Minerals, Rocks and Resources Test Prep
For an igneous rock to be classified as rhyolite, it must be light colored, be fine grained, and contain
1 quartz
2 calcite
3 pyroxene
4 olivine
Which characteristics of a particle would usually result in the longest settling time for the particle in calm
water?
1 low density and round shape
2 low density and flat shape
3 high density and round shape
4 high density and flat shape
Which size particle will remain suspended longest as a river enters the ocean?
1 pebble
2 sand
3 silt
4 clay
Particles of sediment collected from a lake bottom averaged 1.2 centimeters in diameter. If left on the lake
bottom to become buried by more sediment and compressed into rock, these particles would form
1 sandstone
2 conglomerate
3 quartzite
4 granite
Scratching a mineral against a glass plate and rubbing a mineral on a streak plate are helpful procedures for
determining a mineral’s
1 density
2 identity
3 cleavage
4 internal atomic structure
Which process is necessary for the formation of igneous rocks?
1 erosion
2 deposition
3 solidification
4 metamorphism
Base your answers to the following 5 questions using the Earth Science Reference Tables, the diagrams
below, and your knowledge of Earth science. The diagrams represent two different solid, uniform materials
cut into cubes A and B.
What is the density of cube A?
(1) 0.2 g/cm3
(2) 5.0 g/cm3
(3) 12.8 g/cm3
(4) 64.0 g/cm3
What is the mass of cube B?
(1) 3 g
(2) 9 g
(3) 27 g
(4) 81 g
A student calculates the density of a third material as 8.3 grams per cubic centimeter instead of the accepted
value of 8.0 grams per cubic centimeter. What is the student’s approximate percent deviation (percent of
error)?
(1) 3.0%
(2) 3.8%
(3) 30.0%
(4) 36.1%
Assume cube B was broken into many irregularly shaped pieces. Compared to the density of the entire cube,
the density of one of the pieces would be
1 less
2 greater
3 the same
If a parcel of air is heated, its density will
1 decrease
2 increase
3 remain the same
The three statements below are observations of the same rock sample:
• The rock has intergrown crystals from 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter.
• The minerals in the rock are gray feldspar, green olivine, green pyroxene, and black amphibole.
• There are no visible gas pockets in the rock.
This rock sample is most likely
(1) sandstone
(2) gabbro
(3) granite
(4) phyllite
Most rock gypsum is formed by the
(1) heating of previously existing foliated bedrock
(2) cooling and solidification of lava
(3) compaction and cementation of shells and skeletal remains
(4) chemical precipitation of minerals from seawater
Base your answers to the following 5 questions 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).
Part of a gemstone’s value is based on the way the gemstone shines in reflected light. The way a mineral
reflects light is described as the mineral’s
(1) fracture
(2) hardness
(3) luster
(4) streak
Sapphire is a gemstone variety of which mineral on Moh’s scale of hardness?
(1) corundum
(2) diamond
(3) fluorite
(4) topaz
If the mass of a spinel crystal is 9.5 grams, what is the volume of this spinel crystal?
(1) 0.4 cm3
(2) 2.5 cm3
(3) 5.7 cm3
(4) 36.1 cm3
The hardness and density of each gemstone is based primarily on the gemstone’s
(1) internal arrangement of atoms
(2) geologic time of formation
(3) oxygen content
(4) natural abundance
Which gemstone minerals contain the two most abundant elements by mass in Earth’s crust?
(1) emerald and spinel
(2) emerald and zircon
(3) sapphire and spinel
(4) sapphire and zircon
Base your answers to the following 3 questions on the cross section below, which shows an area near
Watertown, New York. The top layer of soil contains broken rock fragments. A representative sample of this
layer has been magnified.
Identify one mineral that could be found in all three rock fragments shown in the magnified view.
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State one observable characteristic, other than mineral composition, that could help identify the gneiss
fragment.
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Rocks and minerals are natural resources that are mined in New York State. State one negative impact that
should be considered before mining these natural resources.
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Which rock was organically formed and sometimes contains fossilized plant impressions?
(1) rock gypsum
(2) phyllite
(3) breccia
(4) coal
The mineral graphite is often used as
(1) a lubricant
(2) an abrasive
(3) a source of iron
(4) a cementing material
Base your answers to the following 3 questions on the data table below, which shows some characteristics of
four rock samples, numbered 1 through 4. Some information has been left blank.
State a possible grain size, in centimeters, for most of the particles found in sample 1.
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Write the rock name of sample 2.
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Write a term or phrase that correctly describes the texture of sample 4.
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Base your answers to the following 3 questions on the cross section in your answer booklet. The cross
section shows a portion of Earth’s crust. Letters A, B, C, and D represent rock units that have not been
overturned.
On the cross section above, place an X where the metamorphic rock quartzite may be found.
Identify by name the most abundant mineral in rock unit A.
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State one piece of evidence shown in the cross section that indicates that rock unit D is older than igneous
intrusion C.
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Which mineral can be found in granite, andesite, gneiss, and hornfels?
1 quartz
2 pyroxene
3 olivine
4 biotite mica
Which rock is made up of angular fragments of rock held together by a natural cement?
1 breccia
2 scoria
3 granite
4 quartzite
Which property of the mineral diamond allows diamond powder to be used to shape gems for jewelry?
1 crystal shape
2 cleavage
3 luster
4 hardness
Which relative concentration of elements is found in a mafic rock?
1 a high concentration of silicon and a low concentration of iron
2 a high concentration of iron and a low concentration of aluminum
3 a high concentration of aluminum and a low concentration of iron
4 a high concentration of aluminum and a low concentration of magnesium
Base your answers to the following 5 questions on the Earth Science Reference Tables, the block diagram
below, and your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram shows a cross section of Earth’s crust. Letter A
identifies a lake, and letters B through G represent different types of bedrock.
Which graph best represents a possible comparison of the average grain sizes for rocks D, E, and F?
The rock produced at point H is most likely
1 slate
2 marble
3 gneiss
4 quartzite
Which diagram best represents a sample of rock G?
Rock B is a dark-colored crystalline rock that formed when a lava flow cooled and solidified quickly on the
surface of Earth. Rock B is classified as an
1 extrusive igneous rock with a coarse texture and felsic composition
2 extrusive igneous rock with a fine texture and a mafic composition
3 intrusive igneous rock with a coarse texture and a felsic composition
4 intrusive igneous rock with a fine texture and a mafic composition
Rock C most likely resulted from the
1 rapid cooling of lava from volcanic eruptions
2 regional metamorphism of a previously existing rock
3 compaction and cementation of angular quartz fragments
4 precipitation of mineral from evaporating water
Which process could lead directly to the formation of pumice rock?
(1) precipitation of minerals from evaporating seawater
(2) metamorphism of unmelted rock material
(3) deposition of quartz sand
(4) explosive eruption of lava from a volcano
The rock shown below has a foliated texture and contains the minerals amphibole, quartz, and feldspar
arranged in coarse-grained bands.
Which rock is shown?
(1) slate
(2) dunite
(3) gneiss
(4) quartzite
The photograph below shows the intergrown crystals of a pegmatite rock.
Which characteristic provides the best evidence that this pegmatite solidified deep underground?
(1) low density
(2) light color
(3) felsic composition
(4) very coarse texture
Which igneous rock, when weathered, could produce sediment composed of the minerals potassium feldspar,
quartz, and amphibole?
(1) gabbro
(2) granite
(3) andesite
(4) basalt
Base your answers to the following 2 questions on the photograph below. The photograph shows several
broken samples of the same colorless mineral.
Which physical property of this mineral is most easily seen in the photograph?
(1) fracture
(2) hardness
(3) streak
(4) cleavage
Which mineral is most likely shown in the photograph?
(1) quartz
(2) calcite
(3) galena
(4) halite
A student obtains a cup of quartz sand from a beach. A saltwater solution is poured into the sand and allowed
to evaporate. The mineral residue from the saltwater solution cements the sand grains together, forming a
material that is most similar in origin to
(1) an extrusive igneous rock
(2) an intrusive igneous rock
(3) a clastic sedimentary rock
(4) a foliated metamorphic rock
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?
(1) quartz
(2) amphibole
(3) pyroxene
(4) galena
Base your answers to the following 3 questions on the graph below, which shows the crustal temperature and
pressure conditions under which three different minerals with the same chemical composition (Al 2SiO5)
crystallize.
Under which crustal temperature and pressure conditions will andalusite form?
(1) 300°C and 6000 atmospheres
(2) 500°C and 2000 atmospheres
(3) 600°C and 4000 atmospheres
(4) 700°C and 8000 atmospheres
Which mineral has a chemical composition most similar to andalusite, sillimanite, and kyanite?
(1) pyrite
(2) gypsum
(3) dolomite
(4) potassium feldspar
If bedrock at a collisional plate boundary contains andalusite crystals, these crystals are changed into
sillimanite and/or kyanite as temperature and pressure conditions increase. What is this process called?
