Florida International University
Department of Earth Sciences
GLY 1010: Introduction to Earth Science
Practice Quiz (Not for credit)






1. Waves cause small particles floating on the surface to move in ______.
A.horizontal elliptical orbits
B.vertical elliptical orbits
C.horizontal circular orbits
D.vertical circular orbits


2.
Questions 6 and 7 refer to the wave cross section below.
R-1 Ref 17-1

The wavelength is the distance __________.
A.A-B
B.A-C
C.A-D
D.A-E



3.
Questions 6 and 7 refer to the wave cross section below.
R-1 Ref 17-1

The distance F-H is called the ____________.
A.crest height
B.trough height
C.wave height
D.total displacement



4. Which of the following equations correctly relates the velocity (V) of a wave to the wavelength (L) and period (T)?
A.V = L ´ T
B.V = L/T
C.V = L2 ´ T
D.V = T/L


5. Waves run up onto the beach forming a _________, and run back down as ___________.
A.swash ... backwash
B.wave ... swash
C.front swash ... retrowash
D.wave ... backwash


6. As waves approach a beach, the rows of waves gradually bend to a direction more parallel to the shore. This change in direction is called __________.
A.longshore drift
B.swash
C.tidal surge
D.wave refraction


7. The zigzag motion that carries sand grains along a beach is known as ________.
A.turbidity
B.longshore drift
C.refraction
D.meandering


8. Spring tides occur when ________.
A.the Earth is at a mid-point between its furthest point from the Sun and its closest point to the sun
B.the Sun, Earth, and Moon form a right angle
C.the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in a straight line
D.the Earth's centrifugal force is at a minimum


9. A tsunami is _________.
A.a tidal surge caused by a storm
B.a large wave caused by an undersea earthquake or landslide
C.an earthquake that causes a large wave
D.an undersea landslide


10.
Questions 22 through 24 refer to the beach profile below.
R-2 Ref 17-2

The area labeled "X" is called the ______________.
A.foreshore
B.surf zone
C.swash zone
D.backshore



11.
Questions 22 through 24 refer to the beach profile below.
R-2 Ref 17-2

The area labeled "Y" is called the ______________.
A.foreshore
B.surf zone
C.swash zone
D.backshore



12. Isolated erosional remnants of rock left standing in the sea far from the shore are called ______.
A.spits
B.guyots
C.stacks
D.wave-cut terraces


13. Planar rocky surfaces that form in the surf zone as a result of wave erosion are called ______.
A.stacks
B.backshores
C.wave-cut terraces
D.barrier islands


14.

Questions 28 through 31 refer to the schematic topographic profile of the Atlantic Ocean seafloor from New England to the mid-ocean ridge.


R-3 Ref 17-3

The area labeled "W" is called the __________.
A.abyssal plain
B.continental slope
C.shoreline
D.continental shelf



15.

Questions 28 through 31 refer to the schematic topographic profile of the Atlantic Ocean seafloor from New England to the mid-ocean ridge.


R-3 Ref 17-3

The area labeled "Y" is called the __________.
A.ocean trough
B.continental slope
C.continental rise
D.ocean trench



16. If one were to start from the east coast of North America and descend into the Atlantic Ocean, you would travel along the __________.
A.continental shelf then the continental rise then the continental slope
B.continental rise then the continental slope then the continental shelf
C.continental shelf then the continental slope then the continental rise
D.continental rise then the continental shelf then the continental slope


17. Where is the ocean floor deepest?
A.in rift valleys
B.in the abyssal plain
C.in submarine canyons
D.in oceanic trenches


18. Most volcanic activity on the seafloor takes place on __________.
A.continental shelves
B.abyssal plains
C.continental rises
D.mid-ocean ridges


19. The flat-topped seamounts, resulting from erosion of an island volcano when it was above sea level, are called __________.
A.guyots
B.apostles
C.stacks
D.pediments


20. What type of rock would you expect to find if you drilled a deep hole down through the coral reef of an atoll?
A.basalt
B.granite
C.mica schist
D.sandstone


21. The shells of diatoms and radiolaria, which accumulate on the abyssal plain, are composed of ______.
A.calcium carbonate
B.sodium chloride
C.iron sulfide
D.silica



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