MINERALS MEGA PACKET

1. Which rock would be the best source of the mineral

garnet?
A) basalt B) limestone
C) schist D) slate
2. Which rock is composed of the mineral halite that formed when seawater evaporated?
A) limestone B) dolostone C) rock gypsum D) rock salt
3. Which element, found in both biotite mica and
muscovite mica, makes up the greatest percent by
volume of Earth's crust?
A) nitrogen B) oxygen
C) potassium D) silicon
4. Which material is made mostly of the mineral quartz?
A) sulfuric acid B) pencil lead
C) plaster of paris D) window glass
5. Which mineral can be found in all samples of rhyolite
and andesite?
A) pyroxene B) quartz
C) biotite D) potassium feldspar
6. Silicate minerals contain the elements silicon and
oxygen. Which list contains only silicate materials?
A) graphite, talc, and selenite gypsum
B) potassium feldspar, quartz, and amphibole
C) calcite, dolomite, and pyroxene
D) biotite mica, fluorite, and garnet
7. Which mineral is the major component of drywall?
A) talc B) calcite
C) muscovite mica D) selenite gypsum
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

8. Base your answer to the following question on

on the photographs and news article below.

Old Man's Loss Felt in New Hampshire

FRANCONIA, N.H. — Crowds of visitors were drawn to Franconia Notch on Sunday to mourn
the loss of New Hampshire's well-known symbol — the Old Man of the Mountain granite profile.
The 700-ton natural formation was just a pile of rocks after breaking loose from its
1,200-foot-high mountainside perch. It was unclear when the outcropping fell because clouds had
obscured the area Thursday and Friday; a state park trail crew discovered the collapse Saturday
morning.
The famous mountain's history dates millions of years. Over time, nature carved out a
40-foot-tall profile resembling an old man's face, and it eventually became New Hampshire's most
recognizable symbol.
The Buffalo News, May 5, 2003
The rock of the Old Man of the Mountain most likely includes a mineral with a composition of
A) NaCl B) SiO2 C) FeS2 D) PbS
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

9. Base your answer to the following question on the diagram below. The arrows show the direction in
which sediment is being transported along the shoreline. A barrier beach has formed, creating a lagoon
(a shallow body of water in which sediments are being deposited). The eroded headlands are composed
of diorite bedrock. A groin has recently been constructed. Groins are wall-like structures built into the
water perpendicular to the shoreline to trap beach sand.

"
Which two minerals are most likely found in the beach sand that was eroded from the headlands?
A) quartz and olivine B) plagioclase feldspar and amphibole
C) potassium feldspar and biotite D) pyroxene and calcite
10. The table below shows some properties of four different minerals.

The minerals listed in the table are varieties of which mineral?

A) garnet B) magnetite C) quartz D) olivine
11. Most rock gypsum is formed by the 12. The three statements below are observations of the
same rock sample:
A) heating of previously existing foliated bedrock
• The rock has intergrown crystals from 2 to 3
B) cooling and solidification of lava millimeters in diameter.
C) compaction and cementation of shells and • The minerals in the rock are gray feldspar, green
skeletal remains olivine, green pyroxene, and black amphibole.
D) chemical precipitation of minerals from • There are no visible gas pockets in the rock.
seawater
This rock sample is most likely
A) sandstone B) gabbro
C) granite D) phyllite
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

13. Which two rocks have the most similar mineral

composition?
A) marble and rhyolite
B) limestone and basalt
C) quartzite and rock salt
D) granite and phyllite
14. Base your answer to the following question on the map and cross section below. The shaded areas on
the map represent regions of the United States that have evaporite rock layers (layers of rock formed
from the evaporation of seawater) under the surface bedrock. The cross section shows the generalized
structure of the area in which the evaporite layers are found in New York State.

These evaporite deposits could be composed of which minerals?

A) garnet and pyroxene B) mica and feldspar
C) hornblende and olivine D) halite and gypsum
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

15. The table below indicates the presence of various 17. Although more than 2,000 minerals have been
minerals in different rock samples. identified, 90% of Earth's lithosphere is composed of
the 12 minerals listed below.

