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

Chapter 11: Mass Wasting
 
 
1. The processes by which rock, soil, or unconsolidated materials move downhill under the influence of gravity are called __________.
A. debris sliding
B. mass wasting
C. weathering
D. solifluction

 
2. What is the dominant force that causes mass movement?
A. tidal force
B. seismic energy
C. gravity
D. wind

 
3. Which of the following is not an important factor in causing mass movements?
A. temperature of slope materials
B. nature of slope materials
C. amount of water in materials
D. steepness and instability of slopes

 
4. A hill consisting of loose, dry sand that slopes at the angle of repose and has no vegetation ______.
A. is stable unless oversteepened by excavation
B. may flow if it becomes saturated with water
C. will be more stable if vegetation takes root on the hill
D. all of these

 
5. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Fine sand forms steeper slopes than coarse sand.
B. Angular pebbles form steeper slopes than coarse sand
C. Water-saturated sand forms steeper slopes than dry sand.
D. Dry debris forms steeper slopes than moist debris.

 
6. The angle of repose does not depend upon which of the following?
A. particle size
B. particle shape
C. particle composition
D. water content

 
7. Which of the following situations is most likely to undergo mass wasting?
A. a dry, moderate slope of unconsolidated material
B. a wet, moderate slope of unconsolidated material
C. a dry, steep slope of unconsolidated material
D. a wet, steep slope of unconsolidated material

 
8. As the amount of water in a pile of quartz sand increases, the angle of repose will __________.
A. increase
B. decrease
C. first increase and then decrease
D. not change

 
9.
R-1 Ref 11-2

How would a debris avalanche be classified in the table above?
A. box c 
B. box f 
C. box i 
D. box l 


 
10.
R-1 Ref 11-2

How would a rock avalanche be classified in the table above?
A. box b 
B. box c 
C. box e 
D. box f 


 
11. The accumulation of rocks at the base of a cliff is called ______.
A. a dune
B. soil creep
C. an alluvial fan
D. talus

 
12. Solifluction occurs in __________.
A. cold regions
B. temperate regions
C. hot, humid regions
D. hot, arid regions

 
13. Which of the following mass movements is the fastest?
A. mudflow
B. debris avalanche
C. soil creep
D. earthflow

 
14. A slow slide of unconsolidated material that travels as a unit is called ______.
A. soil creep
B. a debris flow
C. a slump
D. a rockslide

 

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