1. Which of the following types of rocks can become metamorphic rocks?
a. sedimentary rocks only
b. sedimentary or igneous rocks only
c. sedimentary or metamorphic rocks only
d. sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic rocks

2. The primary difference between lithostatic pressure and directed pressure is:
a. lithostatic pressure pushes in on rocks equally from all sides, while directed pressure acts in one principal plane
b. lithostatic pressure is caused by the movement of rocks, while directed pressure is caused by the weight of rocks
c. lithostatic pressure, unlike directed pressure, is accompanied by high temperatures and significant amounts of circulating fluids
d. lithostatic pressure breaks many of the bonds in minerals, unlike directed pressure, which merely deforms existing crystals

3. Foliation occurs as a result of:
a. the smashing of mineral grains into flat flakes that lie perpendicular to the direction of pressure
b. the pressure exerted within the rock by the platy layer
c. the direction of the flow of fluids circulating within a rock undergoing metamorphosis
d. pressure that breaks some of the bonds between mineral ions and causes the unbonded ions to migrate and rebind in areas of lower pressure

4. Schist can be distinguished from other metamorphic rocks by:
a. its large flakes of mica
b. its dark and light mineral bands
c. its metallic sheen
d. its slaty cleavage

5. A rock that has partially melted and is thus part igneous and part metamorphic is:
a. phyllite
b. gneiss
c. migmatite
d. schist

6. The rock that results from the metamorphosis of relatively pure limestone is:
a. hornfels
b. quartzite
c. gneiss
d. marble

7. The presence of metamorphic index mineral such as andalusite, kyanite, or sillimanite throughout a mineral zone indicates
all of the following EXCEPT:
a. the type of plate boundary that produced the parent rock
b. the specific temperature and pressure conditions
c. a specific grade of metamorphism
d. a specific metamorphic environment

8. Blueschist facies rocks are formed:
a. around intruding igneous rocks such as batholiths
b. under the deepest parts of subduction zones, well below the roots of mountains
c. within transform faults as a result of heat produced by friction
d. within shallower parts of subduction zones

9. Which low-grade metamorphic rock, composed of extremely fine-sized mica and other mineral grains, typically exhibits well-developed rock cleavage?
a. schist
b. hornfels
c. quartzite
d. slate

10. In general, gems are
a. rare minerals
b. radioactive minerals
c. beautiful varieties of common minerals
d. not colored or dyed or altered in any way from the way they occur naturally

11. Which of these descriptions best describes the conditions of contact metamorphism?
a. pressures are high; deep in the Earth; heat comes from inside Earth b. pressures are low; upper part of crust; heat comes from nearby magma c. depths are shallow, but pressures and temperatures are so high that rocks begin to melt d. heat and pressure come from shearing and faulting along major fault zones

12. Which metamorphic rock is texturally between a slate and a schist?
a. quartzite
b. phyllite
c. breccia
d. gneiss

13. Which response has rocks in the correct order from (left to right) low-grade and fine grain size to high-grade and coarse grain size?
a. slate=>phyllite=>schist b. phyllite=>slate=>schist c. schist=>slate=>phyllite d. slate=>schist=>phyllite

14. If a metamorphic rock contains lots of carbonate minerals, what was it before it was metamorphosed?
a. quartzite
b. shale or mudstone
c. a plutonic rock
d. limestone or dolostone

15. Volcanoes are beneficial to humanity in many ways. All of the following may be considered benefits EXCEPT:
a. many volcanic soils prove fertile for agriculture
b. some volcanoes provide sources of clean energy
c. volcanoes give scientists insight into subterranean rock composition
d. the gases released by volcanoes help reduce the effects of acid rain

16. The type of metamorphism that results entirely from the heat of magma and from hot circulating fluids is:
a. contact metamorphism
b. regional metamorphism
c. dynamothermal metamorphism
d. shock metamorphism

17. The presence of the minerals stishovite and coesite indicates:
a. contact metamorphism
b. burial metamorphism
c. hydrothermal metamorphism
d. shock metamorphism

18. A dormant volcano is one that:
a. has not erupted within the last 30 years
b. has not had magma moving in its vents in the last 100 years
c. has not erupted recently in geological terms, but is likely
to erupt sometime in the future
d. is not likely to erupt again

19. The term viscosity refers to:
a. how heat and pressure influence a liquid's gas content
b. a liquid's resistance to flow
c. how dense a liquid is
d. how a liquid moves upward against gravity

20. Which of the following statements concerning diamonds is NOT true?
a. diamonds are most often found in kimberlite pipes
b. diamonds are formed as a result of extreme pressure on coal that has been buried to a depth of more than 150 kilometers (90 miles)
c. all diamonds that are no longer deep within the Earth are in the process of deteriorating into graphite
d. diamond is the world's hardest natural substance

