2009 Geology Examination Paper

7/30/2019 2009 Geology Examination Paper

1/29

FOR OFFICEUSE ONLY

SUPERVISORCHECK

RE-MARKED

ATTACH SACE REGISTRATION NUMBER LABELTO THIS BOX

External Examination 2009

Wednesday 18 November: 1.30 p.m.

Time: 2 hours

Examination material: one 27-page question bookletone 8-page script bookone multiple-choice answer sheetone SACE registration number label

Approved dictionaries and calculators may be used.

Instructions to Students

1. You will have 10 minutes to read the paper. You must not write in your question booklets or script book or

on your multiple-choice answer sheet, or use a calculator during this reading time but you may make notes

on the scribbling paper provided.

2. This paper is in three sections:

Section A: Multiple-choice Questions (Questions 1 to 15)

Answer this section on the separate multiple-choice answer sheet, using black or blue pen.

Answerallquestions in Section A.

Section B: Short-answer Questions (Questions 16 to 23)

Answer this section in the spaces provided in this question booklet.

Answerallquestions in Section B.

Section C: Extended-response Question (Question 24)

Answer this question in the separate script book.

Include maps, diagrams, graphs, andeld examples wherever possible.

3. The allocation of marks and the suggested (approximate) allotment of time are as follows:

Section A 30 marks 30 minutes

Section B 70 marks 70 minutes

Section C 20 marks 20 minutes

Total 120 marks 120 minutes

4. The geological time-scale is on page 27. You may remove it from this booklet before the examination

begins.

5. Attach your SACE registration number label to the box at the top of this page. Copy the information from

your SACE registration number label into the boxes on your multiple-choice answer sheet and on the front

cover of your script book.

6. At the end of the examination, place your script book and multiple-choice answer sheet inside the back

cover of this question booklet.

2009 GEOLOGY

Pages: 27

Questions: 24


2/29

2

STUDENTS DECLARATION ON THE USE OF

CALCULATORS

By signing the examination attendance roll I declare that:

my calculators have been cleared of all memory;

no external storage media are in use on these calculators.

I understand that if I do not comply with the above conditions

for the use of calculators I will:

be in breach of the rules;

have my marks for the examination cancelled or amended;

be liable to such further penalty, whether by exclusion from

future examinations or otherwise, as the SACE Board of

South Australia determines.


3/29

3 PLEASE TURN OVER

SECTION A: MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS (Questions 1 to 15)

(30 marks)

Answerallquestions in this section.

Each of the multiple-choice questions in Section A involves choosing from four alternative

answers. Read each question carefully. Then indicate the one alternative that you consider best

answers the question by shading the bubble by the appropriate letter alongside the question

number on the multiple-choice answer sheet. Use black or blue pen. It is in your interest to give

an answer to every question in this section of the paper, as no marks are deducted for incorrect

answers. Each question is worth 2 marks. You should spendabout 30 minutes on this section.

1. Which one of the following combinations correctly identies a metallic ore, its mineral group,

and the metal that can be extracted from it?

Metallic Ore Mineral Group Extracted Metal

J. galena sulphide lead

K. galena oxide iron

L. haematite oxide lead

M. haematite sulphide iron

2. Refer to the followingow chart, which shows the processes that may affect a body of

magma over millions of years:

Magma

solidifies

underground

Igneous

rock is

formed

Igneous

rock is

exposed and

subjected to

weathering

Sediments

are

transported

and

deposited

Sedimentary

rock is

formedX

Which statement correctly describes process X?

J. Sediments undergo deformation and metamorphism.

K. Sediments undergo melting and crystallisation.

L. Sediments undergo uplifting and erosion.

M. Sediments undergo compaction and cementation.


4/29

4

3. Refer to the following diagram, which shows the Tasman Fold Belt, located on the East Coast

of Australia. It is an orogenic belt.

AdelaideMelbourne

Sydney

Hobart

Perth

TASMANFOLDBELT

Darwin

Brisbane

An orogenic belt

J. consists of a belt of sedimentary rocks deposited on top of older continental crust.

K. is a linear belt of Precambrian sedimentary rocks that are highly deformed.

L. is a linear belt of highly deformed sedimentary rocks.M. is a belt composed of only sedimentary rocks, including sandstones, shales, and

limestones.

