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Mineral and Soil Quiz

Total questions: 48

Worksheet time: 27mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that all minerals must have?

a)

naturally occurring

b)

organic

c)

solid under normal conditions

d)

fixed chemical composition

2.

Which characteristic of a mineral is the most easily observed but the least reliable?

a)

color

b)

luster

c)

streak

d)

hardness

3.

Which mineral property is determined by rubbing it on a rough surface (like a ceramic plate)?

a)

color

b)

luster

c)

streak

d)

hardness

4.

The Moh's scale shows the range of which mineral property?

a)

color

b)

luster

c)

streak

d)

hardness

5.

Which of the following would be found in a quarry?

a)

gold

b)

copper

c)

sand

d)

iron

6.

You found a glassy mineral with no visible crystals in it. What can you tell about the formation of this mineral?

a)

It was formed by slowly cooling magma

b)

It was formed by rapidly cooling magma

c)

It was formed from igneous rocks

d)

None of these is correct.

7.

Which of the following is NOT true of mining?

a)

It will likely become more costly to mine in the future.

b)

We can reduce our need to mine by recycling mineral-containing materials.

c)

Minerals are used to produce everyday items

d)

The environmental impact will remain the same

8.

Look at the image above. Which of the layers is the oldest?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

9.

Which type of igneous rock has a high silica content?

a)

felsic

b)

mafic

c)

ultramafic

d)

intermediate

10.

Which type of igneous rock has mineral crystals of two different sizes because it cooled slowly then more quickly?

a)

coarse grained

b)

fine grained

c)

glassy

d)

porphyritic

11.

Which type of metamorphism is caused by the bending and folding of preexisting rock?

a)

contact metamorphism

b)

dynamic metamorphism

c)

regional metamorphism

d)

hydrothermal metamorphism

12.

Which type of sedimentary rock is formed when minerals fall out of solution, leaving sediment behind?

a)

clastic

b)

chemical

c)

organic

d)

foliated

13.

What type of metamorphic rock contains parallel layers that can break apart?

a)

foliated

b)

organic

c)

mafic

d)

conglomerate

14.

Acid rain slowly degrades a statue. This is a type of

a)

parent weathering

b)

physical weathering

c)

organic weathering

d)

chemical weathering

15.

The Dust Bowl lifted sediment into the air in large clouds of dust and soil. This was an example of which type of wind erosion?

a)

creep

b)

saltation

c)

suspension

d)

eluviation

16.

Which soil particle is the smallest?

a)

sand

b)

silt

c)

clay

17.

You dug a hole in your backyard and water began to flow into it from the surrounding soil. What property is your backyard soil demonstrating?

a)

permeability

b)

saltation

c)

porosity

d)

suspension

18.

The most environmentally-conscious construction sites will contain sediment barriers that block:

a)

water and soil

b)

water only

c)

soil only

d)

nutrients only

19.

Using the soil texture chart, how would 34% sand, 25% silt, and 38% clay be categorized?

a)

silty clay

b)

clay loam

c)

sandy clay loam

d)

clay

20.

The smell that attracts camels to water in the desert is

a)

rain

b)

geosmin

c)

silt

d)

loam

21.

What two processes cause sediments to stick together into a sedimentary rock?

a)

weathering & compaction

b)

lithification & contact metamorphism

c)

crystallization & compaction

d)

compaction & lithification

22.

Match the term with the definition or phrase that describes it.

4 lines
23.

What type of soil erosion is caused by the movement of water?

a)

Wind erosion

b)

Water erosion

c)

Glacial erosion

d)

Chemical erosion

24.

Which of the following is NOT a type of metamorphic rock?

a)

Slate

b)

Marble

c)

Quartzite

d)

Basalt

25.

What is the process by which rocks break down into smaller pieces called?

a)

Weathering

b)

Erosion

c)

Deposition

d)

Compaction

26.

the layer of rock removed before mining can begin

a)

parent rock

b)

overburden

c)

marine wom

d)

topsoil

27.

the soil horizon containing organic matter and minerals

a)

subsoil

b)

elevation layer

c)

parent rock

d)

topsoil

28.

the soil horizon thats dry and void of nutrients

a)

subsoil

b)

elevation layer

c)

parent rock

d)

topsoil

29.

the soil horizon made of slightly weathered rock

a)

subsoil

b)

elevation layer

c)

parent rock

d)

topsoil

30.

mineral deposits harvested from under the ocean

a)

luster

b)

marine won

c)

overburden

d)

topsoil

31.

Which process is responsible for the transformation of sedimentary rock into metamorphic rock?

a)

Compaction

b)

Deposition

c)

Weathering

d)

Metamorphism

32.

What is the primary agent of erosion that shapes landscapes by transporting sediments?

a)

Gravity

b)

Wind

c)

Ice

d)

Water

33.

Which type of rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?

a)

Foliated

b)

Metamorphic

c)

Sedimentary

d)

Igneous

34.

What is the main component of soil that affects its ability to retain water?

a)

Sand

b)

Silt

c)

Clay

d)

Gravel

35.

Which process involves the movement of sediment from one location to another?

a)

Compaction

b)

Erosion

c)

Weathering

d)

Deposition

36.

Which type of rock is formed from the accumulation and cementation of mineral and organic particles?

a)

Volcanic

b)

Sedimentary

c)

Metamorphic

d)

Igneous

37.

Which process is responsible for the breakdown of rocks into smaller particles without changing their chemical composition?

a)

Biological weathering

b)

Chemical weathering

c)

Hydrothermal alteration

d)

Physical weathering

38.

What is the term for the process by which water vapor turns into liquid water, often forming clouds?

a)

Transpiration

b)

Precipitation

c)

Condensation

d)

Evaporation

39.

Which type of soil is best known for its ability to retain nutrients and water, making it ideal for agriculture?

a)

Loamy soil

b)

Silty soil

c)

Clay soil

d)

Sandy soil

40.

Which process involves the transformation of sediment into rock through compaction and cementation?

a)

Weathering

b)

Lithification

c)

Crystallization

d)

Metamorphism

41.

What is the primary factor that determines the size of mineral crystals in igneous rocks?

a)

Color

b)

Cooling rate

c)

Mineral composition

d)

Density

42.

Which type of weathering involves the chemical alteration of minerals within a rock?

a)

Mechanical weathering

b)

Chemical weathering

c)

Biological weathering

d)

Physical weathering

43.

What is the process by which water, ice, or wind remove and transport sediment from one location to another?

a)

Compaction

b)

Deposition

c)

Erosion

d)

Weathering

44.

Which type of soil is known for its ability to retain nutrients and water, making it ideal for plant growth?

a)

Gravelly soil

b)

Loamy soil

c)

Clay soil

d)

Sandy soil

45.

Which mineral property is assessed by observing the way a mineral reflects light?

a)

Hardness

b)

Streak

c)

Luster

d)

Color

46.

Which type of rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?

a)

Metamorphic rock

b)

Igneous rock

c)

Organic rock

d)

Sedimentary rock

47.

What is the term for the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces by physical forces?

a)

Hydrothermal alteration

b)

Biological weathering

c)

Physical weathering

d)

Chemical weathering

48.

Which soil component is primarily responsible for providing nutrients to plants?

a)

Sand

b)

Clay

c)

Organic matter

d)

Gravel