Plate tectonics practice worksheet for learning about Earth's crust, plate boundaries, and major/minor plates.

Let's solve this step-by-step.

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Part 1: Match the definition with the correct choice

We’ll go through each numbered definition and match it to the correct letter from the list (A–O).

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1. Part of the Earth's crust, upper part of the mantle, is moving.
→ This describes the lithosphere, which includes the crust and the uppermost rigid part of the mantle.
✔ Answer: D lithosphere

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2. An example of transform boundaries.
→ The San Andreas Fault is a famous example of a transform boundary where two plates slide past each other.
✔ Answer: K San Andreas Fault

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3. These types of plates have a sliding motion.
→ Plates that slide past each other are at transform boundaries.
✔ Answer: O transform

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4. An example of convergent boundaries.
→ A classic example is the Mariana Trench, where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the Philippine Plate.
✔ Answer: E Mariana Trench

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5. These types of plates push apart.
→ Plates that move apart are at divergent boundaries.
✔ Answer: C divergent

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6. Earth below the continents is called this.
→ The layer beneath the continents is the continental crust, but since we're talking about the "Earth below" (i.e., the material), it refers to the crust under continents — known as continental crust. But in geology, the term for the crust under continents is continental crust, but not listed directly. Wait — let’s recheck.

Wait — the choices include:
- G oceanic
- I plate tectonics
- L sial

Ah! Sial is an old geological term for continental crust (composed of silica and aluminum). So “Earth below the continents” refers to sial.
✔ Answer: L sial

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7. An example of divergent boundaries.
→ The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a well-known divergent boundary where the Atlantic Ocean is spreading.
✔ Answer: F Mid-Atlantic Ridge

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8. Area of land where divergent boundaries push apart.
→ This is a rift, such as the East African Rift.
✔ Answer: J rift

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9. Crust located below the ocean.
→ This is oceanic crust.
✔ Answer: G oceanic

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10. Earth below the oceans is called this.
→ Same as above — the crust under oceans is oceanic crust.
But wait — same as #9? Let’s see:
#9: Crust below the ocean → oceanic
#10: Earth below the oceans → likely meaning oceanic crust again? Or maybe simatic?

But "simatic" is not in the list. Wait — look at the options: M sima — which stands for silica and magnesium, the composition of oceanic crust.

So:
- Sial = continental crust (silica + aluminum)
- Sima = oceanic crust (silica + magnesium)

So “Earth below the oceans” = sima
✔ Answer: M sima

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11. These types of plates push together.
→ Plates that collide are at convergent boundaries.
✔ Answer: B convergent

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12. Name of the continents when they were once joined together.
→ This is Pangaea.
✔ Answer: H Pangaea

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13. Process when one plate moves under another.
→ This is subduction.
✔ Answer: N subduction

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14. The movement of the Earth is due to this concept and theory.
→ This is plate tectonics.
✔ Answer: I plate tectonics

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15. Includes surfaces of the Earth below the crust and continents.
→ This is a bit ambiguous. "Below the crust and continents" — so perhaps the mantle or lithosphere?

But "lithosphere" already includes crust and upper mantle. The question says "surfaces of the Earth below the crust and continents" — possibly referring to the asthenosphere or something deeper? But none of those are listed.

Wait — look at option D lithosphere — it includes crust and upper mantle. But the question says “below the crust and continents” — maybe it's referring to the mantle? But that's not listed.

Alternatively, perhaps it's lithosphere — because it's the rigid layer including crust and upper mantle.

But “surfaces” might be misleading. Perhaps it's asking about the lithosphere as the solid outer shell.

But let's reconsider: "Includes surfaces of the Earth below the crust and continents." That doesn't make sense — the surface is *above* the crust.

Wait — maybe it's a miswording. Possibly meant: “includes the crust and the upper part of the mantle.” That would be lithosphere.

Yes — lithosphere is defined as the crust and upper mantle. So even though the wording is awkward, it matches D lithosphere.

But we already used D for #1.

Wait — no, #1 was: "Part of the Earth's crust, upper part of the mantle, is moving." → That’s lithosphere.

So both #1 and #15 could be D?

But we can’t assign the same letter twice unless it’s allowed. But usually, matching questions allow reuse if it makes sense.

But let’s check:
#1: “Part of the Earth's crust, upper part of the mantle, is moving.” → This is the lithosphere. ✔
#15: “Includes surfaces of the Earth below the crust and continents.” → This is confusing.

Wait — “surfaces of the Earth below the crust and continents”? That doesn’t make sense — surfaces are on top.

Possibly a typo. Maybe it means: “Includes the layers below the crust and continents.” Then it would be lithosphere again? No — lithosphere *includes* the crust.

Perhaps it's referring to the mantle, but that’s not listed.

Wait — perhaps it's lithosphere again — because the lithosphere includes the crust and upper mantle.

But #1 already uses D.

Let’s re-read:
#15: “Includes surfaces of the Earth below the crust and continents.”

That seems poorly worded. Maybe it means: “The layer that includes the crust and the upper mantle” → that’s lithosphere.

So both #1 and #15 refer to lithosphere? But that would mean same answer.

But let’s check if any other option fits.

Wait — G oceanic — no, that’s just oceanic crust.

