Shale is a sedimentary rock.
Sedimentary rocks are formed from layers of sediment, such as dead plants and animals, sand, or mud, that have been compacted and cemented together over time. Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock that forms from the compression of clay and silt. It is usually dark in color and can be easily split into thin layers.
Marble, on the other hand, is a metamorphic rock, which means it was formed from the alteration of an existing rock, often through heat, pressure, and chemical processes. It is a dense, crystalline rock that is prized for its beauty and used in construction and sculpture.
Graphite is a naturally occurring form of carbon and is not a rock.
Schist is a metamorphic rock that forms from the alteration of existing rocks, often through heat, pressure, and chemical processes. It is characterized by its foliated texture, with flat, sheet-like minerals that are aligned in a particular direction.