The Exam

My exams are designed to test more than just your ability to memorize the definitions of new terms and concepts (though, of course, that is important as well). Often I try to ask questions that test your ability to critically think about the relation between topics that we have discussed or to synthesize facts into a more complete whole. In short, I'm trying to get at not just your knowledge of geology, but more importantly your understanding of geology. This is not always easy to do on a multiple choice exam. My multiple choice questions are intended to have one best answer, but often a number of plausible wrong answers. I am not trying to be tricky - rather I'm trying to get an idea of how fully you understand the material. The ability to think critically and synthesize ideas is the essence of good education. Keep this in mind as you study the material.

Also, please understand that this study guide is not intended to be exhaustive (read as: there will be material on the exam that is not specifically covered in this study guide). To best prepare for the exam I recommend that you:

• Read the assigned chapters in Essentials of Geology, 10th ed.. Make sure you understand the material (especially the concepts and terminology). Some students find it helpful to outline the material in the chapters.
• Review your lecture notes. Compare them with the lecture outlines on the class website. It may be useful to discuss the lecture material with a classmate and compare notes.
• Work through the entire Exam Study Guide. Look up things that you're not sure of. Break down the style of my exam questions and try to anticipate how I might vary these questions to cover different material.
• If there's anything that you don't fully understand then seek assistance. I'm happy to help during office hours or any other time you can find me to ask a question. E-mail me your questions if you like. There's also a free tutor available for the class. Contact the Kelly Center to schedule an appointment.

Some sample multiple choice questions: (there will be 40 on the test)

1. Which of the following is not part of the definition of a mineral?
   1. naturally occurring
   2. definite (characteristic) chemical composition
   3. two or more chemical elements
   4. crystalline solid
   5. All of the above are in the definition of a mineral.

2. An atom that has gained electrons is called a(n) ____________ and has a ______________ charge.
   1. cation; positive
   2. cation; negative
   3. anion; positive
   4. anion; negative
   5. isotope; neutral

3. The most common rock forming minerals belong to the _____________ group.
   1. carbonate
   2. silicate
   3. phosphate
   4. oxide
   5. native element

4. Olivine is a ______________ silicate mineral that is most abundant in the Earth's ______________.
   1. framework; mantle
   2. framework; crust
   3. sheet; crust
   4. sheet; mantle
   5. island; mantle

5. Carbonate minerals are most commonly found in _____________ rocks.
   1. intrusive igneous
   2. extrusive igneous
   3. metamorphosed igneous
   4. clastic sedimentary
   5. chemical or biochemical sedimentary

6. In the mica minerals, (SiO₄) tetrahedra are arranged in _____________.
   1. single chains
   2. double chains
   3. sheets
   4. frameworks
   5. isolated pairs

7. ________ is a coarse-grained, mafic rock.
   1. Granite
   2. Obsidian
   3. Basalt
   4. Gabbro
   5. None of the above

8. A granite is a igneous rock of ___________ composition that underwent __________ cooling.
   1. felsic; fast
   2. felsic; slow
   3. mafic; slow
   4. mafic; fast
   5. intermediate; slow

9. Shield volcanoes __________.
   1. result from extrusion of low viscosity magmas
   2. have steep sides
   3. often undergo pyroclastic eruptions
   4. are associated with felsic magmas
   5. none of the above.

10. Which of the following igneous rock textures results from initial slow cooling followed by subsequent rapid cooling?
    1. coarse-grained (phaneritic)
    2. fine-grained (aphanitic)
    3. pegmatitc
    4. porphyritic
    5. vesicular
    

11. The volcano in this photo is a _____________ and its magmas have a _____________ composition.
    1. stratovolcano; felsic
    2. stratovolcano; mafic
    3. shield volcano; felsic
    4. shield volcano; mafic
    5. big one; watery

12. ________________ are usually formed in continental volcanic arcs by alternating lava flows and pyroclastic deposits over a span of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years.
    1. Shield volcanoes
    2. Stratovolcanoes (composite volcanoes)
    3. Cinder cones
    4. Geysers
    5. None of the above

13. Minerals near the top of Bowen's Reaction Series crystallize at __________ temperatures and are most common in _______________ igneous rocks.
    1. high; felsic
    2. low; felsic
    3. intermediate; intermediate
    4. high; mafic
    5. low; mafic

14. Which of the following are not hazards associated with a Mt. Pinatubo-style volcanic eruption.
    1. pyroclastic flows
    2. lahars
    3. earthquakes
    4. low viscosity lava flows
    5. ashfall

15. An igneous body formed when magma intrudes parallel to sedimentary layering is called a ____________.
    1. dike
    2. sill
    3. batholith
    4. stock
    5. shield volcano
    

16. The volcano on the horizon in this photo is a _______________ and its lavas are of ______________ viscosity.
    1. stratovolcano; low
    2. stratovolcano; high
    3. shield volcano; low
    4. shield volcano; high
    5. big one; watery

In addition, here is a list of some topics that you should understand:

• Identify three types of chemical bonds. How are electrons shared in each of the bond types you identified? What physical properties are associated with each bond type?
• How are the silicate minerals classified according to their structure? Describe physical properties of two minerals that reflect this internal atomic structure.
• Diagram the rock cycle. What are the three major rock types and how does each form? Describe the processes that are intermediate between the rock types (i.e., the interactions within the cycle).
• What are the three ways to melt the mantle (to form a basaltic magma)? At which type of plate tectonic setting does each of these occur? How do silicate magmas behave differently than water/ice with regard to crystallization/melting behavior?
• Learn the Big Chart. Live the Big Chart. Love the Big Chart.
• How are the igneous rocks classified? Explain the relation between crystal size and cooling history in igneous rocks.
• Illustrate Bowen's Reaction Series with a labeled diagram. Include all relavant minerals and indicate approximate temperatures of crystallization.
• How are composition, mineralogy, crystallization temperature, density, viscosity, etc. related to each other for igneous rocks/magmas?
• Identify the different types of intrusive and extrusive igneous bodies. (Including, but not limited to: plutons, batholiths, stocks, sills, dikes, volcanic necks, shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes, composite volcanoes, cinder cones, calderas, craters, lava flows, pyroclastic deposits, aa, pahoehoe, etc.)