Chapter 10:
Minerals and Their Uses
Practice Test
1.
Which of the following statements is true about rocks forming from cooling magma?
a.
If the magma cools to form granite, the grains will be small.
b.
If an igneous rock contains emeralds, the grains will be small.
c.
If the rate of cooling of magma is quick, the grains in the rock will be small.
d.
If the original magma temperature is high, the grains of the rock will be small.
Hint
2.
Why is a flux used to make synthetic emeralds?
a.
It breaks up the emeralds into a powder.
b.
It speeds up the process of making emeralds.
c.
It slows down the cooling rate of the magma containing the emeralds.
d.
All of the above.
Hint
3.
Why isn't coal a mineral?
a.
because it is not a solid substance
b.
because it is composed of the remains of organisms
c.
because it fractures
d.
because it is made of carbon
Hint
4.
What is necessary for minerals to develop well-formed crystals in nature?
a.
hot lava
b.
abundant magma
c.
open spaces
d.
cool temperatures
Hint
5.
Why are diamonds that are made in a laboratory not minerals?
a.
because they do not occur in nature
b.
because they do not have a hardness of 10 on Mohs scale
c.
because they do not have crystalline structures
d.
because they do not have carbon in them
Hint
6.
What should one observe in a mineral sample that has cleavage?
a.
jagged, uneven edges
b.
smooth, flat surfaces
c.
a hardness less than 4 on the Mohs scale
d.
choncoidal fracture
Hint
7.
Why do minerals sometimes form when water evaporates in nature?
a.
The dissolved minerals in water become more concentrated and crystallize.
b.
The dissolved minerals in water cool down and begin to solidify.
c.
The dissolved minerals in water become less concentrated and crystallize.
d.
The dissolved minerals in water heat up and crystallize.
Hint
8.
Where and when were the first California gold fields discovered?
a.
near San Francisco in 1849
b.
near San Diego in 1950
c.
near Los Angeles in 1850
d.
near Sacramento in 1848
Hint
9.
What is the luster of a mineral?
a.
where it falls on the Mohs scale
b.
how many shiny surfaces it has
c.
how it appears when rubbed on unglazed porcelain
d.
how it reflects light
Hint
10.
What makes a mineral a gem?
a.
when it is made of gold
b.
when it is faceted
c.
when it is useful
d.
when it is highly prized, rare, and valuable
Hint
11.
To which crystal system does the mineral quartz belong?
a.
hexagonal
b.
orthorhombic
c.
cubic
d.
triclinic
Hint
12.
Which of the following is the least reliable physical property to use when identifying most minerals?
a.
hardness
b.
color
c.
luster
d.
cleavage
Hint
13.
Select form the following a useful substance that is NOT a mineral.
a.
copper
b.
sugar
c.
halite
d.
graphite
Hint
14.
Why is hardness also known as scratchability?
a.
because ten hard minerals are part of the Mohs scale
b.
because diamond is the hardest substance
c.
because hardness is a measure of how easily a mineral can be scratched
d.
because any substance can be scratched with a knife as long as enough force is applied
Hint
15.
What is the steak of a mineral?
a.
the way a mineral breaks
b.
the color of a mineral when it is powdered
c.
the color of a metallic mineral
d.
the color of unglazed porcelain
Hint
