock cycle is driven by two main forces: ____ and the ____.
50.Name the type of metamorphism that occurs when a body of rock comes into contact with an igneous intrusion.
Hard
51.What type of rock is formed from the lithification of sediment?
Easy
52.What is the name of the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller fragments by exposure to the atmosphere?
Easy
53.Describe how plate tectonics drives the rock cycle.
Hard
54.Explain how the Wilson cycle relates to the rock cycle.
Hard
55.Describe the difference between contact metamorphism and regional metamorphism.
Hard
56.Explain how the Wilson cycle (plate tectonics) drives the rock cycle. Include at least two specific processes that transform rocks.
Hard
57.The rock cycle operates over millions of years. If a process takes 50 million years to complete one full cycle, how many cycles could occur in 2.5 billion years?
Medium
- A50 cycles
- B45 cycles
- C60 cycles
- D55 cycles
58.A granite sample contains 40% quartz, 30% feldspar, and 30% mica by mass. If the sample mass is 500 g, what is the mass of feldspar in grams?
Medium
- A180 g
- B165 g
- C150 g
- D135 g

Flashcards

What are the three main rock types in the rock cycle?

Sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.

What processes drive the rock cycle?

Plate tectonics and the water cycle.

How does an igneous rock become sedimentary?

Through weathering and erosion, the rock breaks into fragments that are transported, deposited, and lithified into sedimentary rock.

What is lithification?

The process of compacting and cementing sediment into solid rock.

Name two types of sedimentary rocks based on formation. Give an example of each.

Clastic (e.g., sandstone) and biogenic (e.g., limestone from shells).

What is the difference between regional and contact metamorphism?

Regional metamorphism affects large areas due to mountain building; contact metamorphism occurs when magma heats surrounding rock.

What is foliation in metamorphic rocks?

Distinct bands of different minerals and colors caused by regional metamorphism.

How does an igneous rock form from magma?

Magma cools and crystallizes, either slowly underground (intrusive) or rapidly on the surface (extrusive).

What is the difference between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks?

Intrusive rocks cool slowly underground, forming coarse grains (e.g., granite); extrusive rocks cool quickly on the surface, forming fine grains or glass (e.g., basalt, obsidian).

Can any rock type become magma?

Yes, any of the three main rock types can melt into magma under high temperature and pressure.

What is the Wilson cycle?

The repeated opening and closing of ocean basins due to plate tectonics, driving the rock cycle.

What is weathering?

The breakdown of rocks at Earth's surface by physical or chemical processes.

What is erosion?

The transport of weathered rock fragments by natural agents like water, wind, or ice.

What is metasomatism?

The addition of chemicals from magma to surrounding rock during contact metamorphism.

Name a fine-grained extrusive igneous rock.

Basalt.

Name a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock.

Granite.

What is a natural glass formed by rapid cooling of lava?

Obsidian.

What is clastic sedimentary rock?

Rock formed from fragments (clasts) of other rocks, e.g., sandstone.

What is biogenic sedimentary rock?

Rock formed from the remains of living organisms, e.g., fossiliferous limestone.

What is precipitate sedimentary rock?

Rock formed by evaporation of mineral-rich water, e.g., rock salt.

What is the rock cycle?

The continuous process by which rocks transform between sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous types over geologic time.

Unlock all 58 questions, flashcards & more

Create a free account to see every question, the slides, flashcards and revision notes for this topic.

Past papers

Past-paper practice for this topic is coming soon.

Coming soon