Types of Rock · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

The Three Types of Rock

Science · Volcanoes & Earthquakes · ages 7-9
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. In which type of rock do scientists usually find fossils?

    • Igneous
    • Sedimentary
    • Metamorphic

  2. Which type of rock forms when lava or magma cools and hardens?

    • Igneous
    • Sedimentary
    • Metamorphic

  3. The three main types of rock are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. A sedimentary rock has no fossils in it. Does that mean its rock-type label must be mistaken?

    • Yes, every sedimentary rock must hold a fossil
    • No, many sedimentary rocks have no fossils
    • Yes, fossils must be added before it is rock

  5. Which process can form sedimentary rock from sand and mud?

    • Small pieces get pressed and stuck together
    • Melted rock cools and becomes solid underground
    • Solid rock changes under heat without melting

  6. An existing rock changes through heat and pressure but does not melt. What type of rock forms?

    • Metamorphic
    • Sedimentary
    • Igneous

  7. Rock A melted, then cooled and hardened. Rock B changed through heat and pressure but stayed solid. Which labels match?

    • A: sedimentary; B: metamorphic
    • A: metamorphic; B: igneous
    • A: igneous; B: metamorphic

  8. Tom sees bands in a rock and says, 'Bands prove it is sedimentary.' Which fact checks his idea?

    • All bands form from loose sediment layers
    • Heat and pressure always remove every band
    • Some metamorphic rocks also have bands
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

The Three Types of Rock W1-mt_NYA50DFcOO-s1

  1. Sedimentary · Sediment can bury and preserve remains or marks of past living things as sedimentary rock forms.
  2. Igneous · Cooling melted rock forms igneous rock, at the surface or underground.
  3. True · These are the three main rock groups based on how rocks form.
  4. No, many sedimentary rocks have no fossils · Sedimentary rock can preserve fossils, but it does not have to contain any.
  5. Small pieces get pressed and stuck together · Sand and mud can settle, then become rock as their pieces are pressed and stuck together.
  6. Metamorphic · Heat and pressure can change solid rock into metamorphic rock.
  7. A: igneous; B: metamorphic · Cooling after melting forms igneous rock. Change through heat and pressure without melting forms metamorphic rock.
  8. Some metamorphic rocks also have bands · Some metamorphic rocks have bands too. Bands alone do not prove the rock's type.
Worksheet · LightMySky