The Sun-Earth-Moon System
Practice Test
1.
What is the difference between Earth's rotation and revolution?
a.
Rotation refers to Earth's spinning on its axis, and revolution refers to Earth's spinning around the Sun.
b.
Rotation refers to Earth's spinning on its equator, and revolution refers to Earth's spinning around the solar system.
c.
Revolution refers to Earth's spinning on its axis, and rotation refers to Earth's spinning around the Sun.
d.
Revolution refers to Earth's spinning on its axis, and rotation refers to Earth's changing seasons.
Hint
2.
What is Earth's axis?
a.
Earth's axis is the imaginary horizontal line that separates the northern and southern hemispheres.
b.
Earth's axis is the imaginary line around which Earth spins around the Sun.
c.
Earth's axis is the imaginary line around which Earth spins.
d.
Earth's axis is the imaginary vertical line that separates the eastern and western hemispheres.
Hint
3.
What causes the distance between Earth and the Sun to change during Earth's yearlong orbit?
a.
Earth's orbit is an ellipse - an elongated, closed curve - so the distance sometimes changes.
b.
Earth's orbit is a circle, so the distance never changes.
c.
Earth's orbit is a circle, so the distance sometimes changes.
d.
Earth's orbit is an ellipse - an elongated, closed curve - but the change in distance from the Sun is only an optical illusion.
Hint
4.
Which phase of the Moon occurs when the moon is between Earth and the Sun?
a.
new moon
b.
waning crescent
c.
waxing gibbous
d.
full moon
Hint
5.
What does Earth's rotation cause?
a.
the seasons
b.
eclipses
c.
a year
d.
day and night
Hint
6.
In the southern hemisphere, why do equinoxes occur in the reverse of the northern hemisphere?
a.
During an equinox, the seasons switch, and instead of occurring at the same time, they occur opposite each other.
b.
During an equinox, the northern hemisphere is tilted closer to the Sun.
c.
During the rest of the days of the year, Earth is tilted, and each hemisphere experiences opposite seasons.
d.
During an equinox, the southern hemisphere is tilted closer to the Sun.
Hint
7.
Which phase is also called a third quarter moon?
a.
new moon
b.
waning crescent
c.
waxing gibbous
d.
waning gibbous
Hint
8.
What do scientists believe is the cause of Earth's magnetic field?
a.
They believe the movement of material inside Earth's core along with Earth's rotation generates a magnetic field.
b.
They believe Earth's tilted axis along with Earth's rotation generates a magnetic field.
c.
They believe the Earth's revolution around the Sun generates a magnetic field.
d.
They believe the movement of material inside Earth's core generates a magnetic field.
Hint
9.
The same side of the Moon always faces Earth __________.
a.
because the motion of the Sun through the solar system and Earth's rotation on its axis take the same amount of time.
b.
because the motion of the Moon's revolution around Earth and its rotation on its axis take the same amount of time
c.
because the motion of Earth's revolution around the Sun and its rotation on its axis take the same amount of time
d.
because the motion of Earth's revolution around the Sun and the Moon's rotation on its axis take the same amount of time
Hint
10.
Which of the Moon-formation theories was supported by the findings of the Apollo missions?
a.
the theory that loose material around Earth condensed to produce the Moon
b.
the theory that Earth ejected a blob of molten material that formed the Moon
c.
the impact theory
d.
the capture theory
Hint
11.
During a total solar eclipse, what is the darkest portion of the Moon's shadow called?
a.
the penumbra
b.
the umbra
c.
a moon spot
d.
the upper mantle
Hint
12.
When the northern hemisphere experiences summer, it's __________.
a.
closer to the Sun
b.
lined exactly perpendicular to the Sun
c.
tilted toward the Sun
d.
tilted away from the Sun
Hint
13.
What only can occur during a full moon?
a.
waxing crescent
b.
third quarter moon
c.
a lunar eclipse
d.
a solar eclipse
Hint
14.
Which occurs more quickly?
a.
the amount of time it takes the Moon to revolve
b.
the amount of time it takes for Earth to revolve
c.
the amount of time it takes the Moon to rotate
d.
the amount of time it takes for Earth to rotate
Hint
15.
The solstice is __________.
a.
the point at which the Sun reaches its greatest distance north or south of the equator
b.
the point at which the Sun is closest to Earth
c.
the seasons
d.
the point at which the Sun reaches its greatest distance east or west of the prime meridian
Hint
16.
What kind of information did
Clementine
bring back about the Moon?
a.
There is ice on one portion of the Moon, which would be ideal for a Moon colony.
b.
all answers are correct
c.
information for a global map of the Moon
d.
The crust on the side of the Moon facing Earth is thinner than the other side.
Hint
17.
Why does the Moon appear to be a dark, reddish color during a Lunar Eclipse?
a.
because Earth's atmosphere bends the Sun's light onto the Moon
b.
because the Moon receives direct sunlight from the Sun during a lunar eclipse.
c.
because Earth's atmosphere changes the color of the Sun's light
d.
because Earth's atmosphere intensifies the Sun's light onto the Moon
Hint
18.
An equinox occurs when _______ is directly above _______ equator.
a.
the Sun, Earth's
b.
Earth, the Moon's
c.
Earth, the Sun's
d.
the Moon, Earth's
Hint
19.
How many phases of the Moon are there?
a.
seven
b.
ten
c.
eight
d.
five
Hint
20.
Which phase is also called a first quarter moon?
a.
waning crescent
b.
waxing crescent
c.
waxing gibbous
d.
new moon
Hint
