Unit J: Rocks and Minerals

Sheila is classifying the rocks in her collection. She knows that limestone often contains fossils. In which category of rock should she classify these rocks?

• igneous

• granite

• metamorphic

• sedimentary

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which process would form an igneous rock?

• Melted rock cools and then hardens.

• Small pieces of rock get squeezed together.

• Animal remains are covered by rock that hardens around it.

• Heat or pressure changes an existing piece of rock into a new rock.

Which of the following best explains how layers can become sedimentary rock over many years?

• Sand in the sediment melts and turns into rock.

• Changing water temperatures turn sand in the sediment into rock.

• The pressure of the water compacts the sediment into rock.

• Pollution caused by humans turns the sediment into rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which of the following describes how a metamorphic rock forms?

• formed from magma that cooled slowly

• formed by pressure and heat over time

• formed from lava that cooled quickly

• formed by pieces of rock cemented together

Molten rock is called magma. As it cools, magma turns into solid rock on the surface. What type of rock does magma form as it cools?

• igneous

• sedimentary

• metamorphic

• fossil

Look at the descriptions below. Which rock is a metamorphic rock?

shale - formed from layers of sediment pressed together

marble - formed by pressure and heat

pumice - melted rock that has cooled

• shale

• marble

• pumice

• none

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

While learning about rocks and minerals, students were observing a rock their teacher gave them. Students recorded their observations in their notebooks.

Student 1: The rock probably came from a volcano.

Student 2: The rock looks awesome.

Student 3: The rock had a mass of 25 grams.

Student 4: This rock is the class's favorite rock.

Based on the information above, which student recorded data in their notebook?

• Student 1

• Student 2

• Student 3

• Student 4

While observing minerals, students performed a hardness test on four types of minerals. Based on the evidence in the chart, what conclusion can students form?

• Quartz is the hardest mineral students tested.

• Calcite is the softest mineral students tested.

• Talc is harder than quartz.

• Corundum is the hardest mineral students tested.

Mia is trying to identify the mineral shown. She records the following property of the mineral in her notebook.

The mineral can break easily into flat sections.

Which property of the mineral did Mia record in her notebook?

• luster

• streak

• hardness

• cleavage

Daunte performs several tests on a mineral to identify it. Which property of the mineral will Daunte be able to identify using this test?

• attraction to magnets

• streak color

• hardness

• cleavage