(1) weathering
(2) solidification
(3) metamorphism
(4) cementation
Base your answers to the following 3 questions on the flowchart below and on your knowledge of Earth
science. The flowchart shows the formation of some igneous rocks. The circled letters A, B, C, and D
indicate parts of the flowchart that have not been labeled.
Contrast the rate of cooling at A that forms intrusive igneous rock with the rate of cooling at B that forms
extrusive igneous rock.
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Give the numerical grain-size range that should be placed in the flowchart at C. Units must be included in
your answer.
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State one igneous rock that could be placed in the flowchart at D.
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Base your answers to the following 4 questions on the geologic cross section below. The rock layers have not
been overturned. Point A is located in the zone of contact metamorphism.
Which metamorphic rock most likely formed at point A?
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State the evidence shown by the cross section that supports the inference that the fault is younger than the
basalt intrusion.
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Below, list basalt, limestone, and breccia in the order in which they were formed.
What is the largest silt particle that could be found in the siltstone layer?
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What occurs when a rock is crushed into a pile of fragments?
1 The total surface area decreases and chemical composition changes.
2 The total surface area decreases and chemical composition remains the same.
3 The total surface area increases and chemical composition changes.
4 The total surface area increases and chemical composition remains the same.
In which group do the rocks usually have the mineral quartz as part of their composition?
1 granite, rhyolite, sandstone, hornfels
2 shale, scoria, gneiss, metaconglomerate
3 conglomerate, gabbro, rock salt, schist
4 breccia, fossil limestone, bituminous coal, siltstone
Which kind of sedimentary rock may be formed both chemically and organically?
1 limestone
2 rock gypsum
3 rock salt
4 bituminous coal
The diagrams below represent fractured samples of four minerals.
Which mineral property is best illustrated by the samples?
1 hardness
2 streak
3 cleavage
4 density
Base your answers to the following 3 questions on the geologic cross section shown below.
At which location is metamorphic rock most likely to be found?
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
The most recently formed rock unit is at location
(1) A
(2) E
(3) C
(4) D
The graph below represents the percentage of each mineral found in a sample of rock C. Which mineral is
most likely represented by the letter X in the graph?
1 potassium feldspar
2 plagioclase feldspar
3 quartz
4 biotite
Base your answers to the following 5 questions on the Earth Science Reference Tables, the diagram below,
and your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram shows the structure of a student-developed chart for
identifying some rock samples. The circles labeled choice 1 through choice 4 represent decision making
steps leading either to path (a) or path (b). Choice 5 has not been completed.
Before the student can select either path (a) or path (b) at choice 1, the student must make a decision about
1 mineral composition
2 crystal size
3 The temperature at which rocks form
4 the appearance of the rock grains
At choice 2, the student should generally select path (a) if the student observes
1 a random arrangement of mineral crystals
2 distorted structure and crystal alignment
3 bands of mineral crystals
4 layers of same-sized crystals
Which rock specimen should lead the student to choice 4, path (a)?
1 peridotite
2 quartzite
3 gneiss
4 dolostone
Which characteristic should be used at choice 5 to further identify the types of clastic sedimentary rocks?
1 grain size
2 mineral cement
3 mineral color
4 horizontal layering
The chart is best described as
1 a rock cycle diagram
2 a classification system
3 an erosional-depositional system
4 a mineral identification diagram
The table below provides information about four common silicate minerals.
Which conclusion is best supported by the information in this table?
1 The shape of the tetrahedral unit controls the shape of the broken mineral.
2 The arrangement of tetrahedral units controls the mineral breakage pattern.
3 The percent of shared oxygen controls the size of the mineral crystal.
4 The type of atoms present controls how much oxygen is shared.
The table below shows the chemical composition of some common minerals found in rocks of the
lithosphere.
As indicated by its chemical composition, which mineral could have formed when CO2 (carbon dioxide)
combined with another substance?
1 potassium feldspar
2 hematite
3 quartz
4 calcite
Although more than 2,000 minerals have been identified, 90% off Earth’s lithosphere is composed of the 12
minerals listed below.
The best explanation for this fact is that most rocks
1 are monomineralic
2 are composed of recrystallized minerals, only
3 have a number of minerals in common
4 have a 10% nonmineral composition
Which rock sample is most likely a foliated metamorphic rock?
Which statement best describes the formation of an intrusive igneous rock?
1 Magma solidifies slowly, resulting in a coarse-grained texture.
2 Magma solidifies slowly, resulting in a fine-grained texture.
3 Magma solidifies rapidly, resulting in a glassy texture.
4 Magma solidifies rapidly, resulting in a clastic texture.
Base your answer to the following four questions on the Earth Science Reference Tables, the diagram and
data tables below, and your knowledge of Earth Science.
The diagram shows a process that is used to separate gypsum from shale on the basis of density. Crushed
rock is dropped into a mixture of liquid and small particles, called a slurry. The data tables show the mass
and volume of three samples of gypsum and three samples of shale after they were separated by this process.
What is the average density of the three samples of gypsum?
(1) 0.5 g/cm3
(2) 2.0 g/cm3
(3) 3.0 g/cm3
(4) 8.7 g/cm3
Since gypsum floats in the slurry and shale sinks in the slurry, which sequence shows the substances
arranged in order from the least dense to the most dense?
1 shale, gypsum, slurry
2 gypsum, slurry, shale
3 shale, slurry, gypsum
4 slurry, gypsum, shale
In addition to the difference in density, how else are shale and gypsum different?
1 Shale is an evaporite and gypsum is composed of land-derived sediments.
2 Shale is a mineral and gypsum is a rock.
3 Shale is nonsedimentary and gypsum is sedimentary.
4 Shale is clastic and gypsum is nonclastic.
Which graph best represents the mass and volume of the gypsum and shale samples?
A student weighs sample 3 and the shale and incorrectly determines the mass to be 16 grams. Which
equation should be used to calculate the student’s percentage of error (percent deviation)?
Base your answers to the following five questions on the Earth Science Reference Tables, the diagram
below, and your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents a scheme for classifying rocks. The
letters A, B, C and X, Y, Z represent missing labels.
Which processes would form the type of rock that is represented by circle B?
1 deposition and compaction
2 weathering erosion
3 melting and solidification
4 faulting and folding
If the rock in circle C formed from limestone, it would be called
1 schist
2 anthracite coal
3 marble
4 quartzite
Dolostone and granite are similar because both are
1 monomineralic
2 clastic
3 foliated
4 crystalline
Which rocks could be represented by circles X, Y, and Z?
1 sandstone, conglomerate, and siltstone
2 bituminous coal, slate, and schist
3 anthracite coal, metaconglomerate, and rock salt
4 breccia, gneiss, and rhyolite
The classification of rocks into sedimentary or nonsedimentary groups is based primarily on the rocks’
1 origin
2 density
3 color
4 age
The table below indicates the presence of various minerals in different rock samples.
Which statement is an accurate conclusion based on the information provided in the table?
1 Most rocks are monomineralic.
2 All rocks are polymineralic.
3 Many rocks have a number of minerals in common.
4 Only igneous rocks contain quartz.
Base your answers to the following two questions on the table below, which shows the characteristics of four
different mineral samples.
Which two mineral samples would be most difficult to distinguish from each other based on their color,
luster, and streak?
1 halite and quartz
2 halite and gold
3 galena and quartz
4 galena and gold
Which two mineral samples most likely have a similar internal arrangement of atoms?
1 galena and quartz
2 galena and halite
3 gold and halite
4 gold and galena
Large deposits of rock gypsum and rock salt usually form in areas of
1 active volcanoes
2 continental ice sheets
3 fault zones in the crust
4 shallow evaporating seas
Which characteristic provides the best evidence that obsidian rock formed in an extrusive environment?
1 layers of rounded fragments
2 distorted bands of large mineral crystals
3 noncrystalline glassy texture
4 mineral cement between grains
A fine-grained igneous rock composed mostly of plagioclase feldspar and hornblende and containing no
quartz or pyroxene would be classified as
1 granite
2 andesite
3 peridotite
4 scoria
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
(1) sulfur and lead
(2) sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen
(3) oxygen, silicon, hydrogen, and magnesium
(4) oxygen, silicon, aluminum, and iron
Biotite mica and muscovite mica have different chemical compositions. Compared to the magma from which
biotite mica forms, the magma from which muscovite mica forms is usually
(1) more mafic and less dense
(2) more mafic and more dense
(3) more felsic and less dense
(4) more felsic and more dense
The diagram below shows a drill core of sediment that was taken from the bottom of a lake.
Which types of rock would most likely form from compaction and cementation of these sediments?
(1) sandstone and limestone
(2) shale and coal
(3) breccia and rock salt
(4) conglomerate and siltstone
Which intrusive igneous rock could be composed of approximately 60% pyroxene, 25% plagioclase feldspar,
10% olivine, and 5% amphibole?