No better fit.

Alternatively, maybe it's D lithosphere again.

But in multiple-choice matching, sometimes answers repeat.

But let’s assume it’s D lithosphere for both.

But #1 is clearly D.

So #15 must also be D?

But let’s think: “surfaces of the Earth below the crust and continents” — that’s not accurate.

Wait — perhaps it's A continental? But that’s just a type of plate.

No.

Wait — maybe it's lithosphere — the entire rigid outer layer.

So despite awkward phrasing, D lithosphere is best.

But #1 already has D.

Unless the question allows repetition.

Looking at the format — it’s possible.

But let’s double-check if there’s a better fit.

Wait — I plate tectonics? No.

Another idea: “Includes surfaces of the Earth below the crust and continents” — perhaps it's referring to the mantle, but that’s not listed.

Wait — L sial? That’s continental crust.

No.

Maybe it’s D lithosphere — and the question is poorly worded.

So we'll go with D lithosphere for #15 too.

But let’s hold off — maybe we made a mistake earlier.

Wait — actually, let’s review:

#1: "Part of the Earth's crust, upper part of the mantle, is moving." → lithosphere → D

#15: "Includes surfaces of the Earth below the crust and continents." → this is confusing.

Wait — “surfaces of the Earth below the crust” — impossible. Surfaces are *on* the Earth.

Perhaps it means: “The layer that includes the crust and the upper mantle” → lithosphere → D

So yes, D for both.

But let’s see if the answer key allows duplicates.

In many such worksheets, answers can repeat.

So we’ll assign D to #15.

But wait — perhaps #15 is A continental? No — that’s a type of plate.

No.

Alternatively, maybe it’s G oceanic? But that’s only oceanic crust.

No.

So best fit is still D lithosphere.

But let’s consider: “surfaces of the Earth below the crust and continents” — maybe it's a typo and should be “layers” instead of “surfaces”.

Then it would be lithosphere.

So we’ll go with D.

But let’s confirm all answers first.

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Final Matching Answers:

| # | Answer |
|---|--------|
| 1 | D lithosphere |
| 2 | K San Andreas Fault |
| 3 | O transform |
| 4 | E Mariana Trench |
| 5 | C divergent |
| 6 | L sial |
| 7 | F Mid-Atlantic Ridge |
| 8 | J rift |
| 9 | G oceanic |
|10 | M sima |
|11 | B convergent |
|12 | H Pangaea |
|13 | N subduction |
|14 | I plate tectonics |
|15 | D lithosphere |

Note: #1 and #15 both use D — acceptable if allowed.

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Part 2: List the 7 Major Plates

The seven major tectonic plates are:

1. African Plate
2. Antarctic Plate
3. Eurasian Plate
4. North American Plate
5. South American Plate
6. Pacific Plate
7. Australian Plate (also called Indo-Australian Plate, but often split; here considered as one)

Sometimes the Indo-Australian Plate is split into Indian and Australian, but typically listed as one major plate.

So standard 7:

1. African Plate
2. Antarctic Plate
3. Eurasian Plate
4. North American Plate
5. South American Plate
6. Pacific Plate
7. Indo-Australian Plate

(Or Australian Plate if separated)

But commonly accepted:

✔ 1. African Plate
✔ 2. Antarctic Plate
✔ 3. Eurasian Plate
✔ 4. North American Plate
✔ 5. South American Plate
✔ 6. Pacific Plate
✔ 7. Indo-Australian Plate

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Part 3: List the 10 Minor Plates Alphabetically

Minor tectonic plates include:

- Arabian Plate
- Caribbean Plate
- Cocos Plate
- Nazca Plate
- Philippine Sea Plate
- Juan de Fuca Plate
- Scotia Plate
- Somali Plate
- Sunda Plate
- Okhotsk Plate
- etc.

Commonly listed minor plates:

1. Arabian Plate
2. Caribbean Plate
3. Cocos Plate
4. Juan de Fuca Plate
5. Nazca Plate
6. Philippine Sea Plate
7. Scotia Plate
8. Somali Plate
9. Sunda Plate
10. Okhotsk Plate

But some sources list others like Microplates.

Standard 10 minor plates:

Alphabetical order:

1. Arabian Plate
2. Caribbean Plate
3. Cocos Plate
4. Juan de Fuca Plate
5. Nazca Plate
6. Okhotsk Plate
7. Philippine Sea Plate
8. Scotia Plate
9. Somali Plate
10. Sunda Plate

(These are commonly accepted.)

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✔ Final Answer Key:

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#### Matching Section:

1. D
2. K
3. O
4. E
5. C
6. L
7. F
8. J
9. G
10. M
11. B
12. H
13. N
14. I
15. D

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#### List the 7 Major Plates:

1. African Plate
2. Antarctic Plate
3. Eurasian Plate
4. North American Plate
5. South American Plate
6. Pacific Plate
7. Indo-Australian Plate

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#### List the 10 Minor Plates Alphabetically:

1. Arabian Plate
2. Caribbean Plate
3. Cocos Plate
4. Juan de Fuca Plate
5. Nazca Plate
6. Okhotsk Plate
7. Philippine Sea Plate
8. Scotia Plate
9. Somali Plate
10. Sunda Plate

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