The best explanation for this fact is that most rocks

A) are monomineralic
Which statement is an accurate conclusion based on B) are composed only of recrystallized minerals
the information provided in the table? C) have a number of minerals in common
A) Most rocks are monomineralic. D) have a 10% nonmineral composition
B) All rocks are polymineralic. 18. Which mineral can be found in granite, andesite,
C) Many rocks have a number of minerals in gneiss, and hornfels?
common.
A) quartz B) pyroxene
D) Only igneous rocks contain quartz.
C) olivine D) biotite mica
16. Base your answer to the following question on the
rock sample shown below. 19. In which group do the rocks usually have the mineral
quartz as part of their composition?
A) granite, rhyolite, sandstone, hornfels
B) shale, scoria, gneiss, metaconglomerate
C) conglomerate, gabbro, rock salt, schist
D) breccia, fossel limestone, bituminous coal,
siltstone
20. Which rock is usually composed of several different
minerals?
A) rock gypsum
B) chemical limestone
C) quartzite
The average size of the pebbles in the sample is
approximately D) gneiss

A) 1.2 cm B) 0.2 cm 21. Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are

usually composed of
C) 6.4 cm D) 13.2 cm
A) intergrown crystals
B) fossils
C) minerals
D) sediments
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

22. Which is an accurate statement about rocks? 28. Equal masses of basalt, granite, iron and copper
received the same amount of solar energy during the
A) Rocks are located only in continental areas of
day. At night, which of these materials cooled down
the Earth.
at the fastest rate?
B) Rocks seldom undergo change.
C) Most rocks contain fossils. A) basalt B) granite
D) Most rocks have several minerals in C) iron D) copper
common.
23. What do most igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic rocks have in common?
A) They are formed from molten material.
B) They are produced by heat and pressure.
C) They are composed of minerals.
D) They exhibit crystals, banding, and distinct
layers.
24. In which group are all the earth materials classified
as minerals?
A) feldspar, quartz, and olivine
B) granite, rhyolite, and basalt
C) cobbles, pebbles, and silt
D) conglomerate, sandstone, and shale
25. Of the Earth's more than 2,000 identified minerals,
only a small number are commonly found in rocks.
This fact indicates that most
A) minerals weather before they can be identified
B) minerals have properties that are difficult to
identify
C) rocks have a number of minerals in common
D) exposed surface rocks are igneous
26. Which statement best describes a general property of
rocks?
A) Most rocks have a number of minerals in
common.
B) Most rocks are composed of a single mineral.
C) All rocks contain fossils.
D) All rocks contain minerals formed by
compression and cementation.
27. Which mineral is mined for its iron content?
A) hematite B) fluorite
C) galena D) talc
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

Base your answers to questions 29 through 31 on the mineral chart below and on your knowledge of
Earth science. The mineral chart lists some properties of five minerals that are the major sources of
the same metallic element that is used by many industries.

29. Which mineral has a different common color from its color in powdered form?
A) brucite B) canallite C) magnesite D) olivine
30. Which mineral might scratch the mineral fluorite, but would not scratch the mineral amphibole?
A) brucite B) magnesite C) carnallite D) olivine
31. Which two minerals have compositions that are most similar to calcite?
A) brucite and carnallite B) carnallite and dolomite
C) dolomite and magnesite D) magnesite and olivine

32. The data table below gives characteristics of the gemstone peridot.

Peridot is a form of the mineral

A) pyrite B) pyroxene C) olivine D) garnet
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

33. The diagram of Bowen's Reaction Series below indicates the relative temperatures at which specific
minerals crystallize as magma cools.

Which statement is best supported by Bowen's Reaction Series?

A) Most minerals crystallize at the same temperature.
B) Most felsic minerals usually crystallize before most mafic minerals.
C) Muscovite mica and quartz are the last minerals to crystallize as magma cools.
D) Biotite mica is the first mineral to crystallize as magma cools.
34. The photograph below shows an outcrop where a 35. Which characteristic do samples of the mineral
light-colored, igneous rock is cross cut by a pyroxene normally exhibit?
dark-colored, igneous rock.
A) yellow to amber color
B) bubbling in hydrochloric acid
C) cleaves at 56° and 124°
D) hardness of 5 to 6

This fine-grained, dark-colored, igneous rock is

most likely
A) rhyolite B) diorite
C) basalt D) gabbro
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

36. The diagram below represents the mass and volume of a mineral sample being measured. These
measurements were used to determine the density of the mineral sample.

