---
title: "Sedimentary versus igneous stones"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:sedimentary-igneous-stones"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/sedimentary-igneous-stones
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Sedimentary versus igneous stones

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 2: Building Stones

- Asked in: 2078 Bhadra, 2 marks
- Video: [#Stone II #EMM Lecture 5 II #TypesofStone II Classification II Rock II Minerals #RTAcademics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVrSd5hjw0E) — RT Academics
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/sedimentary-igneous-stones
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-2

## Question

Differentiate between sedimentary and igneous stones.

## Short answer

Igneous stones form from cooling magma, are non-stratified, hard, and lack natural beds and fossils. Sedimentary stones originate from cemented sediments, are stratified, softer, have natural beds, and may contain fossils like sandstone and limestone.

## Answer

| Basis | Igneous stones | Sedimentary stones |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Cooling and solidification of molten magma | Deposition and cementation of sediments |
| Structure | Non-stratified, crystalline | Stratified, layered |
| Hardness | Hard and strong | Moderately hard or soft |
| Natural bed | Absent | Present |
| Fossils | None | May contain fossils |
| Examples | Granite, basalt | Sandstone, limestone |

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Igneous stones are formed by:
   A. Deposition of sediments
   B. Action of heat on clay
   C. Cementation of sand
   D. Cooling and solidification of molten magma
   Answer: D. Sedimentary rocks come from deposition; igneous from magma. (Key point: Origin)

2. Which statement is correct?
   A. Sedimentary stones are stratified and igneous are non-stratified
   B. Igneous stones are stratified
   C. Both are stratified
   D. Sedimentary stones are crystalline and non-stratified
   Answer: A. Sedimentary rocks have layers and natural bed; igneous do not. (Key point: Structure)

3. Which pair gives igneous and sedimentary stone respectively?
   A. Sandstone and granite
   B. Granite and sandstone
   C. Limestone and basalt
   D. Basalt and granite
   Answer: B. Granite and basalt are igneous; sandstone and limestone are sedimentary. (Key point: Examples)

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