Physical Geology Practice Quiz

Question 1

According to the flashcard principles, what is spaced repetition?

Accepted Answer

Reviewing material at increasing intervals over time.

Answer

Reviewing material intensely right before an exam.

Answer

Studying only one topic until it is mastered.

Answer

Using mnemonics to remember facts.

Question 2

What is the primary benefit of active recall when using flashcards?

Accepted Answer

It helps you identify what you don't know.

Answer

It allows you to passively absorb information.

Answer

It requires you to write down all the information.

Answer

It is the fastest way to review material.

Question 3

When is the optimal time to review flashcards for a physical geology exam, based on spaced repetition principles?

Accepted Answer

Immediately after learning new material and then at increasing intervals.

Answer

The night before the exam.

Answer

Once a week, for two hours.

Answer

Only when you feel you have forgotten something.

Question 4

Which of the following geological processes is best represented by a flashcard asking 'What causes the formation of basaltic lava flows?'

Accepted Answer

Rifting and hotspot volcanism.

Answer

Metamorphism of existing rocks.

Answer

Subduction zone volcanism.

Answer

Glacial erosion.

Question 5

A flashcard asks: 'Describe the key differences between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks.' Which of the following is the most accurate answer?

Accepted Answer

Intrusive rocks have larger crystals because they cool slowly underground, while extrusive rocks have smaller crystals due to rapid cooling on the surface.

Answer

Intrusive rocks are always granite, and extrusive rocks are always basalt.

Answer

Intrusive rocks are formed from sediments, and extrusive rocks are formed from lava.

Answer

Intrusive rocks are found in mountain ranges, and extrusive rocks are found in ocean basins.

Question 6

If a flashcard asks you to 'Explain the process of subduction,' and you can only recall that it involves tectonic plates moving, what should you do next according to effective study strategies?

Accepted Answer

Try to recall related concepts like convergent boundaries and melting.

Answer

Move on to the next flashcard to avoid getting stuck.

Answer

Look up the answer and immediately create a new flashcard for it.

Answer

Read the textbook chapter on plate tectonics again.

Question 7

A flashcard has the term 'Mohs Hardness Scale' on one side. On the other, you should ideally have:

Accepted Answer

A list of common minerals and their relative hardness (e.g., Talc=1, Diamond=10).

Answer

A definition of mineral cleavage.

Answer

The chemical formula for quartz.

Answer

A diagram of a crystal lattice.

Question 8

Consider a flashcard with the question: 'What are the three main types of rocks and how are they formed?' Which of the following options best demonstrates understanding of the formation processes?

Accepted Answer

Igneous (cooling magma), Sedimentary (compaction of sediments), Metamorphic (heat and pressure on existing rocks).

Answer

Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic; they are found in different layers of the Earth.

Answer

Igneous (volcanoes), Sedimentary (rivers), Metamorphic (mountains).

Answer

Igneous (hard), Sedimentary (soft), Metamorphic (shiny).

Question 9

You are studying the formation of the Grand Canyon. A flashcard asks: 'What is the primary geological process responsible for the Grand Canyon's formation?' Which answer demonstrates the best understanding?

Accepted Answer

The slow uplift of the Colorado Plateau and subsequent erosion by the Colorado River.

Answer

Volcanic eruptions that carved out the canyon.

Answer

A massive earthquake that split the land.

Answer

Glacial carving during an ice age.

Question 10

A flashcard asks: 'What is the primary driving force behind plate tectonics?' Which of the following is the most accurate answer?

Accepted Answer

Convection currents in the Earth's mantle.

Answer

The gravitational pull of the Moon.

Answer

The Earth's rotation.

Answer

Magnetic field fluctuations.

Question 11

When creating flashcards for seismic waves, which of the following pairs would be most effective for understanding their behavior?

Accepted Answer

P-waves (compressional, travel through solids and liquids) and S-waves (shear, travel only through solids).

Answer

P-waves and S-waves; both travel through solids.

Answer

Surface waves and body waves; surface waves are faster.

Answer

Love waves and Rayleigh waves; they are the same.

Question 12

You've been studying physical geology for weeks and have a large set of flashcards. What is the most effective strategy for preparing for your final exam?

Accepted Answer

Combine spaced repetition review of all flashcards with practice exams that simulate the actual test format.

Answer

Review all flashcards from the beginning, one last time, the day before the exam.

Answer

Focus only on the flashcards you found most difficult.

Answer

Create new flashcards for topics you feel you still don't understand well.

Question 13

A student is struggling to differentiate between the processes of weathering and erosion. They create flashcards, but still confuse the two. What is the best approach to improve their understanding?

Accepted Answer

Create flashcards that include specific examples of each process (e.g., 'freeze-thaw weathering' vs. 'river carrying sediment') and use active recall to explain the difference.

Answer

Make flashcards with more complex geological terms related to both.

Answer

Focus only on erosion, as it is a more significant process.

Answer

Ask the professor to explain it again without using examples.

Question 14

Considering the 'Need to Memorise Physical Geology? Use These Flashcards' guide, how would you best use flashcards to learn about the different types of unconformities (e.g., disconformity, angular unconformity, nonconformity)?

Accepted Answer

Create flashcards that pair the term with a clear diagram illustrating the specific rock layer relationships and a brief description of the missing geological time.

Answer

Create one flashcard for each type, listing its definition.

Answer

Focus on memorizing the pronunciation of each unconformity type.

Answer

Use flashcards to quiz yourself on the dates when each unconformity was discovered.

Question 15

You have a flashcard asking about the 'Rock Cycle.' You can recall the three rock types but struggle to connect them with the processes of transformation. What study strategy should you employ?

Accepted Answer

Create a flashcard that visually depicts the entire rock cycle, showing arrows for processes like melting, cooling, weathering, erosion, deposition, lithification, heat, and pressure, and use active recall to trace the pathways.

Answer

Create separate flashcards for each rock type and ignore the cycle.

Answer

Draw a large diagram of the rock cycle and try to memorize it as a whole.

Answer

Focus on memorizing the definitions of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

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