EAS 100 – EXAMPLE MIDTERM QUESTIONS
The midterm will consist of multiple choice and short answer style questions.
Approximately 20-25 multiple questions (one mark each) and 5-8 short answer
questions (3 to 5 marks each).
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When describing a mineral, the property ‘fracture’ refers to the __________.
a) Ability of the mineral to split along planar surfaces
b) Density of a mineral
c) Development of crystal faces during mineral growth
d) Development of irregular surfaces in a mineral
2. If you propose a hypothesis that cannot be tested with today’s technology or be seen in the real
world, is it still technically considered a scientific idea?
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a) No
b) Yes
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3. What group would a mineral given by the formula Fe2Al9Si4O22(OH)2 belong to?
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a) Hydroxide
b) Native element
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c) Oxide
d) Silicate
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4. What type of bonding would you expect in a mineral that has high ductility?
a) Covalent
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b) Ionic
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c) Metallic
d) Van der Waals
5. Where does most of the solar radiation absorbed by the Earth go?
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a) Reflected back out to space.
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b) Re-radiated back out the space.
c) Stored in the ground as geothermal energy.
d) Stored in water bodies.
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6. Which of the following statements about events in the geological time scale is true?
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a) Absolute dates were added after most of the time scale boundaries were created.
b) Humans first appeared before the Cenozoic.
c) Isotopes are the main tool used to date material of Hadean age.
d) Unconformities make it easier to determine the geological history of a region.
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7. An element transfers 2 electrons to another element to fulfill an outer shell and promote stability.
This is known as a(n)____________ bond.
a) Covalent
b) Ionic
c) Metallic
d) Van der Waals
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8. Feldspar is the most common non-silicate mineral found in rocks.
a) True
b) False
9. The transformation of sediment into a sedimentary rock is termed ____________.
a) Lithification
b) Metamorphism
c) Precipitation
d) Weathering
10. What is the major cause of the “Pacific Ring of Fire”?
a) A series of mantle hot spots
b) A mid-ocean ridge system
c) Deep, transform faults
d) Subducting plates
11. Body waves ________________________.
a) Can travel through all types of material except fluids.
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b) Can be described as primary or secondary waves.
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c) Move slower than surface waves.
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d) Vibrate in a direction that is always perpendicular to propagation.
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12. You have two soils with B-horizons that are equal in thickness. One soil formed in Northern Alberta,
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the other in a tropical Brazilian forest. Which of the following statements is likely the most correct?
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a) Both soils are the same age.
b) The Brazilian soil is probably older than the Canadian one.
c) The Brazilian soil is probably younger than the Canadian one.
d) You can’t tell which one is older based on the B-horizon.
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13. Sedimentary rocks are classified based on ___________________.
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a) Composition
b) Composition and/or particle size
c) Particle size
d) Crystal size
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SHORT ANSWER: Answer the following questions in the space provided. Diagrams, when
required or if used, must be labelled. Each question is worth 5 marks.
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1. Define the following terms. Diagrams (must be clearly labelled) may be used to help illustrate
your answer. (5 marks)
a) Mineral
b) Cordilleran orogen
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c) Hypothesis
d) Closed system
e) Discharge
2. Draw and label an energy cycle that would represent an island in the middle of the Pacific
Ocean. Make sure you clearly label your diagram. How would your diagram differ from an
energy budget diagram? (5 marks)
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3. Explain how a seismogram can be used to determine the location of the epicentre/focus of an
earthquake. Use diagrams to help explain your answer. (5 marks)
4. Indicate whether the following statements are true or false. If the statement is false, you must
explain why it is false for the full mark. (5 marks)
a) The Earth is a closed system in space. . T F
b) Most sedimentary rocks are dated using relative ages. T F
c) The type of bond in a mineral controls the way that mineral
will break. T F
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d) Half life is the amount of time required for half of the daughter isotope
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amount to become non-radioactive. T F
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e) Isotopes have the same number of protons but differ in the
number of neutrons. T F
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5. Give an example of the following: (5 marks, ½ mark each)
a. A type of unconformity: _________________________________________
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b. A silicate mineral: _________________________________________
c. A field of study in Earth Sciences: _________________________________________
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d. A geological eon name: ________________________________________
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e. A reason why your isotopic date could be wrong: ____________________________
f. A hydrological reservoir: ______________________________________
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g. A property used to identify a mineral sample: __________________________________
h. A stratigraphic principle (except uniformitarianism): ______________________________
i. A process in the rock cycle: ______________________________________
j. One of Kepler’s laws: _______________________________________
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