18. A foliated metamorphic rock forms when crystals ____. (1 point)
combine and form visible bands
combine but do not form visible bands
become less compact
align themselves parallel to the direction of the forces acting on them
19. Which of the following energy resources might replace dwindling petroleum supplies one day? (1 point)
coal and natural gas
tar sands and uranium
oil shale and tar sands
wind and coal
20. Placer deposits form when ____. (1 point)
hot, metal-rich fluids cool underground
heavy eroded particles settle out of moving water
organic matter is compressed over millions of years
magma cools in underground chambers
21. Which of the following is a nonmetallic mineral resource? (1 point)
wood
coal
iron
aggregate
22. Harnessing the sun’s energy to produce heat or electricity is ____. (1 point)
non-polluting
inexpensive
possible only in coastal areas
a major source of air pollution
23. The fuel for nuclear fission in nuclear reactors is ____. (1 point)
petroleum
carbon
hydrogen
uranium
24. Wind power generates ____. (1 point)
noise pollution
air pollution
water pollution
soil pollution
25. What is the source of geothermal energy? (1 point)
sunlight heating surface waters
the splitting of atoms to release energy
natural underground reservoirs of steam and hot water
very hot minerals deep underground
26. How is tidal power harnessed? (1 point)
by building a dam across a swiftly flowing river
by bombarding uranium nuclei with neutrons
by building a dam across the mouth of a bay or an estuary in a coastal area
by tapping into underground steam reservoirs
27. What is the function of the atmosphere’s ozone layer? (1 point)
shields Earth from harmful solar radiation
provides the oxygen needed by human life
protects Earth from the sun’s heat
removes pollution from the atmosphere
28. One way that mining for mineral resources damages the land is by ____. (1 point)
adding greenhouse gases to the environment
depleting the world’s ozone
causing salinization
increasing soil erosion
29. Compost helps preserve the health of soil because it ____. (1 point)
is a natural fertilizer
contains pesticides that kill insects
breaks rock down into additional soil
adds artificial fertilizers that help plants grow
30. Which of these factors affects the rate of weathering? (1 point)
climate
chemical composition of the exposed rock
surface area of the exposed rock
all of the above