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Pembroke Hill Invitational — Rocks and Minerals

Rocks and Minerals · Division B · Pembroke Hill Invitational · 2026

57 questions · 57 points · 50 min· 5 questions from the original omitted

Original test source

Multiple-Choice Questions (30)

Question 1

1 pt

Which of the following minerals is most commonly found in the Earth's crust?

Question 2

1 pt

Which rock type is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma?

Question 3

1 pt

Which mineral has a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale?

Question 4

1 pt

What is the process by which minerals crystallize from magma?

Question 5

1 pt

Which of the following is a characteristic of basalt?

Question 6

1 pt

What is the primary component of limestone?

Question 7

1 pt

Which of the following mineral groups does talc belong to?

Question 8

1 pt

The mineral halite is commonly known as what?

Question 9

1 pt

Which metamorphic rock forms from the protolith limestone?

Question 10

1 pt

Which of the following rocks is formed through the process of cementation and compaction of sediments?

Question 11

1 pt

What is the main characteristic of an intrusive igneous rock?

Question 12

1 pt

Which mineral reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form carbon dioxide gas?

Question 13

1 pt

Which of the following is true about metamorphic rocks?

Question 14

1 pt

Which mineral group does the mineral garnet belong to?

Question 15

1 pt

Which rock type is associated with foliation and banding?

Question 17

1 pt

What type of rock forms from the cooling of magma at the Earth's surface?

Question 18

1 pt

Which of the following is true about the Bowen's Reaction Series?

Question 19

1 pt

Which of the following is a characteristic of felsic igneous rocks?

Question 21

1 pt

Which of the following is a chemical sedimentary rock?

Question 23

1 pt

What type of rock is typically formed from the alteration of shale under heat and pressure?

Question 24

1 pt

Which rock is most commonly associated with volcanic eruptions?

Question 25

1 pt

Which mineral is commonly used as a gemstone and is composed of the element aluminum oxide?

Question 26

1 pt

Which of the following is not a primary sedimentary structure?

Question 27

1 pt

Which type of rock is formed by the compression and cementation of mineral grains?

Question 28

1 pt

Which mineral is commonly known for its use as a building material due to its high compressive strength?

Question 29

1 pt

Which of the following minerals is commonly used as a source of sulfur?

True/False Questions (15)

Question 31

1 pt

Quartz is a common mineral found in sedimentary rocks.

Question 32

1 pt

Metamorphic rocks form at the Earth's surface through weathering processes.

Question 33

1 pt

Halite is a mineral that forms through evaporite processes.

Question 34

1 pt

An intrusive igneous rock cools quickly.

Question 35

1 pt

The primary component of shale is feldspar.

Question 36

1 pt

Calcite can be identified by its reaction with hydrochloric acid.

Question 37

1 pt

Diamond is a polymorph of graphite.

Question 38

1 pt

Foliation in metamorphic rocks occurs when minerals align due to heat and pressure.

Question 39

1 pt

Basalt is a felsic rock.

Question 40

1 pt

The mineral pyrite is also known as fool's gold.

Question 41

1 pt

Feldspar is a common mineral in granite and basalt.

Question 42

1 pt

The Mohs hardness scale measures a mineral's resistance to scratching.

Question 43

1 pt

Slate is a non-foliated metamorphic rock.

Question 44

1 pt

Quartz is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust.

Identification Questions

PassageFor questions 46–57

For each item, identify the correct rock, mineral, property, habit, process, or feature being described.

Question 46

1 pt

This mineral fizzes when exposed to hydrochloric acid and has perfect rhombohedral cleavage. Identify the mineral.

Question 47

1 pt

Identify the foliated metamorphic rock that forms from the metamorphism of shale and has visible mica crystals giving it a shiny appearance.

Question 48

1 pt

This igneous rock is mafic, dark-colored, fine-grained, and commonly forms at mid-ocean ridges. Identify the rock.

Question 49

1 pt

Identify the sedimentary rock composed mainly of microscopic shells (bioclastic) and reacts with acid.

Question 50

1 pt

This mineral is the hardest on the Mohs scale and is a polymorph of graphite. Identify the mineral.

Question 51

1 pt

Identify the mineral habit described as "grape-like" or "globular rounded surfaces."

Question 52

1 pt

This non-foliated metamorphic rock forms from sandstone and consists almost entirely of quartz. Identify the rock.

Question 53

1 pt

Identify the common rock-forming mineral group that includes orthoclase and plagioclase.

Question 54

1 pt

This igneous texture contains large crystals embedded in a finer-grained groundmass. Identify the texture.

Question 55

1 pt

Identify the sedimentary structure formed when sediments dry and contract, often found in lake or tidal-flat environments.

Question 56

1 pt

This green metamorphic index mineral forms under low-grade metamorphism and is commonly found in greenschist facies. Identify the mineral.

Question 57

1 pt

Identify the intrusive igneous rock that is felsic, coarse-grained, and commonly found in continental crust.

Short Answer (Tie Breakers)

Question 58

1 pt

Explain the difference between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks in terms of cooling rate and texture.

Question 59

1 pt

Describe how clastic sedimentary rocks form.

Question 60

1 pt

What is an index mineral, and why is it important in metamorphic geology?

Question 61

1 pt

List two processes that can change a sedimentary rock into a metamorphic rock.

Question 62

1 pt

Explain why quartz is more resistant to weathering than many other minerals.