Minerals and Gems Practice Test

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Minerals and Gems Practice Test

1. Geodes that are completely filled with small crystal formations are called

(a) nodules

(b) spheroids

(c) noodles

(d) phenocrysts

2. The ratio of the mass of a mineral compared to the mass of an equal volume of water at a specific temperature is called the

(a) atmospheric pressure

(b) specific gravity

(c) lean mass

(d) heavy water

3. A mineral that light can shine all the way through is said to be

(a) transparent

(b) translucent

(c) opaque

(d) priceless

4. Adamantine and metallic are types of

(a) specific gravity

(b) mantle

(c) luster

(d) habit

5. What mineral is most commonly found in geodes?

(a) silver

(b) quartz

(c) hematite

(d) tourmaline

6. On the absolute hardness scale, diamond is how many times harder than talc?

(a) 1

(b) 400

(c) 800

(d) 1600

7. The Periodic Table gives information about a mineral’s

(a) atomic number and mass

(b) period

(c) group

(d) all of the above

8. A mineral is

(a) a person who mines for a living

(b) a liquid nitrogen sample

(c) a homogeneous sample with a specific crystalline structure

(d) always made up of two or more oxides

9. A powdery line made by rubbing a sample across an unglazed surface is called a

(a) scratch

(b) mess

(c) streak

(d) flaw

10. The precise measurement of the hardness of a mineral, not dependent on comparison with other samples, is called

(a) complete stiffness

(b) absolute hardness

(c) total rock

(d) Mohs’ scale

Answers:

1. A

2. B

3. A

4. C

5. B

6. D

7. D

8. C

9. C

10. B