21. Which of the following is a likely product of a volcano with extremely hot, basaltic lava flowing over land near the volcano vent?
a. Pahoehoe
b. A'a
c. Pillow structures
d. Pumice

22. A volcanic dome forms when:
a. a large volcanic mountain is rounded off by erosion
b. a shield volcano takes on a relatively symmetrical
c. rising magma causes a bulge in the side of a volcano
d. rising magma cools and hardens within a volcano's crater

23. What is the main reason why we are unable to predict volcanic eruptions with more accuracy?
a. we haven't developed adequate technology
b. we don't understand the inner workings of volcanoes
c. volcanoes give no warnings when they are about to erupt
d. it is economically infeasible to adequately monitor all potentially volcanic areas on continuous basis

24. The two properties used most to identify igneous rocks are:
a. color and mineral composition
b. texture and mineral grain size
c. the grain size and the number of different minerals present
d. texture and mineral composition

25. A phaneritic texture is most likely to develop in:
a. volcanic rocks
b. extrusive rocks
c. intrusive rocks
d. volcanic glass

26. Which one of the following rocks probably underwent the fastest cooling rate?
a. granite
b. gabbro
c. basalt
d. obsidian

27. Gabbro is an example of an:
a. extrusive mafic rock
b. extrusive felsic rock
c. intrusive mafic rock
d. intrusive felsic rock

28. The geothermal gradient describes how:
a. pressure increases with depth within the Earth
b. temperature increases with depth within the Earth
c. magma becomes more mafic with depth within the Earth
d. water content increases with depth within the Earth

29. Rising magma that has forced overlying rocks to bulge upward, resulting in a domed intrusion of igneous rock is termed a:
a. diapir.
b. zenolith.
c. country rock.
d. dike.

30. Amethyst, opal, citrine and chalcedony are gem varieties of
a. feldspar
b. mica
c. beryl
d. quartz

31. Saucer-shaped concordant plutons that sag downward are:
a. Batholiths.
b. Xenoliths.
c. Laccoliths.
d. Lopoliths.

32. Which of the following would be considered a mineral?
a. Opal.
b. Diamond.
c. Obsidian.
d. Glass.

33. A rock is best defined as:
a. aggregates of several crystals.
b. aggregates of one or more naturally occurring solids of definite chemical composition.
c. aggregates of one or more minerals.
d. aggregates of naturally occurring solids of definite crystalline structure.

34. The element carbon has 6 protons and 6 electrons, and one isotope has 8 neutrons. The atomic number of this isotope of carbon is:
a. 6.
b. 12.
c. 14.
d. 20.

35. Which of the following is a likely product of a volcano with basaltic lava that has flowed some distance from the vent, cooled, lost much of its dissolved gases, and become more viscous?
a. Pahoehoe
b. A'a
c. Pillow Structures
d. Pumice

36. Which of the following is a likely product of a subaqueous basaltic eruption?
a. Pahoehoe
b. A'a
c. Pillow structures
d. Pumice

37. If an atom with only one electron in its outer shell loses that electron, it does all of the following EXCEPT:
a. become the atom of a different element.
b. become electrically positive.
c. become more chemically stable.
d. become likely to form an ionic bond with another atom.

38. The kind of mineral formed in a particular time and place depend on all of the following EXCEPT:
a. the relative abundances of available elements.
b. the relative sizes and fit of the atoms and ions of the available elements.
c. the shape of the space in which the mineral forms.
d. the temperature and pressure at the time of formation.

39. The purpose of rubbing a mineral across an unglazed porcelain slab, the streak plate, is:
a. to observe the color of a mineral in its powdered form
b. to remove dirt and corrosion from the mineral so that its true color can be observed
c. to remove the atoms of trace impurities that may exist within the structure of the mineral
d. to determine if a streak will form on the mineral

40. Which of the following is the most appropriate statement regarding the naming of the minerals?
a. the names of minerals are based on the elements that form them
b. the names of minerals are based on geographic locations, distinctive physical characteristics, and so on, rather than on a conventional system
c. the names of minerals, like those of plants and animals, have been given in Latin for the purpose of international uniformity
d. the names of minerals are based on a strict systematic international code, and always begin with successive letters of the Latin alphabet in the order in which the mineral is discovered

Medium To Long Answers

1. Some people say that ice is the most common mineral found at the Earth's surface. Others say quartz is. And others say that clay is. Others say that feldspar is. Discuss each of these minerals and tell me why people come to the conclusions they do.

2. What is metamorphism? What are the agents that cause metamorphism?

3. Briefly describe the textural differences between slate, mica schist, and gneiss. Which represents the highest grade of metamorphism?

4. Why are some volcanoes more explosive and dangerous than others. Give me some specifics. What characteristics of the lavas or eruptions make them more dangerous?