For each question below, choose the letter corresponding to the BEST answer.

1		Which of the following is NOT a type of silicate structure? Need a Hint?
			A)	loop silicate
			B)	double chain silicate
			C)	single-chain silicate
			D)	sheet silicate
2		Petroleum is NOT a mineral. Why? Need a Hint?
			A)	It does not have a definite chemical composition.
			B)	It does not have a crystalline structure.
			C)	It is not a solid.
			D)	All of these are reasons why petroleum is not a mineral.
3		The silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is: Need a Hint?
			A)	the building block of the silicate minerals.
			B)	composed of 4 oxygen atoms surrounding 1 silicon atom.
			C)	composed of the two most abundant elements on Earth.
			D)	all of these
4		The mineral, quartz, is an example of: Need a Hint?
			A)	a double-chain silicate
			B)	a sheet silicate
			C)	a framework silicate
			D)	a single-chain silicate
5		Which of the following is NOT considered a physical property of minerals? Need a Hint?
			A)	luster
			B)	silicate structure
			C)	streak
			D)	hardness
6		Select the statement about cleavage which is NOT correct: Need a Hint?
			A)	there may be more than one cleavage plane in some minerals
			B)	it is well developed in all minerals
			C)	a plane that reflects light
			D)	a plane along which crystals break easily
7		Atoms with either a positive or negative charge are called: Need a Hint?
			A)	radioactive
			B)	elements
			C)	ions
			D)	isotopes
8		For a given mineral, the physical property which displays the greatest variation is: Need a Hint?
			A)	streak
			B)	hardness
			C)	luster
			D)	color
9		A unit of matter which cannot be broken down into other substances by ordinary chemical methods is: Need a Hint?
			A)	an element
			B)	a compound
			C)	a molecule
			D)	a mineral
10		Which of the following is NOT true of a single silica tetrahedron? Need a Hint?
			A)	It has a net negative charge.
			B)	It has four silicon atoms.
			C)	The atoms of the tetrahedron are strongly bonded together.
			D)	All of these are true of a single silica tetrahedron.
11		The ability of a mineral to break along preferred directions is called: Need a Hint?
			A)	cleavage
			B)	hardness
			C)	crystal form
			D)	fracture
12		Which of the following common items is NOT a mineral? Need a Hint?
			A)	asphalt
			B)	ice
			C)	talcum powder
			D)	salt
13		Oxygen accounts for what percent by weight (approximately) of all matter in Earth's crust? Need a Hint?
			A)	12%
			B)	24%
			C)	36%
			D)	47%
14		Muscovite is: Need a Hint?
			A)	a sheet silicate
			B)	a single chain silicate
			C)	a framework silicate
			D)	a double chain silicate
15		Neutrons are sub-atomic particles: Need a Hint?
			A)	which orbit the nucleus of the atom.
			B)	with a positive electrical charge.
			C)	with a negative electrical charge.
			D)	found in the nucleus of atoms.
16		An ion with a surplus of electrons is: Need a Hint?
			A)	negatively charged.
			B)	neutral.
			C)	positively charged.
			D)	none of these.
17		Isotopes: Need a Hint?
			A)	have variable numbers of protons.
			B)	have the same number of neutrons and protons.
			C)	have variable numbers of electrons.
			D)	none of these.
18		Which of the following elements is NOT among the 8 most abundant elements in Earth's crust? Need a Hint?
			A)	iron
			B)	carbon
			C)	calcium
			D)	potassium
19		Ions that are deficient in electrons are: Need a Hint?
			A)	negatively charged atoms
			B)	positively charged atoms
			C)	isotopes
			D)	ions
20		Atoms become ions when they: Need a Hint?
			A)	gain or lose mass.
			B)	gain or lose neutrons.
			C)	gain or lose protons.
			D)	gain or lose electrons.