4. In general, oceanic crust is

J. closer to the Earths core than the mantle is.

K. thicker than the inner core.

L. more dense than continental crust.

M. composed of older rocks than continental crust is.


5/29

5 PLEASE TURN OVER

5. Refer to the following diagram, which shows the dip and strike of a tilted rock sequence:

strike

dip

dipN

Source: Adapted from Strike and Dip web page, Department of Civil and Geological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan

Which one of the following combinations correctly identies the dip and strike that isindicated in the diagram?

Strike Direction Dip Angle and Direction

J. eastwest 45 S

K. eastwest 20 N

L. northsouth 45 S

M. northsouth 20 N

6. Refer to the following diagram, which shows the paths of seismic waves produced by an

earthquake travelling through the Earths mantle:

earthquake

focus

It can be seen from the diagram that the seismic waves travel along curves, rather than in

straight lines.

A probable explanation for this behaviour of the waves is that they

J. are affected by the magnetic properties of the Earth.

K. are refracted as they travel through mantle material of increasing density.

L. are reected at boundaries between different layers within the mantle.

M. interfere with each other, causing changes in the directions in which they are travelling.


6/29

6

7. Refer to the following diagram, which shows sedimentary rock strata that have been subjected

to several episodes of igneous activity:

dolerite

basalt

AB

C

D

Source: Adapted from I.F. Clark & B.J. Cook (eds), Geological Science: Perspectives of the Earth,Australian Academy of Science, Canberra, 1983, p. 295

Which one of the following statements concerning the relative ages of the igneous structures

is correct?

J. The lava ow B is older than the dolerite dyke, A.

K. The dolerite dyke, A, is younger than the dolerite sill, C.L. The lava ow D was probably ejected from a composite volcano.

M. Lava ows B and D were ejected during the same volcanic eruption.

8. The feature that distinguishes an ore deposit from any other mineral deposit is a

concentration of

J. one or more minerals that contain metals.

K. one or more minerals that can be protably extracted.

L. minerals in a remote area.

M. at least three different useful minerals.


7/29

7 PLEASE TURN OVER

9. Refer to the following photograph, which shows a layer of dark-coloured rock between

several layers of sedimentary rocks:

sedimentary rock

layers

sedimentary rock

layerscoin

layer containing

iridium

Source: Tunguska web page, Washington State University

The dark-coloured rock has been found to contain the element iridium.A possible explanation for the layer of dark-coloured rock is

J. a volcanic eruption caused lava that contained iridium to ow over the sedimentary rocks.

K. the impact of an extraterrestrial object caused debris that contained iridium to be scattered

over the sedimentary rocks.

L. erosion of a nearby mountain range that was rich in iridium resulted in a layer of iridium

being deposited on the sedimentary rocks.

M. iridium from the surrounding rocks seeped between the layers of sedimentary rocks.

10. Which one of the following techniques for extracting ore deposits is likely to cause the least

disturbance to the environment?

J. Open-cut mining.

K. Strip mining.

L. Underground mining.

M. Dredging.

11. The atmosphere during the early Archaean Eon

J. supported early life in the form of bacteria and cyanobacteria.

K. contained many gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, oxygen, and water released

during volcanic eruptions.

L. contained more ozone than todays atmosphere.

M. was so harsh because of unstable regions of erupting lava that no life existed.


8/29

8

12. Refer to the following photograph, which shows a foliated rock sample:

What do the foliations in the sample indicate about the amount of pressure and the type of

metamorphism that acted on the rock?

Amount of Pressure Type of Metamorphism

J. high regional

K. low thermal

L. low regional

M. high thermal

13. Areas like Mount Gambier, south-western Victoria, and eastern Australia are sites of previous

volcanic activity.

The soils from these areas are formed from weathered basalt. They are generally fertile due to

J. steep slopes, which promote the development of fertile soils.

K. weathering and erosion on steep-sided volcanoes.

L. the presence of well-drained silica-rich soils.

M. the presence of elements essential for plant growth.


9/29

9 PLEASE TURN OVER

14. Magnetic anomalies on the sea oor exist in the form of stripes that are

J. parallel to both continental margins and to transform faults.

K. parallel to mid-ocean ridges and shifted along transform faults.

L. perpendicular to transform faults and end at mid-ocean ridges.

M. perpendicular to mid-ocean ridges and parallel to transform faults.

15. Refer to the following diagrams, which compare the approximate size and shape of three

different types of volcanic cone:

20 km2 km

A B C

200 km

Which one of the following combinations correctly identies the material ejected and the

appropriate tectonic setting for the type of volcanic cone indicated in the rst column?