What is the density of this mineral sample?

A) 6 g/mL B) 24 g/mL C) 34 g/mL D) 60 g/mL
Base your answers to questions 37 and 38 on
the data table below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The table provides information about
four minerals, A through D.

37. Which mineral can scratch A, B, and C, but can not scratch D?
A) talc B) selenite gypsum
C) fluorite D) quartz
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

38. The diagram below represents a sample of mineral A.

Mineral A is most likely

A) garnet B) galena C) olivine D) halite

39. The graph below shows the hardness of four 41. A nonvesicular rock is made entirely of green
minerals. 2-millimeter-diameter crystals that have a hardness
of 6.5 and show fracture, but notcleavage. The rock
is most likely
A) shale B) phyllite
C) dunite D) schist
42. Which mineral would most likely become rounded at
the fastest rate when tumbled along
A) garnet
B) pyroxene
C) plagioclase feldspar
D) selenite gypsum
43. Which mineral will scratch fluorite, galena, and
pyroxene?
A) graphite B) calcite
C) olivine D) dolomite
Which mineral is hard enough to scratch calcite but
is not hard enough to scratch amphibole? 44. What is the approximate density of a mineral with a
mass of 262.2 grams that displaces 46 cubic
A) muscovite mica B) fluorite centimeters of water?
C) olivine D) graphite
A) 1.8 g/cm3 B) 5.7 g/cm3
40. Which two properties are most useful in C) 6.1 g/cm3 D) 12.2 g/cm3
distinguishing between galena and halite?
A) cleavage and color
B) luster and color
C) hardness and streak
D) streak and cleavage
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

Base your answers to questions 45 and 46 on the data table below, which lists some properties of four
minerals that are used as ores of zinc (Zn).

45. Which mineral belongs in the same mineral group as quartz and olivine?
A) zincite B) willemite C) sphalerite D) smithsonite
46. A mineral with a hardness of 5 would scratch
A) all four zinc minerals in the table
B) zincite, but not sphalerite, smithsonite, or willemite
C) zincite and sphalerite, but not smithsonite or willemite
D) zincite, sphalerite, and smithsonite, but not willemite
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

Base your answers to questions 47 and 48 on the diagram below, which shows the results of three
different physical tests, A, B, and C, that were performed on a mineral.

47. The luster of this mineral could be determined by

A) using an electronic balance
B) using a graduated cylinder
C) observing how light reflects from the surface of the mineral
D) observing what happens when acid is placed on the mineral
48. Which mineral was tested?
A) amphibole B) quartz C) galena D) graphite

49. Which mineral is commonly used as a food additive?

A) calcite B) talc
C) halite D) fluorite
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

50. Which diagram best shows the grain size of some

common sedimentary rocks?
A)

B)

C)

D)
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

51. Base your answer to the following question on "the passage and map below. The map shows the
generalized landscape regions of Vermont.

Landscape Regions of Vermont

Most of Vermont's landscape regions consist of ancient, weathered mountains that were covered by
several ice sheets during the last ice age. When the ice melted, sand, cobbles, and boulders were
deposited throughout the state, Vermont is divided into six landscape regions.

(1) The Vermont Lowlands region has a mild climate, with Lake Champlain moderating its
temperature.
(2) The Green Mountains run the length of Vermont and were formed over 400 million years ago.
Most of the bedrock is metamorphic and the region is known for its deposits of talc and asbestos.
(3) The Taconic Mountains extend into New York State. Slate and marble are commonly mined in
this region.
(4) The Valley of Vermont is a narrow valley between two mountain ranges. Most of the bedrock
in the region is limestone and marble.
(5) The Vermont Piedmont covers the largest area of the state. This region consists of rolling hills
and valleys. Granite mining is an important industry.
(6) The Northeast Highlands is a mountainous region composed of granite bedrock.
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

"
Some of the bedrock in the Green Mountains is actually green in color because of the presence of the
mineral chlorite. Which other mineral can cause rocks to appear green?
A) sulfur B) magnetite C) olivine D) halite
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

52. The diagram below shows the index minerals of

Mohs hardness scale compared with the hardness of
some common objects.

