Surface Forces That Shape the Earth is one of 8 topics in the Grade 9 Social Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What is weathering?
The gradual breaking down of rocks at or near the Earth's surface, roughly in place
The transport of broken rock material away from its original location
The formation of rivers and lakes
The process of plants growing in soil
Answer: The gradual breaking down of rocks at or near the Earth's surface, roughly in place — Weathering is the gradual breaking down of rocks at or near the Earth's surface, caused by exposure to the atmosphere, water, temperature changes and living organisms, roughly in place.
Easy
2. Which type of weathering involves water freezing and expanding in cracks, eventually breaking rock apart?
Physical (mechanical) weathering
Chemical weathering
Biological weathering
None of these -- this is a type of erosion, not weathering
Answer: Physical (mechanical) weathering — Freeze-thaw weathering, where water freezes and expands in cracks, breaking rock apart through physical force without changing its chemical makeup, is a form of physical (mechanical) weathering.
Medium
3. Name the key difference between weathering and erosion.
Answer: weathering breaks rock down in place, while erosion transports the broken material away — Weathering breaks rock down roughly in place, without moving the broken pieces, while erosion is the process of broken material actually being transported away, usually by water, wind or ice.
