Minerals Review Questions

Which is the following is NOT a characteristic of a mineral?

• Inorganic (made from non-living things)

• Organic (made out of animals or plants)

• Natural (made by the Earth)

• Repeating pattern (crystal structure)

• Solid

The longer it takes for the magma to cool, the larger the crystals will be.

• True

• False

Which of the following properties can NOT be used to identify minerals?

• Luster

• Weight

• Streak

• Hardness

Which of the following properties is not the most reliable way to identify a mineral?

• Luster

• Color

• Streak

• Hardness

Match the mineral property to its definition:

Streak

• How light reflects off the surface of the mineral.

• A property of a mineral to be attracted to a magnet.

• Color of a mineral in powdered form when scratched on a tile.

• Property of a mineral if it breaks with smooth, flat surfaces.

Match the mineral property to its definition:

Magnetism

• How light reflects off the surface of the mineral.

• Resistance of a mineral to be scratched.

• A property of a mineral to be attracted to a magnet.

• Color of a mineral in powdered form when scratched on a tile.

Match the mineral property to its definition:

Hardness

• Resistance of a mineral to be scratched.

• A property of a mineral to be attracted to a magnet.

• Color of a mineral in powdered form when scratched on a tile.

• Property of a mineral if it breaks with smooth, flat surfaces.

Match the mineral property to its definition:

Luster

• How light reflects off the surface of the mineral.

• Resistance of a mineral to be scratched.

• Color of a mineral in powdered form when scratched on a tile.

• Property of a mineral if it breaks with smooth, flat surfaces.

Match the mineral property to its definition:

Cleavage

• Resistance of a mineral to be scratched.

• A property of a mineral to be attracted to a magnet.

• Color of a mineral in powdered form when scratched on a tile.

• Property of a mineral if it breaks with smooth, flat surfaces.

Match the mineral property to its definition:

Fracture

• A property of a mineral to glow after it soaks up light energy

• Property of a mineral if it breaks and forms uneven surfaces

• The shape of the mineral’s crystals

• Property of a mineral if it breaks with smooth, flat surfaces.