Which statement is best supported by the diagram?

A) A fingernail will scratch calcite but not
gypsum.
B) Calcite will be scratched by a copper penny.
C) The mineral apatite will scratch topaz.
D) A steel file has a hardness of about 7.5.
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

Base your answers to questions 53 and 54 on "map below, which shows areas where certain minerals
were mined in significant amounts during 1989.

"
53. The mineral wollastonite has a hardness of 4.5 to 5. Which New York State mineral could easily
scratch wollastonite?
A) garnet B) halite C) talc D) gypsum
54. What is a common use for the mineral that is mined at the southern end of the two largest Finger
Lakes?
A) making talcum powder B) vulcanizing rubber
C) polishing jewelry D) melting ice
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

55. In which set are the rock drawings labeled with their correct rock types?
A)

B)

C)

D)

56. Which mineral has a metallic luster, a black streak, 58. The mineral graphite is often used as
and is an ore of iron?
A) a lubricant
A) galena B) magnetite B) an abrasive
C) pyroxene D) graphite C) a source of iron
57. A student created the table below by classify six D) a cementing material
minerals into two groups, A and B , based on a
single property.

Which property was used to classify' these minerals?

A) color
B) luster
C) chemical composition
D) hardness
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

59. The table below shows the hardness of four common

materials.

Which statement best describes the hardness of the

mineral dolomite?
A) Dolomite can scratch window glass, but can not
be scratched by a fingernail.
B) Dolomite can scratch window glass, but can not
be scratched by a steel nail.
C) Dolomite can scratch a copper penny, but
cannot be scratched by a fingernail.
D) Dolomite can scratch a copper penny, but
cannot be scratched by a steel nail.
60. The diagram below shows four mineral samples, each having approximately the same mass.

If all four samples are placed together in a closed, dry container and shaken vigorously for 10
minutes, which mineral sample would experience the most abrasion?
A) quartz B) amphibole C) pyroxene D) galena
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

61. The table below shows some observed physical properties of a mineral.

Based on these observations, the elements that make up this mineral's composition are
A) sulfur and lead
B) sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen
C) oxygen, silicon, hydrogen, and magnesium
D) oxygen, silicon, aluminum, and iron
Base your answers to questions 62 and 63 on "
the photograph below. The photograph shows several broken samples of the same colorless mineral.

"
62. Which mineral is most likely shown in the photograph?
A) quartz B) calcite C) galena D) halite
63. Which physical property of this mineral is most easily seen in the photograph?
A) fracture B) hardness C) streak D) cleavage

64. Which home-building material is made mostly from

the mineral gypsum?
A) plastic pipes B) window glass
C) drywall panels D) iron nails
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

65. A human fingernail has a hardness of approximately

2.5. Which two minerals are softer than a human
fingernail?
A) calcite and halite
B) sulfur and fluorite
C) graphite and talc
D) pyrite and magnetite
66. The internal atomic structure of a mineral most
likely determines the mineral's
A) color, streak, and age
B) origin, exposure, and fracture
C) size, location, and luster
D) hardness, cleavage, and crystal shape
67. What is the best way to determine if a mineral
sample is calcite or quartz?
A) Observe the color of the mineral.
B) Place the mineral near a magnet.
C) Place a drop of acid on the mineral.
D) Measure the mass of the mineral.
68. The photograph below shows a piece of halite that
has been recently broken.

Which physical property of halite is demonstrated by

this pattern of breakage?
A) hardness B) streak
C) cleavage D) luster
69. Which mineral will scratch glass (hardness = 5.5),
but not pyrite?
A) gypsum B) fluorite
C) orthoclase D) quartz
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

Base your answers to questions 70 and 71 on "the diagram below, which shows three minerals with
three different physical tests, A, B, and C, being performed on them.

