Choose the correct option
Question 1
An aggregate of minerals that forms more or less a
definite unit of the earth's crust:
1. Rock
2. Mineral
3. Crust
4. Metamorphosis
Answer
Rock
Question 2
The magma when forced upwards fills vertical cracks
or fissures in existing rocks and it then hardens there
to form ............... .
1. Necks
2. Sills
3. Dykes
4. Laccoliths
Answer
Dykes
Question 3
The process that turns loose sediments into rocks:
1. Compaction
2. Lithification
3. Cementation
4. None of the above
Answer
Lithification
Question 4
The bonding together of compacted sediments by
natural bonding materials such as calcium
compounds, silica and iron:
1. Compaction
2. Lithification
3. Cementation
4. None of the above
Answer
Cementation
Question 5
The rocks like peat, lignite, bituminous and anthracite
example of:
1. Igneous rocks
2. Sedimentary rocks
3. Metallic rocks
4. Carbonaceous rocks
Answer
Carbonaceous rocks
Question 6
Rocks found on the bed of a lake corresponding to
successive periods of deposition:
1. Lacustrine
2. Glacial
3. Aeolian
4. Riverine
Answer
Lacustrine
Question 7
Rocks formed with sand particles brought by winds.
1. Glacial
2. Marine
3. Lacustrine
4. Aeolian
Answer
Aeolian
Question 8
Rocks formed by the alluvial deposits brought by the
flowing water of streams.
1. Marine
2. Glacial
3. Riverine
4. Aeolian
Answer
Riverine
Question 9
The alteration of the composition or structure of a rock
by heat, pressure or other natural agency:
1. Thermal Metamorphism
2. Metamorphism
3. Regional Metamorphism
4. Dynamic Metamorphism
Answer
Metamorphism
Question 10
The transformation of the original rock takes place due
to the influence of high temperature:
1. Metamorphism
2. Thermal Metamorphism
3. Regional Metamorphism
4. Dynamic Metamorphism
Answer
Thermal Metamorphism
Question 11
The transformation takes place mainly because of
pressure at a great depth within earth's crust:
1. Thermal Metamorphism
2. Metamorphism
3. Regional Metamorphism
4. Dynamic Metamorphism
Answer
Dynamic Metamorphism
Question 12
The transformation of rocks due to the pressure of
overlying rocks and the intense heat caused by large-
scale earth movements:
1. Regional Metamorphism
2. Thermal Metamorphism
3. Metamorphism
4. Dynamic Metamorphism
Answer
Regional Metamorphism
Question 13
The continuous process of transformation of old rocks
into new ones:
1. Metamorphism
2. Rock flow
3. Rock cycle
4. Compactation
Answer
Rock cycle
Question 14
............... are deep-seated intrusion of igneous rocks.
1. Sills
2. Dykes
3. Laccoliths
4. Batholiths
Answer
Batholiths
Short Answer Questions
Question 1
State two points of distinction between rocks and
minerals.
Answer
Rocks Minerals
Rocks are Minerals are solid
aggregates of inorganic substances
mineral elements. occurring naturally.
A rock has no Minerals have a
definite chemical definite chemical
composition. composition.
Question 2
Name any three elements of the earth's crust.
Answer
Three elements of the earth's crust are iron, silicon and
aluminium.
Question 3
Name three types of rocks.
Answer
Three types of rocks are-
1. Igneous rocks
2. Sedimentary rocks
3. Metamorphic rocks
Question 4
Give two differences between Extrusive Igneous and
Intrusive Igneous rocks.
Answer
Extrusive Igneous Intrusive Igneous
rocks rocks
They are formed by They are formed
the cooling of molten when magma
magma on the earth's solidifies within the
surface. earth's crust.
These rocks are
These rocks are
coarse textured,
smooth, crystalline
hard rocks with
and fine grained.
large crystals.
For example-
For example- Basalt
Granite
Question 5
Name any two characteristics of Igneous Rocks.
Answer
Two characteristics of Igneous Rocks are-
1. They are hard and compact.
2. They are formed by solidification of molten
magma.
Question 6
State two characteristics of Basic Igneous Rocks.
Answer
Two characteristics of Basic Igneous Rocks are-
1. They have higher percentage of oxides of denser
elements and silica content varies between 40 to
60 percent.
2. It is heavy and dark in colour.
Question 7
Name two important landforms made by Igneous
Rocks.
