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.