Lesson T9.1.1

T9.1.1 Composition and structure of the Earth Quiz: KS3 Chemistry, Unit 9

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson T9.1.1, Composition and structure of the Earth: 20 multiple choice questions for the KS3 Chemistry (National Curriculum), Unit 9: Earth and atmosphere, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the outermost layer of the Earth called?

    • The mantle
    • The inner core
    • The crust
    • The outer core

  2. Which layer of the Earth is the thickest?

    • The outer core
    • The mantle
    • The inner core
    • The crust

  3. Which layer of the Earth is thought to be made mainly of liquid iron and nickel?

    • The outer core
    • The inner core
    • The solid mantle
    • The solid crust

  4. Which layer of the Earth is solid even though it is very hot?

    • The lithosphere only
    • The crust
    • The outer core
    • The inner core

  5. What is the approximate thickness of the continental crust?

    • 200 to 400 km
    • 30 to 50 km
    • 1 to 5 km
    • 1000 to 2000 km

  6. Which two elements make up most of the Earth's crust?

    • Oxygen and silicon
    • Nitrogen and argon
    • Carbon and hydrogen
    • Sodium and chlorine

  7. What do scientists use to study the Earth's inner structure?

    • Radio waves
    • Seismic waves
    • X-rays
    • Sound waves

  8. Which layer of the Earth is the source of most lava from volcanoes?

    • The outer core
    • The inner core
    • The atmosphere
    • The mantle

  9. Which layer is made of solid rock that flows very slowly over long periods?

    • The outer core
    • The mantle
    • The inner core
    • The crust

  10. What is the Earth's core mainly made of?

    • Calcium and carbon
    • Silicon and oxygen
    • Magnesium and aluminium
    • Iron and nickel

  11. Which layer is the thinnest of the Earth's layers?

    • The outer core
    • The crust
    • The mantle
    • The inner core

  12. Which Earth layer produces the magnetic field?

    • Mantle
    • Crust
    • Outer core
    • Inner core

  13. How does the crust compare to the mantle?

    • Liquid and heavier
    • Thicker and hotter
    • Thinner and cooler
    • Thicker and denser

  14. A student draws a labelled diagram of the Earth. Which layer should be drawn at the very centre?

    • The solid crust
    • The outer core
    • The inner core
    • The solid mantle

  15. What is the main reason the Earth's inner core is solid?

    • Magnetic forces
    • Low density
    • High pressure
    • Low temperature

  16. Which layer lies immediately beneath the crust?

    • The mantle
    • The outer core
    • The inner core
    • The atmosphere

  17. Which rock type forms when molten rock cools at the surface?

    • Composite
    • Igneous
    • Sedimentary
    • Metamorphic

  18. Which layer of the Earth is closest to its surface?

    • The inner core
    • The outer core
    • The mantle
    • The crust

  19. Which two layers make up the Earth's core?

    • Mantle and outer
    • Lithosphere and core
    • Outer and inner
    • Crust and mantle

  20. What is the rigid outer layer of the Earth called?

    • Hydrosphere
    • Asthenosphere
    • Lithosphere
    • Mesosphere

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