Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

Which type of rock forms as a result of sediment deposition?

1. Igneous rocks

2. Metamorphic rocks

3. Sedimentary rocks

4. Fossilized rocks

The correct answer is: Sedimentary rocks

Sedimentary rocks form through the accumulation and consolidation of sediments, which can include mineral fragments, organic materials, and chemical precipitates. The process begins with the weathering and erosion of existing rocks, leading to the transport of sediments by water, wind, or ice. Over time, these sediments settle in layers, often in bodies of water like rivers and lakes. As more sediment layers build up, the pressure from the overlying material compacts the sediments, and minerals may precipitate from solution, cementing the particles together. This is how sedimentary rocks are created, making them distinct from igneous rocks, which originate from the solidification of molten material, and metamorphic rocks, which form from the alteration of existing rocks under heat and pressure without melting. Fossilized rocks, while they may refer to sedimentary rocks that contain fossils, are not recognized as a separate category of rock type. Hence, sedimentary rocks are the correct answer because they specifically result from the processes related to sediment deposition.