Rocks & Minerals
© K. Coder 2015
Task Card #1
The table below shows the physical properties of diamond and graphite.
Mineral Color Luster Streak Hardness Density Chemical Composition
Diamond Varies Glassy Colorless Hard 3.5 g/mL C
Graphite Black Dull Black Soft 2.3 g/mL C
Why do diamond and graphite have different physical properties, even though they are both composed entirely of the element carbon?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #2
The mineral chart below shows some physical properties of gold and pyrite.
Based on the table, what is the best way to tell gold from pyrite?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #3
A geologist grinds a mineral to a green-black powder; he then analyzes it and discovers that it
contains sulfur. What is the name of this mineral?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #4
The data table below gives characteristics of the gemstone peridot.
Peridot is a form of which mineral?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #5
A student created a table below by classifying six minerals into two groups, A and B, based on a single property.
Group A Group B Quartz Halite Talc
Galena Graphite
Magnetite
Which property was used to classify these minerals?
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Task Card #6
The diagram below shows the results of one test for mineral identification.
Which property is being tested?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #7
The diagram below represents a mineral. This mineral has cubic cleavage and in colorless.
Which mineral is shown in the diagram?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #8
The diagram below represents a mineral.
The original shape of this mineral was altered when it was hit with a rock hammer. Which physical property caused the mineral to break as it did?
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Task Card #9
The diagrams below shows a mineral test being performed.
Which mineral property is being tested in the diagram?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #10
On the grid on your answer sheet, construct a bar graph to represent the hardness of the
minerals galena, pyrite, olivine, selenite gypsum, and sulfur.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #11
The diagram below represents geologic processes that act continuously on Earth to form different rock types.
Identify rock types 1, 2, and 3.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #12
The photograph below was taken by a student of the igneous rock, granite.
Complete the table on your answer sheet with descriptions of the observable characteristics used to identify granite.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #13
On the grid on your answer sheet, draw a line to
best show the relationship between the compositions of different igneous rocks and their
densities.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #14
The diagrams below represents felsic igneous rocks, lettered A, B, and C.
Based on the descriptions provided, identify rocks A, B, and C.
A B C
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Task Card #15
The diagram below shows the mineral composition of an igneous rock drawn to scale.
Which igneous rock is this?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #16
The diagram below represents an igneous rock with large crystals.
What does the large crystal size indicate about the rate at which this igneous rock formed from magma?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #17
The diagram below represents the formation of a sedimentary rock.
Name two processes that formed this rock.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #18
In the box on your answer sheet, draw the map symbol for the rock that is composed of the mineral halite that formed when seawater
evaporated.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #19
The diagrams below represent two sedimentary rocks, conglomerate and breccia.
Describe one physical similarity and one physical difference between these two rocks.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #20
The sequence of diagrams below shows how coal is formed.
Describe the material and two processes involved in the formation of coal.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #21
The diagram below represents part of the rock cycle. The igneous rock, granite, and the characteristics of sedimentary rock X and metamorphic rock Y are shown.
Identify sedimentary rock X.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #22
The diagram below represents a rock sample a student found.
What is most abundant mineral found in this rock sample?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #23
The sequence of diagrams below shows four stages in coal formation.
State the form of coal which normally has the highest density and explain your answer.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #24
The diagram below shows a sample of gneiss.
What observable characteristic could be used to identify this rock sample as gneiss?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #25
The diagram below indicates physical changes that accompany the conversion of shale to gneiss.
Which geologic process is occurring to cause this conversion?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #26
The diagram below represents part of the rock cycle. The igneous rock, granite, and the characteristics of sedimentary rock X and metamorphic rock Y are shown.
Identify metamorphic rock Y.
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #27
The photograph below was taken by a student of a foliated metamorphic rock which show shiny foliation surfaces and contains mica, quartz, feldspar, amphibole, and garnet
Which metamorphic rock is shown in the photograph?
Rocks & Minerals
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Task Card #28
On the geologic cross section below, location A is within the metamorphic rock.
Which metamorphic rock is most likely shown at location A?
