SCORING KEY – Rocks and Minerals
Station
Number of
questions
Point Value (Each)
Cumulative Points for
Section
Station 1
5
1.5
7.5
Station 2
8
1.5
12
Station 3
9
1.5
13.5
Station 4
9
1.5
13.5
Station 5
9
1.5
13.5
Station 6
5
1.5
7.5
Station 7
10
1.5
15
Station 8
6
1.5
9
Station 9
5
1.5
7.5
TOTAL POINTS
66
100
Team # ___________________
School Name____________________________________________
Students Name(s) __________________________________________________________________________________
Cy Falls Invitational
Rocks and Minerals Exam
Time: 40 min
PLEASE PUT ALL ANSWERS DIRECTLY ON THIS TEST IN THE BLANKS PROVIDED! WRITE LEGIBLE.
Station 1 – Physical Properties of Minerals
Identify the three minerals (a,b,c) at this station and place them in their relative order, from
softest to hardest, on Mohs hardness scale.
(softest)____________________________________
____________________________________
(hardest)____________________________________
True or False: The streak of a mineral for identification purposes is most useful when the hardness is about 7.
Multiple Choice: Nonmetallic mineral resources include all of the following except
a.
phosphate
b.
iron
c.
gypsum
d.
limestone
e.
sulfate
Station 2 – Economic Uses of Minerals
Identify the mineral and name an economic use for each mineral.
Mineral Name
a._______________________
b._______________________
c._______________________
Economic Use
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
True/False: Minerals are considered nonrenewable resources because they take so long to form.
Short Answer: Explain what it means for a mineral to become economically depleted. (In two sentences or less!)
Station 3 – Rock Classification
There are 6 rocks at this station. Identify each rock according to its general rock
classification (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary) and then give each rock a rock
name.
General Classification
Rock Name
A____________________________
B____________________________
C____________________________
D____________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Multiple Choice: Although often covered by other kinds of rock, which type of rock forms most of the earth’s crust?
a. igneous
b. mineral
c. metamorphic
d. sedimentary
e. organic
Station 4 – Depositional Environments
Name these four rocks and describe where they were deposited (e.g., beach, stream, alluvial fan).
Rock Name
A______________________
B______________________
C______________________
D______________________
Depositional Environment
______________________________________
______________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
True/False: Rocks can be converted from one type to another.
Station 5 – Economic Uses of Rocks
Name the four rocks at this station and give an economic use.
Rock Name
A______________________
B______________________
C______________________
D______________________
Economic Use
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Multiple Choice: What branch of Bowen's reaction series cools with a continuous change in composition?
a. the iron-magnesium groups
b. the carbonates
c. the feldspars
d. the silica chains
Station 6 – Degree of metamorphism
Name these metamorphic rocks (a,b,c) and place them in order of increasing metamorphism.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Multiple Choice: What type of rocks can include quartz?
a. peridotite
b. granite
c. gabbro
d. basalt
True/False: A glassy rock cooled the slowest, making a rock with no visible grains.
Station 7 – Depth of igneous rock emplacement
Name the six rocks at this station and classify them as plutonic, volcanic, or hypabyssal.
Rock Name
A__________________________
B__________________________
C__________________________
D__________________________
E__________________________
Plutonic, Volcanic, or Hypabyssal?
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Station 8 – Mineral Identification
1. Identify these two minerals. Which of these two minerals has the higher specific gravity?
a. (mineral has been dyed to enhance color)
b.
2. What is this mineral? What is the luster of this mineral?
c.
Multiple Choice: Which mineral is white or colorless, has a hardness of 2.5, and splits with cubic cleavage?
a. calcite
b. halite
c. pyrite
d. mica
Station 9 – ROCK CYCLE
Multiple Choice: (Use diagram labeled A for questions 1-3)
1. The recrystallization of unmelted material under high temperature and pressure results in
a. metamorphic rock
b. sedimentary rock
c. igneous rock
d. volcanic rock
2. Which of the following pairs contains one igneous and one sedimentary rock?
a. shale and marble
b. sandstone and quartzite
c. granite and limestone
d. obsidian and gneiss
3. What types of rocks can be changed into an igneous rock?
a. igneous
b. sedimentary
c. metamorphic
d. all of the above
Fill in Blank: (Use diagram labeled B for questions 4-5)
4. Which rock sample is foliated? _________
5. Which rock sample is the most obvious choice
as a sedimentary rock? _________________
TIE BREAKER QUESTIONS:
1. The portion of ore that does not contain the desired mineral is called
a. hazardous waste
b. spoil
c. gangue
d. tailings
e. smelt
2. What is the last mineral to form on the left branch of Bowen's reaction series?
____________________________________
3.
4.
Of the following, the rock that is most resistant to both chemical and mechanical weathering is:
a. shale
c. marble
b. limestone
d. quartzite
Which of the following minerals is noted for its one perfect cleavage?
a. calcite
c. quartz
b. muscovite
d. pyrite
5. Which one of the following minerals does NOT contain silica tetrahedrons?
a. quartz
b. muscovite
c. halite
d. orthoclase
6. True or False: Two examples of Extrusive Igneous Rocks are Obsidian and Pumice.