Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION III- CENTRAL LUZON

REGIONAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST IN EARTH SCIENCE

Name:____________________________________________ Score:______________
Grade & Section:___________________________________ Date: _______________

Directions: Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the correct answer and write it on
the answer sheet.

1. For an organism to survive on the planet Earth, which of the following statements that an
organism needs to exist?
I. It has an atmosphere and an ozone layer.
II. It has natural activities to circulate nutrients.
III. It has both a water cycle and a nitrogen cycle.
IV. It has so many active volcanoes
A. I, II, and IV
B. II, III, IV
C. I, II, and III
D. I and II

2. Earth is composed of various interconnected subsystems that work together to create a

dynamic and habitable planet. Which of the following statements is NOT correct about
Earth’s subsystems?
A. Lithosphere is the layer of Earth that contains the land that comprises most
of the Earth’s area.
B. Atmosphere is the blanket of gases that protects the Earth's biotic components
against harmful ultraviolet rays.
C. Hydrosphere is the layer of Earth which contains the water and its forms and
is about 70% of Earth.
D. Biosphere is the layer of Earth that consists of all the living organisms found
in the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.

3. Understanding the Earth's subsystems is fundamental for comprehending the intricate

dynamics and interconnections that sustain life on our planet. Which of the following
statements CORRECTLY describes the Earth's subsystems?
A. The biosphere includes all living components such as producers and
consumers.
B. The hydrosphere consists of the layer of the Earth that contains solid rocks
and land.
C. The lithosphere encompasses all of Earth's water bodies, including ice caps
and cryosphere.
D. The atmosphere is composed of solid rocks and minerals that make up the
Earth's surface.
4. The Earth's ozone layer plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of
conditions necessary for supporting and sustaining life on the planet. Which BEST
describes the importance of Earth's ozone layer for sustaining life?
A. It regulates the planet's water cycle.
B. It maintains a stable atmospheric pressure.
C. It facilitates the process of photosynthesis in plants.
D. It protects harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun.

5. Minerals exhibit a wide range of physical properties that help us identify and distinguish
them from one another. Among the following options, which mineral is often identified by
its metallic luster, greenish-black streak, brassy yellow color, high density, and brittle and
thin pieces that will break with pin pressure?
A. Biotite
B. Muscovite
C. Pyrite
D. Quartz

6. Quartz, Amphibole, Pyroxene, and Galena are some of the common rock-forming minerals
having approximately the same mass. If all four samples are placed in a closed, dry
container and shaken vigorously for 10 minutes which mineral sample would experience
the MOST abrasion?

Minerals Hardness (Mohs Scale)

A. Amphibole 5-6
B. Galena 2.5
C. Pyroxene 5.5 to 6
D. Quartz 7

7. The Earth's dynamic processes can transform rocks over time, resulting in the formation
of different rock types. Which of the following rocks is an example of a metamorphic
rock?
A. gneiss
B. granite
C. shale
D. quartzite

8. The Earth’s geological history involves the deposition and consolidation of various
sediments, leading to the formation of sedimentary rocks. Which of the following rock
samples is an example of sedimentary rocks?

Rock Samples Characteristics Uses

A Coarse-grained Use as paving block and as
building stone
B Black , massive structure, glassy Cutting tools
C Clastic texture , grained-size, Paving and flooring,
variable hardness monument and sculpture
D Foliated texture, fine-grained size, Building materials, paving ,
hard and shiny decoration, jewelry,
landscaping
9. Minerals are components of materials used for home and personal use, economics,
electronics, infrastructures, manufacturing, jewelry, and others. Which of the following
minerals DOES NOT provide correct information about their uses?
I. Feldspar is a component of ceramics, glassware, and pottery.
II. Graphite is used as a component of writing tools such as pencils.
III. Silica is used to produce glass and fiberglass, usually used at home.
IV. Gold, silver, and platinum are made into pieces of jewelry and other important
articles at home.
A. I only B. I and II C. III only D. IV only

10. The sizes, shapes, and positions of the grains that make up a rock are the rock’s texture.
The texture of a rock can be affected by different things. The texture of a sedimentary rock
is mainly affected by the sediment that formed it. If you will be classifying rock based on
textures, which among the choices will you consider as examples of sedimentary rocks?

Rock samples Rock textures

I made of tiny pieces of sediment, such as silt and clay. Therefore, it has
a fine-grained texture. It feels smooth when you touch it.

