CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Calcite has Mohs hardness approximately:
A. 1
B. 3
C. 6
D. 10
Correct Answer: B
Calcite is the Mohs 3 reference mineral.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Quartz has Mohs hardness approximately:
A. 2
B. 4
C. 7
D. 9
Correct Answer: C
Quartz is the Mohs 7 reference mineral.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Talc has Mohs hardness:
A. 1
B. 3
C. 7
D. 10
Correct Answer: A
Talc is the softest reference mineral on the Mohs scale.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
The hardest mineral on the Mohs scale is:
A. Quartz
B. Corundum
C. Diamond
D. Topaz
Correct Answer: C
Diamond has Mohs hardness 10.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
The Mohs scale measures mineral:
A. Density
B. Hardness
C. Colour
D. Radioactivity
Correct Answer: B
Mohs ranks resistance to scratching from talc (1) to diamond (10).
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
A mineral is generally defined as a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with:
A. Definite chemical composition and ordered crystal structure
B. Any colour and no structure
C. Organic origin only
D. Variable composition without order
Correct Answer: A
This is the standard geologic definition of a mineral.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
The rock cycle describes:
A. Transformation among rock types
B. Only volcanic eruptions
C. Only mineral mining
D. Earth's orbit
Correct Answer: A
Melting, crystallization, weathering, burial and metamorphism link all rock types.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Foliation develops mainly due to:
A. Directed pressure
B. Rapid cooling
C. Evaporation
D. Fossil accumulation
Correct Answer: A
Differential stress aligns platy/elongate minerals.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Gneiss is typically:
A. High-grade foliated metamorphic rock
B. Chemical sedimentary rock
C. Volcanic glass
D. Unconsolidated sediment
Correct Answer: A
Gneiss commonly displays compositional banding at high metamorphic grade.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Quartzite commonly forms from:
A. Quartz sandstone
B. Coal
C. Shale
D. Limestone
Correct Answer: A
Metamorphism fuses quartz grains in sandstone into quartzite.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Marble commonly forms from:
A. Limestone
B. Sandstone
C. Shale
D. Conglomerate
Correct Answer: A
Recrystallization of calcite-rich limestone produces marble.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Slate commonly forms from metamorphism of:
A. Shale
B. Granite
C. Limestone
D. Basalt only
Correct Answer: A
Low-grade metamorphism of shale produces slate.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Metamorphism changes rock mainly through:
A. Heat, pressure and chemically active fluids
B. Complete melting
C. Surface evaporation only
D. Biological decay only
Correct Answer: A
Metamorphism alters minerals/textures without complete melting.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Rock salt commonly forms by:
A. Evaporation
B. Regional metamorphism
C. Volcanic eruption
D. Glacial abrasion
Correct Answer: A
Halite precipitates as saline water evaporates.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Coal is generally classified as:
A. Organic sedimentary rock
B. Intrusive igneous rock
C. Non-foliated metamorphic rock only
D. Mantle rock
Correct Answer: A
Coal forms from accumulated and altered plant material.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Limestone is composed chiefly of:
A. Quartz
B. Calcite
C. Olivine
D. Feldspar only
Correct Answer: B
Most limestone is dominated by calcium carbonate, commonly calcite.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Shale forms mainly from:
A. Clay and silt
B. Gravel
C. Lava
D. Coral reefs only
Correct Answer: A
Shale is a fine-grained clastic rock formed from mud.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Sandstone is composed predominantly of:
A. Sand-sized grains
B. Clay only
C. Gravel only
D. Magma
Correct Answer: A
Sandstone is lithified sand-sized sediment.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Breccia differs from conglomerate because breccia has:
A. Angular clasts
B. Only sand grains
C. Foliation
D. No fragments
Correct Answer: A
Breccia's coarse fragments are angular rather than rounded.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Geography
Rocks and Minerals
Conglomerate contains mainly:
A. Rounded gravel-sized clasts
B. Clay-sized particles
C. Interlocking calcite only
D. Volcanic glass
Correct Answer: A
Conglomerate consists of lithified rounded gravel.