Types of Rocks Quiz

1. Which type of rock forms when molten rock cools and solidifies?

2. Loose sand is buried, compacted, and cemented together over time. What type of rock does it become?

3. A pale volcanic rock is full of holes left by gas bubbles and is unusually lightweight. Which rock is the best match?

4. Shale undergoes relatively low-grade metamorphism. Which rock commonly forms from it?

5. Mineral-rich water evaporates in a closed basin and leaves thick deposits of rock salt. How is the resulting rock classified?

6. Limestone is altered by heat and pressure without melting. Which metamorphic rock most commonly results?

7. A rock consists of rounded pebbles held together by a finer natural cement. What is it?

8. Granite commonly has large, visible mineral crystals. What does this texture indicate?

9. Lava erupts onto Earth’s surface and cools quickly, producing a fine-grained dark rock. Which rock is the most likely result?

10. A metamorphic rock melts deep underground and the resulting magma later cools completely. What broad rock type forms next?

11. Sandstone rich in quartz is subjected to intense heat and pressure without melting. Which rock is most likely to form?

12. An exposed granite outcrop breaks into grains through weathering. The grains are transported, deposited, compacted, and cemented. What broad type of rock forms?

13. A geologist finds a natural volcanic glass with no visible crystals. How should the rock be classified?

14. A rock contains visible shells and other preserved remains of organisms. Which broad rock type is it most likely to be?

15. What process forms metamorphic rock from an existing rock?

16. What most directly produces foliation in many metamorphic rocks?