Answer
Two important landforms made by Igneous Rocks are
lava sheets and lava plateaus.
Question 8
What are Sills? Give an example.
Answer
Sometimes magma flows between layers of rocks
horizontally. It then hardens there. This layer of
intrusive rock is called sill. For example- Archuleta
Mesa in southern Colorado.
Question 9
Which rocks are associated with ores of metals and
which rocks are associated with fossil fuels?
Answer
Igneous rocks are associated with ores of metals and
sedimentary rocks are associated with fossil fuels.
Question 10
Mention any two characteristics of Sedimentary
Rocks.
Answer
Two characteristics of Sedimentary Rocks are-
1. Sedimentary rocks are formed from materials
derived from other rocks. They may also have
plant and animal remains. These rocks may thus
contain fossils.
2. Sedimentary rocks are generally soft and layered
as they are formed by deposition of sediments.
Question 11
Name the rocks which are most widespread on the
earth. Give two examples of Sedimentary Rocks.
Answer
Sedimentary rocks are most widespread on the earth.
Examples of sedimentary rocks are Gypsum and sand
stone.
Question 12
Name the three stages of lithification of Sedimentary
rocks.
Answer
The three stages of lithification of Sedimentary rocks
are-
1. Evaporation
2. Compaction
3. Cementation
Question 13
Name the types of Sedimentary rocks based on agents
of formation.
Answer
The types of Sedimentary rocks based on agents of
formation are-
1. Riverine rocks
2. Lacustrine rocks
3. Glacial rocks
4. Aeolian rocks
5. Marine rocks
Question 14
Which agents are responsible for deposition of
sediments?
Answer
The main agents responsible for deposition of
sediments are water, wind and ice.
Question 15
What are known as metamorphic rocks? Give two
examples.
Answer
Metamorphic rocks are formed by complete change of
texture and composition of pre-existing rocks through
volcanism and diastrophism. For example, slate is
formed from clay and graphite from coal.
Question 16
Briefly define Mechanical Metamorphism.
Answer
Mechanical metamorphism is the mechanical
transformation of pre-existing rocks, in which texture
of rocks is changed by crushing and rubbing
processes associated with heat and compression
created by mechanical action.
Distinguish between each of the following
Question 1
Plutonic and Volcanic rocks.
Answer
Plutonic rock Volcanic rock
They are also
They are also called
called intrusive
extrusive rocks.
rocks.
They are formed They are formed by
when magma the cooling of molten
solidifies within the magma on the earth's
earth's crust. surface.
These rocks are
These rocks are
coarse textured,
smooth, crystalline
hard rocks with
and fine grained.
large crystals.
For example-
For example- basalt
granite
Question 2
Thermal and Dynamic Metamorphism.
Answer
Thermal Dynamic
Metamorphism Metamorphism
It occurs when the
It occurs when the
transformation
transformation of
occurs mainly
the original rock
because of pressure
takes place due to
at a great depth
the influence of high
within the earth's
temperature.
crust.
For example-
marbles used in Taj
For example- slate
Mahal at Agra are
is formed from clay
metamorphised from
Dolomites.
Question 3
Sills and Dykes.
Answer
Sills Dykes
The magma when
Sometimes magma
forced upwards
flows between layers
fills vertical cracks
of rocks horizontally
or fissures in
and hardens there.
existing rocks and
This layer of intrusive
then hardens there
rock is called sills.
to form dykes.
Sill is a layer like Dyke is a wall like
mass. mass.
Question 4
Calcarious and Carbonacious rocks.
Answer
Calcarious rocks Carbonacious rocks
These rocks are
These rocks are
formed by the
formed by the sea
deposition of shells
plants which remain
and skeletons of sea
buried for a very long
organisms like
time .
corals, oysters etc.
For example- chalk, For example- coal,
limestone. peat.
Question 5
Acid Igneous Rocks and Basic Igneous Rocks.
Answer
Acid Igneous Rocks Basic Igneous Rocks
These rocks have
These rocks have
higher percentage of
silica content
oxides of denser
between 65% to 85
elements and silica
%. They lack in iron
content varies
and magnesium.
between 40% to 60%.
For example-
For example- basalt
granite.
Structured Questions
Question 1(a)
Distinguish between rocks and minerals.
Answer
Rocks Minerals
Rocks are Minerals are solid
aggregates of inorganic substances
mineral elements. occurring naturally.
A rock has no Minerals have a
definite chemical definite chemical
composition. composition.
