Test Bank for Foundations of Earth Science, 8th Edition – Lutgens, Tarbuck & Tasa | Verified Q&A | Latest Update 2026

Test Bank for
Foundations of Earth
Science, 8e Frederick
Lutgens, Edward
Tarbuck, Dennis Tasa
(All Chapters)

,Foundations of Earth Science, 8e (Lutgens/Tarbuck/Tasa)
Chapter 1 Matter and Minerals

1.1 Multiple-Choice Questions

1) Which of the following best defines the relationship between minerals and rocks?
A) A rock has an orderly, repetitive, geometrical, internal arrangement of minerals; a mineral is a
lithified or consolidated aggregate of rocks.
B) A mineral consists of atoms arranged in a geometrically repetitive structure; in a rock, the
atoms are randomly bonded without any geometric pattern.
C) In a mineral, atoms are bonded in a regular, repetitive, internal structure; a rock is a lithified
or consolidated aggregate of mineral grains.
D) A rock consists of atoms bonded in a regular, geometrically predictable arrangement; a
mineral is a consolidated aggregate of rock particles.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
Global Sci Out: G2, G7
Section: 1.1 Minerals: Building Blocks of Rocks
Focus/Concepts: 1.1
ESLI: 1.2 Earth scientists use a large variety of scientific principles to understand how our
planet works.

2) All of the atoms making up any given element have the same number of .
A) electrons in the nucleus
B) protons in the nucleus
C) neutrons in the outer nuclear shell
D) electrons in the outermost valence shell
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
Global Sci Out: G2
Section: 1.2 Atoms: Building Blocks of Minerals
Focus/Concepts: 1.2
ESLI: 1.2 Earth scientists use a large variety of scientific principles to understand how our
planet works.

,3) Atoms that have an electrical charge due to a gain or loss of electrons are called .
A) ions
B) isotopes
C) isochrons
D) neutrons
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
Global Sci Out: G2
Section: 1.3 Why Atoms Bond
Focus/Concepts: 1.3
ESLI: 1.2 Earth scientists use a large variety of scientific principles to understand how our
planet works.

4) When in contact with hydrochloric acid, which mineral gives off bubbles of carbon dioxide
gas?
A) quartz
B) halite
C) calcite
D) fluorite
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
Global Sci Out: G7
Section: 1.2 Atoms: Building Blocks of Minerals
Focus/Concepts: 1.2
ESLI: 1.3 Earth science investigations take many different forms.

5) The appearance or quality of light reflected from the surface of a mineral is known as
.
A) cleavage
B) luster
C) specific gravity
D) streak
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
Global Sci Out: G7
Section: 1.4 Properties of Minerals
Focus/Concepts: 1.4
ESLI: 1.3 Earth science investigations take many different forms.

, 6) Which common mineral is composed entirely of silicon and oxygen?
A) calcite
B) diamond
C) olivine
D) quartz
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
Global Sci Out: G2
Section: 1.5 Mineral Groups
Focus/Concepts: 1.5
ESLI: 1.3 Earth science investigations take many different forms.

7) Which of the following silicate minerals is the most abundant in Earth's crust?
A) pyroxene
B) olivine
C) garnet
D) feldspars
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
Global Sci Out: G7
Section: 1.5 Mineral Groups
Focus/Concepts: 1.5
ESLI: 4.6 Earth materials take many different forms as they cycle through the geosphere.

8) Which of the following minerals is a silicate (a mineral containing a silicon-bearing ion)?
A) hematite
B) feldspar
C) calcite
D) halite
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
Global Sci Out: G7
Section: 1.5 Mineral Groups
Focus/Concepts: 1.5
ESLI: 4.6 Earth materials take many different forms as they cycle through the geosphere.