Minerals
ROCKS
Energy Resources
Geologic Time
Random
100
Which of the following definitions best describes a mineral? A. a substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means B. a substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds C. a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure D. a solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern
C. a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure
100
Igneous rock forms when A. magma cools and hardens. B. minerals crystallize out of water. C. heat and pressure change the composition and texture of a rock. D. natural cement binds rock fragments together.
A. magma cools and hardens.
100
Which of the following resources is nonrenewable? A. wind B. wood C. sunlight D. natural gas
D. natural gas
100
The death of every member of a species is called A. catastrophism. B. uniformitarianism. C. superposition. D. extinction
D. extinction
100
9. Why are gemstones valuable? A. They can be used in concrete and to build buildings. B. They are good conductors of heat and electricity. C. They are beautiful and rare. D. They taste good.
C. They are beautiful and rare.
200
Which of the following substances is a mineral? A. coal, which forms from the remains of living things B. fluorite, which is a crystalline solid with the chemical formula CaF2 C. obsidian, which is a volcanic glass and is not crystalline D. brass, which is a metal that is made by humans
B. fluorite, which is a crystalline solid with the chemical formula CaF2
200
Volcanic activity on Earth’s surface most likely results in the formation of which of the following types of rock? A. intrusive igneous rock B. extrusive igneous rock C. clastic sedimentary rock D. chemical sedimentary rock
B. extrusive igneous rock
200
Which of the following statements about all fossil fuels is true? A. Fossil fuels are liquids. B. Fossil fuels are found only on land. C. Fossil fuels move through permeable rock. D. Fossil fuels form from the remains of ancient organisms.
D. Fossil fuels form from the remains of ancient organisms.
200
Which of the following provides evidence that environmental conditions on Earth have changed? A. a fossilized footprint found in lava rock B. an insect fossil found in amber C. a marine fossil found on a mountaintop D. a dinosaur fossil found in sedimentary rock
C. a marine fossil found on a mountaintop
200
8. Which of the following processes forms sediment? A. deposition B. weathering C. erosion D. compaction and cementation
B. weathering
300
Minerals that contain one or more elements combined with silicon and oxygen are called A. sulfides. B. silicates. C. oxides. D. halides.
B. silicates.
300
Stratification occurs as the result of which of the following processes? A. the cooling and solidification of magma B. the partial or complete melting of rock C. the deformation of rock by heat and pressure D. the deposition of sediments in a body of water
D. the deposition of sediments in a body of water
300
Which of the following determines whether a resource is a renewable resource or a nonrenewable resource? A. the cost for obtaining and using the resource B. the effects of the resource on the environment C. whether the resource is used to generate energy or is made into products D. the rate at which the resource can be replaced
D. the rate at which the resource can be replaced
300
Which of the following statements best describes present ideas about geologic change? A. All geologic change occurs gradually and uniformly. B. Most geologic change occurs gradually and uniformly. C. All geologic change occurs rapidly and catastrophically. D. Most geologic change occurs rapidly and catastrophically.
B. Most geologic change occurs gradually and uniformly.
300
Which of the following would be an example of gradual geologic change? A. a volcanic eruption B. an earthquake-generated tsunami C. a global rise in sea level D. an asteroid striking Earth
C. a global rise in sea leve
400
Which of the following is a nonsilicate mineral? A. orthoclase, KAlSi3O8 B. talc, Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 C. almandine, Fe3Al2(SiO4)3 D. magnetite, Fe3O4
D. magnetite, Fe3O4
400
Buried rock is exposed at Earth’s surface by the combination of which two processes? A. weathering and deposition B. uplift and erosion C. erosion and deposition D. deposition and uplift
B. uplift and erosion
400
Which type of fuel forms when pressure and heat cause changes in the remains of swamp plants? A. coal B. gasohol C. petroleum D. natural gas
A. coal
400
Which of the following statements correctly describes information contained in the fossil record? A. The fossil record contains more information on soft-bodied organisms than on hard-bodied organisms. B. The fossil record provides paleontologists with a continuous record of changes in organisms. C. The fossil record contains information on the majority of organisms that have lived. D. The fossil record reveals a history of environmental change.
D. The fossil record reveals a history of environmental change.
400
7. Which of the following minerals can be identified by taste? A. magnetite B. fluorite C. calcite D. halite
D. halite
500
Which of the following is NOT a way to reduce the impact of mining? A. recycling products that are made from minerals B. reducing the use of minerals to make products C. reclaiming land that has been disturbed by mining D. inventing new things to make out of minerals
D. inventing new things to make out of minerals
500
9. Rock in which the composition and texture of the rock have been changed by heat and pressure is called A. felsic rock. B. mafic rock. C. igneous rock. D. metamorphic rock.
D. metamorphic rock.
500
What process releases the energy that is used in nuclear power plants to generate electrical energy? A. the burning of radioactive fuel B. the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to form water C. the splitting of radioactive nuclei into two or more smaller nuclei D. the joining of two or more nuclei to form a larger nucleus
C. the splitting of radioactive nuclei into two or more smaller nuclei
500
A small reptile of the genus Mesosaurus lived 260 million years ago and is now extinct. Fossils of this reptile have been found in both South America and southern Africa. Which of the following statements best explains why the fossils were found on both continents? A. At one time, the continents were joined. B. The reptile swam across the Atlantic Ocean. C. The reptile traveled across a land bridge. D. People brought the reptile to South America.
A. At one time, the continents were joined.
500
Why is the energy that is generated at a hydroelectric dam dependent on the sun? A. The sun’s gravity causes water to flow. B. Energy from the sun powers the water cycle. C. Sunlight gets rid of the pollution created by hydroelectric dams. D. Sunlight is the source of energy in the fuels burned by hydroelectric dams
B. Energy from the sun powers the water cycle.
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