WorksheetsMineral and Soil Quiz
Total questions: 48
Worksheet time: 27mins
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic that all minerals must have?
naturally occurring
organic
solid under normal conditions
fixed chemical composition
Which characteristic of a mineral is the most easily observed but the least reliable?
color
luster
streak
hardness
Which mineral property is determined by rubbing it on a rough surface (like a ceramic plate)?
color
luster
streak
hardness
The Moh's scale shows the range of which mineral property?
color
luster
streak
hardness
Which of the following would be found in a quarry?
gold
copper
sand
iron
You found a glassy mineral with no visible crystals in it. What can you tell about the formation of this mineral?
It was formed by slowly cooling magma
It was formed by rapidly cooling magma
It was formed from igneous rocks
None of these is correct.
Which of the following is NOT true of mining?
It will likely become more costly to mine in the future.
We can reduce our need to mine by recycling mineral-containing materials.
Minerals are used to produce everyday items
The environmental impact will remain the same
Look at the image above. Which of the layers is the oldest?
A
B
C
Which type of igneous rock has a high silica content?
felsic
mafic
ultramafic
intermediate
Which type of igneous rock has mineral crystals of two different sizes because it cooled slowly then more quickly?
coarse grained
fine grained
glassy
porphyritic
Which type of metamorphism is caused by the bending and folding of preexisting rock?
contact metamorphism
dynamic metamorphism
regional metamorphism
hydrothermal metamorphism
Which type of sedimentary rock is formed when minerals fall out of solution, leaving sediment behind?
clastic
chemical
organic
foliated
What type of metamorphic rock contains parallel layers that can break apart?
foliated
organic
mafic
conglomerate
Acid rain slowly degrades a statue. This is a type of
parent weathering
physical weathering
organic weathering
chemical weathering
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?
creep
saltation
suspension
eluviation
Which soil particle is the smallest?
sand
silt
clay
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?
permeability
saltation
porosity
suspension
The most environmentally-conscious construction sites will contain sediment barriers that block:
water and soil
water only
soil only
nutrients only
Using the soil texture chart, how would 34% sand, 25% silt, and 38% clay be categorized?
silty clay
clay loam
sandy clay loam
clay
The smell that attracts camels to water in the desert is
rain
geosmin
silt
loam
What two processes cause sediments to stick together into a sedimentary rock?
weathering & compaction
lithification & contact metamorphism
crystallization & compaction
compaction & lithification
Match the term with the definition or phrase that describes it.
What type of soil erosion is caused by the movement of water?
Wind erosion
Water erosion
Glacial erosion
Chemical erosion
Which of the following is NOT a type of metamorphic rock?
Slate
Marble
Quartzite
Basalt
What is the process by which rocks break down into smaller pieces called?
Weathering
Erosion
Deposition
Compaction
the layer of rock removed before mining can begin
parent rock
overburden
marine wom
topsoil
the soil horizon containing organic matter and minerals
subsoil
elevation layer
parent rock
topsoil
the soil horizon thats dry and void of nutrients
subsoil
elevation layer
parent rock
topsoil
the soil horizon made of slightly weathered rock
subsoil
elevation layer
parent rock
topsoil
mineral deposits harvested from under the ocean
luster
marine won
overburden
topsoil
Which process is responsible for the transformation of sedimentary rock into metamorphic rock?
Compaction
Deposition
Weathering
Metamorphism
What is the primary agent of erosion that shapes landscapes by transporting sediments?
Gravity
Wind
Ice
Water
Which type of rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?
Foliated
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Igneous
What is the main component of soil that affects its ability to retain water?
Sand
Silt
Clay
Gravel
Which process involves the movement of sediment from one location to another?
Compaction
Erosion
Weathering
Deposition
Which type of rock is formed from the accumulation and cementation of mineral and organic particles?
Volcanic
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Igneous
Which process is responsible for the breakdown of rocks into smaller particles without changing their chemical composition?
Biological weathering
Chemical weathering
Hydrothermal alteration
Physical weathering
What is the term for the process by which water vapor turns into liquid water, often forming clouds?
Transpiration
Precipitation
Condensation
Evaporation
Which type of soil is best known for its ability to retain nutrients and water, making it ideal for agriculture?
Loamy soil
Silty soil
Clay soil
Sandy soil
Which process involves the transformation of sediment into rock through compaction and cementation?
Weathering
Lithification
Crystallization
Metamorphism
What is the primary factor that determines the size of mineral crystals in igneous rocks?
Color
Cooling rate
Mineral composition
Density
Which type of weathering involves the chemical alteration of minerals within a rock?
Mechanical weathering
Chemical weathering
Biological weathering
Physical weathering
What is the process by which water, ice, or wind remove and transport sediment from one location to another?
Compaction
Deposition
Erosion
Weathering
Which type of soil is known for its ability to retain nutrients and water, making it ideal for plant growth?
Gravelly soil
Loamy soil
Clay soil
Sandy soil
Which mineral property is assessed by observing the way a mineral reflects light?
Hardness
Streak
Luster
Color
Which type of rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?
Metamorphic rock
Igneous rock
Organic rock
Sedimentary rock
What is the term for the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces by physical forces?
Hydrothermal alteration
Biological weathering
Physical weathering
Chemical weathering
Which soil component is primarily responsible for providing nutrients to plants?
Sand
Clay
Organic matter
Gravel
