Ohio Educator Assessments: Middle Grades Science 2025 Complete Practice Test

The correct answer is igneous rock because this type is specifically formed through the cooling and solidification of magma. When magma, which is molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface, rises and cools, it crystallizes to form solid rock. This process can occur either below the surface, creating intrusive igneous rock (like granite), or on the surface following a volcanic eruption, forming extrusive igneous rock (like basalt).

Understanding this process is essential in geology, as the characteristics of igneous rocks—such as texture and mineral composition—can provide significant information about the Earth's geological history and the conditions under which the magma was formed.

In contrast, metamorphic rocks are formed through the alteration of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids, while sedimentary rocks result from the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles. Foliated rock refers to a specific texture found in some metamorphic rocks, characterized by layered or banded appearances. These concepts highlight the distinct processes that lead to the formation of the different rock types in the rock cycle.