Selina Textbook Solutions: Minerals and Ores Exercises | Geography Class 6 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


POINTS TO REMEMBER 
? Minerals are substances that are naturally present in the earth and are not formed 
from animal or vegetable matter. 
? An ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which a mineral, generally a 
metal, can be profitably extracted. 
? Minerals are generally classified as metallic and non-metallic minerals. 
? Metallic minerals include iron ore, uranium, bauxite, manganese, gold, silver and 
copper. 
? Non-metallic minerals include limestone, mica, coal and petroleum. 
? Mining is the process of taking out minerals and other substances from the earth. 
? There are two types of mining—surface mining and underground mining. 
? It is important to conserve minerals as they take thousands of years to form. 
IMPORTANT TERMS 
Ferrous minerals : Minerals which contain iron, such as iron ore, manganese and 
chrome. 
Non – ferrous minerals : Minerals that do not contain iron, such as gold, silver, copper 
and lead. 
Ore : A naturally occurring solid material from which a particular mineral, usually a 
metal, can be profitably extracted. 
THINK AND ANSWER 
How would our life be affected if coal, petroleum and natural gas were exhausted in the 
next 30 years? 
Answer: 
If all the exhaustible natural resources are exhausted by human activities, then the 
survival of living beings would not be possible. Actually, fossil fuels are the most 
important source of energy for us today. 
They are concentrated source of energy and give off heat and light on burning. The heat 
can be used to cook food or to run engines such as automobile engines. It can be used 
to generate electricity as in powerhouse where the most common fuel used is coal. 
Everything will not be available. 
VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS 
Conventional energy resources—coal and petroleum— are very important for a country. 
Therefore, we need to be careful while using them. 
Can you suggest some ways by which we can reduce the use of conventional energy 
resources? 
Answer: 
Page 2


POINTS TO REMEMBER 
? Minerals are substances that are naturally present in the earth and are not formed 
from animal or vegetable matter. 
? An ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which a mineral, generally a 
metal, can be profitably extracted. 
? Minerals are generally classified as metallic and non-metallic minerals. 
? Metallic minerals include iron ore, uranium, bauxite, manganese, gold, silver and 
copper. 
? Non-metallic minerals include limestone, mica, coal and petroleum. 
? Mining is the process of taking out minerals and other substances from the earth. 
? There are two types of mining—surface mining and underground mining. 
? It is important to conserve minerals as they take thousands of years to form. 
IMPORTANT TERMS 
Ferrous minerals : Minerals which contain iron, such as iron ore, manganese and 
chrome. 
Non – ferrous minerals : Minerals that do not contain iron, such as gold, silver, copper 
and lead. 
Ore : A naturally occurring solid material from which a particular mineral, usually a 
metal, can be profitably extracted. 
THINK AND ANSWER 
How would our life be affected if coal, petroleum and natural gas were exhausted in the 
next 30 years? 
Answer: 
If all the exhaustible natural resources are exhausted by human activities, then the 
survival of living beings would not be possible. Actually, fossil fuels are the most 
important source of energy for us today. 
They are concentrated source of energy and give off heat and light on burning. The heat 
can be used to cook food or to run engines such as automobile engines. It can be used 
to generate electricity as in powerhouse where the most common fuel used is coal. 
Everything will not be available. 
VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS 
Conventional energy resources—coal and petroleum— are very important for a country. 
Therefore, we need to be careful while using them. 
Can you suggest some ways by which we can reduce the use of conventional energy 
resources? 
Answer: 
1. Use more energy efficient by using energy saver products like LED lights etc. 
2. Use Bicycles for shorter distances instead of cars or bikes. 
3. Switch off the lights when not required. 
EXERCISES 
A. Fill in the blanks 
1. All rocks are composed of minerals. 
2. Minerals are obtained by a process called mining. 
3. Metallic minerals are generally found in igneous rocks. 
4. Ferrous minerals contain iron. 
5. Peat has very little carbon. 
B. Write true or false 
1. Metals can be profitably extracted from ores. 
Answer. True. 
2. Metallic minerals are generally found in sedimentary rocks. 
Answer. False. 
Correct — Metallic minerals are generally found in igneous rocks. 
3. Bauxite is the lightest metal. 
Answer. True. 
4. Bituminous coal has the highest carbon content. 
Ans. False. 
Correct — Anthracite coal has the highest carbon content. 
5. Mica is a metallic mineral. 
Ans. False. 
Correct — Mica is a non-metallic mineral. 
C. Match the columns 
 