(1) granite
(2) rhyolite
(3) gabbro
(4) basalt
Wavy bands of light and dark minerals visible in gneiss bedrock probably formed from the
(1) cementing together of individual mineral grains
(2) cooling and crystallization of magma
(3) evaporation of an ancient ocean
(4) heat and pressure during metamorphism
The table below shows the hardness of four common materials.
Which statement best describes the hardness of the mineral dolomite?
(1) Dolomite can scratch window glass, but cannot be scratched by a fingernail.
(2) Dolomite can scratch window glass, but cannot be scratched by a steel nail.
(3) Dolomite can scratch a copper penny, but cannot be scratched by a fingernail.
(4) Dolomite can scratch a copper penny, but cannot be scratched by a steel nail.
Base your answers to the following three questions on the drawings of six sedimentary rocks labeled A
through F.
Most of the rocks shown were formed by
(1) volcanic eruptions and crystallization
(2) compaction and/or cementation
(3) heat and pressure
(4) melting and/or solidification
Which two rocks are composed primarily of quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals?
(1) rock salt and conglomerate
(2) rock salt and breccia
(3) sandstone and shale
(4) sandstone and limestone
Which table shows the rocks correctly classified by texture?
The diagrams below show the crystal shapes of two minerals.
Quartz and halite have different crystal shapes primarily because
(1) light reflects from crystal surfaces
(2) energy is released during crystallization
(3) of impurities that produce surface variations
(4) of the internal arrangement of the atoms
A student created the table below by classifying six minerals into two groups, A and B, based on a single
property.
Which property was used to classify these minerals?
(1) color
(2) luster
(3) chemical composition
(4) hardness
Which igneous rock has a vesicular texture and contains the minerals potassium feldspar and quartz?
(1) andesite
(2) pegmatite
(3) pumice
(4) scoria
Dolostone is classified as which type of rock?
(1) land-derived sedimentary rock
(2) chemically formed sedimentary rock
(3) foliated metamorphic rock
(4) nonfoliated metamorphic rock
Base your answers to the following three questions on the diagram below, which represents a part of the rock
cycle. The igneous rock, granite, and the characteristics of sedimentary rock X and metamorphic rock Y are
shown.
Identify sedimentary rock X. _______________________________
Identify metamorphic rock Y._______________________________
Complete the table below, with descriptions of the observable characteristics used to identify granite.
Base your answers to the following two questions on the hardness of the minerals talc, quartz, halite, sulfur,
and fluorite.
On the grid below, construct a bar graph to represent the hardness of these minerals.
Which mineral shown on the grid would be the best abrasive? State one reason for your choice.
The diagram below shows a sedimentary rock drawn actual size.
This rock is classified as having a
1 clastic texture consisting of sand-size particles
2 clastic texture consisting of mixed grain sizes
3 nonclastic texture with mixed grain sizes
4 nonclastic texture with coarse-grained particles
Which sedimentary rock is formed by the compaction and cementation of sorted sediments 0.05 centimeter
in diameter?
1 shale
2 siltstone
3 sandstone
4 conglomerate
The diagram below represents a sample of a rock.
This rock would be classified as metamorphic because it shows
1 distorted banding
2 an organic composition
3 a mixture of minerals
4 crystals from precipitation
Base your answers to the following five questions on the Earth Science Reference Tables, the diagram and
table below, and your knowledge of Earth Science.
If the volume of mineral sample A is 28 cubic centimeters, sample A is most likely
1 copper
2 galena
3 chalcopyrite
4 dolomite
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?
1 hardness
2 luster
3 cleavage
4 streak
A student measured the mass of a sample of quartz three times. The mass was the same the first and second
times, but was less the third time. This decrease in mass could have occurred before the third measurement if
the sample had been
1 heated and expanded
2 cooled and contracted
3 soaked in water
4 dropped and a piece was lost
Under identical conditions, several samples of the mineral pyrite are measured, and their densities are
compared. The values obtained should show that
1 rounded samples are more dense than rough samples
2 large samples are more dense than small samples
3 small samples are more dense than large samples
4 all the pyrite samples have the same density
When a sample of the mineral calcite is heated, it expands, causing its density to be
1 less than 2.7 g/cm3
2 exactly 2.7 g/cm3
3 between 2.7 and 3.0 g/cm3
4 greater than 3.0 g/cm3
Five-gram samples of granite, basalt, iron, and copper at room temperature are placed in a beaker of boiling
water. Which sample would reach a temperature 60°C first?
1 copper
2 iron
3 granite
4 basalt
The crystals of many metamorphic rocks are aligned in bands as a result of
1 earthquake faulting
2 cooling and solidification
3 mechanical weathering
4 heat and pressure
Which rock type is found as a surface bedrock in the Finer Lakes region of New York State?
1 igneous
2 sedimentary
3 contact metamorphic
4 regional metamorphic
The diagram below shows a broken crystal of the mineral halite.
The shape of the halite crystal is a direct result of the
1 internal arrangement of the atoms in the crystal
2 temperature at which the crystal formed
3 type of surface on which the crystal formed
4 stream erosion that changed the crystal
Which sedimentary rocks are clastic and consist of particles that have diameters smaller than 0.006
centimeter?
1 conglomerate and sandstone
2 siltstone and shale
3 bituminous coal and breccia
4 fossil limestone and chemical limestone
Base your answers to the following five questions on the Earth Science Reference Tables, the table below,
and your knowledge of Earth science. The table provides information about the crystal sizes and the mineral
compositions of four igneous rocks, A, B, C, and D.
Which characteristic of rock B could be caused by the minerals pyroxene and olivine?
1 green color
2 felsic composition
3 folded layers
4 metallic luster
Which diagram best represents the texture, composition, and intergrown crystals of rock A?
Rock B most likely is
1 conglomerate
2 schist
3 obsidian
4 peridotite
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
1 magnesium
2 silicon
3 iron
4 lead
Which two rocks most likely formed farthest below the surface of Earth?
(1) A and B
(2) B and C
(3) C and D
(4) A and D
Which two minerals have cleavage planes at right angles?
(1) biotite mica and muscovite mica
(2) sulfur and amphibole
(3) quartz and calcite
(4) halite and pyroxene
What is the origin of fine-grained igneous rock?
(1) lava that cooled slowly on Earth’s surface
(2) lava that cooled quickly on Earth’s surface
(3) silt that settled slowly in ocean water
(4) silt that settled quickly in ocean water
Which two types of rock are most commonly found as outcrops in New York State’s Newark Lowlands
landscape region?
(1) rock salt and gypsum
(2) limestone and granite
(3) gneiss and quartzite
(4) conglomerate and sandstone
Base your answers to the following two questions on the geologic cross section below. Location A is within
the metamorphic rock.
The metamorphic rock at location A is most likely
(1) marble
(2) quartzite
(3) phyllite
(4) slate
Which rock is the youngest?
(1) shale
(2) sandstone
(3) igneous rock
(4) rock at location A
Base your answers to the following three questions on the photograph of a sample of gneiss below.
What observable characteristic could be used to identify this rock sample as gneiss?
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Identify two minerals found in gneiss that contain iron and magnesium.
A dark-red mineral with a glassy luster was also observed in this gneiss sample. Identify the mineral and
state one possible use for this mineral.
A human fingernail has a hardness of approximately 2.5. Which two minerals are softer than a human
fingernail?
(1) calcite and halite
(2) sulfur and fluorite
(3) graphite and talc
(4) pyrite and magnetite
Which physical characteristic best describes the rock phyllite?
(1) glassy texture with gas pockets
(2) clastic texture with angular fragments
(3) bioclastic texture with cemented shell fragments
(4) foliated texture with microscopic mica crystals
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
(1) age of formation
(2) infiltration rate
(3) physical properties
(4) temperature of formation
Which home-building material is made mostly from the mineral gypsum?
(1) plastic pipes
(2) window glass
(3) drywall panels
(4) iron nails
The diagram below shows four magnified block-shaped sandstone samples labeled A, B, C, and D. Each
sandstone sample contains quartz grains of different shapes and sizes. The quartz grains are held together by
hematite cement.
In which sample did the quartz grains undergo the most abrasion during erosional transport?
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
Base your answers to the following two questions on the bedrock cross section below. The cross section
represents part of Earth’s crust where natural gas, oil, and water have moved upward through a layer of
folded sandstone and filled the pore spaces at the top of the sandstone layer.
The final arrangement of the natural gas, oil, and water within the sandstone was caused by differences in
their
(1) density
(2) specific heat
(3) relative age
(4) radioactive half-life
The natural gas, oil, and water are trapped within the top of the sandstone and do not move upward through
the shale because, compared to the sandstone, the shale has
(1) lower permeability
(2) less foliation
(3) larger pore spaces
(4) larger particles
Base your answers to the following three questions on the diagram and table below. The diagram represents a
felsic igneous rock. Letters A, B, and C represent three different minerals in the rock sample. The table
describes the physical properties of minerals A, B, and C found in the igneous rock sample.
