Minerals: hardness, streak, and cleavage

What you’ll practice

From Mohs hardness comparisons to streak plate results and cleavage patterns, this quiz targets the core observations used in basic mineral identification.

Each question uses a 4-option multiple-choice format with no timer, so you can think through the evidence instead of rushing.

Difficulty and quiz setup

Difficulty is mixed on purpose: you’ll see straightforward property definitions alongside tougher “which mineral fits best?” scenarios that combine multiple clues.

Choose your question count and difficulty before you start to tailor the session—go shorter for warm-ups or longer to build consistency across all 104 questions.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Confusing cleavage with fracture (cleavage repeats in flat planes; fracture is irregular)
• Treating color as a primary ID tool instead of streak and hardness
• Mixing up Mohs scale order (especially mid-range values like 3–6)
• Forgetting streak can differ from surface color due to impurities
• Assuming one test is decisive when multiple properties should agree

Tips for better accuracy

Try to cross-check at least two properties in your reasoning (for example, hardness + cleavage) before you lock in an answer. When you miss a question, note which clue you ignored—most mistakes come from overlooking a single key observation.