Sedimentary rocks are formed by deposition, burial, compaction, and cementation of sediments.

• A. False
• B. Only Deposition
• C. Only Crystallization
• D. True

Answer: (D)

Sedimentary rocks form through lithification, the process that turns loose sediments into solid rock. This starts with deposition, when sediments settle and accumulate in layers. As these layers stack up, burial under additional sediments increases pressure. The weight compacts the grains, squeezing out fluids, and minerals precipitate from groundwater to cement the grains together. Putting these steps together—deposition, burial, compaction, and cementation—explains how loose sediments become sedimentary rock, so the statement is true. Crystallization, while important in other geological settings, isn’t the primary process for forming the typical sedimentary rocks described here.