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Quizzes > Science

Three Kinds of Rocks Quiz: Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic

Quick, free rock classification quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jessica NorthropUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 5
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustrating the Triple Rock Challenge, a middle school earth science quiz.

This quiz helps you check your understanding of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks in 20 quick questions. Use it to review key ideas like formation, texture, and the rock cycle, then keep learning with our metamorphism quiz, try a mineral identification test, and broaden your knowledge with an earth science quiz.

Which rock type is formed from cooled lava or magma?
Organic rock
Sedimentary rock
Metamorphic rock
Igneous rock
Igneous rock forms as molten rock cools and solidifies. This process is distinct from the formation of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, which involve deposition and transformation, respectively.
Which type of rock commonly contains layers formed by the deposition of sediments?
Sedimentary rock
Igneous rock
Metamorphic rock
Volcanic rock
Sedimentary rocks typically form in layers as sediments are deposited over time. These layers often preserve fossils and record historical environmental conditions.
What is the primary process that forms metamorphic rocks?
Weathering and erosion
Deposition of sediments
Melting and cooling
Heat and pressure
Metamorphic rocks are produced when existing rocks are altered by high heat and pressure. This transformation changes the minerals and structure of the rock without melting it completely.
Which rock type is most likely to contain fossils?
Metamorphic rock
All of the above
Sedimentary rock
Igneous rock
Fossils are typically found in sedimentary rocks because these rocks are formed from layers of sediment that can trap and preserve organic remains. Igneous and metamorphic rocks do not generally preserve fossils due to their formation processes.
Which rock is a common example of an igneous rock?
Sandstone
Marble
Limestone
Basalt
Basalt is a common igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of lava. In contrast, limestone and sandstone are sedimentary rocks, and marble is a metamorphic rock.
What texture in igneous rocks indicates that the rock cooled quickly?
Banded texture
Coarse-grained texture
Porphyritic texture
Fine-grained texture
A fine-grained texture in igneous rocks suggests rapid cooling, as there is little time for large crystals to form. This is typical for volcanic rocks that cool quickly at or near the surface.
Which process is most directly responsible for turning loose sediments into sedimentary rock?
Melting
Crystallization
Compaction and cementation
Metamorphism
Compaction and cementation are the key processes by which loose sediments are transformed into solid sedimentary rock. During compaction, sediments are pressed together, and cementation binds them into a rock mass.
How does contact metamorphism occur?
By sediment accumulation
Through compression during mountain building
Due to rapid cooling of lava
When heat from nearby magma alters the rock
Contact metamorphism occurs when rocks are heated by the intrusion of hot magma. The intense heat alters the mineral composition of the surrounding rock without significant pressure changes.
What does the presence of large crystals in an igneous rock typically indicate about its cooling history?
It cooled rapidly, resulting in small crystals
It was formed by sedimentary processes
It underwent extensive weathering
It cooled slowly, allowing crystals to grow
Large crystals in an igneous rock indicate that the rock cooled slowly, permitting ample time for crystal growth. Rapid cooling, on the other hand, yields a fine-grained texture with much smaller crystals.
How does weathering contribute to the rock cycle?
It has no role in the rock cycle
It melts rocks to form magma
It breaks down rocks into sediments that can form new sedimentary rocks
It directly turns igneous rocks into metamorphic rocks
Weathering is the process that breaks down rocks into smaller particles or sediments. These sediments can later be compacted and cemented to form sedimentary rocks, making weathering a fundamental component of the rock cycle.
What does the term 'clastic' mean when describing sedimentary rocks?
They are composed of fragments of preexisting rocks
They are formed from volcanic ash only
They solely contain organic material
They are altered by high pressure and temperature
Clastic sedimentary rocks are made up of fragments or clasts of other rocks that have been transported, deposited, and cemented together. This distinguishes them from chemical or organic sedimentary rocks.
Which metamorphic rock is formed from shale under low-grade metamorphism?
Quartzite
Slate
Gneiss
Schist
Slate is produced from the metamorphism of shale at relatively low temperatures and pressures. Other metamorphic rocks like schist or gneiss require higher-grade metamorphic conditions.
What process transforms limestone into marble?
Sedimentation
Metamorphism
Erosion
Melting
Marble forms when limestone undergoes metamorphism, which recrystallizes the calcite grains within the rock. This transformation results in a denser and more interlocking texture compared to the original sedimentary limestone.
Which characteristic is most distinctive for sedimentary rocks compared to igneous and metamorphic rocks?
Interlocking mineral crystals
The presence of layers and fossils
Foliated texture
Magma origin
Sedimentary rocks are distinguished by their layered structure and frequent inclusion of fossils. This is in contrast to igneous rocks, which have interlocking crystals, and metamorphic rocks, which often exhibit foliated textures.
How do sedimentary rock layers provide clues about Earth's past environments?
They show only the effects of volcanic eruptions
They record information about past climates, organisms, and events
They indicate the speed of tectonic plate movement
They are not useful for interpreting Earth's history
Sedimentary layers act as natural archives that preserve evidence of past climates, life forms, and geological events. By studying these layers, geologists can reconstruct aspects of Earth's history.
How do variations in pressure and temperature during metamorphism lead to the development of foliated versus non-foliated textures in metamorphic rocks?
Differential pressure produces foliated textures, while uniform pressure results in non-foliated textures
The cooling rate of the rock determines foliation
Low pressure creates foliated textures regardless of temperature
High temperature always results in non-foliated textures
Foliated metamorphic rocks develop when differential pressure causes mineral grains to align in layers. In contrast, non-foliated rocks form when pressure is applied uniformly, resulting in a more granular and non-layered texture.
How can cross-cutting relationships in sedimentary layers help determine the relative ages of rock formations?
Cross-cutting relationships do not provide age information
Both the cross-cutting feature and layers are the same age
The feature that cuts across other layers is younger than the layers it intersects
The feature that cuts across is older than the layers
The principle of cross-cutting relationships states that a geological feature such as a fault or intrusion that cuts across existing rock layers must be younger than the layers it disrupts. This concept is fundamental for establishing the relative ages of geological units.
Which scenario best illustrates the rock cycle in action?
Sedimentary rock melts and directly turns into igneous rock without other changes
An igneous rock immediately transforms into metamorphic rock without sedimentation
An igneous rock erodes into sediments that form sedimentary rock, and later these sediments are metamorphosed into metamorphic rock
A metamorphic rock remains unchanged without any transformation
The rock cycle illustrates how rocks are continually transformed from one type to another through processes such as weathering, sedimentation, and metamorphism. This scenario accurately represents the progression from igneous to sedimentary to metamorphic rock.
How can mineral compositions be used to differentiate among igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks?
Mineral compositions are identical across all three rock types
By measuring the magnetic properties exclusively
Only the color of the minerals is significant
Through analyzing crystal size, formation processes, and mineral alignment
Each rock type exhibits distinct mineral characteristics: igneous rocks have interlocking crystals from cooled magma, sedimentary rocks consist of deposited fragments, and metamorphic rocks display re-crystallized minerals with an aligned structure. Analyzing these features helps in identifying the rock's origin.
What role do plate tectonics play in the formation of metamorphic rocks?
They cause rapid cooling of magma
They are responsible for chemical weathering only
They primarily contribute to sediment deposition
They create the high pressures and temperatures necessary for metamorphism
Plate tectonics drive processes such as continental collisions and subduction, which generate the high pressures and temperatures needed for metamorphism. These tectonic forces are essential in transforming preexisting rocks into metamorphic rocks.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze the formation processes of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
  2. Differentiate between the three rock types using key physical characteristics.
  3. Identify and describe the primary properties associated with each rock type.
  4. Apply geological concepts to classify rocks based on observational evidence.
  5. Interpret rock cycle diagrams to explain the transformation of rocks over time.