State the texture of this igneous rock. ____________________________________________________
On the table provided below, state the names of minerals A, B, and C.
State two processes responsible for the formation of an igneous rock.
Rocks are classified as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic based primarily on their
(1) texture
(2) crystal or grain size
(3) method of formation
(4) mineral composition
The internal atomic structure of a mineral most likely determines the mineral’s
(1) color, streak, and age
(2) origin, exposure, and fracture
(3) size, location, and luster
(4) hardness, cleavage, and crystal shape
How are the minerals biotite mica and muscovite mica different?
(1) Biotite mica is colorless, but muscovite mica is not.
(2) Biotite mica contains iron and/or magnesium, but muscovite mica does not.
(3) Muscovite mica scratches quartz, but biotite mica does not.
(4) Muscovite mica cleaves into thin sheets, but biotite mica does not.
Which three minerals are most commonly found in the igneous rock granite?
(1) amphibole, calcite, and hematite
(2) amphibole, biotite mica, and gypsum
(3) plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, and olivine
(4) plagioclase feldspar, potassium feldspar, and quartz
Base your answers to the following two questions on the cross section below. The cross section shows a
typical bedrock structure where oil and natural gas deposits are found.
The natural gas, oil, and saltwater have formed layers at different levels in the same rock layer due to the
(1) principle of superposition
(2) principle of original horizontality
(3) differences in the density of the three materials
(4) differences in the geologic age of the three materials
According to the diagram, in which type of rock are these natural gas and oil deposits found?
(1) coarse-textured igneous rock
(2) foliated metamorphic rock
(3) porous clastic sedimentary rock
(4) intrusive crystalline sedimentary rock
Base your answers to the following three questions on the information, table, and photographs below and on
your knowledge of Earth science.
“Herkimer Diamonds”
Gem-quality “Herkimer Diamonds” are hexagonal-shaped quartz crystals found in
some of the surface bedrock of Herkimer, New York. Herkimer is located at approximately
43° north latitude and 75° west longitude. The oldest of these gemstones are believed to be
approximately 500 million years old. These quartz crystals are magnificent works of nature
that have a natural diamond-like geometric shape formed when the quartz crystallized.
Natural “Herkimer Diamonds” were not cut or shaped by humans. Due to their appearance,
“Herkimer Diamonds” are commonly used in jewelry. These quartz crystals are not
true diamonds.
List two mineral characteristics that differ between “Herkimer Diamonds” and true Diamonds.
State one use for “Herkimer Diamonds” (quartz), other than their use in jewelry.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
On the New York State map provided below, mark with a dot the location of Herkimer, New York. Draw a
small circle around your dot () to make the dot easily seen.
Which graph correctly represents the three most abundant elements, by mass, in Earth’s crust?
The photograph below shows actual crystal sizes in a light-colored igneous rock that contains several
minerals, including potassium feldspar, quartz, and biotite mica.
The rock should be identified as
(1) granite
(2) gabbro
(3) basalt
(4) rhyolite
An unidentified mineral that is softer than calcite exhibits a metallic luster and cubic cleavage. This mineral
most likely is
(1) galena
(2) pyrite
(3) halite
(4) pyroxene
The diagram below shows a rock with deformed structure and intergrown crystals.
The rock was probably formed by
(1) sediments that were deposited on the ocean floor
(2) heat and pressure that changed a preexisting rock
(3) volcanic lava that cooled on Earth’s surface
(4) a meteor impact on Earth’s surface
Base your answers to the following two questions on the graph below, which shows a generalized sequence
of rock types that form from original clay deposits at certain depths and temperature conditions within
Earth’s interior.
When clay materials are buried to a depth of 14 kilometers, which type of metamorphic rock is normally
formed?
___________________________________________________
Explain why gneiss would not form at a depth of 27 kilometers and at a temperature of 800°C.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Which two kinds of adjoining bedrock would most likely have a zone of contact metamorphism between
them?
(1) shale and conglomerate
(2) shale and sandstone
(3) limestone and sandstone
(4) limestone and granite
Which common rock is formed from the solidification of molten material?
(1) rock gypsum
(2) slate
(3) rhyolite
(4) coal
Rocks can be classified as sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic based primarily upon differences in their
(1) color
(2) density
(3) origin
(4) age
The diagram below shows how a sample of the mineral mica breaks when hit with a rock hammer.
This mineral breaks in smooth, flat surfaces because it
(1) is very hard
(2) is very dense
(3) contains large amounts of iron
(4) has a regular arrangement of atoms
Base your answers to the following two questions on the map below of Iceland, a country located on the
Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Four locations are represented by the letters A through D.
The fine-grained texture of most of the igneous rock formed on the surface of Iceland is due to
(1) rapid cooling of the molten rock
(2) high density of the molten rock
(3) numerous faults in the island’s bedrock
(4) high pressure under the island
The youngest bedrock is most likely found at which location?
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
Base your answers to the following three questions on the flowchart below, which shows a sequence of
geologic processes at or near Earth’s surface. Box A has been deliberately left blank. The diagrams are not
drawn to scale.
Identify the three minerals that are normally found with quartz in samples of andesite rock.
State one geologic process represented by box A.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Identify by name one type of rock layer, other than sandstone, shown in the outcrop.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
A family wants to use rock materials as flooring in the entrance of their new house. They have narrowed
their choice to granite or marble. Which of these rocks is more resistant to the physical wear of foot traffic
and explain why this rock is more resistant.
Base your answers to the following three questions on the cross section provided below. The cross section
represents a portion of Earth’s crust. Letters A, B, C, and D are rock units.
Igneous rock B was formed after rock layer D was deposited but before rock layer A was deposited. Using
the contact metamorphism symbol shown in the key, draw that symbol in the proper locations on the cross
section provided below to indicate those rocks that underwent contact metamorphism when igneous rock B
was molten.
In relation to rock units A and B in the cross section, when was igneous rock C formed?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Describe one observable characteristic of rock A that indicates that rock A is sedimentary.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The photograph below shows a broken piece of the mineral calcite.
The calcite breaks in smooth, flat surfaces because calcite
(1) is very dense
(2) is very soft
(3) contains certain impurities
(4) has a regular arrangement of atoms
Base your answers to the following four questions on the Rock Classification flowchart shown below. Letters
A, B, and C represent specific rocks in this classification scheme.
Rock A is composed of very fine-grained quartz and feldspar particles 0.005 centimeter in diameter. State the
name of rock A.
_________________________________________
Rock B has a glassy, vesicular texture and is composed mainly of potassium feldspar and quartz. State the
name of rock B.
_________________________________________
Granite could be placed in the same position in the flowchart above as gabbro.
Describe two differences between granite and gabbro.
The diagram below represents two magnified views showing the arrangement of minerals before and after
metamorphism of rock C. State the name of rock C.
_________________________________________
Which nonfoliated rock forms only in a zone of contact metamorphism?
(1) conglomerate
(2) hornfels
(3) pegmatite
(4) quartzite
When granite melts and then solidifies, it becomes
(1) a sedimentary rock
(2) an igneous rock
(3) a metamorphic rock
(4) sediments
During the Permian Period, sedimentary bedrock in the Appalachian Region was subjected to high
temperature and pressure. Calcite deposits that had existed in this environment would most likely have
formed
(1) schist
(2) gabbro
(3) marble
(4) gneiss
The graph below shows the relationship between the cooling time of magma and the size of the crystals
produced.
Which graph correctly shows the relative positions of the igneous rocks granite, rhyolite, and pumice?
The sequence of diagrams below shows how coal is formed. Describe the material and two processes
involved in the formation of coal.
The diagram below shows four rock samples.
Which sample best shows the physical properties normally associated with regional metamorphism?
(1) A
(2) B
(3) C
(4) D
Compared to felsic igneous rocks, mafic igneous rocks contain greater amounts of
(1) white quartz
(2) aluminum
(3) pink feldspar
(4) iron
The graph below shows the concentration (percentage) of copper at various depths in the bedrock at a mine
in Arizona.
Between which depths should the bedrock be mined in order to obtain rock with the highest percentage of
copper?
(1) 100–130 ft
(2) 230–260 ft
(3) 330–360 ft
(4) 650–680 ft
Base your answers to the following two questions on the rock cycle diagram below.
State the specific names of rocks A, B, and C in the diagram. Do not write the terms “sedimentary,”
“igneous,” and “metamorphic.”
State one condition or process that would cause the high-grade metamorphism of rock A.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Which mineral is white or colorless, has a hardness of 2.5, and splits with cubic cleavage?
(1) calcite
(2) halite
(3) pyrite
(4) mica
The diagrams below show the crystals of four different rocks viewed through the same hand lens. Which
crystals most likely formed from molten material that cooled and solidified most rapidly?
Which sedimentary rock is most likely to be changed to slate during regional metamorphism?