Rocks Minerals
Elements are
Minerals are
organised to form
organised to form
compounds which are
rocks.
known as minerals.
For example- For example- iron,
basalt, granite etc. silicon etc.
Question 1(b)
Describe how igneous rocks are formed. State their
main characteristics.
Answer
Igneous rocks are formed due to cooling, solidification
and crystallisation of magma found at great depths in
the interior of the earth.
The main characteristics of igneous rocks are-
1. They are hard and compact.
2. They are formed by solidification of molten
magma.
3. They are granular and crystalline.
4. They are either fine grained, smooth and compact
or may have large crystals with coarse texture.
5. The size of their crystals depends upon the rate of
cooling of the molten material.
6. These rocks are less affected by chemical
weathering because water does not percolate in
these rocks.
7. Most of them consist of silicates.
8. They do not have layers. They are generally
weathered by mechanical weathering.
9. They are associated with volcanic activity and are
found mostly in volcanic regions.
Question 1(c)
Give a reason for each of the following:
(i) Igneous rocks also called the primary rocks.
(ii) Igneous rocks are used by builders and sculptors.
(iii) Sedimentary rocks are called secondary rocks.
Answer
(i) Igneous rocks also called the primary rocks as they
form the basis of formation of other types of rocks.
(ii) Igneous rocks are used by builders and sculptors
because these rocks are easily available, economical,
and feasible in nature. These rocks are very strong,
which is considered the best option for the
construction of strong structured statues and
buildings.
(iii) Sedimentary rocks are called secondary rocks
because they are formed by the solidification of
sediments of original igneous, sedimentary or
metamorphic parent rocks.
Question 1(d)
Define different types of igneous rocks on the basis of
their chemical composition.
Answer
Igneous rocks are classified into two types on the
basis of their chemical composition-
1. Acid Igneous rocks — These rocks have silica
content between 65% to 85 %. They lack in iron
and magnesium. For example- granite.
2. Basic Igneous Rocks — These rocks have higher
percentage of oxides of denser elements and
silica content varies between 40% to 60%. These
are heavy and dark in colour. For example, Basalt.
Question 2(a)
How are sedimentary rocks formed?
Answer
When igneous rocks are exposed on the surface of the
earth, they are broken down by weathering and carried
away by forces of gradation. They are then deposited
as sediments over long periods in seas, lakes, streams
etc. Subsequent layers are added and due to their own
weight from above, the sediments get cemented
together to form sedimentary rocks.
Question 2(b)
Explain the formation of sedimentary rocks on the
basis of agents of formation.
Answer
There are five main types of sedimentary rocks on the
basis of agents of formation:
1. Riverine Rocks — These are formed by the
sediments deposited by running water or river.
2. Lacustrine Rocks — These are formed by the
deposition of silt etc on the bed of lakes.
3. Glacial Rocks — These are formed by the debris
carried on and deposited by glaciers.
4. Aeolean Rocks — These are formed by the
deposition of sand particles accumulated by wind.
5. Marine Rocks — These are formed by the
deposition of sediments at the ocean floor. These
are of two types- Calcarious sedimentary rocks
and Carbonaceous sedimentary rocks.
Question 2(c)
Give a reason for each of the following:
(i) Mechanically formed sedimentary rocks are also
termed as stratified rocks.
(ii) Rocks like peat, lignite and anthracite are called
carbonaceous rocks.
(iii) Fossils are present in sedimentary rocks.
Answer
(i) Mechanically formed sedimentary rocks are also
termed as stratified rocks because such rocks are
formed in layers.
(ii) Rocks like peat, lignite and anthracite are mainly
made out of carbon composition (almost 60-90%). Due
to this majority of carbon composition in these rocks,
these rocks are known as carbonaceous rocks.
(iii) Fossils are found in sedimentary rocks, where
gentler pressure and lower temperature allows
preservation of past life-forms. Fossils become a part
of sedimentary rocks when sediments such as mud,
sand, shells and pebbles cover plant and animal
organisms and preserve their characteristics through
time.
Question 2(d)
What is metamorphism? What are its causes? Give an
example of rocks formed by heat and pressure.
Answer
Metamorphism refers to the alteration of the
composition or structure of a rock by heat, pressure or
other natural agency. Metamorphism is caused by heat
and pressure.
For example- graphite.
Question 3(a)
State the chief characteristics of metamorphic rocks.