Page 3


POINTS TO REMEMBER 
? Minerals are substances that are naturally present in the earth and are not formed 
from animal or vegetable matter. 
? An ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which a mineral, generally a 
metal, can be profitably extracted. 
? Minerals are generally classified as metallic and non-metallic minerals. 
? Metallic minerals include iron ore, uranium, bauxite, manganese, gold, silver and 
copper. 
? Non-metallic minerals include limestone, mica, coal and petroleum. 
? Mining is the process of taking out minerals and other substances from the earth. 
? There are two types of mining—surface mining and underground mining. 
? It is important to conserve minerals as they take thousands of years to form. 
IMPORTANT TERMS 
Ferrous minerals : Minerals which contain iron, such as iron ore, manganese and 
chrome. 
Non – ferrous minerals : Minerals that do not contain iron, such as gold, silver, copper 
and lead. 
Ore : A naturally occurring solid material from which a particular mineral, usually a 
metal, can be profitably extracted. 
THINK AND ANSWER 
How would our life be affected if coal, petroleum and natural gas were exhausted in the 
next 30 years? 
Answer: 
If all the exhaustible natural resources are exhausted by human activities, then the 
survival of living beings would not be possible. Actually, fossil fuels are the most 
important source of energy for us today. 
They are concentrated source of energy and give off heat and light on burning. The heat 
can be used to cook food or to run engines such as automobile engines. It can be used 
to generate electricity as in powerhouse where the most common fuel used is coal. 
Everything will not be available. 
VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS 
Conventional energy resources—coal and petroleum— are very important for a country. 
Therefore, we need to be careful while using them. 
Can you suggest some ways by which we can reduce the use of conventional energy 
resources? 
Answer: 
1. Use more energy efficient by using energy saver products like LED lights etc. 
2. Use Bicycles for shorter distances instead of cars or bikes. 
3. Switch off the lights when not required. 
EXERCISES 
A. Fill in the blanks 
1. All rocks are composed of minerals. 
2. Minerals are obtained by a process called mining. 
3. Metallic minerals are generally found in igneous rocks. 
4. Ferrous minerals contain iron. 
5. Peat has very little carbon. 
B. Write true or false 
1. Metals can be profitably extracted from ores. 
Answer. True. 
2. Metallic minerals are generally found in sedimentary rocks. 
Answer. False. 
Correct — Metallic minerals are generally found in igneous rocks. 
3. Bauxite is the lightest metal. 
Answer. True. 
4. Bituminous coal has the highest carbon content. 
Ans. False. 
Correct — Anthracite coal has the highest carbon content. 
5. Mica is a metallic mineral. 
Ans. False. 
Correct — Mica is a non-metallic mineral. 
C. Match the columns 
 
Answer: 
 
 
 
D. Answer the following questions in brief: 
Question 1. 
What is a mineral? 
Answer: 
Minerals are substances that are naturally present in the earth and are not formed from 
animal or vegetable matter. 
Question 2. 
Name a few minerals. 
Answer: 
Diamonds, quartz, topaz, gypsum, iron, copper, bauxite, zinc, gold, silver, manganese, 
etc. 
Question 3. 
What is an ore? 
Answer: 
An ore is a naturally occurring solid material that contains a large amount of a particular 
material, using a metal which can profitably extracted, eg. iron ores, copper ores, 
bauxite (from which aluminium is extracted) zinc, etc. 
Question 4. 
What is the main difference between a ferrous and a non- ferrous mineral? 
Answer: 
Ferrous minerals : 
1. These minerals contain iron. 
2. They have high tensile strength. 
3. Examples: Iron ore, manganese and chrome. 
Non-ferrous minerals: 
Page 4