Cone Material Ejected Tectonic Setting

J. A basaltic lava convergent boundary

K. A ash and cinders conservative boundary

L. B andesitic lava convergent boundary

M. C basaltic lava conservative boundary


10/29

10

SECTION B: SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS (Questions 16 to 23)

(70 marks)

Answerallquestions in this section. Write your answers in the spaces provided under each

question. The allocation of marks is shown in brackets at the end of each part of each question.

You should spend about 70 minutes on this section.

16. Refer to the following table, which shows the average monthly world price of gold over a

year:

Month Price of Gold (US$ per ounce)*

January 900

February 900

March 1000

April 925

May 900

June 900

July 970

August 800

September 900

October 750

November 750

December 800

* US$ means United States dollar.


11/29

11 PLEASE TURN OVER

(a) On the following grid, write in the scale for the vertical axis and draw a line graph of

the data supplied in the table on the opposite page.

Average Monthly World Gold Price

goldprice(US$pe

rounce)

month

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

(3 marks)

(b) Describe the general trend of the world gold price over the year.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(c) Describe one way that gold mining companies would be affected by a fall in the price of

gold.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________ (2 marks)


12/29

12

17. Refer to the following photograph, which shows a road cutting near Parliament House in

Canberra:

rock stratum A

1 metre

(a) State one piece of evidence that indicates that the rock strata shown in the photograph

are made up of sedimentary rocks.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(b) Name the geological principle that allows the determination that rock stratum A is the

oldest layer shown in the photograph.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(c) On the photograph, mark and label the following features of the rocks:

(i) the position of a fault. (1 mark)

(ii) the foot wall and hanging wall of the fault. (1 mark)

(iii) the relative directions (using arrows) of movement of the rocks either side

of the fault. (1 mark)


13/29

13 PLEASE TURN OVER

(d) (i) Name the type of fault shown in the photograph.

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(ii) Name the type of crustal forces involved in the formation of the fault.

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(e) (i) State one potential hazard associated with building in this area.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(ii) Suggest one recommendation that a geologist may make to minimise the damage to

or impact on building in this area as a result of the hazard identied in your answer

to part (e)(i).__________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)


14/29

14

18. Refer to the following diagram, which is an example of a classication scheme for igneous

rocks. Six common igneous rocks are named in the diagram.

mineralogy classification

orthoclase

feldspar

quartz

plagioclase

feldspar

hornblende

augite

olivine

biotite

Felsic Intermediate Mafic Ultramafic

80

100100

60

40

20

00

80

60

40

20

rhyoliteFine

Medium

Coarse granite

andesite basalt

dolerite

gabbrograinsize

mineralcomposition(%)

rockname

Source: Adapted from I.F. Clark & B.J. Cook (eds), Geological Science: Perspectives of the Earth,

Australian Academy of Science, Canberra, 1983, p. 154

(a) Name two properties of igneous rocks on which this classication scheme is based.

(i) ________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(ii) ________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(b) From the diagram above, name one igneous rock that contains quartz.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(c) From the diagram above, name one igneous rock that has the following average

composition:

Plagioclase feldspar: 60%

Hornblende: 20%

Augite: 10%

Biotite: 10%

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)


15/29

15 PLEASE TURN OVER

(d) Complete the following table for gabbro by listing each mineral present and estimating its

minimum and maximum concentration in this rock.

Name of Mineral Min. Percentage Present Max. Percentage Present

(3 marks)


16/29

16

19. Refer to the following article and photographs, which describe a recently discovered fossil.

This animal is an addition to the wide variety of soft-bodied animals for which fossil evidence

has already been discovered in the Flinders Ranges.

a 'new' lifeform from 550 million years ago

TRACE OF HISTORY: Museum palaeontologycollection manager Dennis Rice with an Eoandromeda

under the magnifying glass. Picture: DEAN MARTIN

CLARE PEDDIESCIENCE REPORTER

One of na tures fa i ledexper iments , a s t rangeand beautiful animal witheight spiralling arms, hasbeen rediscovered on twocontinents.

