This project and its actions were made possible due to co-financing by the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals
EAL Nexus resource
Rocks – metamorphic
Subject(s):
Geography, Science
Age group(s):
8–-11, 12–14, 15–16
Topic:
Types of rocks
Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2014
Source | This resource was originally developed from a resource on TES by j33ffa , Charlotte Hurley and Alison Fisher and has been adapted by
EAL Nexus.
Marble – metamorphic rock
(rock changed by heat or pressure)
Marble is made from limestone that has been
heated to change it into marble.
It is very
heavy.
It is often white and has
coloured swirls and streaks.
heavy
light
It is easy to polish and make
the surface smooth and shiny.
It is easy to carve because it
is soft and doesn’t crumble
when cut.
Uses:
• sculptures
• buildings
• statues
• chopping
boards
• tiles
Slate – metamorphic rock
(rock changed by heat or pressure)
Slate is made when mudstones called shale
are changed by heat and pressure.
Slate is blue,
purple and
grey in colour.
Slate is
waterproof.
The crystals that
the slate is made
from are arranged
in layers.
It is easy to cut
into thin sheets
due to its layers.
Uses:
roof and floor tiles
walls
decorative gravel
gravestones
Gneiss – metamorphic rock
(rock changed by heat or pressure)
© Siim Sepp
Gneiss is formed when sedimentary and igneous
rocks are exposed to extreme temperatures and
pressure.
Gneiss often has
alternating bands of
colour that make
interesting patterns.
Gneiss has a coarse
texture and is rough
to the touch.
© Michael C Rygel
The bands
are due to
the various
rocks it is
made from.
© Daniel CD
The quartz in
gneiss makes
it sparkle.
Uses:
• building
construction
• decorative facing
• gravestones
• base for roads
Soapstone – metamorphic rock
(rock changed by heat or pressure)
Soapstone is formed when sedimentary and
igneous rocks are exposed to extreme
temperatures and pressure.
© Ra’ike
Soapstone is
grey, green, pink
or white in colour.
Soapstone is a
soft stone and
is easy to carve
with a sharp
tool such as a
knife.
Soapstone
has a high
resistance
to heat and
acid.
Uses:
bowls
carved objects
lining fireplaces
jewellery
It feels slippery
like soap.
Soapstone can
be polished to a
smooth finish.
Marble
Slate
Gneiss
Soapstone
Marble
• It is a metamorphic rock.
• It is formed from limestone.
• It can be many colours but is often
white with streaks in it.
• It is used for making statues and
chopping boards.
• It is heavy.
Slate
•
•
•
•
•
It is a metamorphic rock.
It is formed from shale.
Its crystals are arranged in layers.
It is used to make roof tiles.
It can be blue, purple and grey.
Gneiss
• It is a metamorphic rock.
• It is formed from sedimentary and
igneous rocks.
• It is formed under pressure.
• It has alternating bands of colours.
• It is rough to touch.
• It sparkles.
Soapstone
• It is a metamorphic rock.
• It is quite a soft rock.
• It is used for making bowls and other
objects with carvings.
• It feels smooth and slippery.
• It has a high resistance to heat.