(1) breccia
(2) conglomerate
(3) dolostone
(4) shale
Base your answers to the following two questions on the pictures of four rocks shown below. Magnified
views of the rocks are shown in the circles.
Which rock is metamorphic and shows evidence of foliation?
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
What do all four rock samples have in common?
(1) They show cleavage.
(2) They contain minerals.
(3) They are organically formed.
(4) They formed on Earth’s surface.
Which phrase best describes coal?
(1) low density, mafic
(2) chemical precipitate
(3) organic plant remains
(4) glassy texture, volcanic
Which mineral will scratch glass (hardness = 5.5), but not pyrite?
(1) gypsum
(2) fluorite
(3) orthoclase
(4) quartz
Which rock most probably formed directly from lava cooling quickly at Earth’s surface?
The diagram below shows a sedimentary rock sample.
Which agent of erosion was most likely responsible for shaping the particles forming this rock?
(1) mass movement
(2) wind
(3) glacial ice
(4) running water
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?
(1) hardness
(2) streak
(3) cleavage
(4) luster
What is the best way to determine if a mineral sample is calcite or quartz?
(1) Observe the color of the mineral.
(2) Place the mineral near a magnet.
(3) Place a drop of acid on the mineral.
(4) Measure the mass of the mineral.
Which two rocks have the most similar mineral composition?
(1) marble and rhyolite
(2) limestone and basalt
(3) quartzite and rock salt
(4) granite and phyllite
Halite has three cleavage directions at 90° to each other. Which model best represents the shape of a broken
sample of halite?
An extrusive igneous rock with a mineral composition of 35% quartz, 35% potassium feldspar, 15%
plagioclase feldspar, 10% biotite, and 5% amphibole is called
(1) rhyolite
(2) granite
(3) gabbro
(4) basaltic glass
Which sequence of change in rock type occurs as shale is subjected to increasing heat and pressure?
(1) shale schist phyllite slate gneiss
(2) shale slate phyllite schist gneiss
(3) shale gneiss phyllite slate schist
(4) shale gneiss phyllite schist slate
Base your answers to the following two questions on Moh’s mineral hardness scale and the chart below
showing the approximate hardness of some common objects.
Which statement is best supported by this scale?
(1) A fingernail will scratch calcite, but not quartz.
(2) A fingernail will scratch quartz, but not calcite.
(3) A piece of glass can be scratched by quartz, but not by calcite.
(4) A piece of glass can be scratched by calcite, but not by quartz.
The hardness of these minerals is most closely related to the
(1) mineral’s color
(2) mineral’s abundance in nature
(3) amount of iron the mineral contains
(4) internal arrangement of the mineral’s atoms
Base your answers to the following five questions on the diagram and information below.
The diagram shows a cross section of a portion of Earth’s crust that has undergone geological processes.
Overturning of rock layers has not occurred. Point A represents one location of metamorphic rock.
State one piece of evidence that indicates basalt is the youngest rock unit in the cross section.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
As magma cools, what process changes it into basalt?
_____________________________________
State the name of the inorganic sedimentary rock shown in the cross section that is composed of sediment
with the greatest range in particle size.
_____________________________________
State the name of the rock, formed by contact metamorphism, located at A.
_____________________________________
State one piece of evidence that shows that crustal uplift has occurred in this region.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The diagrams below represent four rock samples.
Which rock was formed by rapid cooling in a volcanic lava flow? [The diagrams are not to scale.]
On a field trip 40 kilometers east of the Finger Lakes, students observed a boulder of gneiss on the surface
bedrock. This observation best supports the inference that the
(1) surface sedimentary bedrock was weathered to form a boulder of gneiss
(2) surface sedimentary bedrock melted and solidified to form a boulder of gneiss
(3) gneiss boulder was formed from sediments that were compacted and cemented together
(4) gneiss boulder was transported from its original area of formation
Base your answers to the following four questions on the “Properties of Common Minerals” chart in the
Earth Science Reference Tables.
Which mineral leaves a green-black powder when rubbed against an unglazed porcelain plate?
(1) galena
(2) graphite
(3) hematite
(4) pyrite
Which mineral scratches dolomite and is scratched by olivine?
(1) galena
(2) quartz
(3) potassium feldspar
(4) muscovite mica
Which statement about the minerals plagioclase feldspar, gypsum, biotite mica, and talc can best be inferred
from the chart?
(1) These minerals have the same chemical and physical properties.
(2) These minerals have different chemical properties, but they have similar physical properties.
(3) These minerals have different physical and chemical properties, but they have identical uses.
(4) The physical and chemical properties of these minerals determine how humans use them.
Minerals from this chart are found in several different rocks. Which two rocks are primarily composed of a
mineral that bubbles with acid?
(1) limestone and marble
(2) granite and dolostone
(3) sandstone and quartzite
(4) slate and conglomerate
The surface bedrock of a region of eastern New York State is shale. Which statement best explains why the
soil that covers the shale in this region contains abundant garnet and gneiss pebbles?
(1) Volcanic lava flowed over the shale bedrock.
(2) A meteor impact scattered garnet and gneiss pebbles over the area.
(3) The soil consists of rock materials transported to this region by agents of erosion.
(4) The soil formed from the chemical and physical weathering of shale.
Which rock is foliated, shows mineral alignment but not banding, and contains medium-sized
grains of quartz and pyroxene?
(1) phyllite
(2) schist
(3) gneiss
(4) quartzite
Base your answers to the following two questions on the diagram below, which shows three minerals with
three different physical tests, A, B, and C, being performed on them.
Which sequence correctly matches each test, A, B, and C, with the mineral property tested?
(1) A—cleavage; B—streak; C—hardness
(2) A—cleavage; B—hardness; C—streak
(3) A—streak; B—cleavage; C—hardness
(4) A—streak; B—hardness; C—cleavage
The results of all three physical tests shown are most useful for determining the
(1) rate of weathering of the minerals
(2) identity of the minerals
(3) environment where the minerals formed
(4) geologic period when the minerals formed
During the intrusion of the Palisades Sill, contact metamorphism changed sandstone and shale into
(1) diorite
(2) marble
(3) limestone
(4) hornfels
Which process most likely formed a layer of the sedimentary rock, gypsum?
(1) precipitation from seawater
(2) solidification of magma
(3) folding of clay-sized particles
(4) melting of sand-sized particles
Base your answers to the following two questions on the geologic cross section below. The large coneshaped mountain on Earth’s surface is a volcano. Letters A, B, and C represent certain rocks.
Which statement correctly describes the relative ages of rocks A and C and gives the best supporting
evidence from the cross section?
(1) A is younger than C, because A is a lower sedimentary rock layer.
(2) A is younger than C, because the intrusion of A metamorphosed part of rock layer C.
(3) A is older than C, because A has older index fossils.
(4) A is older than C, because the intrusion of A cuts across rock layer C.
Rock B is most likely which type of igneous rock?
(1) granite
(2) peridotite
(3) pegmatite
(4) basalt
Base your answers to the following two questions on the information below and on your knowledge of Earth
science.
Howe Caverns
Many scientists believe that the formation of the rocks in which Howe Caverns is now
found began millions of years ago. At that time, an ocean covered the eastern region of New
York State. Hundreds of feet of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) sediments were deposited in
layers along the edge of this ocean. These layers eventually formed the sedimentary rock
limestone, which makes up the walls of today’s Howe Caverns.
Much later, tectonic forces raised this region of New York State above sea level exposing
the rock to weathering and erosion. These tectonic forces cracked the thick limestone,
creating pathways for groundwater to infiltrate and gradually increase the size of the cracks.
Eventually some of the larger cracks provided pathways for the underground stream, which
carved the winding passages of Howe Caverns seen today.
State two processes that caused these sediments to become limestone.
Identify one method that could be used to determine that the walls of Howe Caverns are made of limestone.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Base your answers to the following three questions on your knowledge of Earth science and on the data table
below, which shows the industrial uses of wollastonite, a mineral mined in the eastern Adirondack
Mountains of New York State.
On the pie graph provided below, complete the graph to show the percent of each industrial use of
wollastonite. Label each section of the pie graph with its industrial use. The percent for Miscellaneous and
for Asbestos substitute has been drawn and labeled for you.
Wollastonite forms during the intense metamorphism of a sandy limestone. The expression below shows part
of the process that results in the formation of wollastonite.
a Name the two minerals involved in the formation of wollastonite.
b What two conditions normally cause intense metamorphism?
Identify the geologic age of the New York State Adirondack Mountain bedrock in which wollastonite
deposits are found.
________________________________________________
Minerals, Rocks and Resources Test Prep
Teacher Answer Key – Guide
For an igneous rock to be classified as rhyolite, it must be light colored, be fine grained, and contain
1 quartz
Which characteristics of a particle would usually result in the longest settling time for the particle in calm
water?
2 low density and flat shape
Which size particle will remain suspended longest as a river enters the ocean?