II made of pieces of sand. It has a medium-grained texture. It feels a bit

rough, like sandpaper.
III is made of sediment pieces that are large, such as pebbles. Therefore,
it has a coarse-grained Texture. It feels bumpy.
IV Basalt forms when melted rock cools quickly on the Earth’s surface.
It has a fine-grained texture because the mineral crystals in it are very
small.
A. I only B. I, II and III
C. I and II D. I, II, III and IV

11. The advancements in technology have led to the integration of various minerals in
electronic devices, enabling their functionality and performance. Which mineral is widely
used in electronic devices, such as smartphones and computers, due to its economical
electrical conductivity?
A. copper
B. gold
C. silver
D. zinc

12. How do modern miners determine the prospective mineral ore?

I. Using geophysical techniques
II. Measuring the magnetic reading of the area
III. Determining the sonic responses of the location
A. I and II
B. I and III
C. II and III
D. I, II, and III
13. Spanning million years, fossil fuels, a significant source of energy, have a distinct origin
that involves complex geological processes. Understanding the origin of fossil fuels
provides insights into their formation and abundance. Which BEST describes the origin
of fossil fuels?
A. weathering and erosion of ancient rocks
B. underground volcanic activity and lava flow
C. accumulation of ancient plant and animal remains.
D. precipitation and crystallization of minerals over a long time.

14. The formation of fossil fuels is a remarkable process that occurs over millions of years and
involves the transformation of organic matter into valuable energy resources.
Understanding the intricate details of this process provides crucial insights into the
geological conditions and factors that contribute to the formation and composition of fossil
fuels. Which BEST describes the process responsible for the transformation of organic
matter into fossil fuels? Organisms or materials __________________
A. turns into stone, where minerals gradually replace the original organic
material, preserving its structure.
B. break down and dissolve when exposed to underground water sources,
leading to their gradual disappearance.
C. remains gradually accumulate, bury under sediment layers, undergo
geological processes, and transform over time to form new substances.
D. undergoes fast crystallization due to intense pressure and high temperatures,
resulting in the formation of crystalline structures.

15. If you drill a hole into the ground in most places, after a few days the bottom fills with
water. The water appears even if no rain falls and no streams flow nearby. What do you
call this source of water that is mostly for human use for drinking, irrigation, and other
purposes?
A. groundwater
B. lakes
C. streams
D. spring

16. The following human activities greatly contribute to ground water pollution
EXCEPT________.
A. sewage from septic tanks contributes mainly to bacterial and viral
contamination
B. improperly sealed landfills, dumps, and hazardous waste disposal sites
contribute chemical pollutants
C. wastewater from factories, farms, and municipal sewage treatment plants is
often stored in basins, pits, and ponds and eventually seeps downward to
contaminate groundwater
D. the wastewater flows out of the tank and into a series of underground trenches
filled with gravel

17. How can human actions seriously affect water resources?

A. Degradation of ecosystems such as changes to landscapes that in turn directly
or indirectly influence water resources.
B. Introduction of recycling practices tons of items like paper, cartons, glass,
etc. contributed to the increased level of carbon footprint.
 C. Promotion of sustainable farming practices can also contribute to the
preservation of natural resources.
D. Initiate effective waste segregation which can contribute to natural resources
conservation by reducing the waste that goes to landfills, making it easier to
recover materials for recycling and composting.

18. The National Waste Resources Board (NWRB) in 2019 reported that among the issues and
challenges about the quality of water in the Philippines are groundwater contamination and
surface water pollution. Which of the following are the causes of groundwater
contamination that adversely affect water quality and availability?
I. Leaching of industrial agrochemicals and animal wastes in agro-industrial areas
II. Sub-surface discharges from septic systems and infiltration of polluted urban run-
off
III. Direct dumping of domestic solid waste in rivers and lakes created an adverse
impact on water quality and availability.
IV. Wastewater discharge from domestic and industries to bodies of water
contaminated water bodies.
A. I only B. II and III C. I and II D. I, II, III and IV

19. In nature, soil erodes approximately as rapidly as it forms. However, improper farming,
livestock grazing, and logging accelerate erosion. Which of the following human practices
DOES NOT contribute to increased rates of soil erosion?
A. Plowing removes plant cover that protects the soil.
B. Logging often removes forest cover.
C. Intensive grazing can strip away protective plants
D. adoption of contour farming and terracing farm practices for natural
vegetation.

For numbers 20 to 21
In the Philippines, a person generates around 0.40 kg daily. aily waste generation of a
person may be attributed to changes in lifestyle, urbanization, and migration patterns.

