This printable science assessment evaluates student knowledge of mineral properties, specifically focusing on the Mohs hardness scale.

Let’s go step by step to solve this test on minerals and their properties.

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Part 1: Multiple Choice (Questions 1–5)

We’ll answer each one based on basic mineral knowledge.

Question 1: What is a mineral?
→ A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and an ordered internal structure.
✔ Correct answer: a. Naturally occurring, inorganic solid

Question 2: Which of the following measures how easily a mineral can be scratched?
→ That’s called “hardness.” The Mohs scale measures hardness.
✔ Correct answer: b. Hardness

Question 3: What is the term for the way light reflects off the surface of a mineral?
→ That’s called “luster.” For example, metallic luster or glassy luster.
✔ Correct answer: c. Luster

Question 4: Which property describes how a mineral breaks along flat surfaces?
→ That’s “cleavage.” If it breaks unevenly, that’s fracture.
✔ Correct answer: d. Cleavage

Question 5: What is the color of the powder left behind when a mineral is rubbed against a rough surface?
→ That’s called “streak.” It’s often different from the mineral’s actual color.
✔ Correct answer: e. Streak

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Part 2: Matching (Questions 6–10)

Match the mineral property to its definition.

Definitions given:
- A. Color of the powdered mineral
- B. How light reflects off the surface
- C. Resistance to being scratched
- D. Breaks along flat planes
- E. Natural, inorganic, solid, definite composition

Now match:

6. Hardness → This is resistance to scratching → C

7. Luster → How light reflects → B

8. Streak → Powder color → A

9. Cleavage → Breaks along flat planes → D

10. Mineral → Definition of what a mineral is → E

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Part 3: True or False (Questions 11–15)

Read each statement and decide if it’s true or false.

11. All minerals are rocks.
→ FALSE. Rocks are made of minerals, but not all minerals are rocks. Minerals are the building blocks.

12. Quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale.
→ TRUE. Yes, quartz is used as reference point #7.

13. Diamond is the hardest known natural mineral.
→ TRUE. Diamond is #10 on Mohs scale — hardest natural substance.

14. Calcite reacts with acid by fizzing.
→ TRUE. Calcite fizzes when you drop dilute hydrochloric acid on it.

15. Mica splits into thin sheets because of its cleavage.
→ TRUE. Mica has perfect basal cleavage — it peels like layers.

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Part 4: Short Answer (Questions 16–20)

Answer briefly.

16. Name two ways minerals form.
→ Minerals can form from cooling magma/lava, or from evaporation of water (like salt), or from precipitation out of solution.

Sample answer:
*Minerals can form when magma cools and crystals grow, or when water evaporates and leaves minerals behind.*

17. Why is color not always reliable for identifying minerals?
→ Because many minerals can come in different colors due to impurities. For example, quartz can be clear, pink, purple, etc.

Sample answer:
*Color isn’t reliable because the same mineral can have different colors depending on what’s mixed in.*

18. What does specific gravity tell us about a mineral?
→ Specific gravity tells us how dense the mineral is compared to water. It helps identify heavy vs. light minerals.

Sample answer:
*Specific gravity tells us how heavy a mineral is for its size — like whether it feels heavier than expected.*

19. Give one example of a mineral that has metallic luster.
→ Pyrite (“fool’s gold”) or galena or hematite.

Sample answer:
*Pyrite has a shiny, metallic look.*

20. What tool would you use to test a mineral’s streak?
→ You’d use a streak plate — usually unglazed porcelain tile.

Sample answer:
*A streak plate — a rough white tile — to rub the mineral and see the powder color.*

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Final Answer:

Multiple Choice:
1. a
2. b
3. c
4. d
5. e

Matching:
6. C
7. B
8. A
9. D
10. E

True/False:
11. False
12. True
13. True
14. True
15. True

Short Answer (sample answers):
16. From cooling magma or evaporating water.
17. Same mineral can have many colors due to impurities.
18. Tells how dense the mineral is compared to water.
19. Pyrite (or galena, hematite).
20. A streak plate (unglazed porcelain tile).