4 clay
Particles of sediment collected from a lake bottom averaged 1.2 centimeters in diameter. If left on the lake
bottom to become buried by more sediment and compressed into rock, these particles would form
2 conglomerate
Scratching a mineral against a glass plate and rubbing a mineral on a streak plate are helpful procedures for
determining a mineral’s
2 identity
Which process is necessary for the formation of igneous rocks?
3 solidification
What is the density of cube A?
(2) 5.0 g/cm3
What is the mass of cube B?
(4) 81 g
A student calculates the density of a third material as 8.3 grams per cubic centimeter instead of the accepted
value of 8.0 grams per cubic centimeter. What is the student’s approximate percent deviation (percent of
error)?
(2) 3.8%
Assume cube B was broken into many irregularly shaped pieces. Compared to the density of the entire cube,
the density of one of the pieces would be
3 the same
If a parcel of air is heated, its density will
1 decrease
The three statements below are observations of the same rock sample:
• The rock has intergrown crystals from 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter.
• The minerals in the rock are gray feldspar, green olivine, green pyroxene, and black amphibole.
• There are no visible gas pockets in the rock.
This rock sample is most likely
(2) gabbro
Most rock gypsum is formed by the
(4) chemical precipitation of minerals from seawater
Part of a gemstone’s value is based on the way the gemstone shines in reflected light. The way a mineral
reflects light is described as the mineral’s
(3) luster
Sapphire is a gemstone variety of which mineral on Moh’s scale of hardness?
(1) corundum
If the mass of a spinel crystal is 9.5 grams, what is the volume of this spinel crystal?
(2) 2.5 cm3
The hardness and density of each gemstone is based primarily on the gemstone’s
(1) internal arrangement of atoms
Which gemstone minerals contain the two most abundant elements by mass in Earth’s crust?
(2) emerald and zircon
Identify one mineral that could be found in all three rock fragments shown in the magnified view.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— quartz
— feldspar
— amphibole
— mica
State one observable characteristic, other than mineral composition, that could help identify the gneiss
fragment.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— The fragment shows light and dark banding.
— banded foliation
— layering of minerals
Rocks and minerals are natural resources that are mined in New York State. State one negative impact that
should be considered before mining these natural resources.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— Rocks and minerals are nonrenewable resources.
— Mining can result in pollution of the land, water, and air in the region.
— Mining can result in the removal of topsoil.
— danger to miners
— destruction of natural habitats
— landscape destruction
Which rock was organically formed and sometimes contains fossilized plant impressions?
(4) coal
The mineral graphite is often used as
(1) a lubricant
State a possible grain size, in centimeters, for most of the particles found in sample 1.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— less than 0.0004 cm
— any number given that is less than 0.0004 cm
Write the rock name of sample 2.
slate
Write a term or phrase that correctly describes the texture of sample 4.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— nonvesicular
— coarse
— large crystal
On the cross section above, place an X where the metamorphic rock quartzite may be found.
An X whose center falls within the shaded zone of contact metamorphism should be indicated as
shown in the diagram below.
Identify by name the most abundant mineral in rock unit A.
calcite
State one piece of evidence shown in the cross section that indicates that rock unit D is older than igneous
intrusion C.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— Intrusions are younger than any rock they metamorphose.
— Contact metamorphism can be seen between rock layer D and the igneous intrusion.
Which mineral can be found in granite, andesite, gneiss, and hornfels?
1 quartz
Which rock is made up of angular fragments of rock held together by a natural cement?
1 breccia
Which property of the mineral diamond allows diamond powder to be used to shape gems for jewelry?
4 hardness
Which relative concentration of elements is found in a mafic rock?
2 a high concentration of iron and a low concentration of aluminum
Which graph best represents a possible comparison of the average grain sizes for rocks D, E, and F?
The rock produced at point H is most likely
4 quartzite
Which diagram best represents a sample of rock G?
Rock B is a dark-colored crystalline rock that formed when a lava flow cooled and solidified quickly on the
surface of Earth. Rock B is classified as an
2 extrusive igneous rock with a fine texture and a mafic composition
Rock C most likely resulted from the
4 precipitation of mineral from evaporating water
Which process could lead directly to the formation of pumice rock?
(4) explosive eruption of lava from a volcano
The rock shown below has a foliated texture and contains the minerals amphibole, quartz, and feldspar
arranged in coarse-grained bands. Which rock is shown?
(3) gneiss
The photograph below shows the intergrown crystals of a pegmatite rock. Which characteristic provides the
best evidence that this pegmatite solidified deep underground?
(4) very coarse texture
Which igneous rock, when weathered, could produce sediment composed of the minerals potassium feldspar,
quartz, and amphibole?
(2) granite
Base your answers to the following 2 questions on the photograph below. The photograph shows several
broken samples of the same colorless mineral. Which physical property of this mineral is most easily seen in
the photograph?
(4) cleavage
Which mineral is most likely shown in the photograph?
(4) halite
A student obtains a cup of quartz sand from a beach. A saltwater solution is poured into the sand and allowed
to evaporate. The mineral residue from the saltwater solution cements the sand grains together, forming a
material that is most similar in origin to
(3) a clastic sedimentary rock
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?
(4) galena
Under which crustal temperature and pressure conditions will andalusite form?
(2) 500°C and 2000 atmospheres
Which mineral has a chemical composition most similar to andalusite, sillimanite, and kyanite?
(4) potassium feldspar
If bedrock at a collisional plate boundary contains andalusite crystals, these crystals are changed into
sillimanite and/or kyanite as temperature and pressure conditions increase. What is this process called?
(3) metamorphism
Contrast the rate of cooling at A that forms intrusive igneous rock with the rate of cooling at B that forms
extrusive igneous rock.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— A is slower cooling than B .
— B is faster cooling than A .
— Intrusive rock forms from molten rock that cools slowly.
— Extrusive rock forms from molten rock that cools rapidly.
Give the numerical grain-size range that should be placed in the flowchart at C.
Units must be included in your answer.
Correct units must be included in the answer.
— 1 mm to 10 mm
— 1 to 10 mm
State one igneous rock that could be placed in the flowchart at D.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— obsidian
— basaltic glass
— pumice
— vesicular basalt glass
Which metamorphic rock most likely formed at point A?
quartzite or hornfels
State the evidence shown by the cross section that supports the inference that the fault is younger than the
basalt intrusion.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— The fault displaced the intrusion.
— The fault has cut across the preexisting basalt intrusion.
Below, list basalt, limestone, and breccia in the order in which they were formed.
Formed first: limestone
Formed second: breccia
Formed last: basalt
What is the largest silt particle that could be found in the siltstone layer?
0.006 or .006 cm
What occurs when a rock is crushed into a pile of fragments?
4 The total surface area increases and chemical composition remains the same.
In which group do the rocks usually have the mineral quartz as part of their composition?
1 granite, rhyolite, sandstone, hornfels
Which kind of sedimentary rock may be formed both chemically and organically?
1 limestone
Which mineral property is best illustrated by the samples?
3 cleavage
At which location is metamorphic rock most likely to be found?
(2) B
The most recently formed rock unit is at location
(3) C
The graph below represents the percentage of each mineral found in a sample of rock C. Which mineral is
most likely represented by the letter X in the graph?
2 plagioclase feldspar
Before the student can select either path (a) or path (b) at choice 1, the student must make a decision about
4 the appearance of the rock grains
At choice 2, the student should generally select path (a) if the student observes
1 a random arrangement of mineral crystals
Which rock specimen should lead the student to choice 4, path (a)?
3 gneiss
Which characteristic should be used at choice 5 to further identify the types of clastic sedimentary rocks?
1 grain size
The chart is best described as
2 a classification system
Which conclusion is best supported by the information in this table?
2 The arrangement of tetrahedral units controls the mineral breakage pattern.
As indicated by its chemical composition, which mineral could have formed when CO2 (carbon dioxide)
combined with another substance?
4 calcite
The best explanation for this fact is that most rocks
3 have a number of minerals in common
Which rock sample is most likely a foliated metamorphic rock?
Which statement best describes the formation of an intrusive igneous rock?
1 Magma solidifies slowly, resulting in a coarse-grained texture.
What is the average density of the three samples of gypsum?
(2) 2.0 g/cm3
Since gypsum floats in the slurry and shale sinks in the slurry, which sequence shows the substances
arranged in order from the least dense to the most dense?
2 gypsum, slurry, shale
In addition to the difference in density, how else are shale and gypsum different?
4 Shale is clastic and gypsum is nonclastic.
Which graph best represents the mass and volume of the gypsum and shale samples?
A student weighs sample 3 and the shale and incorrectly determines the mass to be 16 grams. Which
equation should be used to calculate the student’s percentage of error (percent deviation)?
Which processes would form the type of rock that is represented by circle B?
3 melting and solidification
If the rock in circle C formed from limestone, it would be called
3 marble
Dolostone and granite are similar because both are
4 crystalline
Which rocks could be represented by circles X, Y, and Z?
