New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Characteristics and distribution of UK rock types

I can describe the characteristics and distribution of rock types in the UK.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Characteristics and distribution of UK rock types

I can describe the characteristics and distribution of rock types in the UK.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Rock types have distinctive physical and chemical characteristics.
  2. Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks are found in the UK.
  3. Igneous rocks form from cooling molten magma.
  4. Sedimentary rocks form from accumulated sediments.
  5. Metamorphic rocks change due to heat and/or pressure.

Keywords

  • Igneous rocks - rocks formed from the cooling of molten magma

  • Sedimentary rocks - rocks formed from accumulated sediments

  • Metamorphic rocks - rocks changed by heat and/or pressure

  • Chalk - a soft white sedimentary rock found in southern England

  • Granite - a hard igneous rock found in upland UK areas

Common misconception

Rocks do not change once they are formed.

Metamorphic rocks are created by heat and pressure acting on sedimentary and igneous rocks.


To help you plan your year 10 geography lesson on: Characteristics and distribution of UK rock types, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Useful to have samples of rock types in the classroom for students to look at.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:Upland,High land, often made of hard rock

High land, often made of hard rock

Correct Answer:Lowland,Flat or gently sloping land, often fertile

Flat or gently sloping land, often fertile

Correct Answer:Coastline,Where land meets the sea

Where land meets the sea

Correct Answer:River,Flowing water moving downhill across land

Flowing water moving downhill across land

Q2.
Lowland areas in the UK are mostly found in the ...
north and west
Correct answer: south and east
centre of Scotland
mountain ranges
Q3.
What physical process helps shape coastlines?
Farming
Correct answer: Erosion
Mining
Traffic
Q4.
The River Severn is the UK's river.
Correct Answer: longest
Q5.
Which type of rock is likely found in upland areas?
Correct answer: Igneous
Clay
Sand
Q6.
What often makes lowland areas more suitable for farming?
Steep slopes
Correct answer: Fertile soils and gentle slopes
Rocky surfaces
Ice cover

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:Metamorphic rocks,Rocks changed by heat or pressure

Rocks changed by heat or pressure

Correct Answer:Igneous rocks,Rocks formed from molten magma cooling

Rocks formed from molten magma cooling

Correct Answer:Granite,Hard igneous rock found in uplands

Hard igneous rock found in uplands

Correct Answer:Sedimentary Rocks,Rocks formed from layers of sediment

Rocks formed from layers of sediment

Correct Answer:Chalk,Soft white sedimentary rock in southern England

Soft white sedimentary rock in southern England

Q2.
Granite is a hard rock found in upland areas of the UK.
Correct Answer: igneous
Q3.
Which rock is less resistant to erosion, white, and found in southern England?
Granite
Correct answer: Chalk
Basalt
Slate
Q4.
Which of these is true about rocks?
Rocks stay the same forever
Correct answer: Some rocks change over time due to heat or pressure
Rocks can change only by melting
Rocks cannot be broken down