3.06 Quiz: Three Kinds of Rocks Cheat Sheet

  1. Igneous Rocks - These fiery fellows form when molten magma or lava cools and solidifies into solid rock. Intrusive varieties, like granite, cool slowly beneath Earth's crust and develop big, interlocking crystals, while extrusive types, like basalt, chill rapidly on the surface with fine, glassy grains. Explore their steamy saga .
  2. Sedimentary Rocks - Created from layers of sediments such as sand, mud, and pebbles that pile up, compact, and cement together over time - often hiding fossils within their bands. These rocks tell tales of ancient rivers, beaches, and deserts and are usually softer, crumbling more easily. Check out cool sediment secrets .
  3. Metamorphic Rocks - Existing igneous or sedimentary rocks go undercover, enduring intense heat and pressure deep inside Earth to become completely new creations without melting. This metamorphosis aligns minerals into striking patterns, like the swirling bands in gneiss or the sleek sheen of slate. Dive into their transformation story .
  4. The Rock Cycle - Earth's ultimate recycling program shows how rocks morph from one type to another: igneous can erode into sedimentary, sedimentary can be baked into metamorphic, and metamorphic can melt back into magma. It's a nonstop geological party! See the full cycle .
  5. Identifying Igneous Rocks - Look for a mosaic of interlocking crystals with no cement holding them together - granite's large grains hint at slow cooling, while basalt's tiny crystals reveal rapid lava solidification. Color, texture, and crystal size are key clues. Learn more identification tips .
  6. Identifying Sedimentary Rocks - Spot distinct layers and possible fossils, and feel how sediments might crumble or flake under pressure. Sandstone has gritty grains; shale splits into thin sheets. These features are footprints of ancient environments. Get hands-on tips .
  7. Identifying Metamorphic Rocks - Keep an eye out for foliation - parallel mineral alignment or banding that gives rocks like schist and gneiss a striped appearance. These rocks are generally harder and denser than their original forms. Uncover more clues .
  8. Formation Environments - Each rock type loves its own environment: igneous rocks crystallize from magma deep underground or lava at the surface; sedimentary rocks settle in water bodies or deserts; metamorphic rocks evolve under crushing pressure and heat deep in Earth's crust. Explore their habitats .
  9. Common Uses - From kitchen countertops made of granite, to limestone in cement and marble in sculptures, rocks color our built world. Igneous rocks provide strength, sedimentary rocks offer building materials, and metamorphic rocks deliver beauty and durability. Discover practical applications .
  10. Mnemonic for Rock Types - Remember "I Saw Many Rocks" to instantly recall Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic. It's a fun phrase that sticks in your mind and helps you ace your geology quiz!
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