Waste composition of the Philippines (NSWMC, 2014)

20. Based on the chart above, which of the sources of recyclable wastes obtained the
HIGHEST generation of waste?
A. paper and cardboard
B. metals
C. plastics
D. glass
21. Based on the report of NSWMC in 2014, fifty-two and thirty-one percent (52. 31%) of the
solid waste generated in the Philippines is biodegradable. Which of the following holds
TRUE about the contributory sources of biodegradable waste generation?
I. residential wastes such as kitchen scraps, yard waste, papers and cardboard, glass
bottles
II. wastes from commercial sources, which include commercial establishments and
public/private markets.
III. wastes from institutional sources such as government offices, educational and
medical institutions
IV. waste coming from the industrial or manufacturing sector
A. I,II, III and IV B. I, II, and III C. I only D. II and IV

22. Nutrients are essential substances needed by plants to grow. However, due to improper
farming, essential nutrients are depleted in the soil. That is why, farmers use fertilizer to
supplement the mineral lost. What are the components of fertilizers?
A. aluminum, iron, and copper
B. potassium, nitrogen, and carbon
C. calcium, magnesium, and potassium
D. potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen

23. The improper disposal of waste, particularly medical waste, can pose significant
environmental and health risks that extend beyond the immediate vicinity of the disposal
site. Such improper disposal practices can potentially lead to the contamination of air,
water, and soil, compromising the stability of ecosystems and posing a threat to human
health and well-being. How does improper waste disposal affect human health and the
environment? What is a potential environmental and health risk associated with the
improper disposal of medical waste?
I. increased air pollution and potential respiratory problems.
II. It reduced the level of biodiversity and certain risk of skin cancer.
III. It degraded sanitation and increased risks of heart failure and diseases.
IV. It increased chemical hazard exposure and the possibility of communicable
diseases.
A. I B. II C. III D. IV

24. John is a geology student researching the Earth's interior. He wants to understand the
primary source of heat in the Earth's interior. Which of the following BEST explains the
main source of heat in the Earth's interior?
A. The Earth's interior is heated by intense sunlight, which penetrates the Earth's
surface.
B. The Earth's interior is heated by the radioactive decay of elements, releasing
energy over time.
C. The heat in the Earth's interior is primarily generated by friction caused by
the movement of tectonic plates.
D. The heat in the Earth's interior is a result of the Earth's core interacting with
external sources of heat.
25. The delicate balance of various factors on Earth contributes to the remarkable ability of
our planet to sustain life in all its diverse forms. What is the significance of Earth's distance
from the Sun in supporting life?
A. It affects the length of day and night.
B. It allows the presence of liquid water.
C. It influences the formation of mountains and oceans.
D. It determines the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere.

26. A tourist spent time in the mountains with a cold climate and noticed large piles of broken,
angular rocks at the bases of cliffs. Which of the following statements can explain or
describe his observation?
A. The large broken piles falling from the cliffs are mainly caused by frost
wedging.
B. It is mainly brought about by chemical weathering because the rocks change
not just in size but in composition.
C. The soil in the mountains was fertile and fit for the seed and plant roots to
grow and eventually push the rocks apart which led to organic weathering.
D. It was caused by abrasion since these fragments of rocks have been smoothed
and rounded by collisions with other rocks, silts, and sands carried by water.

27. Weathering, the gradual breakdown and alteration of rocks, is a complex geological
process influenced by several factors, including the presence of water. Water's interactions
with rocks can occur through various mechanisms, each contributing to the overall
weathering process in unique ways. How does water mechanically contribute to the
weathering of rocks?
A. It dissolves rocks through chemical reactions.
B. It oxidizes minerals within rocks, causing them to break down.
C. It enters existing cracks within the rock itself and eventually transforms into
ice stretches out and disintegrates the rock.
D. It hydrolyzes minerals by breaking down the chemical bonds that make the
parent rock material to be softer and weaker.

28. Human activities generate various forms of waste, including gaseous waste, which can
have significant environmental impacts. How is gaseous waste generated during everyday
activities?
A. Composting food scraps and organic waste
B. Conserving water by fixing leaky faucets and pipes
C. Properly disposing of hazardous chemicals and materials
D. Burning fossil fuels for transportation and energy production

29. Sarah is curious about how the Earth's interior heat affects geological phenomena. She
wants to understand the relationship between the Earth's interior heat and volcanic activity.
Which of the following describes the role of the Earth's interior heat in volcanic eruptions?
A. The Earth's interior heat has no direct influence on volcanic activity.
B. The Earth's interior heat cools down magma, preventing volcanic eruptions.
C. The Earth's interior heat causes rocks to melt and form magma, leading to
volcanic eruptions.
D. The Earth's interior heat strengthens the solidification of magma, reducing
the likelihood of volcanic eruptions.
30. What happens to the magma inside the Earth once it is released to the Earth’s surface?
A. Magma cools and crystallizes to form igneous rock.
B. It forms sedimentary rocks and solidifies on the surface of the Earth.
C. Metamorphic rocks are formed due to heat and pressure after they form on
the surface.
D. Sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are formed after the magma is formed
and solidified.

