Rocks and Minerals

What is the process by which sediments become 'glued' together?

• Compaction
• Weathering
• Cementation
• Erosion

Answer explanation

Luster describes how a mineral reflects light.

Which term describes how light is reflected from a mineral's surface?

• Color
• Luster
• Cleavage
• Hardness

Answer explanation

Diamond is the hardest mineral.

Which of the following is the hardest known mineral?

• Quartz
• Gold
• Diamond
• Talc

Answer explanation

Lava is molten rock on Earth's surface.

Molten rock found on Earth's surface is called?

• Magma
• Sedimentary
• Lava
• Metamorphic

Answer explanation

The rock cycle forms and recycles different rocks.

The rock cycle is the ___?

• Circular path in which rocks travel
• Process by which rocks are formed from dead plants
• Process that forms and recycles different rocks
• Process by which rocks are created from dirt

Answer explanation

Sedimentary rocks often contain fossils.

Which type of rock may contain fossils?

• Igneous
• Sedimentary
• Metamorphic
• Intrusive

Answer explanation

Metamorphic rocks have banded layers.

Which type of rock has banded (ribbon-like) layers?

• Igneous
• Sedimentary
• Metamorphic
• Intrusive

Answer explanation

Igneous rock that cools fast can look glassy.

What type of rock cools fast and may look like glass?

• Sedimentary
• Metamorphic
• Igneous
• Intrusive

Answer explanation

Weathering breaks down rocks into sediments.

What is the term for breaking down sedimentary rocks into sediments?

• Weathering
• Erosion
• Cementation
• Intrusion

Answer explanation

Course-grained rocks have large, visible grains.

When all grains in a rock are large and easy to see, the rock is described as?

• Extrusive
• Intrusive
• Course-grained
• Non-banded

Answer explanation

Granite is commonly used in buildings.