Rock and Mineral Quiz

Which of these minerals is not found in granite?

• mica

• feldspar

• calcite

• quartz

Answer explanation

Granite is primarily composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Calcite, a carbonate mineral, is not a typical constituent of granite, which is an igneous rock formed from the cooling of magma. 

Which of these stones looks like a sponge?

• granite

• mica

• basalt

• pumice

Answer explanation

Pumice is a volcanic rock with a porous, sponge-like texture due to trapped gas bubbles during its formation, making it very light and often able to float on water. 

Which of these rocks is not used for making statues?

• marble

• quartzite

• conglomerate

• granite

Answer explanation

Conglomerate is a sedimentary rock formed from pebbles cemented together. It's known for its coarse, uneven texture, which makes it unsuitable for fine carving, the detail often required for statues. 

Which of these is a fuel?

• limestone

• coal

• chalk

• granite

Answer explanation

Coal is primarily used as fuel to generate electric power in the United States. In coal-fired power plants, bituminous coal, subbituminous coal, or lignite is burned.

You are likely to find a number of igneous rocks near volcanoes.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Igneous rocks are formed from cooled and solidified magma or lava, and volcanoes are a primary source of these materials. Therefore, it's highly probable to find igneous rocks in and around volcanic areas. 

Metamorphic rocks are formed from soil and small rock pieces.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks (either igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks) are transformed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions. They are not formed directly from soil or small rock pieces. Soil is a loose mixture of organic matter, minerals, and other materials found on the Earth's surface, while small rock pieces can be the starting material for sedimentary rocks, not metamorphic rocks. 

Fossils are found in metamorphic rocks.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

No, fossils are not typically found in metamorphic rocks. While it's possible for fossils to be present in some low-grade metamorphic rocks, they are generally destroyed or significantly altered by the heat and pressure involved in the formation of metamorphic rocks. Fossils are most commonly found in sedimentary rocks where the remains of organisms can be preserved between layers of sediment. 

Coal is a kind of rock.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Yes, coal is a type of sedimentary rock. It forms from the remains of ancient plants that decayed under specific conditions and were then compressed over millions of years. This process transforms the plant matter into a hard, black rock that is a fossil fuel. 

Petroleum is formed from the remains of sea animals and plants.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

Petroleum (also known as crude oil) is indeed formed from the remains of ancient marine organisms, specifically tiny plants and animals like zooplankton and algae, that lived millions of years ago. Over time, these remains were buried under layers of sediment, and under immense pressure and heat, they transformed into the fossil fuel we know as petroleum.