1 sandstone, conglomerate, and siltstone
The classification of rocks into sedimentary or nonsedimentary groups is based primarily on the rocks’
1 origin
Which statement is an accurate conclusion based on the information provided in the table?
3 Many rocks have a number of minerals in common.
Which two mineral samples would be most difficult to distinguish from each other based on their color,
luster, and streak?
1 halite and quartz
Which two mineral samples most likely have a similar internal arrangement of atoms?
2 galena and halite
Large deposits of rock gypsum and rock salt usually form in areas of
4 shallow evaporating seas
Which characteristic provides the best evidence that obsidian rock formed in an extrusive environment?
3 noncrystalline glassy texture
A fine-grained igneous rock composed mostly of plagioclase feldspar and hornblende and containing no
quartz or pyroxene would be classified as
2 andesite
Based on these observations, the elements that make up this mineral’s composition are
(3) oxygen, silicon, hydrogen, and magnesium
Biotite mica and muscovite mica have different chemical compositions. Compared to the magma from which
biotite mica forms, the magma from which muscovite mica forms is usually
(3) more felsic and less dense
Which types of rock would most likely form from compaction and cementation of these sediments?
(1) sandstone and limestone
Which intrusive igneous rock could be composed of approximately 60% pyroxene, 25% plagioclase feldspar,
10% olivine, and 5% amphibole?
(3) gabbro
Wavy bands of light and dark minerals visible in gneiss bedrock probably formed from the
(4) heat and pressure during metamorphism
Which statement best describes the hardness of the mineral dolomite?
(3) Dolomite can scratch a copper penny, but cannot be scratched by a fingernail.
Most of the rocks shown were formed by
(2) compaction and/or cementation
Which two rocks are composed primarily of quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals?
(3) sandstone and shale
Which table shows the rocks correctly classified by texture?
Quartz and halite have different crystal shapes primarily because
(4) of the internal arrangement of the atoms
Which property was used to classify these minerals?
(2) luster
Which igneous rock has a vesicular texture and contains the minerals potassium feldspar and quartz?
(3) pumice
Dolostone is classified as which type of rock?
(2) chemically formed sedimentary rock
Identify sedimentary rock X.
sandstone
Identify metamorphic rock Y.
gneiss
Complete the table below, with descriptions of the observable characteristics used to identify granite.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
On the grid below, construct a bar graph to represent the hardness of these minerals.
All five bars should be correctly drawn
Which mineral shown on the grid would be the best abrasive? State one reason for your choice.
Quartz and an acceptable reason. Acceptable reasons include, but are not limited to:
— hardest mineral shown
— hardness of 7
— Quartz has the same hardness as garnet, which is used as an abrasive
This rock is classified as having a
2 clastic texture consisting of mixed grain sizes
Which sedimentary rock is formed by the compaction and cementation of sorted sediments 0.05 centimeter
in diameter?
3 sandstone
This rock would be classified as metamorphic because it shows
1 distorted banding
If the volume of mineral sample A is 28 cubic centimeters, sample A is most likely
2 galena
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?
3 cleavage
A student measured the mass of a sample of quartz three times. The mass was the same the first and second
times, but was less the third time. This decrease in mass could have occurred before the third measurement if
the sample had been
4 dropped and a piece was lost
Under identical conditions, several samples of the mineral pyrite are measured, and their densities are
compared. The values obtained should show that
4 all the pyrite samples have the same density
When a sample of the mineral calcite is heated, it expands, causing its density to be
1 less than 2.7 g/cm3
Five-gram samples of granite, basalt, iron, and copper at room temperature are placed in a beaker of boiling
water. Which sample would reach a temperature 60°C first?
1 copper
The crystals of many metamorphic rocks are aligned in bands as a result of
4 heat and pressure
Which rock type is found as a surface bedrock in the Finer Lakes region of New York State?
2 sedimentary
The shape of the halite crystal is a direct result of the
1 internal arrangement of the atoms in the crystal
Which sedimentary rocks are clastic and consist of particles that have diameters smaller than 0.006
centimeter?
2 siltstone and shale
Which characteristic of rock B could be caused by the minerals pyroxene and olivine?
1 green color
Which diagram best represents the texture, composition, and intergrown crystals of rock A?
Rock B most likely is
4 peridotite
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
2 silicon
Which two rocks most likely formed farthest below the surface of Earth?
(1) A and B
Which two minerals have cleavage planes at right angles?
(4) halite and pyroxene
What is the origin of fine-grained igneous rock?
(2) lava that cooled quickly on Earth’s surface
Which two types of rock are most commonly found as outcrops in New York State’s Newark Lowlands
landscape region?
(4) conglomerate and sandstone
The metamorphic rock at location A is most likely
(2) quartzite
Which rock is the youngest?
(1) shale
What observable characteristic could be used to identify this rock sample as gneiss?
Acceptable responses include, but are limited to:
— It shows banding.
— The rock is foliated.
— The minerals are segregated into layers.
— distortion
Identify two minerals found in gneiss that contain iron and magnesium.
Allow credit for any two of the three responses below. Note: Do not allow credit for muscovite mica.
— pyroxene (augite)
— mica (biotite)
— amphibole (hornblende)
A dark-red mineral with a glassy luster was also observed in this gneiss sample. Identify the mineral and
state one possible use for this mineral.
Allow credit for garnet and one acceptable use. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
— jewelry
— abrasives
A human fingernail has a hardness of approximately 2.5. Which two minerals are softer than a human
fingernail?
(3) graphite and talc
Which physical characteristic best describes the rock phyllite?
(4) foliated texture with microscopic mica crystals
An arrangement of atoms such as the one shown in the diagram determines a mineral’s
(3) physical properties
Which home-building material is made mostly from the mineral gypsum?
(3) drywall panels
In which sample did the quartz grains undergo the most abrasion during erosional transport?
(2) B
The final arrangement of the natural gas, oil, and water within the sandstone was caused by differences in
their
(1) density
The natural gas, oil, and water are trapped within the top of the sandstone and do not move upward through
the shale because, compared to the sandstone, the shale has
(1) lower permeability
State the texture of this igneous rock.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
coarse
nonvesicular
large grains
big crystals
On the table provided below, state the names of minerals A, B, and C.
Examples of correct responses are shown below.
Mineral A — potassium feldspar or orthoclase
Mineral B — plagioclase feldspar or Na–Ca feldspar
Mineral C — quartz
State two processes responsible for the formation of an igneous rock.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
melting and solidification
melting and crystallization
cooling and crystallization
Rocks are classified as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic based primarily on their
(3) method of formation
The internal atomic structure of a mineral most likely determines the mineral’s
(4) hardness, cleavage, and crystal shape
How are the minerals biotite mica and muscovite mica different?
(2) Biotite mica contains iron and/or magnesium, but muscovite mica does not.
Which three minerals are most commonly found in the igneous rock granite?
(4) plagioclase feldspar, potassium feldspar, and quartz
The natural gas, oil, and saltwater have formed layers at different levels in the same rock layer due to the
(3) differences in the density of the three materials
According to the diagram, in which type of rock are these natural gas and oil deposits found?
(3) porous clastic sedimentary rock
List two mineral characteristics that differ between “Herkimer Diamonds” and true Diamonds.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
hardness
chemical composition
dominant form of breakage or fracture/cleavage
State one use for “Herkimer Diamonds” (quartz), other than their use in jewelry.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
production of glass
electronics
as an abrasive
On the New York State map provided below, mark with a dot the location of Herkimer, New York. Draw a
small circle around your dot () to make the dot easily seen.
Allow credit for the location of the dot within the box shown on the map. Allow credit even if a circle is
not drawn around the dot. Note: It is recommended that an overlay be used to ensure uniformity in
scoring.
Which graph correctly represents the three most abundant elements, by mass, in Earth’s crust?
The rock should be identified as
(1) granite
An unidentified mineral that is softer than calcite exhibits a metallic luster and cubic cleavage. This mineral
most likely is
(1) galena
The rock was probably formed by
(2) heat and pressure that changed a preexisting rock
When clay materials are buried to a depth of 14 kilometers, which type of metamorphic rock is normally
formed?
phyllite
Explain why gneiss would not form at a depth of 27 kilometers and at a temperature of 800°C.
Allow credit for a correct response that clearly explains that at this depth and temperature these rock
materials would melt. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
Rocks at a depth of 27 km and at a temperature of 800°C will be melted.
The temperature should be approximately 600°C in order for gneiss to form.
Melted rocks will form igneous rocks.
Which two kinds of adjoining bedrock would most likely have a zone of contact metamorphism between
them?
(4) limestone and granite
Which common rock is formed from the solidification of molten material?
(3) rhyolite
Rocks can be classified as sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic based primarily upon differences in their
(3) origin
This mineral breaks in smooth, flat surfaces because it
(4) has a regular arrangement of atoms
The fine-grained texture of most of the igneous rock formed on the surface of Iceland is due to
(1) rapid cooling of the molten rock
The youngest bedrock is most likely found at which location?
