Rocks & soils

Comparing different types of rock, understanding soil composition, and learning about fossils

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1
Match each rock type to how it is formed. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic Right: Formed from cooled magma or lava, Formed from layers of sediment pressed together, Formed by heat and pressure changing existing rock
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2
Which type of rock is most likely to contain fossils? A) Sedimentary B) Igneous C) Metamorphic D) All rocks equally
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3
True or false? Soil is made from tiny pieces of rock mixed with dead plant and animal material. A) True B) False
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4
Which type of rock is formed when lava cools? A) Igneous B) Sedimentary C) Metamorphic D) Fossil
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5
Put these soil layers in order from the surface (top) to the deepest (bottom). Put these in order: Topsoil, Subsoil, Broken rock, Bedrock
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6
What happens to rocks over time due to wind, rain and ice? A) They are slowly worn away (weathered) B) They grow bigger C) They turn into fossils D) They melt into magma
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7
True or false? Granite is a soft rock that crumbles easily. A) True B) False
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8
A scientist finds a fossil of a sea creature on top of a mountain. What does this tell us? A) That area was once under the sea before the land was pushed upward B) The sea creature climbed the mountain C) Someone placed the fossil there D) Fossils can only form on mountains
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9
Put these steps of fossil formation in the correct order. Put these in order: The organism dies and falls to the seabed, Layers of sediment bury the remains, The sediment turns to rock over millions of years, The fossil is exposed by erosion or digging
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10
Which property would you test to decide whether a rock is suitable for building? A) Hardness and durability B) Colour and shininess C) Smell and taste D) Weight only
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Answer key

Rocks & soils · for parents and teachers

1
Igneous → Formed from cooled magma or lava; Sedimentary → Formed from layers of sediment pressed together; Metamorphic → Formed by heat and pressure changing existing rock
The three rock types are formed in different ways: igneous from cooling magma, sedimentary from compressed layers, and metamorphic from existing rock changed by heat and pressure.
2
Sedimentary
Fossils are found in sedimentary rock because organisms get buried in layers of sediment which slowly turn to rock, preserving their remains.
3
True
True. Soil is a mixture of tiny rock particles (from weathering), decayed organic matter (humus), air, and water.
4
Igneous
Igneous rocks form when hot molten rock (magma or lava) cools and hardens.
5
Topsoil, Subsoil, Broken rock, Bedrock
Soil has layers: topsoil (dark, rich in humus), subsoil (lighter, fewer nutrients), broken rock fragments, and solid bedrock at the bottom.
6
They are slowly worn away (weathered)
Weathering is the process of rocks being slowly broken down by wind, rain, ice, and temperature changes. This creates smaller fragments that eventually become soil.
7
False
False. Granite is a very hard igneous rock. It is durable and resistant to weathering, which is why it is used for kitchen worktops and buildings.
8
That area was once under the sea before the land was pushed upward
Finding sea creature fossils on mountains tells us that millions of years ago, that rock formed under the sea. Earth's movements pushed the rock upward to form mountains.
9
The organism dies and falls to the seabed, Layers of sediment bury the remains, The sediment turns to rock over millions of years, The fossil is exposed by erosion or digging
Fossils form over millions of years: an organism dies, gets buried in sediment, the sediment hardens into rock around the remains, and eventually erosion or digging reveals the fossil.
10
Hardness and durability
A building rock needs to be hard (resistant to scratching) and durable (does not wear away easily). Colour may matter for appearance, but hardness and durability are essential.