Answer
The chief characteristics of metamorphic rocks are-
1. They are harder and more compact than their
original form.
2. Most of them are impermeable.
3. They do not have fossils.
4. They are formed due to change in texture and
composition of the pre-existing rocks.
5. New minerals are formed during the process of
metamorphosis.
Question 3(b)
State the economic significance of rocks.
Answer
The economic significance of rocks are-
1. Rocks are of great resource value, some directly
and some as constituents of minerals.
2. Soils are derived from weathering of rocks.
3. Almost all types of building materials used for
paving roads, floors or building walls of houses or
various other structures including bridges come
from rocks.
4. Rocks are a source of precious metals like gold,
silver, platinum etc.
5. Apart from minerals and fossil fuels, even rock
wastes have now been used in manufacturing
various articles.
Question 3(c)
What is Rock Cycle? How does it keep the earth
young?
Answer
Rocks undergo cyclic transformation. The continuous
process of transformation of old rocks into new ones
is known as rock cycle. The cycle may also pass
through the process of formation of sedimentary,
metamorphic and igneous rocks.
To keep the earth young, rocks melt again resulting in
the formation of igneous rock. This disintegrated
material again forms sedimentary rock, which takes
hundreds and thousands of years.
Question 3(d)
Draw a well labelled diagram of Rock Cycle.
Answer
Thinking Skills
Question 1
The stone tools were quite significant in the growth
and development of human civilisation. Are the rocks
still important to humans today? Give reasons to
support your answer.
Answer
Yes, rocks are still important to humans today for
several reasons:
1. Rocks (such as granite, sandstone, limestone,
marble) are still used in construction to build
houses, roads, bridges, and other structures.
2. Rocks and minerals are important for industrial
manufacturing, such as for making glass, cement,
ceramics, and various types of metals.
3. Some rocks like peat, lignite, coal etc., are used as
fuel for power generation.
4. Rocks have practical applications in technology,
such as for semiconductors and batteries used in
electronic devices.
5. Rocks are a source of precious metals like gold,
silver, platinum, etc. They are used in making
jewellery and art, and some are used in medicine
and cosmetics.
6. Soils are derived from weathering of rocks.
7. Apart from minerals and fossil fuels, even rock
wastes have now been used in manufacturing
various articles.
Thus, rocks still play a crucial role in human
civilization, both in our daily lives and in various
industries.
Question 2
Do you think the minerals in a rock provide an
important clue about how the rock was formed? Give
reasons to support your answer.
Answer
Yes, the minerals in a rock provide an essential clue
about how the rock was formed. Different minerals
form under different conditions and the combination of
minerals in a rock can help identify the type of rock
and its formation process. Let us consider some
examples:
1. Igneous rocks are formed from the solidification
of molten material, and their minerals are usually
interlocking crystals that form as the material
cools.
2. Sedimentary rocks are formed from the
accumulation and cementation of sediments, and
their minerals are typically cemented together by
minerals such as quartz, calcite, or clay.
3. Metamorphic rocks form from pre-existing rocks
that are changed by heat and pressure, resulting in
the rearrangement of minerals into new forms.
Thus, the presence, absence, or combination of
minerals in a rock provides important clues about the
rock's origin, formation process, and the geological
history of the area where it was found.
Question 3
'The rock cycle has no beginning and no end.' Justify
this statement with examples.
Answer
The continuous process of transformation of old rocks
into new ones is known as rock cycle. The cycle may
also pass through the process of formation of
sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks.
1. The igneous rocks are the primary source of all
other rocks. They are formed on the outer surface
of the earth due to volcanic activities. Rocks are
disintegrated and eroded by climatic factors. The
disintegrated material is removed and transported
to lower levels by the forces of running water,
winds, glaciers and ocean currents. In the basins,
lakes or ocean beds the sediments accumulate.
2. The accumulations undergo lithification through
the processes of evaporation, compaction and
cementation.
3. Once the loose sediment is transformed into
sedimentary rock, it is carried in depressions or on
the sea floor further down under the earth. There
may be further disintegration and recrystallisation
into igneous rock and then it may be transformed
into metamorphic rock.
4. In case the rock melts it may again result in
formation of igneous rock. The disintegrated
material may again form sedimentary rock. In
completing any of these changes hundreds and
thousands of years are involved.
In the operation of the rock cycle, the earth is kept
young and movements of adjustments specially
through horizontal flow or convection currents
maintain the balance between various elements of the
earth like oceans and continents.