Tectonic plates

How the Earth's crust is broken into moving plates and what happens at their boundaries

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
What is the Earth's crust broken into? A) Tectonic plates B) Continents only C) Layers of rock D) Volcanic rings
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2
True or false? Tectonic plates move very slowly, only a few centimetres each year. A) True B) False
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3
Fill in the blank. The places where tectonic plates meet are called plate ___.
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4
True or false? Tectonic plates move very slowly over time. A) True B) False
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5
Which type of plate boundary is it when two plates move apart? A) Divergent B) Convergent C) Transform D) Constructive collision
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6
Match each plate boundary type to its description. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: Divergent, Convergent, Transform, Boundary Right: Plates move apart, Plates collide, Plates slide past each other, The edge where two plates meet
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7
True or false? There are seven major tectonic plates. A) True B) False
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8
What forms at a divergent boundary in the ocean? A) A mid-ocean ridge where new crust is created B) A deep ocean trench C) An ancient mountain range D) An island made of sand
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9
True or false? Earthquakes can only happen at plate boundaries. A) True B) False
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10
Order these events that happen at a convergent boundary where two continental plates collide. Put these in order: Mountain range forms, Crust is pushed upwards and folded, Two continental plates move toward each other, Earthquakes occur as plates grind together
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Answer key

Tectonic plates · for parents and teachers

1
Tectonic plates
The Earth's crust is broken into huge sections called tectonic plates. They float on the hotter, partly liquid layer below and move very slowly.
2
True
Tectonic plates move only a few centimetres per year, roughly the rate that your fingernails grow. Over millions of years this adds up to huge distances.
3
boundaries
Plate boundaries are the edges where tectonic plates meet. Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur along these boundaries.
4
True
True. Plates move a few centimetres each year.
5
Divergent
At a divergent boundary, two plates move away from each other. New crust forms here as magma rises to fill the gap, often forming mid-ocean ridges.
6
Divergent → Plates move apart; Convergent → Plates collide; Transform → Plates slide past each other; Boundary → The edge where two plates meet
The three main boundary types are: divergent (apart), convergent (together) and transform (sliding past). Each creates different landforms.
7
True
There are seven major plates: Pacific, North American, Eurasian, African, Antarctic, Indo-Australian and South American. There are also many smaller plates.
8
A mid-ocean ridge where new crust is created
At a divergent ocean boundary, magma rises to fill the gap, cooling to form new crust. This builds up into a mid-ocean ridge, like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
9
False
Most earthquakes happen at plate boundaries, but not all. Some occur in the middle of plates due to old faults or human activity such as mining.
10
Two continental plates move toward each other, Earthquakes occur as plates grind together, Crust is pushed upwards and folded, Mountain range forms
When two continental plates collide, they crumple and push upwards. This is how fold mountains like the Himalayas formed, as the Indian plate pushes into the Eurasian plate.