ASBOG Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Preparation Guide

Weathering is the process that breaks down rocks and minerals at or near the Earth's surface through various means, such as physical breakdown or chemical alteration. It can occur through factors such as temperature changes, water, ice, and biological activity. Erosion, on the other hand, refers to the movement of those weathered materials from one location to another, typically facilitated by natural forces like water, wind, or ice.

Therefore, the distinction highlighted in the correct response emphasizes that weathering precedes erosion in the geological processes. Weathering provides the sediments or materials that erosion transports, indicating a clear sequential relationship where weathering sets the stage for erosion to take place.

In contrast, the other choices misrepresent the core definitions of weathering and erosion, conflating their roles or mischaracterizing the processes themselves. For instance, options suggesting that weathering involves only chemical change or occurs only in deserts do not capture the full breadth of these natural processes.