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Rock Your World Trivia Quiz

Let your inner scientist be your guide as you take this quiz about rocks and rock formations.

A multiple-choice quiz by nmerr. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
nmerr

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
355,951

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1195

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 12 (6/10), Guest 70 (8/10), Guest 93 (4/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. There are three types of rocks: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous. Each is formed in different ways. Which of the following is a type of igneous rock? Hint

sandstone

basalt

marble

gneiss

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Shale is an example of a sedimentary rock. Which of the following is also a sedimentary rock? Hint

obsidian

sandstone

granite

soapstone

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Question 3 of 10

3. Metamorphic rocks date back billions of years. This type of rock is the result of heat and build-up of pressure. Of the following, which is an example of a metamorphic rock? Hint

granite

dolerite

coal

gneiss

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. All rocks are made up of minerals. Granite is made up of three different minerals: feldspar, mica, and what? Hint

lignite

fluorite

copper

quartz

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Question 5 of 10

5. Molten rock that reaches the surface of Earth and pours out, as in an erupting volcano, is called what? Hint

residue

hot rocks

magma

lava

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Even though we don't usually think of it as such, sand is a type of rock. When it is heated it can be used in creating what everyday product? Hint

glass

coal

chalk

none of these

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland is a geological formation that is made up of columns of an igneous rock. Which one? Hint

calcite

granite

basalt

marble

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which type of rock is considered to be the lightest? Hint

rhyolite

shale

pumice

hornfels

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Question 9 of 10

9. On the coast of Sicily, an amazing natural arch was created from cooled lava. The arch is named for the animal it resembles. What is the arch called? Hint

Lion's Arch

Elephant's Arch

Horse's Arch

Rabbit's Arch

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy was constructed of metamorphic rock. Which metamorphic rock was used to build it? Hint

marble

bauxite

granite

lodestone

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. There are three types of rocks: sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous. Each is formed in different ways. Which of the following is a type of igneous rock?

Answer: basalt

Igneous rocks are formed when molten rock cools deep underground or on the Earth's surface. The word igneous means "fire" in Latin. Pumice is also an example of an igneous rock.

2. Shale is an example of a sedimentary rock. Which of the following is also a sedimentary rock?

Answer: sandstone

Forces of nature such as ice, heat, wind or moving water break the rocks down into small pieces called sediment. Rivers carry the sediment to the sea where it sinks down to the seabed and becomes pressed together to form the rocks. The Grand Canyon in Arizona was carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. It is made of sandstone and is more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) deep.

3. Metamorphic rocks date back billions of years. This type of rock is the result of heat and build-up of pressure. Of the following, which is an example of a metamorphic rock?

Answer: gneiss

The Canadian Shield is made of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Gneiss, a metamorphic rock similar in appearance to granite, can be found in abundance here. The rocks which form the Canadian Shield are close to four billion years old. In fact, this region is one of the largest areas of metamorphic rocks on Earth.

4. All rocks are made up of minerals. Granite is made up of three different minerals: feldspar, mica, and what?

Answer: quartz

Minerals come in all shapes and colors. The quartz in granite can be gray or white. Mica is black and feldspar is pink or white. On the Isle of Mull in Scotland, pink granite formations which were once below the Earth's surface are now visible due to the erosion of the Earth's outer layer. The granite appears pink in color because there is a lot of feldspar in it.

5. Molten rock that reaches the surface of Earth and pours out, as in an erupting volcano, is called what?

Answer: lava

Location is what differentiates magma and lava. Magma forms below the Earth's surface. When a volcano erupts, magma comes to the surface. What pours out is called lava, which eventually cools and hardens.

6. Even though we don't usually think of it as such, sand is a type of rock. When it is heated it can be used in creating what everyday product?

Answer: glass

Sandstone is quite interesting in that it is made up of tiny pieces of quartz, animal shells, and other minerals. Ayers Rock in Australia is made up of sandstone and is the world's largest freestanding rock. It is 1,140 feet (348 m) high and more than 2.2 miles (3.5 km) long.

7. The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland is a geological formation that is made up of columns of an igneous rock. Which one?

Answer: basalt

The formation of these basalt columns happened naturally from volcanic eruptions that date back millions of years. Three periods of volcanic activity produced three layers of basalt formations: Lower, Middle, and Upper Basalts. The Middle formed the rocks of the Causeway.

8. Which type of rock is considered to be the lightest?

Answer: pumice

Pumice is an igneous rock that is so light it can float on water. It is formed from bubbling lava. Due to its rough surface, pumice can be used as an abrasive for scouring and polishing. Pumice stones can be used to smooth rough areas on feet.

9. On the coast of Sicily, an amazing natural arch was created from cooled lava. The arch is named for the animal it resembles. What is the arch called?

Answer: Elephant's Arch

If you've ever seen a picture of this arch you'll know exactly how it got its name. The arch part of the formation really does resemble the trunk of an elephant right down to the rock formation at the base of the trunk.

10. The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy was constructed of metamorphic rock. Which metamorphic rock was used to build it?

Answer: marble

The word marble is from the Greek word meaning "shining stone". Marble is composed of carbonate crystals that have metamorphized from sedimentary carbonate rocks such as limestone. The veins that appear throughout a piece of marble are due to mineral impurities.

Source: Author nmerr

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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