POINTS TO REMEMBER 
? Minerals are substances that are naturally present in the earth and are not formed 
from animal or vegetable matter. 
? An ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which a mineral, generally a 
metal, can be profitably extracted. 
? Minerals are generally classified as metallic and non-metallic minerals. 
? Metallic minerals include iron ore, uranium, bauxite, manganese, gold, silver and 
copper. 
? Non-metallic minerals include limestone, mica, coal and petroleum. 
? Mining is the process of taking out minerals and other substances from the earth. 
? There are two types of mining—surface mining and underground mining. 
? It is important to conserve minerals as they take thousands of years to form. 
IMPORTANT TERMS 
Ferrous minerals : Minerals which contain iron, such as iron ore, manganese and 
chrome. 
Non – ferrous minerals : Minerals that do not contain iron, such as gold, silver, copper 
and lead. 
Ore : A naturally occurring solid material from which a particular mineral, usually a 
metal, can be profitably extracted. 
THINK AND ANSWER 
How would our life be affected if coal, petroleum and natural gas were exhausted in the 
next 30 years? 
Answer: 
If all the exhaustible natural resources are exhausted by human activities, then the 
survival of living beings would not be possible. Actually, fossil fuels are the most 
important source of energy for us today. 
They are concentrated source of energy and give off heat and light on burning. The heat 
can be used to cook food or to run engines such as automobile engines. It can be used 
to generate electricity as in powerhouse where the most common fuel used is coal. 
Everything will not be available. 
VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS 
Conventional energy resources—coal and petroleum— are very important for a country. 
Therefore, we need to be careful while using them. 
Can you suggest some ways by which we can reduce the use of conventional energy 
resources? 
Answer: 
1. Use more energy efficient by using energy saver products like LED lights etc. 
2. Use Bicycles for shorter distances instead of cars or bikes. 
3. Switch off the lights when not required. 
EXERCISES 
A. Fill in the blanks 
1. All rocks are composed of minerals. 
2. Minerals are obtained by a process called mining. 
3. Metallic minerals are generally found in igneous rocks. 
4. Ferrous minerals contain iron. 
5. Peat has very little carbon. 
B. Write true or false 
1. Metals can be profitably extracted from ores. 
Answer. True. 
2. Metallic minerals are generally found in sedimentary rocks. 
Answer. False. 
Correct — Metallic minerals are generally found in igneous rocks. 
3. Bauxite is the lightest metal. 
Answer. True. 
4. Bituminous coal has the highest carbon content. 
Ans. False. 
Correct — Anthracite coal has the highest carbon content. 
5. Mica is a metallic mineral. 
Ans. False. 
Correct — Mica is a non-metallic mineral. 
C. Match the columns 
 
Answer: 
 
 
 
D. Answer the following questions in brief: 
Question 1. 
What is a mineral? 
Answer: 
Minerals are substances that are naturally present in the earth and are not formed from 
animal or vegetable matter. 
Question 2. 
Name a few minerals. 
Answer: 
Diamonds, quartz, topaz, gypsum, iron, copper, bauxite, zinc, gold, silver, manganese, 
etc. 
Question 3. 
What is an ore? 
Answer: 
An ore is a naturally occurring solid material that contains a large amount of a particular 
material, using a metal which can profitably extracted, eg. iron ores, copper ores, 
bauxite (from which aluminium is extracted) zinc, etc. 
Question 4. 
What is the main difference between a ferrous and a non- ferrous mineral? 
Answer: 
Ferrous minerals : 
1. These minerals contain iron. 
2. They have high tensile strength. 
3. Examples: Iron ore, manganese and chrome. 
Non-ferrous minerals: 
1. These minerals does not contain iron. 
2. They have low tensile strength. 
3. Examples: Gold, silver, copper and lead. 
Question 5. 
Mention any two characteristics of iron ore. 
Answer: 
The most important mineral in the world is iron ore. It is known for its hardness, strength 
and ductility (it can be made or stretched into a thin wire). 
Question 6. 
Mention the different types of iron ore. 
Answer: 
There are four different types of iron ores-haematite, magnetite, limoniteandsiderite. 
Question 7. 
What is surface mining? 
Answer: 
When the top layer of soil is removed and the rocks that lie underneath are extracted 
with the help of heavy machinery is called surface mining. Surface mining is done to 
extract minerals that are found close to the surface such as coal and some kinds of 
sedimentary rocks like limestone and mica. 
Question 8. 
Mention any three uses of coal. 
Answer: 
Coal is used for various purposes like cooking, heating and producing electricity, and in 
various industries. 
E. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs 
Question 1. 
Differentiate between metallic and non-metallic minerals. 
Answer: 
Metallic Minerals : 
1. These minerals contain metals, which are hard substances. 
2. These minerals found in igneous rocks. 
3. Examples: Iron ore, bauxtie, manganese and copper, etc. 
Non-metallic Minerals: 
1. These minerals does not contain extractable metals. 
2. These minerals found in sedimentary rocks. 
Page 5


