Question

____ breaks rock and soil down into sediment (smaller rocks, sand grains, and smaller grains). __ transports this sediment to other places, where it is ____, usually in layers.
a. deposition, erosion, weathered
b. weathering, deposition, eroded
c. weathering, erosion, deposited
d. erosion, weathering, deposited

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first blank: The process that breaks rock and soil into sediment is weathering (physical or chemical breakdown). So the first term should be "Weathering". Eliminate options A (Deposition) and D (Erosion) as their first terms don't fit.
2. Analyze the second blank: The process that transports sediment is erosion (movement by wind, water, etc.). So the second term should be "Erosion". Eliminate option B (Deposition) as its second term is incorrect.
3. Analyze the third blank: After sediment is transported, it is deposited (laid down) in layers. The third term should be "deposited" (passive voice, as sediment is the one being deposited). Option C has "deposited" here, which fits.

Answer:

C. Weathering, Erosion, deposited