"
70. The results of all three physical tests shown are most useful for determining the
A) rate of weathering of the minerals
B) identity of the minerals
C) environment where the minerals formed
D) geologic period when the minerals formed
71. Which sequence correctly matches each test, A, B, and C, with the mineral property tested?
A) A—cleavage; B—streak; C—hardness
B) A—cleavage; B—hardness; C—streak
C) A—streak; B—cleavage; C—hardness
D) A—streak; B—hardness; C—cleavage

72. An unidentified mineral that is softer than calcite 73. Which two rocks are primarily composed of a
exhibits a metallic luster and cubic cleavage. This mineral that bubbles with acid?
mineral most likely is
A) limestone and marble
A) galena B) pyrite B) granite and dolostone
C) halite D) pyroxene C) sandstone and quartzite
D) slate and conglomerate
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

74. Which statement about the minerals plagioclase 78. Halite has three cleavage directions at 90º to each
feldspar, gypsum, biotite mica, and talc can best be other. Which model best represents the shape of a
inferred from the chart? broken sample of halite?
A) These minerals have the same chemical and A)
physical properties.
B) These minerals have different chemical
properties, but they have similar physical
properties.
C) These minerals have different physical and B)
chemical properties, but they have identical
uses.
D) The physical and chemical properties of
these minerals determine how humans use
them. C)
75. Which mineral scratches dolomite and is scratched
by olivine?
A) galena
B) quartz
C) potassium feldspar D)
D) muscovite mica
76. Which mineral leaves a green-black powder when
rubbed against an unglazed porcelain plate?
A) galena B) graphite
C) hematite D) pyrite
79. Scratching a mineral against a glass plate and
77. Which mineral is white or colorless, has a hardness
rubbing a mineral on a streak plate are helpful
of 2.5, and splits with cubic cleavage?
procedures for determining a mineral’s
A) calcite B) halite
A) density
C) pyrite D) mica
B) identity
C) cleavage
D) internal atomic structure
80. Which mineral has a hardness of 6, and shows
cleavage?
A) Olivine
B) Talc
C) Hematite
D) Potassium Feldspar
81. Which mineral has a hardness of 2.5 – 3 and makes a
good electrical insulator?
A) Pyroxene B) Biotite Mica
C) Gypsum D) Magnetite
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

82. Which mineral has a greater hardness? Base your answers to questions 89 through 92 on the
data table below.
A) Galena B) Olivine
C) Garnet D) Biotite Mica
83. Which mineral bubbles when acid is placed on it?
A) Calcite
B) Pyroxene
C) Potassium Feldspar
D) Garnet
84. What is the hardness of Sulfur?
A) 6.5 B) 2 C) 3 D) 2.5
85. Which mineral shows no cleavage, has a hardness of
7, and a composition of SiO 2?
A) Graphite B) Garnet
C) Halite D) Quartz
86. Which mineral is an ore of iron and has a 89. Moh's scale would be most useful for
characteristic reddish brown streak?
A) finding the mass of a mineral sample
A) magnetite B) pyrite B) finding the density of a mineral sample
C) hematite D) olivine C) identifying a mineral sample
87. Which common mineral fizzes when dilute D) counting the number of cleavage surfaces of a
hydrochloric acid (HCl) is placed on it? mineral sample
A) calcite B) feldspar 90. The durable gemstones ruby and sapphire are
C) quartz D) talc valuable due to their color and hardness. These
gemstones would most likely be located on Moh's
88. Different arrangements of tetrahedra in the silicate scale at the hardness level of
group of minerals result in differences in the
minerals' A) 1 B) 9 C) 3 D) 4
A) age, density, and smoothness 91. Which statement is best supported by the data
B) cleavage, color, and abundance shown?
C) hardness, cleavage, and crystal shape A) An iron nail contains fluorite.
D) chemical composition, size, and origin B) A streak plate is composed of quartz.
C) Topaz is harder than a steel file.
D) Apatite is softer than a copper penny.
92. Moh's scale arranges minerals according to their
relative
A) resistance to breaking
B) resistance to scratching
C) specific heat
D) specific gravity
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

93. The diagrams below represent fractured samples of

four minerals.

Which mineral property is best illustrated by the

samples?
A) hardness B) streak
C) cleavage D) density
94. Which property is most useful in mineral
identification?
A) hardness B) color
C) size D) texture
Base your answers to questions 95 and 96 on "the diagram and table below.