The soft-bodied animalthat lived on the bottom of

the ocean 550 million yearsago was preserved as castsand moulds in sandstone

of the Flinders Ranges andcarbon stains in mudstonesof Southern China.

Chinese and Australianresearchers met by chance atan international conferenceand started to comparenotes.

Palaeontologist Dr JimGehling, from the South

Australian Museum, saidthe creature eventually was

named Eoandromeda after

the galaxy, because the spiral

looks like a whirlpool-shaped

galaxy.

I t i s thought i t l ivedon the ocean floor and

absorbed nutrients from the

environment.

We dont know what it did.

We cant see a mouth and wecant be sure it had a stomachso we think it absorbed the

nutrients, he said.

This is straining the edges

of our knowledge of biology,

because we dont have things

like this alive today.

Source: Excerpt from the Advertiser, Adelaide, 7 November 2008, p. 11

A reconstruction showing thepossible appearance of the animal

Source: Photo from SA Museum published on Adelaide Now website, 8 November 2008

(a) (i) State the geological period that has been named after the assemblage of fossils found

in the Flinders Ranges.

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(ii) State the time range, in millions of years, that is covered by the period you identied

in part (a)(i).

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(iii) State one reason why this assemblage of fossils provides very signicant information

about the history of life on Earth.

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)


17/29

17 PLEASE TURN OVER

(b) Estimate the approximate diameter of the fossil shown in the photograph.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(c) (i) Explain why the preservation of a soft-bodied animal is a very unusual occurrence.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(ii) State the probable energy level of the environment in which Eoandromeda became

fossilised.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(iii) Give a reason for your answer to part (c)(ii).

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(d) State the likely geographical distribution ofEoandromeda when they were alive.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)


18/29

18

20. Refer to the following table, which shows information on the generation of electricity from

nuclear power stations in European countries:

European CountryElectricity from

Nuclear Power Stations

Working Nuclear

Power Stations

Bulgaria 32% 2Czech Republic 32% 6

France 77% 59

Germany 23% 17

Lithuania 64% 1

United Kingdom 13% 19

Source: Adapted from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4713398.stm, 26 May 2009

(a) Name the country that obtains the greatest percentage of its electricity from nuclear

power stations.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(b) Identify a potential problem with Lithuanias electricity supply.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(c) Australia and Canada have most of the worlds uranium reserves.Explain briey how the

location of the worlds uranium reserves could affect the cost of electricity in European

countries.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________ (2 marks)

(d) Identify one benet of producing electricity from power stations that use uranium rather

than fossil fuels.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)


19/29

19 PLEASE TURN OVER

(e) (i) State whether uranium is a renewable or non-renewable energy resource.

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(ii) Give a reason for your answer to part (e)(i).

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

Radioactive waste generated by nuclear power stations is extremely dangerous and is often

stored underground.

(f ) State two geological requirements that must be met for an underground site to be suitable

for storing radioactive waste.

(i) __________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(ii) __________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(g) State one reason apart from storage and disposal of radioactive wastes why there is

considerable opposition to the construction of nuclear power stations in Australia.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)


20/29

20

21. Refer to the following diagram, which shows a map of Gondwana 135 million years ago:

South America

Africa

Arabia

India

Antarctica Australia

New

Guinea

Source: Day 143, THS Earth/Space Science web page, posted by J. Gontesky, 13 April 2007

(a) State the name given to the theory which describes the movement of continents over

time.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(b) Explain why similar dinosaur fossils from the Cretaceous Period could be found in both

Australia and India today.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(c) State why earthquakes would have been common during the break up of Gondwana.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(d) Name the structure that has formed on the ocean oor because of the South American

plate and the African plate moving apart.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)


21/29

21 PLEASE TURN OVER

(e) In the box provided below, draw and label, using arrows, a cross-section of a divergent

plate boundary showing:

the directions in which the plates are moving

the type(s) of crust involved (e.g. oceanic and/or continental)

rising magma.