(3) C
Identify the three minerals that are normally found with quartz in samples of andesite rock.
Allow credit for correctly identifying all three minerals: plagioclase feldspar, biotite, and amphibole.
Note: Do not accept pyroxene because it is not found with quartz.
State one geologic process represented by box A.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
weathering
erosion
deposition
Identify by name one type of rock layer, other than sandstone, shown in the outcrop.
siltstone or conglomerate or limestone
A family wants to use rock materials as flooring in the entrance of their new house. They have narrowed
their choice to granite or marble. Which of these rocks is more resistant to the physical wear of foot traffic
and explain why this rock is more resistant.
Allow credit for granite and for an answer describing the greater hardness of the minerals found
in granite. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, this example:
Granite is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar that are resistant to abrasion because of their
hardness (7 and 6, respectively), while marble is made of calcite, which is softer (hardness of 3).
Allow no credit if the student chooses marble.
Igneous rock B was formed after rock layer D was deposited but before rock layer A was deposited. Using
the contact metamorphism symbol shown in the key, draw that symbol in the proper locations on the cross
section provided below to indicate those rocks that underwent contact metamorphism when igneous rock B
was molten.
Allow credit for the correct placement of contact metamorphism symbols above and below B as
shown in the diagram below.
In relation to rock units A and B in the cross section, when was igneous rock C formed?
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
C was formed before both B and A.
C is older than both B and A.
Describe one observable characteristic of rock A that indicates that rock A is sedimentary.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
Rock A is a mixture of rounded rock fragments of different sizes connected together.
Rock A is a horizontal layer.
The calcite breaks in smooth, flat surfaces because calcite
(4) has a regular arrangement of atoms
Rock A is composed of very fine-grained quartz and feldspar particles 0.005 centimeter in diameter. State the
name of rock A.
siltstone
Rock B has a glassy, vesicular texture and is composed mainly of potassium feldspar and quartz. State the
name of rock B.
pumice
Granite could be placed in the same position in the flowchart above as gabbro.
Describe two differences between granite and gabbro.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
Granite is lighter in color than gabbro.
Granite is less dense than gabbro.
Granite’s composition is more felsic, while gabbro’s composition is more mafic.
Granite contains the minerals potassium feldspar and quartz; gabbro does not.
The diagram below represents two magnified views showing the arrangement of minerals before and after
metamorphism of rock C. State the name of rock C.
gneiss
Which nonfoliated rock forms only in a zone of contact metamorphism?
(2) hornfels
When granite melts and then solidifies, it becomes
(2) an igneous rock
During the Permian Period, sedimentary bedrock in the Appalachian Region was subjected to high
temperature and pressure. Calcite deposits that had existed in this environment would most likely have
formed
(3) marble
Which graph correctly shows the relative positions of the igneous rocks granite, rhyolite, and pumice?
The sequence of diagrams below shows how coal is formed. Describe the material and two processes
involved in the formation of coal.
Allow credit for correctly identifying the material. Acceptable responses include, but are not
limited to, these examples:
plant remains
peat
wood
trees
and
Allow credit for correctly naming/describing two processes. Acceptable responses include, but are
not limited to, these examples:
burial
compaction
deposition
decomposition
heat
pressure
Which sample best shows the physical properties normally associated with regional metamorphism?
(1) A
Compared to felsic igneous rocks, mafic igneous rocks contain greater amounts of
(4) iron
Between which depths should the bedrock be mined in order to obtain rock with the highest percentage of
copper?
(2) 230–260 ft
State the specific names of rocks A, B, and C in the diagram. Do not write the terms “sedimentary,”
“igneous,” and “metamorphic.”
Rock A — shale
Rock B — gneiss
Rock C — granite or diorite or pegmatite
State one condition or process that would cause the high-grade metamorphism of rock A
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
heat and/or pressure
The rock is buried deep underground.
plate collisions
mountain building
Which mineral is white or colorless, has a hardness of 2.5, and splits with cubic cleavage?
(2) halite
The diagrams below show the crystals of four different rocks viewed through the same hand lens. Which
crystals most likely formed from molten material that cooled and solidified most rapidly?
Which sedimentary rock is most likely to be changed to slate during regional metamorphism?
(4) shale
Which rock is metamorphic and shows evidence of foliation?
(1) 1
What do all four rock samples have in common?
(2) They contain minerals.
Which phrase best describes coal?
(3) organic plant remains
Which mineral will scratch glass (hardness = 5.5), but not pyrite?
(3) orthoclase
Which rock most probably formed directly from lava cooling quickly at Earth’s surface?
Which agent of erosion was most likely responsible for shaping the particles forming this rock?
(4) running water
Which physical property of halite is demonstrated by this pattern of breakage?
(3) cleavage
What is the best way to determine if a mineral sample is calcite or quartz?
(3) Place a drop of acid on the mineral.
Which two rocks have the most similar mineral composition?
(4) granite and phyllite
Halite has three cleavage directions at 90° to each other. Which model best represents the shape of a broken
sample of halite?
An extrusive igneous rock with a mineral composition of 35% quartz, 35% potassium feldspar, 15%
plagioclase feldspar, 10% biotite, and 5% amphibole is called
(1) rhyolite
Which sequence of change in rock type occurs as shale is subjected to increasing heat and pressure?
(2) shale slate phyllite schist gneiss
Which statement is best supported by this scale?
(3) A piece of glass can be scratched by quartz, but not by calcite.
The hardness of these minerals is most closely related to the
(4) internal arrangement of the mineral’s atoms
State one piece of evidence that indicates basalt is the youngest rock unit in the cross section.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
The intrusion cuts across all rock layers.
The basalt is on the surface.
As magma cools, what process changes it into basalt?
solidification or crystallization
State the name of the inorganic sedimentary rock shown in the cross section that is composed of sediment
with the greatest range in particle size.
conglomerate
State the name of the rock, formed by contact metamorphism, located at A.
marble or hornfels
State one piece of evidence that shows that crustal uplift has occurred in this region.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
The bedrock is faulted.
There is an unconformity.
The diagrams below represent four rock samples.
Which rock was formed by rapid cooling in a volcanic lava flow? [The diagrams are not to scale.]
On a field trip 40 kilometers east of the Finger Lakes, students observed a boulder of gneiss on the surface
bedrock. This observation best supports the inference that the
(4) gneiss boulder was transported from its original area of formation
Which mineral leaves a green-black powder when rubbed against an unglazed porcelain plate?
(4) pyrite
Which mineral scratches dolomite and is scratched by olivine?
(3) potassium feldspar
Which statement about the minerals plagioclase feldspar, gypsum, biotite mica, and talc can best be inferred
from the chart?
(4) The physical and chemical properties of these minerals determine how humans use them.
Minerals from this chart are found in several different rocks. Which two rocks are primarily composed of a
mineral that bubbles with acid?
(1) limestone and marble
The surface bedrock of a region of eastern New York State is shale. Which statement best explains why the
soil that covers the shale in this region contains abundant garnet and gneiss pebbles?
(3) The soil consists of rock materials transported to this region by agents of erosion.
Which rock is foliated, shows mineral alignment but not banding, and contains medium-sized
grains of quartz and pyroxene?
(2) schist
Which sequence correctly matches each test, A, B, and C, with the mineral property tested?
(1) A—cleavage; B—streak; C—hardness
The results of all three physical tests shown are most useful for determining the
(2) identity of the minerals
During the intrusion of the Palisades Sill, contact metamorphism changed sandstone and shale into
(4) hornfels
Which process most likely formed a layer of the sedimentary rock, gypsum?
(1) precipitation from seawater
Which statement correctly describes the relative ages of rocks A and C and gives the best supporting
evidence from the cross section?
(2) A is younger than C, because the intrusion of A metamorphosed part of rock layer C.
Rock B is most likely which type of igneous rock?
(4) basalt
State two processes that caused these sediments to become limestone.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
cementation
compaction
deposition
burial
pressure caused by overlying sediments
Identify one method that could be used to determine that the walls of Howe Caverns are made of limestone.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
acid test
Limestone bubbles when acid is placed on it.
On the pie graph provided below, complete the graph to show the percent of each industrial use of
wollastonite. Label each section of the pie graph with its industrial use. The percent for Miscellaneous and
for Asbestos substitute has been drawn and labeled for you.
Allow credit if all four student-graphed sections are drawn and labeled correctly. Sections may be
graphed in any order.
An example of a correctly drawn graph is shown below.
a Name the two minerals involved in the formation of wollastonite.
b What two conditions normally cause intense metamorphism?
a calcite and quartz
b heat and pressure
Identify the geologic age of the New York State Adirondack Mountain bedrock in which wollastonite
deposits are found.
Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to, these examples:
Proterozoic
Middle Proterozoic
Late Proterozoic
Precambrian
about 1000 million years
between 1600 and 1000 million years ago