"
95. The original shape of mineral sample A was altered when it was hit with a rock hammer. Which
physical property caused the mineral to break as it did?
A) hardness B) luster C) cleavage D) streak
96. If the volume of mineral sample A is 28 cubic centimeters, sample A is most likely
A) copper B) galena C) chalcopyrite D) dolomite
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

97. The diagram below shows the results of one test for 101. One of the most abundant minerals in beach sand is
mineral identification. quartz. Which property of quartz could account for
its abundance?
A) hardness B) texture
C) color D) luster
102. The relative hardness of a mineral can best be
tested by
A) scratching the mineral across a glass plate
B) squeezing the mineral with calibrated pliers
C) determining the density of the mineral
D) breaking the mineral with a hammer
Which mineral property is being tested?
103. Scratching a mineral against a glass plate is a
A) density B) fracture method used for determining the mineral's
C) streak D) luster A) color B) hardness
98. The data table below gives information on mineral C) luster D) cleavage
hardness.
104. Minerals are identified on the basis of
A) the method by which they were formed
B) the type of rock in which they are found
C) the size of their crystals
D) their physical and chemical properties
105. The minerals talc, muscovite mica, quartz, and
olivine are similar because they
A) have the same hardness
B) are the same color
C) contain silicon and oxygen
D) break along cleavage planes
106. Which mineral is commonly mined as a source of
the element lead (Pb)?
Moh's scale would be most useful for A) galena B) quartz
A) identifying a mineral sample C) magnetite D) gypsum
B) finding the mass of a mineral sample
C) finding the density of a mineral sample
D) counting the number of cleavage surfaces of a
mineral sample
99. Which rock type is most likely to be monomineralic?
A) rock salt B) rhyolite
C) basalt D) conglomerate
100. Which mineral property is illustrated by the peeling
of muscovite mica into thin, flat sheets?
A) luster B) streak
C) hardness D) cleavage
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

107. Base your answer to the following question on "

the graph below, which shows the crustal temperature and pressure conditions under which three
different minerals with the same chemical composition (Al2SiO5) crystallize.

"
Which mineral has a chemical composition most similar to andalusite, sillimanite, and kyanite?
A) pyrite B) gypsum
C) dolomite D) potassium feldspar
108. How are the minerals biotite mica and muscovite 110. Which mineral is composed of Calcium and
mica different? Fluorine?
A) Biotite mica is colorless, but muscovite mica A) Amphiboles B) Calcite
is not. C) Hematite D) Fluorite
B) Biotite mica contains iron and/or
magnesium, but muscovite mica does not.
C) Muscovite mica scratches quartz, but biotite
mica does not.
D) Muscovite mica cleaves into thin sheets, but
biotite mica does not.
109. Which of the following elements is not found in
Plagioclase Feldspar?
A) Na B) Al C) Si D) Pb
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

Base your answers to questions 111 through 113 on the table below which provides information about
the crystal sizes and the mineral compositions of four igneous rocks, A, B, C, and D.

111. Rock B most likely is

A) conglomerate B) schist C) obsidian D) peridotite
112. Which characteristic of rock B could be caused by the minerals pyroxene and olivine?
A) green color B) felsic composition
C) folded layers D) metallic luster
113. The mineral quartz in rock A is composed of the two most abundant elements by mass in Earth's
crust. These two elements are oxygen and
A) magnesium B) silicon C) iron D) lead

114. The data table below shows the composition of six

common rock-forming minerals.

The data table provides evidence that

A) the same elements are found in all minerals
B) a few elements are found in many minerals
C) all elements are found in only a few minerals
D) all elements are found in all minerals
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

115. Which graph best represents the textures of granite, 117. The diagrams below show the crystal shapes of two
pegmatite, and rhyolite? minerals.
A)

B)

C)
Quartz and halite have different crystal shapes
primarily because
A) light reflects from crystal surfaces
B) energy is released during crystallization
C) of impurities that produce surface variations
D) D) of the internal arrangement of the atoms
118. Which two minerals have cleavage planes at right
angles?
A) biotite mica and muscovite mica
B) sulfur and amphibole
C) quartz and calcite
116. Which property is most useful in distinguishing
D) halite and pyroxene
pyroxene from amphibole?
A) sample size
B) hardness
C) type of luster
D) angles of cleavage
 MINERALS MEGA PACKET

Base your answers to questions 119 through 121 on "the two tables below and on your knowledge of
Earth science. Table 1 shows the composition, hardness, and average density of four minerals often
used as gemstones. Table 2 lists the minerals in Moh's Scale of Hardness from 1 (softest) to 10
(hardest).

