Earth Science I · Rocks and the Rock Cycle
Virginia SOL ES.5
Virginia SOL ES.5 is part of the Rocks and the Rock Cycle strand in Earth Science I (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate and understand the transformation of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Below is what ES.5 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice ES.5 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL ES.5 means
Investigate and understand the transformation of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.
Practice Earth Science I SOL questions
Free Earth Science I questions from official Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests — good practice while you work on ES.5 and the rest of the course. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review.
1. In California, the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate slide past each other horizontally. This type of plate movement creates a —
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Answer: C — strike-slip fault
2. A topographic map has a contour interval of 20 feet. Point III lies on the contour line labeled 1260 feet. What is the elevation of point III?
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Answer: A — 1260 feet
3. Which of the following is not a fossil fuel?
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Answer: B — Wood
4. Periodic meteor showers occur because Earth’s orbit passes through the remains of —
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Answer: B — a comet
Skills you’ll practice for ES.5
- Explain that Earth materials are finite and are transformed over time.
- Describe how the rock cycle models the transformation of rocks.
- Identify layers of Earth with rocks of specific chemical and physical properties.
- Explain how plate tectonic and surface processes transform Earth materials.
Key concepts covered by ES.5
- material transformation
- geological timescales
- Earth's finite resources
- rock cycle
- rock transformation
- geological processes
- Earth's layers
- rock properties
- geological stratification
- plate tectonics
- surface processes
How to study and practice SOL ES.5
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether ES.5 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL ES.5
What is Virginia SOL ES.5?
SOL ES.5 is a Earth Science I Standard of Learning in the Rocks and the Rock Cycle strand. It expects students to investigate and understand the transformation of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.
What skills does SOL ES.5 cover?
SOL ES.5 is assessed on 4 skills: explain that Earth materials are finite and are transformed over time; describe how the rock cycle models the transformation of rocks; identify layers of Earth with rocks of specific chemical and physical properties; explain how plate tectonic and surface processes transform Earth materials.
What strand of Earth Science I is SOL ES.5 in?
SOL ES.5 belongs to the Rocks and the Rock Cycle reporting strand of the Earth Science I Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL ES.5?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether ES.5 is already solid, then work the 4 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.