31. Daniel picked up a rock that had been observed on the seashore while strolling. Observing
wavy bands of both light and dark-colored minerals, he claimed that the rock is a product
of metamorphism. Which of the following conclusions is more accurate?
A. Pressure was the main agent in the rocks’ formation, which aligned the
minerals into a new orientation.
B. The rock was formed through high pressure made by the impact of a large
body into the earth’s surface.
C. The minerals in the rocks were altered through recrystallization changing
their size into large crystals.
D. The bands in the rock were formed through the deposition of minerals from
the hot fluids that surround it during the formation process.

32. The following are the observations report students exploring how metamorphic minerals
form. With which students do you agree and why?

Student A Student B
Observations In metamorphic rocks , the New minerals form and grow bigger
minerals melt a little bit due because the rock is getting
extremely high temperatures. The compressed and heated. The atoms
melting causes the atoms to flow that formed minerals in the parent
around and grow bigger. rock rearrange to form bigger
minerals

A. When rocks are exposed to extreme temperatures, the minerals within the
rock recrystallize, therefore, student A is correct.
B. When rock is under pressure and temperature, the atoms rearrange minerals,
therefore, student B is correct.
C. Both the students’ observations are correct.
D. Both the students’ observations are incorrect.

33. While walking on a beach, an Earth Science student with his friend saw a rock that he
believes is a “gneiss”. Which characteristic of the rock did he see that would convince his
friend?
A. It will fizz with the application of acid.
B. It is commonly used in billiard table construction.
C. It demonstrates the mode of foliation.
D. It is a high-grade silicate mineral banded metamorphic rock.
34. Which of the following BEST describes the behavior of rock under compression stress?

Rock Characteristics
samples
A The rock did not deform because there is no place for it to move
B Rocks deform and fold due to pressure
C Rocks break apart
D Rocks slide part each other in opposite direction
A. Rock sample A B. Rock sample B
C. Rock sample C D. Rock sample D

35. Which is the CORRECT sequence for seafloor spreading?

1. This forms a new oceanic crust at the ridges
2. Magma moves up from the mantle and erupts as pillow lava.
3. Then the new oceanic crust forms, it pushes the older crust aside.
4. This crust eventually subducts at the deep ocean trenches and melts back into the
mantle.
A. 2-1-3-4
B. 1-2-3-4
C. 3-1-4-2
D. 4-3-2-1

36. After studying the ages of continental and oceanic rocks, the oldest continental rocks found
on Earth are approximately 3 billion years old while the oldest oceanic rocks are
approximately 180 million years old. Which statement BEST explains this discrepancy in
ages between continental and oceanic crust?
A. evidence of seafloor spreading explains how old oceanic rocks are constantly
being destroyed.
B. proof that calculating the ages of rocks is grossly inaccurate.
C. continental rocks formed from moon rocks are the same age.
D. All of the above

37. Laura is a geographer studying the effects of seafloor spreading on Earth's surface features.
She wants to know how seafloor spreading contributes to the formation of new ocean
basins. Which of the following BEST describes the role of seafloor spreading in the
formation of ocean basins?
A. It triggers volcanic eruptions that shape the topography of ocean basins.
B. It leads to the erosion and deposition of sediment, creating basin-like features.
C. It causes the uplifting of continental crust, resulting in the formation of ocean
basins.
D. It generates new crust at mid-ocean ridges, which gradually moves away,
forming ocean basins.

38. James is a geology researcher investigating the formation of unique landforms in a rift
valley. He wants to understand the underlying process that leads to their creation. Which
of the following BEST explains the formation of rift valleys?
A. bends or curves in rock layers caused by tectonic forces, resulting in wavelike
formations
B. fractures in Earth's crust where rocks on either side have moved relative to
each other due to tectonic activity
 C. elongated depressions on the Earth's surface formed by stretching and pulling
apart of tectonic plates
D. long, narrow depressions in the ocean floor formed by the convergence of
tectonic plates, often associated with subduction zones

39. When a rock is put under so much stress that it can no longer bend, it may break. The table
shows some information about the rock layers under stress. Which of the following is valid
for rock layer X?

