Minerals Multiple Choice Questions and Answers

11. What is a solid mixture of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal?

1. gemstone
2. precious mineral
3. ore
4. alloy

12. Which term refers to anyone who searches for an ore deposit?

1. geologist
2. prospector
3. miner
4. mineral specialist

13. The crystals inside a geode are formed when

1. lava suddenly cools on Earths surface
2. a mineral solution evaporates
3. a mineral solution crystallizes
4. magma cool slowly inside Earth

14. Minerals may form on Earths surface when

1. magma heats a solution
2. crystallization is delayed
3. solutions evaporate
4. pure metals are present

15. A rock that contains a metal or other useful mineral that can be mined and sold at a profit is called a(n)

1. ore
2. gem
3. gemstone
4. crystal

16. The softest mineral on the Mohs hardness scale is

1. quartz
2. talc
3. apatite
4. gypsum

17. Which is NOT a factor that affects the size of mineral crystals formed in magma?

1. rate of cooling
2. fluorescence
3. gas content
4. chemical composition

18. What substance that is rich in carbon is mixed with iron ore in the process of smelting?

1. slag
2. molten iron
3. coke
4. alloy

19. Magma that cools very slowly deep beneath the surface forms minerals with what type of crystals?

1. small
2. large
3. very hard
4. cubic

20. Miners use earthmoving equipment to dig a huge hole in the process of

1. smelt mining
2. open pit mining
3. shaft mining
4. prospecting