Sample Science Test
INSTRUCTIONS: Match the correct letter with the description.
a.
f.
k.
p.
u.
minerals
cleavage
ores
luster
crystals
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
b.
g.
l.
q.
v.
streak
elements
gems
igneous
intrusive
c. extrusive
h. lava
m. magma
r. sedimentary
w. sediment
d.
i.
n.
s.
x.
fossils
conglomerates
metamorphic
rock cycle
anthracite
e.
j.
o.
t.
y.
sandstone
obsidian
granite
marble
limestone
Tiny particles of rocks or minerals
rocks formed from the remains of once living things on the bottom of the ocean
remains of plants from millions of years ago
type of rock formed from sediments that become pressed together
the natural nonliving substances that make up rocks
minerals are made up of these
shapes of minerals made by the way their atoms are arranged
describes the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral
the property that describes the way minerals split
identifies the mineral by the color of the powder left behind when it is scratched across a plate
rocks that are mined because they contain useful substances
minerals prized for their beauty
igneous rock formed above the Earth’s surface
a shiny black igneous rock
a hard igneous rock used in buildings
melted rock below the Earth’s surface
rock formed from when melted rocks cools and hardens
melted rock above the Earth’s surface
igneous rock formed below the Earth’s surface
bits of sand that become cemented together
these rocks are formed by extreme heat and pressure
a metamorphic rock that is used as fuel
process by which rocks change from one form to another
rock used in statues and buildings
this rock is made up of rounded pebbles, stones or even boulders once carried by fast flowing
waters
INSTRUCTIONS: Select the best answer for questions 26-40.
26. Which property best describes a piece of quartz?
a. The color purple
b. Hard
c. Soft
d. shiny
27. Which sentence describes how an intrusive igneous rock forms?
a. Magma cools and hardens.
b. Sediment settle in layers
c. Granite settles in layers
d. An igneous rock splits in half
28. Which rock is an example of a sedimentary rock?
a. Gabbro
b. Pumice
c. Limestone
d. Obsidian
29. Which phrase describes how a metamorphic rock changes into another kind of metamorphic rock?
a. Sediment form
b. Minerals dissolve
c. Heat and pressure change the rock
d. magma cools
30. What kind of rock forms when sand is pressed together in layers?
a. Metamorphic rock
b. Igneous rock
c. Sedimentary rock
d. Gazbroder rock
31. What are all rocks made of?
a. Sand and mud from rivers, lakes, and streams
b. Magma or lava
c. Nonliving substances called minerals
d. Colored pebbles
32. Which physical properties are most helpful to identify minerals
a. Size, ability to float
b. Luster, streak
c. Weight, color
d. Crystal shape and width
33. Which kind of rock forms when extreme heat and pressure causes a rock to change form?
a. Metamorphic rock
b. Igneous rock
c. Sedimentary rock
d. Gazbroder rock
34. Which mineral is softest?
Moh’s Hardness Scale
Mineral
Hardness
gypsum
2
calcite
3
quartz
7
diamond
10
a. Diamond
b. Gypsum
c. Quartz
d. Calcite
35. A rock is soft and has layers. The rock is most likely
a. Sedimentary rock
b. Igneous rock
c. Metamorphic rock
d. Gazbroder rock
36. A student predicts sedimentary rocks will absorb water. To test his prediction, he conducts the
following experiment.
He finds the mass of three samples of rocks. He puts each rock in a plastic cup filled with water for
24 hours. He then takes each rock out and finds the mass of each rock again. His results are below:
Sedimentary Rocks
Rock Sample Before placed After placed
in water
in water
1
12 grams
14 grams
2
17 grams
22 grams
3
16 grams
18 grams
What did he observe to know his prediction was correct?
a. The mass of each rock was the same after being in water
b. The rocks changed color after being in water
c. The mass of each rock was smaller after being in water
d. The mass of each rock was greater after being in water
37. Which kind of rock forms when magma cools and hardens?
a. Metamorphic rock
b. Igneous rock
c. Sedimentary rock
d. Gazbroder rock
38. Which statement is false?
e. A diamond can scratch any other mineral.
f. The mineral quartz comes in only one color.
g. The way a mineral splits can be used to help identify the mineral
h. A mineral’s streak may be a different color than the mineral.
39. A metamorphic rock may be formed from
a. Sedimentary rock
b. Metamorphic rock
c. Igneous rock
d. Any kind of rock
40. Scientist classify rocks based on
a. Their physical properties, the minerals they contain, and how they were formed
b. Their physical properties, the minerals they contain, and how they are used
c. How they are used and how they were formed
d. Their size, shape, and color
Critical Thinking Questions
The following three questions can be completed ahead of time and brought on Thursday, or they can be
done during the test. A student can use their notes if they answer the questions at home. But they will
not be allowed to use any materials during the test on Thursday.
1. Name two different kinds of sedimentary rock, explain how they are formed. Include what
materials each rock are made of.
2. Anthracite coal and bituminous coal are fossil fuels that can be burned to produce heat and
electricity. In what way does the term “fossil fuel” describe the origin of these rocks? If people
continue to use fossil fuels, why will we eventually run out of them?
3. You find a type of rock you have not seen before. What clues would you look for to determine
whether it is igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic? What would these clues tell you about
what kind of rock it is?