Rock layers Causes of tectonic stress

X rocks are pulled apart
Y Rocks are pushed together,
plates collide
Z Rocks slide each other
horizontally

I. The hanging wall moves down, or the footwall moves up or both

II. The hanging wall moves up, or the footwall moves down
III. When rocks slide past each other horizontally
IV. Faulting that occurs in the crust caused by tectonic stress

A. I and II B. II and III C. III and IV D. I and IV

40. Which of the following is the result of either vertical or horizontal stratification of
sedimentary rocks?
A. convection current
B. changes in lava flow
C. formation of internal heat
D. changes in texture or composition during deposition

41. Stratified rocks offer valuable insights in determining the Earth’s geological history.
Which process is primarily responsible for the formation of layers in stratified rocks?
A. volcanic activity
B. folding and faulting
C. weathering and erosion
D. deposition and sedimentation

42. The relative dating of stratified rocks, a method used to determine the relative order of
rock layers and their age in relation to one another, involves specific characteristics that
help geologists understand the sequence of events in Earth's history. Which of the
following is the primary consideration of relative dating of stratified rocks?
A. It provides an exact numerical age of the rock formation.
B. It uses radioactive isotopes to determine the age of the rock layers.
C. It requires the presence of index fossils for accurate age determination.
D. It relies on the principles of superposition and cross-cutting relationships.
43. People use surface mining to remove ores that are near the earth’s surface. Gold and copper
are minerals that are mined using open-fit mining. Which of the following could BEST
describe the process of open-fit mining for human use?
A. It involves the removal of large, near surface deposits of minerals, explosives
break up the rock layers above the ore, then trucks haul the ore from the mine
to a processing plant.
B. It is used to remove sand, gravel and crushed rock which are processed to
make buildings and roads.
C. It is often used to mine coal which is removed in large pieces called strips.
D. It requires the removal of ores that are deep underground such as iron, coal,
and silt.

44. Radioactive decay is the emission of energy in the form of ionizing radiation. What
happens during radioactive decay?
A. Stable isotope transformed to an unstable isotope of different element.
B. Unstable isotope changed to a stable isotope of different element.
C. Stable isotope converted to an unstable isotope of the same element.
D. Unstable isotope turned into a stable isotope of the same element.

45. The age of a certain rock can be determined by absolute dating wherein scientists ______
A. perform the test using the rock’s location.
B. compare the sample of rocks with living animals.
C. use relative order of past events.
D. trace radioisotope impurities.

46. If you have determined an index fossil (e.g. ammonite tropites) between 230 million and
208 million years ago, what can you assume about the features of the rock in which an
index fossil is found?
I. Rocks contain ammonite tropites that lived from between 230 million and 208
million years ago
II. Rocks lived less than 230 million years ago
III. Fossils found in the rock have no hard parts.
IV. The fossil contains sediments in the ammonite shells
A. I and II
B. II and III
C. III and IV
D. I and IV

47. A rock sample was recovered from Taal Volcano Island by a local. The resident
volcanologist was on site and identified the rock. It was formed from the material ejected
by the volcano during its eruption. What type of rock did the locals recover?
A. extrusive
B. intrusive
C. metamorphic
D. sedimentary
48. The diagram below represents the bedrock layers found in an outcrop. Three index fossils
are found within the bedrock layers.

Outcrop

clam

eurypterid

trilobite

eurypterid

clam

Which evidence BEST suggests that this outcrop has undergone crustal movement?
A. The same rock layers appear twice within the outcrop.
B. The trilobite fossil is not found in all five layers.
C. The sediment layers have the same thickness.
D. The eurypterid fossil is absent in the middle of the year.

49. The history of the Earth is a captivating tale of dynamic and transformative processes that
have shaped our planet over billions of years. From cataclysmic events like volcanic
eruptions and asteroid impacts to gradual changes like plate tectonics and evolution, the
Earth has undergone remarkable transformations, leaving a rich geological record for
scientists to decipher. Which of the following statements ACCURATELY represents the
history of the Earth through geologic time?
A. The Earth has always remained unchanged and stable throughout its history.
B. The Earth has undergone significant changes and transformations over
billions of years.
C. The Earth's history can only be understood through biblical accounts, and
religious texts.
D. The Earth's history is too complex to be comprehended by humans, and it
remains a mystery.

50. Scientists can use fossils of certain types of organisms to learn how old rock layers are.
The tribolite phacops lived about 400 million years ago is an example of an index fossil.
The following are the features must a fossil have to be considered as index fossil
EXCEPT_______________.
I. the organism must be common in rocks from most of the earth
II. must live for only a geologically short period of time
III. The organism must be easy to identify
IV. Uses fossils found in older layers of rock come from ancient life forms
A. I B. II C. III D. IV

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