CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
A dyke (dike) is generally:
A. Discordant, cutting across existing structures
B. Always horizontal and concordant
C. A sedimentary layer
D. A mineral vein only
Correct Answer: A
Dikes cut across pre-existing rock layers or structures.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
A sill is an igneous intrusion that is generally:
A. Concordant with layering
B. Vertical and discordant only
C. A surface lava flow only
D. A sedimentary bed
Correct Answer: A
Sills intrude parallel to pre-existing strata.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
A batholith is:
A. A very large intrusive igneous body
B. A river deposit
C. A metamorphic foliation
D. A mineral cleavage
Correct Answer: A
Batholiths are extensive plutonic masses exposed after erosion.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Magnetite is notable for:
A. Strong magnetism
B. Perfect transparency
C. Mohs hardness 1
D. Being an evaporite
Correct Answer: A
Magnetite is a strongly magnetic iron oxide.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Hematite is an important ore of:
A. Iron
B. Aluminium
C. Tin
D. Zinc
Correct Answer: A
Hematite (Fe2O3) is a major iron ore mineral.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Bauxite is the principal ore of:
A. Aluminium
B. Copper
C. Iron
D. Lead
Correct Answer: A
Bauxite is the main commercial source of aluminium.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Ore is a natural material from which:
A. A valuable constituent can be extracted economically
B. Only fossils are obtained
C. Water is always extracted
D. No mineral can be recovered
Correct Answer: A
Economic concentration distinguishes an ore from ordinary mineralization.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Calcite has chemical formula:
A. CaCO3
B. NaCl
C. SiO2
D. KAlSi3O8
Correct Answer: A
Calcite is calcium carbonate.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Halite has chemical formula:
A. NaCl
B. CaCO3
C. SiO2
D. Fe2O3
Correct Answer: A
Halite is crystalline sodium chloride.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Mica is recognized by its:
A. Sheet cleavage
B. Cubic cleavage only
C. Conchoidal fracture only
D. Extreme hardness 10
Correct Answer: A
Micas split readily into thin elastic sheets.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Olivine is especially common in:
A. Mafic and ultramafic rocks
B. Limestone only
C. Coal seams
D. Evaporites
Correct Answer: A
Olivine is a major ferromagnesian mineral in mantle-derived rocks.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Quartz is composed of:
A. Silicon and oxygen
B. Calcium and carbon only
C. Iron and sulfur
D. Sodium chloride
Correct Answer: A
Quartz has chemical formula SiO2.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
The most abundant mineral group in Earth's crust is:
A. Feldspars
B. Native metals
C. Sulfides
D. Halides
Correct Answer: A
Feldspars are the most abundant crustal mineral group.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Specific gravity compares mineral density with:
A. Water
B. Air
C. Quartz
D. Iron
Correct Answer: A
Specific gravity is density relative to water.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Luster describes how a mineral:
A. Reflects light
B. Scratches another mineral
C. Dissolves in water
D. Forms strata
Correct Answer: A
Luster may be metallic, vitreous, pearly, etc.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Streak is the colour of a mineral's:
A. Powder
B. Largest crystal face
C. Reflection
D. Weathered surface only
Correct Answer: A
Streak is observed by rubbing a mineral on an unglazed porcelain plate.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Calcite reacts visibly with dilute hydrochloric acid by:
A. Effervescence
B. Magnetism
C. Fluorescence always
D. Melting
Correct Answer: A
Acid releases carbon dioxide from calcite, producing fizzing.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Quartz commonly shows:
A. Conchoidal fracture
B. Perfect cubic cleavage
C. Metallic malleability
D. Fibrous cleavage only
Correct Answer: A
Quartz lacks cleavage and often breaks with curved conchoidal surfaces.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Fracture refers to:
A. Breakage not controlled by cleavage planes
B. Crystal growth only
C. Chemical weathering only
D. Layering in sediments
Correct Answer: A
Fracture describes irregular or characteristic breaks where cleavage is absent.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Cleavage is a mineral's tendency to:
A. Break along planes of weak bonding
B. Scratch glass
C. React with magnetism only
D. Melt at room temperature
Correct Answer: A
Cleavage produces repeated flat break surfaces controlled by crystal structure.