1. Which of the following statements correctly describes a similarity or difference between rocks and minerals?
A. Minerals may contain traces of organic compounds, while rocks do not.
B. Rocks are classified by their formation and the minerals they contain, while minerals are classified by their chemical composition and physical properties.
C. Both rocks and minerals can be polymorphs.
D. Both rocks and minerals may contain mineraloids.
2. Which of the following is the best description of mineraloids?
A. Mineraloids are organic compounds found in rocks.
B. Mineraloids are inorganic solids containing two or more minerals with different crystalline structures.
C. Mineraloids are inorganic solids containing one or more minerals with the same crystalline structure.
D. Mineraloids are minerals that lack a crystalline structure.
3. All of the following are branches of petrology EXCEPT:
A. Metamorphic petrology.
B. Igneous petrology.
C. Mineralogical petrology.
D. Sedimentary petrology.
4. Which of the following is NOT one of the five major physical properties of minerals?
A. Chemical composition
B. Hardness
C. Luster
D. Streak
5. Which of these minerals would have the lowest score on the Mohs scale?
A. Gypsum
B. Fluorite
C. Talc
D. Diamond
6. A mineral's true color is observed by:
A. Conducting a streak test on white paper.
B. Conducting a streak test on unglazed porcelain tile.
C. Inspecting the mineral's outer surface.
D. Shining a light on the mineral to inspect its luster.
7. Galena, pyrite, and magnetite are examples of minerals with which of the following types of luster?
A. Pearly
B. Greasy
C. Adamantine
D. Metallic
8. According to the Dana classification system, gold, silver, and copper belong to which class?
A. Organic
B. Elemental
C. Oxide
D. Sulfide
9. According to the Dana classification system, minerals that contain the anion SO42- are part of which chemical class?
A. Sulfate
B. Sulfite
C. Halide
D. Phosphate
10. Minerals that form on the sea floor from discarded shells are most likely part of which chemical class?
A. Sulfate
B. Organic
C. Carbonate
D. Silicate
Praxis II Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge Test Answer Key