Rocks and Minerals

Which BEST describes the rock cycle?

• New rocks form from older rocks.

• Lunar rocks change into terrestrial rocks.

• Rocks in the ocean become rocks on land.

• Layers of rock are broken by faults.

How are sedimentary rocks, such as shale and sandstone, formed?

• Particles are changed into liquids.

• Particles are compressed into layers.

• Particles are melted together by magma.

• Particles are heated by the Sun.

Which of these substances is a mineral?

• sandstone

• granite

• quartz

• coal

Which processes must occur in order for an igneous rock to change into a metamorphic rock?

• heating and pressure

• compaction and cementation

• melting and cooling

• uplift and erosion

Which process forms the mineral halite?

• the slow crystallization of magma deep in the crust

• the cementing together of sediment particles

• the hardening of lava in seawater

• the evaporation of seawater

Which processes change magma into igneous rock?

• weathering and erosion

• heat and pressure

• compaction and cementation

• cooling and crystallization

Which statement is true about rocks?

• Magma is made of solid rock.

• Rocks are made of one or more minerals.

• Crystals are made of rocks.

• Minerals are made of one or more rocks.

One rock was formed from rapidly cooling lava and is smooth and glassy. The other rock was formed from slow-cooling magma, so has large crystals. Which rock property is represented by these characteristics?

• color

• texture

• fracture

• hardness

Coal is formed from

• plant remains decomposed under pressure.

• melted and cooled metamorphic rock.

• natural gas subjected to heat.

• seas that have evaporated.

Sedimentary rock forms when rock is first

• broken down by weathering.

• melted into liquid magma.

• exposed to great temperature.

• crystallized into natural glass.