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Earth's Layers Big Test

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

 1. 
The outermost, rigid layer of the Earth is called the
a.
mesosphere.
c.
asthenosphere.
b.
lithosphere.
d.
outer core.
 

 2. 
Which layer of the Earth is made up of tectonic plates?
a.
core
c.
asthenosphere
b.
mesosphere
d.
lithosphere
 

 3. 
Earth's oceanic crust is ____ than the continental crust.
a.
thinner but denser
c.
thicker but less dense
b.
thicker and denser
d.
thinner and less dense
 

 4. 
The thinnest part of a tectonic plate lies beneath
a.
the middle of the ocean.
c.
the center of a continent.
b.
a mountain range.
d.
a coastal plain.
 

 5. 
The thickest part of a tectonic plate lies below
a.
the middle of the ocean.
c.
the center of a continent.
b.
a mountain range.
d.
a coastal plain.
 

 6. 
Which of the following makes up most of the Earth's mass?
a.
crust
c.
outer core
b.
mantle
d.
inner core
 

 7. 
This is a boundary between the crust and the mantle.  Seismic waves change speeds as they pass through this area.
a.
the asthenosphere
c.
the lithosphere
b.
the mohorovicic discontinuity
d.
the seismic boundry
 

 8. 
Scientists have used drilling equipment to drill a hole down into the Earth’s
a.
mantle
c.
crust
b.
aesthenosphere
d.
moho
 

 9. 
The scientific name for the crust is the
a.
aesthenosphere
c.
mantle
b.
lithosphere
d.
continental crust
 

 10. 
This is one of the five elements that make up 90 percent of the Earth’s crust, but the mantle contains more than the crust does.  The amount of this element increases as we go deeper into the Earth.
a.
oxygen
c.
iron
b.
silicon
d.
calcium
 

 11. 
Which type of crust is made mostly of basalt?
a.
oceanic crust
c.
aesthenospheric crust
b.
continental crust
 

 12. 
The soft, gooey layer of the mantle on which pieces of the lithosphere move is called the
a.
mesosphere.
c.
inner core.
b.
asthenosphere.
d.
outer core.
 

 13. 
Scientists believe that the Earth's core is made mostly of
a.
iron and nickel
c.
aluminum.
b.
magnesium.
d.
oxygen.
 

 14. 
The liquid layer that lies beneath the mantle and surrounds the inner core is called the
a.
mesosphere.
c.
asthenosphere.
b.
lithosphere.
d.
outer core.
 

 15. 
The solid, dense center of our planet is called the
a.
mesosphere.
c.
inner core.
b.
asthenosphere.
d.
outer core.
 

 16. 
What two things increase as we go deeper and deeper into the Earth?
a.
the amount of oxygen and silicon
c.
temperature and pressure
b.
the number of elements
d.
the types of rocks
 

 17. 
Why is the inner core a solid?
a.
the temperature is cooler than the outer core
c.
the tremendous pressure caused by the weight of the Earth forces it to be a solid
b.
it has less pressure than the mantle
d.
it is made of different elements than the outer core
 

 18. 
A deep well or mine shaft goes through which layer or layers of Earth?
a.
crust only
c.
crust and mantle
b.
mantle only
d.
mantle and core
 

 19. 
Continental crust is made mostly of two kinds of rock.  They are
a.
lithospheric and metamorphic
c.
granite and basalt
b.
basalt and igneous
d.
rocks and granite
 

 20. 
How do scientists collect information about the inside of the Earth?
a.
studying seismic waves and drilling holes
c.
by digging deep mines down into the different layers of the Earth
b.
by using satellite technology
d.
by drilling holes and studying volcanoes
 

 21. 
mc021-1.jpg
Which letter represents the densest layer of the Earth?
a.
letter A
c.
letter C
b.
letter B
d.
letter D
 

 22. 
mc022-1.jpg
Which letter represents the asthenosphere?
a.
letter A
c.
letter C
b.
letter B
d.
letter E
 

 23. 
mc023-1.jpg
Which letter represents the part of the mantle that the lithosphere is sliding on?
a.
letter B
c.
letter E
b.
letter C
d.
letter F
 



 
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