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Grade 4 Science · Earth Processes

Grade 4 Earth Processes Practice Test

Build Grade 4 Science skills with five 10-question practice tests on weathering, erosion, deposition, sediment, water, wind, ice, landforms, models, and erosion prevention.

Earth Processes Practice Tests

These Grade 4 Science practice tests help students explain how Earth materials change and move. Students identify weathering, erosion, deposition, sediment, the effects of water, wind, ice, and gravity, landform changes, scientific models, and ways to reduce erosion.

Skills covered

  • Distinguishing weathering, erosion, and deposition
  • Explaining how water, wind, ice, and gravity move Earth materials
  • Connecting erosion and deposition to valleys, deltas, beaches, dunes, and floodplains
  • Using observations and models to investigate Earth processes
  • Identifying variables, evidence, predictions, and conclusions
  • Describing ways plants and engineering designs can reduce erosion

How to use these practice tests

First decide whether Earth material is being broken down, moved, or dropped. Then identify the force involved and look for evidence such as sediment, runoff, channels, slopes, plants, or changing landforms. Remember that many Earth processes happen slowly over time.

For more Grade 4 Science practice, return to the Grade 4 Science category.

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Grade 4 Earth Processes Practice Tests

A 10-question Grade 4 Science practice test on weathering, erosion, deposition, sediment, water, wind, ice, landforms, models, and erosion prevention.

Read each Earth science situation and choose the answer that best explains how materials break down, move, or settle.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

How can a river form a narrow valley or canyon?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The river erodes the land as it moves downhill..

  1. Identify the Earth process: Look for rock breakdown, movement of sediment, or sediment being dropped in a new place.
  2. Connect the evidence: Long-term river erosion can cut into rock and soil and form valleys or canyons.
  3. Confirm the process: The correct choice is The river erodes the land as it moves downhill..

Long-term river erosion can cut into rock and soil and form valleys or canyons.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Where does a river delta often form?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Where a river slows as it enters a lake or ocean.

  1. Identify the Earth process: Look for rock breakdown, movement of sediment, or sediment being dropped in a new place.
  2. Connect the evidence: A river deposits sediment when it slows at its mouth.
  3. Confirm the process: The correct choice is Where a river slows as it enters a lake or ocean.

A river deposits sediment when it slows at its mouth.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

How can a sand dune form?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Wind deposits sand in a mound or ridge..

  1. Identify the Earth process: Look for rock breakdown, movement of sediment, or sediment being dropped in a new place.
  2. Connect the evidence: Wind moves sand and leaves it where the wind slows or an obstacle stops it.
  3. Confirm the process: The correct choice is Wind deposits sand in a mound or ridge..

Wind moves sand and leaves it where the wind slows or an obstacle stops it.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which landform is commonly shaped by moving glaciers?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is A broad U-shaped valley.

  1. Identify the Earth process: Look for rock breakdown, movement of sediment, or sediment being dropped in a new place.
  2. Connect the evidence: Glaciers can carve broad U-shaped valleys as they move through a landscape.
  3. Confirm the process: The correct choice is A broad U-shaped valley.

Glaciers can carve broad U-shaped valleys as they move through a landscape.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

How can a beach grow in one location?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Waves can deposit sand and other sediment along the shore..

  1. Identify the Earth process: Look for rock breakdown, movement of sediment, or sediment being dropped in a new place.
  2. Connect the evidence: Deposition by waves can build or widen a beach.
  3. Confirm the process: The correct choice is Waves can deposit sand and other sediment along the shore..

Deposition by waves can build or widen a beach.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

How can a waterfall move upstream over time?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Water erodes the rock at its base and causes the edge to move backward..

  1. Identify the Earth process: Look for rock breakdown, movement of sediment, or sediment being dropped in a new place.
  2. Connect the evidence: Erosion at the base can cause the waterfall edge to retreat upstream.
  3. Confirm the process: The correct choice is Water erodes the rock at its base and causes the edge to move backward..

Erosion at the base can cause the waterfall edge to retreat upstream.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What is a floodplain?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is A flat area beside a river where sediment may be deposited during floods.

  1. Identify the Earth process: Look for rock breakdown, movement of sediment, or sediment being dropped in a new place.
  2. Connect the evidence: Floodwater can spread out and deposit sediment on the flat land beside a river.
  3. Confirm the process: The correct choice is A flat area beside a river where sediment may be deposited during floods.

Floodwater can spread out and deposit sediment on the flat land beside a river.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

What can happen to soil on a steep mountain slope during heavy rain?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Runoff can carry soil downhill..

  1. Identify the Earth process: Look for rock breakdown, movement of sediment, or sediment being dropped in a new place.
  2. Connect the evidence: Gravity and moving water can transport soil down a steep slope.
  3. Confirm the process: The correct choice is Runoff can carry soil downhill..

Gravity and moving water can transport soil down a steep slope.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Why can soil erosion be a problem for farms?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It can remove nutrient-rich topsoil needed by plants..

  1. Identify the Earth process: Look for rock breakdown, movement of sediment, or sediment being dropped in a new place.
  2. Connect the evidence: Topsoil contains nutrients and organic material important for plant growth.
  3. Confirm the process: The correct choice is It can remove nutrient-rich topsoil needed by plants..

Topsoil contains nutrients and organic material important for plant growth.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which evidence best supports the idea that a valley was shaped by a river?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Rounded sediment and a channel that follows the valley floor.

  1. Identify the Earth process: Look for rock breakdown, movement of sediment, or sediment being dropped in a new place.
  2. Connect the evidence: A river channel and rounded transported sediment are evidence of flowing water.
  3. Confirm the process: The correct choice is Rounded sediment and a channel that follows the valley floor.

A river channel and rounded transported sediment are evidence of flowing water.

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Frequently asked questions about Grade 4 Earth Processes

What is the difference between weathering and erosion?

Weathering breaks rock and other Earth materials down, while erosion moves the broken material to another place.

What is deposition?

Deposition is the process in which moving sediment is dropped or settles in a new location.

How many questions are on this page?

The page includes five mini tests with 10 questions each, for 50 Grade 4 Earth Processes questions in total.