(5 marks)


22/29

22

22. Groundwater is a critical resource in Australia, especially during prolonged drought. Refer to

the following diagram, which shows the typical structure of an aquifer:

limestone

granite

sandstone

shale

(a) Locate the following features on the diagram, using arrows, and label them A, B, C,

and D as indicated:

A: recharge area

B: water-table

C: aquifer

D: aquiclude. (4 marks)

(b) (i) Describe two properties of the rock that acts as an aquifer.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________ (4 marks)

(ii) Describe one property of the rock that acts as an aquiclude.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________ (2 marks)


23/29

23 PLEASE TURN OVER

(c) Describe one factor that affects the amount of water stored below the ground.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________ (2 marks)

(d) Describe one human activity that may pollute the groundwater.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________ (2 marks)


24/29

24

23. Refer to the following stratigraphic column and table, which contain data collected and

recorded by paleontologists about a sequence of rocks. The sequence shown below has not

been overturned.

Middle Triassic

shale/siltstone

Early Triassic

muddy limestone

Layer of

volcanic ash

Late Permian

limestone

NumberofSpecies

FossilAbundanceRating

DominantFossilGroup

100 high ammonites

25 low none

0 zero none

333 high trilobites

(a) (i) The stratigraphic column shows evidence of an event in which no sedimentary rocks

were formed. State what the event was.

________________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(ii) State two pieces of evidence for the event identied in part (a)(i).

(1) ___________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(2) ___________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(iii) State two warning signs that could be observed before an event similar to that

identifed in part (a)(i).

(1) ___________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(2) ___________________________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(b) Explain a reason for the large decrease in the number of species from the late Permian to

the early Triassic.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________ (2 marks)


25/29

25 PLEASE TURN OVER

SECTION C: EXTENDED-RESPONSE QUESTION (Question 24)

(20 marks)

Answer this section in the separate script book. You should spend about 20 minutes on this

section.

You should present a clear, logical, and well-illustrated response to this question. Include maps,

diagrams, graphs, andeld examples wherever possible.

24. The environments in which sediments are deposited leave clues in the resulting rocks.

Geologists use these clues to deduce the nature of past sedimentary environments. The

sedimentary rocks can be subjected to further changes during thermal and regional

metamorphism.

Describe some features of sedimentary rocks that provide information about the environments

in which the sediments were deposited and the subsequent changes resulting frommetamorphism.

Your answer should refer to:

two sedimentary structures that may be found in any sedimentary rock;

sorting of sediments in a sandstone. Draw a well-labelled diagram to illustrate the

features described;

the transporting agent and the environment of deposition involved in the formation

of the sandstone drawn above;

changes in the texture, mineralogy, and other properties of a sandstone when it is

subjected to thermal or regional metamorphism.

SACE Board of South Australia 2009


26/29

26


27/29

27

You may remove this page from the question booklet by tearing along the perforations so that you

will have the information in front of you for easy reference.

THE GEOLOGICAL TIME-SCALE

Eon Era Period EpochDate at Boundary

(million years)

Phanerozoic

Cainozoic

Neogene

(previously Quaternary)

Old TertiaryQuaternary boundary

Holocene

Pleistocene

Pliocene

Miocene

Palaeogene

(previously Tertiary)

Oligocene

Eocene

Palaeocene

Mesozoic

Cretaceous

Jurassic

Triassic

Palaeozoic

Permian

Carboniferous

Devonian

Silurian

Ordovician

Cambrian

Proterozoic

Ediacaran

Archaean

0.01

1.5

5

24

35

55

65

145

210

250

300

350

400

440

500

540

600

2500

4500


28/29

GEOLOGY 2009

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The photograph for Question 19 on page 16, of a reconstruction showing the possible appearance

of an Eoandromeda, is reproduced by permission of Tang Feng, Peking University.

The SACE Board of South Australia has made every effort to trace copyright holders. If however,

any material has been incorrectly acknowledged, we apologise and invite the copyright holder to

contact us.


29/29

GEOLOGY 2009

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The photograph for Question 19 on page 16, of a reconstruction showing the possible appearance

of an Eoandromeda, is reproduced by permission of Tang Feng, Peking University.

The SACE Board of South Australia has made every effort to trace copyright holders. If however,

any material has been incorrectly acknowledged, we apologise and invite the copyright holder to

contact us.

2009 Geology Examination Paper

Documents

Transcript of 2009 Geology Examination Paper