"
119. Sapphire is a gemstone variety of which mineral on Moh's scale of hardness?
A) corundum B) diamond C) fluorite D) topaz
120. Which gemstone minerals contain the two most abundant elements by mass in Earth's crust?
A) emerald and spinel B) emerald and zircon
C) sapphire and spinel D) sapphire and zircon
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121. The hardness and density of each gemstone is based primarily on the gemstone's
A) internal arrangement of atoms B) geologic time of formation
C) oxygen content D) natural abundance

122. The diagram below represents a part of the crystal structure of the mineral kaolinite.

An arrangement of atoms such as the one shown in the diagram determines a mineral's
A) age of formation B) infiltration rate
C) physical properties D) temperature of formation
123. The photograph below shows a broken piece of the 124. The diagram below shows how a sample of the
mineral calcite. mineral mica breaks when hit with a rock hammer.

The calcite breaks in smooth, flat surfaces because

calcite This mineral breaks in smooth, flat surfaces
A) is very dense because it
B) is very soft A) is very hard
C) contains certain impurities B) is very dense
D) has a regular arrangement of atoms C) contains large amounts of iron
D) has a regular arrangement of atoms
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Base your answers to questions 125 and 126 on

Moh's mineral hardness scale and on the chart below
showing the approximate hardness of some common
objects.

125. Which statement is best supported by this scale?

A) A fingernail will scratch calcite, but not
quartz.
B) A fingernail will scratch quartz, but not
calcite.
C) A piece of glass can be scratched by quartz,
but not by calcite.
D) A piece of glass can be scratched by calcite,
but not by quartz.
126. The hardness of these minerals is most closely
related to the
A) mineral's color
B) mineral's abundance in nature
C) amount of iron the mineral contains
D) internal arrangement of the mineral's
atoms

127. Which of the following show cleavage in 2

directions at 90%?
A) Pyrite B) Pyroxene
C) Garnet D) Fluorite
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Base your answers to questions 128 and 129 on the table below, which shows the characteristics of
four different mineral samples.

128. Which two mineral samples would be most difficult to distinguish from each other based on their
color, luster, and streak?
A) halite and quartz B) halite and gold
C) galena and quartz D) galena and gold
129. Which two mineral samples most likely have a similar internal arrangement of atoms?
A) galena and quartz B) galena and halite
C) gold and halite D) gold and galena

130. A mineral’s crystal shape and cleavage are a direct 131. The elements contained in four minerals are given
result of the mineral’s in the table below. The basic structural unit of one
of the minerals is also shown. The atom of element
A) hardness
1 is surrounded by four atoms of element 2.
B) abundance in nature
C) arrangement of atoms
D) exposure to the hydrosphere and atmosphere

In which mineral are the atoms arranged as shown

in the basic structural unit?
A) fluorite B) halite
C) quartz D) galena
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132. The diagram below shows a broken crystal of the 136. The physical properties of minerals result from
mineral halite their
A) density and color
B) texture and color of streak
C) type of cleavage and hardness
D) internal arrangement of atoms
137. A mineral's physical characteristics, such as
hardness, cleavage, and luster, are dependent on the
A) size of the mineral sample
The shape of the halite crystal is a direct result of
B) age of the mineral sample
the
C) method by which the mineral sample was
A) internal arrangement of the atoms in the broken
crystal D) internal arrangement of the mineral's
B) emperature at which the crystal formed atoms
C) type of surface on which the crystal formed 138. The cleavage or fracture of a mineral is normally
D) stream erosion that changed the crystal determined by the mineral's
133. Differences in hardness between minerals are most A) density
likely caused by the
B) oxygen content
A) internal arrangement of atoms C) internal arrangement of atoms
B) external arrangement of flat surfaces D) position among surrounding minerals
C) number of pointed edges 139. Which model best represents the silicon-oxygen
D) member of cleavage planes tetrahedron?
134. Which property of the mineral diamond allows
diamond powder to be used to shape gems for
jewelry?
A)
A) crystal shape B) cleavage
C) luster D) hardness
135. Which diagram best represents the silicon-oxygen
tetrahedron of which talc, feldspar, and quartz are B)
composed?

