Instructions
Read each question carefully and write your answer in the space provided. Good luck!
Part A: Objective Questions
1. The Earth spins on its axis, causing and .
2. The Sun is a giant ball of hot gas, making it a .
3. The Moon orbits the .
4. It takes the Earth approximately days to orbit the Sun.
5. We can see the Moon because it reflects light from the .
True or False? Circle the correct answer.
- 6. The Sun revolves around the Earth. True / False
- 7. The Moon produces its own light. True / False
- 8. The Earth is a planet. True / False
- 9. A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon. True / False
- 10. The Sun is smaller than the Earth. True / False
Multiple Choice: Circle the best answer.
-
11. What is the name of the path the Earth takes around the Sun?
a) Orbit
b) Rotation
c) Axis -
12. Which of these is the largest?
a) The Sun
b) The Earth
c) The Moon -
13. The different shapes of the Moon we see are called...
a) Phases
b) Craters
c) Tides -
14. What causes seasons on Earth?
a) The tilt of Earth's axis
b) The speed of Earth's rotation
c) The distance from the Moon -
15. A natural satellite that orbits a planet is called a...
a) Moon
b) Star
c) Comet
Part B: Subjective Questions
Write your answers on the lines provided.
16. What is the Sun? Describe it in one sentence.
17. Why does the Sun appear to move across the sky during the day?
18. What is an orbit?
19. Why is the Sun important for life on Earth? Give one reason.
20. What is the difference between rotation and revolution?
21. How long does it take for the Earth to complete one rotation?
22. What is the Moon made of?
23. What is a crater on the Moon?
24. What is a solar eclipse?
25. Name the planet we live on.
26. Draw a simple diagram showing the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Label each one.
27. Explain what causes day and night on Earth.
28. List two things you might see in the night sky.
29. If you were an astronaut on the Moon, what would the Earth look like? Describe it.
30. Why can't we live on the Sun?
Answer Key
Part A: Objective Questions
- day, night
- star
- Earth
- 365 (or 365 and a quarter)
- Sun
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- a) Orbit
- a) The Sun
- a) Phases
- a) The tilt of Earth's axis
- a) Moon
Part B: Subjective Questions
(Note: Answers for subjective questions may vary slightly. The following are sample correct answers.)
- The Sun is a star at the center of our solar system that gives us heat and light.
- It appears to move because the Earth is spinning (rotating).
- An orbit is the curved path an object, like a planet or moon, takes around another object in space.
- It gives us light and heat, which plants need to grow and which keeps our planet warm enough for life. (Any valid reason is acceptable).
- Rotation is when a planet spins on its own axis. Revolution is when a planet travels in an orbit around a star.
- It takes about 24 hours (or one day) to complete one rotation.
- The Moon is made of rock and dust.
- A crater is a bowl-shaped hole on the surface of the Moon, usually made by a meteoroid hitting it.
- A solar eclipse is when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun's light.
- Earth.
- The drawing should show the Sun as the largest, the Earth as medium-sized, and the Moon as the smallest. All three bodies must be labeled correctly.
- Day and night are caused by the Earth rotating on its axis. The side facing the Sun has day, and the side facing away from the Sun has night.
- Stars, the Moon, planets, comets, meteors. (Any two are acceptable).
- The Earth would look like a big, bright, blue and white marble hanging in the black sky.
- We can't live on the Sun because it is extremely hot; it is a ball of burning gases.