1. A mineral sample can be scratched by a copper penny (hardness ~3.5) but not by a fingernail (hardness ~2.5). On the Mohs hardness scale, its hardness is most likely closest to which mineral?
- A.A) Gypsum
- B.B) Calcite
- C.C) Fluorite
- D.D) Talc
Rocks and Minerals Practice Test — Easy Level
A free 10-question Rocks and Minerals practice test for Science Olympiad, written at invitational level. Every question and answer choice is listed below — correct answers and scoring are revealed when you take the timed test.
10 questions15 min timedEasy levelAI-generated — verify answers against reliable sources
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2. Which test directly determines the color of a mineral's powder by rubbing it on an unglazed porcelain plate?
- A.A) Hardness test
- B.B) Streak test
- C.C) Cleavage test
- D.D) Specific gravity test
3. A student describes a mineral as having a glassy appearance, no visible cleavage, and breaking with smooth, curved, shell-like surfaces. Which mineral property is best illustrated by the shell-like breakage?
- A.A) Metallic luster
- B.B) Conchoidal fracture
- C.C) Three directions of cleavage at 90°
- D.D) Pearly luster
4. Which rock is correctly matched with its rock type?
- A.A) Granite – extrusive igneous
- B.B) Basalt – intrusive igneous
- C.C) Sandstone – clastic sedimentary
- D.D) Marble – foliated metamorphic
5. An igneous rock with very large, easily visible crystals most likely formed under which conditions?
- A.A) Slowly cooling magma deep underground
- B.B) Rapidly cooling lava at Earth’s surface
- C.C) Intense heat and pressure on existing rock
- D.D) Compaction and cementation of sediments
6. Which description best defines a foliated metamorphic rock?
- A.A) Rock made from evaporated minerals forming layers of salt
- B.B) Rock with mineral grains aligned into bands or layers
- C.C) Rock containing fossils of plants and animals
- D.D) Rock formed from volcanic ash and glass fragments
7. Halite commonly breaks into cubes with three directions of cleavage at 90°. This means that halite:
- A.A) Has fracture and no cleavage
- B.B) Has one perfect direction of cleavage
- C.C) Has three directions of cleavage that intersect at right angles
- D.D) Has three directions of cleavage that intersect at acute angles
8. Which statement correctly describes part of the rock cycle?
- A.A) Sedimentary rocks can only form directly from magma.
- B.B) Igneous rocks can form when metamorphic rocks melt and then cool.
- C.C) Metamorphic rocks form only by weathering and erosion.
- D.D) Sedimentary rocks form only from crystallizing minerals out of solution.
9. A rock formed from plant material that has been buried, compacted, and turned into a carbon-rich solid is best classified as:
- A.A) Organic sedimentary rock
- B.B) Chemical sedimentary rock
- C.C) Foliated metamorphic rock
- D.D) Extrusive igneous rock
10. A mineral sample has a hardness of 7, a non-metallic (vitreous) luster, no cleavage, and a conchoidal fracture. It will also most likely:
- A.A) Scratch glass and show a dark metallic streak
- B.B) Be easily scratched by a steel file and show perfect cleavage
- C.C) Scratch glass and have a colorless or white streak
- D.D) Be scratched by a copper penny and have a strong reaction to acid