POINTS TO REMEMBER 
? Minerals are substances that are naturally present in the earth and are not formed 
from animal or vegetable matter. 
? An ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which a mineral, generally a 
metal, can be profitably extracted. 
? Minerals are generally classified as metallic and non-metallic minerals. 
? Metallic minerals include iron ore, uranium, bauxite, manganese, gold, silver and 
copper. 
? Non-metallic minerals include limestone, mica, coal and petroleum. 
? Mining is the process of taking out minerals and other substances from the earth. 
? There are two types of mining—surface mining and underground mining. 
? It is important to conserve minerals as they take thousands of years to form. 
IMPORTANT TERMS 
Ferrous minerals : Minerals which contain iron, such as iron ore, manganese and 
chrome. 
Non – ferrous minerals : Minerals that do not contain iron, such as gold, silver, copper 
and lead. 
Ore : A naturally occurring solid material from which a particular mineral, usually a 
metal, can be profitably extracted. 
THINK AND ANSWER 
How would our life be affected if coal, petroleum and natural gas were exhausted in the 
next 30 years? 
Answer: 
If all the exhaustible natural resources are exhausted by human activities, then the 
survival of living beings would not be possible. Actually, fossil fuels are the most 
important source of energy for us today. 
They are concentrated source of energy and give off heat and light on burning. The heat 
can be used to cook food or to run engines such as automobile engines. It can be used 
to generate electricity as in powerhouse where the most common fuel used is coal. 
Everything will not be available. 
VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS 
Conventional energy resources—coal and petroleum— are very important for a country. 
Therefore, we need to be careful while using them. 
Can you suggest some ways by which we can reduce the use of conventional energy 
resources? 
Answer: 
1. Use more energy efficient by using energy saver products like LED lights etc. 
2. Use Bicycles for shorter distances instead of cars or bikes. 
3. Switch off the lights when not required. 
EXERCISES 
A. Fill in the blanks 
1. All rocks are composed of minerals. 
2. Minerals are obtained by a process called mining. 
3. Metallic minerals are generally found in igneous rocks. 
4. Ferrous minerals contain iron. 
5. Peat has very little carbon. 
B. Write true or false 
1. Metals can be profitably extracted from ores. 
Answer. True. 
2. Metallic minerals are generally found in sedimentary rocks. 
Answer. False. 
Correct — Metallic minerals are generally found in igneous rocks. 
3. Bauxite is the lightest metal. 
Answer. True. 
4. Bituminous coal has the highest carbon content. 
Ans. False. 
Correct — Anthracite coal has the highest carbon content. 
5. Mica is a metallic mineral. 
Ans. False. 
Correct — Mica is a non-metallic mineral. 
C. Match the columns 
 
Answer: 
 
 
 
