Earth Science I · Minerals
Virginia SOL ES.4
Virginia SOL ES.4 is part of the Minerals strand in Earth Science I (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate and understand major rock-forming and ore minerals. Below is what ES.4 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice ES.4 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL ES.4 means
Investigate and understand major rock-forming and ore minerals.
Practice Earth Science I SOL questions
Free Earth Science I questions from official Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests — good practice while you work on ES.4 and the rest of the course. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review.
1. Four stages of soil development are described: I. Thick vegetation supported; organic material abundant II. Bedrock begins to disintegrate III. Soil horizons form; disintegration speeds up IV. Organic materials accumulate above parent material Which order correctly represents soil development from earliest to most developed?
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Answer: C — II, IV, III, I
2. The first manned mission to land on the Moon was commanded by Neil Armstrong and was called —
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Answer: A — Apollo 11
3. The Marianas Trench in the Pacific Ocean is 36,160 feet below sea level. This deep oceanic trench is caused by —
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Answer: D — two tectonic plates colliding with one plunging beneath the other
4. The Sun emits energy by converting hydrogen into helium. What is this process called?
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Answer: A — Fusion
Skills you’ll practice for ES.4
- Analyze physical and chemical properties to support mineral identification.
- Explain how characteristics of minerals determine their uses.
- Describe how minerals originate and are formed in specific ways.
Key concepts covered by ES.4
- mineral identification
- physical properties
- chemical properties
- mineral properties
- industrial uses
- material science
- mineral formation
- geological processes
- crystallization
How to study and practice SOL ES.4
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether ES.4 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL ES.4
What is Virginia SOL ES.4?
SOL ES.4 is a Earth Science I Standard of Learning in the Minerals strand. It expects students to investigate and understand major rock-forming and ore minerals.
What skills does SOL ES.4 cover?
SOL ES.4 is assessed on 3 skills: analyze physical and chemical properties to support mineral identification; explain how characteristics of minerals determine their uses; describe how minerals originate and are formed in specific ways.
What strand of Earth Science I is SOL ES.4 in?
SOL ES.4 belongs to the Minerals reporting strand of the Earth Science I Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL ES.4?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether ES.4 is already solid, then work the 3 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.