EARTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - EARTH'S LAYERS

6Th Grade Layers Of The Earth Worksheet

  • Explores the composition and structure of tectonic plates
  • Examines the movement and interaction of Earth's layers
  • Analyzes the relationship between mantle flow and plate tectonics
  • Designed for 6th grade Earth Science students

Here are the first 3 questions. Click “View all questions” to see the complete assessment.

Q1.

Which description best explains what makes up a tectonic plate?

  1. A) A solid layer made of the crust and the uppermost mantle
  2. B) A liquid layer made only of the lower mantle
  3. C) A solid layer made of the entire mantle and core
  4. D) A liquid layer made only of the oceanic crust

Q2.

Why can Earth's solid outer layer move even though it is rigid?

  1. A) It expands and contracts because the Sun heats the crust unevenly.
  2. B) It melts completely each day and forms a new solid layer at night.
  3. C) It floats directly on the liquid outer core without any mantle below it.
  4. D) It is divided into plates that are moved by slow flow beneath them in the mantle.

Q3.

A student says, "Tectonic plates are made only of crust." Which response best corrects this statement?

  1. A) Plates are made only of flowing mantle material.
  2. B) Plates contain the crust and the uppermost mantle.
  3. C) Plates are made of the lower mantle and inner core.
  4. D) Plates contain the crust and the whole core.

Q4.

Which sequence best represents how mantle flow can cause plate movement?

  1. A) The crust flows rapidly, melts the mantle, and stops the plates.
  2. B) The uppermost mantle disappears, causing the crust to fall into the core.
  3. C) Mantle material flows slowly, exerts force on the solid outer layer, and moves the plates.
  4. D) The inner core breaks apart, rises through the crust, and becomes a plate.

Q5.

Two measuring stations on different tectonic plates move a small distance relative to each other each year. Which explanation agrees with the plate tectonics model?

  1. A) The entire Earth changes size each year while all plates remain fixed.
  2. B) Daily winds push the crust across the uppermost mantle.
  3. C) Slow flow in the mantle causes the solid plates above it to change position.
  4. D) Ocean tides repeatedly melt and rebuild the tectonic plates.

Q6.

Which comparison of a tectonic plate and the mantle material below it is most accurate?

  1. A) The plate is solid and rigid, while material lower in the mantle can flow slowly.
  2. B) Both the plate and the material below it move rapidly like water.
  3. C) The plate is gaseous, while the material below it is an empty space.
  4. D) The plate flows like a liquid, while all material below it is completely fixed.

Q7.

Scientists describe tectonic plates as parts of one outer layer rather than as separate pieces of crust alone. What evidence from Earth's structure supports this description?

  1. A) The entire mantle moves with each plate as one rigid block.
  2. B) The crust and uppermost mantle move together as a rigid unit.
  3. C) The crust moves while the uppermost mantle always remains still.
  4. D) The crust and inner core form one flexible layer.

Q8.

The diagram shows two sections of Earth's solid outer layer above moving mantle material. Which explanation best accounts for the directions in which the two sections are moving?

Diagram for question 8: The diagram shows two sections of Earth's solid outer layer above moving mantle material. Which explanation…
  1. A) Air currents above Earth's surface pull both sections towards the centre.
  2. B) The two sections melt at the centre and are carried downward into the core.
  3. C) Rising mantle material spreads sideways beneath the solid layer and moves the sections apart.
  4. D) The solid layer remains fixed while only the drawn arrows change position.

Q9.

In the Earth cross-section, which labelled region represents a complete tectonic plate?

Diagram for question 9: In the Earth cross-section, which labelled region represents a complete tectonic plate?
  1. A) Regions B and C together, because a plate reaches the core
  2. B) Region C, because it includes the entire mantle
  3. C) Region A, because it includes the crust and uppermost mantle
  4. D) Region B, because it includes only slowly flowing mantle material

Q10.

The diagram shows mantle flow beneath a boundary between two plates. Which statement best links the movement in region Y to the movement of the plates?

Diagram for question 10: The diagram shows mantle flow beneath a boundary between two plates. Which statement best links the movement…
  1. A) The downward flow in region Y causes both solid plates to move away from the boundary.
  2. B) The plates stay fixed because flow in region Y cannot affect the solid outer layer.
  3. C) Region Y is part of the crust and moves above the plates.
  4. D) The downward flow in region Y is associated with the two solid plates moving towards the boundary.

What this assessment covers

Concepts tested

  • Tectonic plate composition
  • Movement of Earth's outer layer
  • Mantle flow and plate movement
  • Plate tectonics model
  • Earth's structural layers

Question Mix

  • Medium questions included

Skills you build

  • Identify components of tectonic plates
  • Explain plate movement mechanisms
  • Correct misconceptions about Earth's layers
  • Interpret diagrams of Earth's structure
  • Analyze scientific explanations of plate tectonics