1. Which of the following about Spheroidal weathering is not true?
a) It is a complex type of weathering
b) Both mechanical and chemical weathering are believed to happen
c) Formation of joints is involved
d) Formation of joints is not involved
Explanation: Spheroidal weathering is a complex type of weathering observed in jointed rocks and characterized with the breaking of original rock mass into spheroidal blocks. Both mechanical and chemical weathering are believed to actively cooperate in causing spheroidal weathering. The original solid rock mass is split into small block masses by development of parallel joints.
2. Factor not affecting weathering is ____________
a) Colour of the rock
b) Nature of the rock
c) Climate
d) Physical environment
Explanation: Weathering is affected by the factors like nature of the rock, climate, physical environment but is not affected by colour of the rock. It has no influence over its weathering.
3. It is said that Sandstone is more resistant to weathering compared to Granite. What is the basic reason behind this phenomenon?
a) The external outline form of sandstone
b) Sandstone is harder than granite
c) Granite is mainly made of quartz
d) Sandstone is mainly made of quartz
Explanation: Among granite and sandstones exposed to atmosphere simultaneously in the same or adjoining areas having hot and humid climate, the sandstone will resist weathering to a great extent because they are made up mainly of quartz(SiO2) which is highly weathering resistant mineral.
4. Identify the pair mismatched.
a) Cold and humid – Both mechanical and chemical weathering
b) Dry and cold – Neither of them
c) Hot and humid – Mechanical weathering is predominant
d) Hot and dry – Mechanical weathering is predominant
Explanation: In the hot and humid conditions chemical weathering is predominant and not mechanical, since, there is presence of moisture.
5. Which of the following rock forming minerals is more resistant to weathering compared to Hornblende?
a) Augite
b) Biotite
c) Olivine
d) Calcite
Explanation: The resistance to weathering increases in the following order for dark coloured minerals- Olivine, Augite, Hornblende, Biotite. Hence only Biotite is most resistant. Calcite as it is very reactive among the rock forming minerals.
6. Which of the following is true about Eluvium?
a) It is that category of end product of weathering that has been moved to some distance after its formation
b) It is associated with weathering of slopes
c) It is the end product of weathering that happens to lie over and above the parent rock
d) Regolith is not the other name for Eluvium
Explanation: The basic definition of Eluvium is “It is the end product of weathering that happens to lie over and above the parent rock”. Regolith is another term for eluvium.
7. The zone consisting of mixed composition is ____________
a) Zone A
b) Zone B
c) Zone C
d) Zone D
Explanation: Zone B is of mixed composition, partly of soil and partly of weathered rock, the latter becoming more dominating with depth.
8. Among the following the term which is not effect of chemical weathering is ____________
a) Scree formation
b) Disfiguring
c) Pitting
d) Honeycombing
Explanation: Disfiguring, pitting, honeycombing and loss of surface appearance are quite common effects chemical weathering on stones used irrationally without due regard to the local environment. Scree formation happens due to mechanical weathering.
9. The winds are formed basically due to which reason?
a) Uniform heating
b) Non-uniform heating
c) Precipitation
d) Tectonic activity
Explanation: Winds are born mainly due to non-uniform heating of the surface of the earth at different places causing differences in atmospheric pressure. The pressure difference so created makes the atmospheric gases (the air) to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure in the form of winds.
10. The removal of particles of dust and sand by strong winds is called _____________
a) Abrasion
b) Depletion
c) Deflation
d) Aeration
Explanation: The process of removal of dust and sand by strong winds is called deflation. In Latin, ‘deflare’ means ‘to blow away’. It is the main process of wind erosion in desert regions.