A) B) C)

C) D) D)
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140. The diagrams below illustrate a specific property of 143. Although diamonds and graphite both consist of the
certain minerals. element carbon, their physical properties are very
different. The most likely explanation for these
differences is that
A) the internal arrangement of carbon atoms
is different in each mineral
B) graphite contains impurities not found in
diamonds
C) graphite contains radioactive carbon-14 but
This property is most closely related to the diamonds do not
D) diamonds contain silicate tetrahedra but
A) arrangement of atoms in the mineral graphite does not
B) impurities found in the mineral
144. The mineral mica breaks evenly along flat sheets
C) softness of the mineral
mainly because of its
D) density of the mineral
A) atomic arrangement
141. The diagram below represents top and side views
B) chemical composition
of a model of the silicate tetrahedron.
C) hardness
D) density
145. The diagram below represents a basic atomic
structure that forms when oxygen and silicon unite.

This tetrahedron is found in large amounts in the

Earth's
This structure is called a
A) hydrosphere B) troposphere
A) tetrahedron B) cube
C) lithosphere D) stratosphere
C) sphere D) cylinder
142. Two minerals made of pure carbon are diamond
146. What causes the characteristic crystal shape and
and graphite. Which statement best explains why
cleavage (breaking along flat surfaces) of the
diamond is so much more resistant to scratching
mineral halite as shown in the diagram below?
than graphite?
A) The atoms are lighter in graphite than in
diamond.
B) The atoms are heavier in graphite than in
diamond.
C) The atoms are bonded together more
strongly in diamond than in graphite. A) metamorphism of the halite
D) The atoms are smaller in graphite than in B) the internal arrangement of the atoms in
diamond. halite
C) the amount of erosion the halite has undergone
D) the shape of other minerals located where the
halite formed
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147. Two mineral samples have different physical 150. The crystal characteristics of quartz shown in the
properties, but each contains silicate tetrahedrons accompanying diagram are the result of the
as its basic structural unit. Which statement about
the two mineral samples must be true?
A) They have the same density.
B) They are similar in appearance.
C) They contain silicon and oxygen.
D) They are the same mineral. A) internal arrangement of the elements from
148. Which element combines with silicon to form the which quartz is formed
tetrahedral unit of structure of the silicate minerals? B) shape of the other rock crystals in the area
where the quartz was formed
A) oxygen B) nitrogen
C) amount of weathering that the quartz has been
C) potassium D) hydrogen
exposed to
149. Which object is the best model of the shape of a D) age of the quartz crystal
silicon-oxygen structural unit?
A) B)

C) D)
 Answer Key
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1. C 37. C 73. A 109. D

2. D 38. B 74. D 110. D
3. B 39. B 75. C 111. D
4. D 40. B 76. D 112. A
5. C 41. C 77. B 113. B
6. B 42. D 78. B 114. B
7. D 43. C 79. B 115. D
8. B 44. B 80. D 116. D
9. B 45. B 81. B 117. D
10. C 46. D 82. C 118. D
11. D 47. C 83. A 119. A
12. B 48. A 84. B 120. B
13. D 49. C 85. D 121. A
14. D 50. B 86. C 122. C
15. C 51. C 87. A 123. D
16. A 52. B 88. C 124. D
17. C 53. A 89. C 125. C
18. A 54. D 90. B 126. D
19. A 55. D 91. C 127. B
20. D 56. B 92. B 128. A
21. C 57. B 93. C 129. B
22. D 58. A 94. A 130. C
23. C 59. C 95. C 131. C
24. A 60. D 96. B 132. A
25. C 61. C 97. C 133. A
26. A 62. D 98. A 134. D
27. A 63. D 99. A 135. D
28. D 64. C 100. D 136. D
29. D 65. C 101. A 137. D
30. B 66. D 102. A 138. C
31. C 67. C 103. B 139. A
32. C 68. C 104. D 140. A
33. C 69. C 105. C 141. C
34. C 70. B 106. A 142. C
35. D 71. A 107. D 143. A
36. A 72. A 108. B 144. A
 Answer Key
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145. A
146. B
147. C
148. A
149. B
150. A