Final answer:
The upper continental crust is predominantly composed of light-colored silicates, with granite being a primary example.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common minerals in the upper part of the continental crust are light-colored silicates. These minerals are predominant in the granite, which is the main component of the continental crust. Silicate minerals, which include quartz as one of the most common examples, are essential components of the crust due to the high abundance of silicon and oxygen, making up approximately 90% of the Earth's crust. The granitic composition of continental crust is also associated with a lighter color when compared to the mafic, darker rocks of the oceanic crust.