D. Answer the following questions in brief: 
Question 1. 
What is a mineral? 
Answer: 
Minerals are substances that are naturally present in the earth and are not formed from 
animal or vegetable matter. 
Question 2. 
Name a few minerals. 
Answer: 
Diamonds, quartz, topaz, gypsum, iron, copper, bauxite, zinc, gold, silver, manganese, 
etc. 
Question 3. 
What is an ore? 
Answer: 
An ore is a naturally occurring solid material that contains a large amount of a particular 
material, using a metal which can profitably extracted, eg. iron ores, copper ores, 
bauxite (from which aluminium is extracted) zinc, etc. 
Question 4. 
What is the main difference between a ferrous and a non- ferrous mineral? 
Answer: 
Ferrous minerals : 
1. These minerals contain iron. 
2. They have high tensile strength. 
3. Examples: Iron ore, manganese and chrome. 
Non-ferrous minerals: 
1. These minerals does not contain iron. 
2. They have low tensile strength. 
3. Examples: Gold, silver, copper and lead. 
Question 5. 
Mention any two characteristics of iron ore. 
Answer: 
The most important mineral in the world is iron ore. It is known for its hardness, strength 
and ductility (it can be made or stretched into a thin wire). 
Question 6. 
Mention the different types of iron ore. 
Answer: 
There are four different types of iron ores-haematite, magnetite, limoniteandsiderite. 
Question 7. 
What is surface mining? 
Answer: 
When the top layer of soil is removed and the rocks that lie underneath are extracted 
with the help of heavy machinery is called surface mining. Surface mining is done to 
extract minerals that are found close to the surface such as coal and some kinds of 
sedimentary rocks like limestone and mica. 
Question 8. 
Mention any three uses of coal. 
Answer: 
Coal is used for various purposes like cooking, heating and producing electricity, and in 
various industries. 
E. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs 
Question 1. 
Differentiate between metallic and non-metallic minerals. 
Answer: 
Metallic Minerals : 
1. These minerals contain metals, which are hard substances. 
2. These minerals found in igneous rocks. 
3. Examples: Iron ore, bauxtie, manganese and copper, etc. 
Non-metallic Minerals: 
1. These minerals does not contain extractable metals. 
2. These minerals found in sedimentary rocks. 
3. Examples: Coal, potash, limestone, gypsum, mica, etc. 
Question 2. 
Give an account of iron ore production in the world. 
Answer: 
Iron is the main metal used for making steel, which is used in almost all industries. The 
main producers of iron are China (42%), Australia (22%), Brazil (10%), South Africa, 
etc. India produces about 4% of total iron ore. Main states in India are Odisha, MP, 
Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu. 
Question 3. 
Give any three uses of copper. 
Answer: 
Uses of copper are : 
? Copper is mainly used in making electric and telephone wires. 
? It is also used in making pipes and coins. 
? Alloys such as brass and bronze are made using copper. 
Question 4. 
What are the two types of mining? Elaborate on the differences between the two. 
Answer: 
The two types of mining are: 
1. Surface mining — It is the removal of top layer of soil and rocks, to extract the 
minerals lying underneath is called surface mining. Surface mining is done to 
extract minerals that are found close to the surface such as coal and some kinds 
of sedimentary rocks like limestone and mica. 
2. Underground mining — It is the one in which a shaft is dug which is long, narrow 
passage and vertically deep into the ground and then people or heavy machinery 
is sent down, the tunnels are blasted using dynamite to extract the minerals, eg. 
gold, silver, etc. 
In surface mining, the top layer of the soil is removed, large pits or holes are dug 
and the rocks that lie underneath are extracted with the help of heavy machinery. 
These pits are called open cast mines or quarries. Open cast mining is a common 
form of coal mining in India. 
In surface mining, trees and other natural vegetation are destroyed. Surface 
mining is done to extract minerals that are found close to the surface such as coal 
and some kinds of sedimentary rocks like limestone and mica. 
Underground mining: In underground mining, a shaft, which is a long, narrow 
passage, is dug vertically deep into the groud. People and machinery are then 
sent down through this shaft. Sometimes, after after descending into the shaft, 
tunnels are blasted into the earth with the help of dynamite. Then the men and 
machines move about through these tunnels to take out things such as coal, gold,