Earth's Place in Space

Multiple Choice

Why is gravity important for the structure of our solar system?

• It keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun.

• It causes the planets to spin faster.

• It makes the Sun hotter.

• It increases the size of the planets.

Open Ended

Why do we see phases of the Moon?

Multiple Choice

The following diagram illustrates the appearance of the Moon from Earth.

Which of the following arrangements of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth will cause the Moon to appear as it does above?

Multiple Choice

Which phase of the Moon occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun?

• New Moon

• Full Moon

• First Quarter

• Waning Gibbous

Open Ended

Explain how the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon cause a lunar eclipse.

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements are true about a solar eclipse?

• The Moon is between the Sun and Earth.

• The Earth is between the Sun and Moon.

• It can only occur during a new moon.

• It can only occur during a full moon.

Multiple Choice

The diagram below shows Earth, four different positions of the Moon, and the direction of incoming sunlight.

In which position would the Moon appear as a full moon as seen from Earth?

• position 1

• position 2

• position 3

• position 4

Multiple Choice

The diagram below shows the relative heights of ocean tides on Earth at a particular time.

Which diagram shows one possible location of the Moon at the time when these tides occur?

Fill in the Blank

The gravitational pull of the Moon on Earth causes ___.

Multiple Choice

Earth’s tilted axis affects the strength of sunlight in different places on Earth’s surface. If you are in an area that is receiving less direct sunlight, where are you located?

• near the equator

• near the North Pole

• near the South Pole

• near the North or South Pole

Multiple Choice

What season is it when the Earth is in position A in the Northern Hemisphere?

• Winter

• Summer

• Spring

• Fall

Multiple Choice

Why is the Equator warmest?

• Because it is closest to the sun.
• Because it receives the most direct sunlight
• Because no clouds form here.
• Because it is far from the sun

Multiple Choice

Which season is taking place in the Southern Hemisphere in Position 1?

• Winter
• Spring
• Summer
• Fall

Open Ended

Describe how the tilt of Earth's axis affects the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere.

Multiple Choice

Arrange the following in order from largest to smallest: Galaxy, Universe, Planet, Solar System.

• Universe, Galaxy, Solar System, Planet

• Galaxy, Universe, Solar System, Planet

• Universe, Solar System, Galaxy, Planet

• Solar System, Universe, Galaxy, Planet

Reorder

Reorder the following from smallest to biggest.

Smallest should be on the left in the 1 spot, largest on the right in the 5 spot.

• planet

• Our Sun (Sol)

• Solar system

• Galaxy

• Universe

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is most similar to the number of stars in a galaxy?

• the number of galaxies in the universe

• the number of layers that make up Earth

• the number of stars in our solar system

• the number of planets in our solar system

Multiple Choice

The table below shows the length of a year on Mercury and on Earth.

Which of the following statements best explains why Mercury has a shorter year than Earth?

• Mercury is closer to the Sun

• Mercury’s climate is warmer.

• Mercury’s axis has a greater tilt.

• Mercury rotates slower on its axis.

Multiple Choice

How does gravity affect the movement of objects in our solar system?

• It keeps the planets orbiting the Sun

• It pushes planets away from the Sun

• It makes planets spin faster

• It causes planets to collide

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is true about the universe and our place in it?

• The universe is made of billions of galaxies, and we live in the Milky Way Galaxy.

• The Sun is one of many stars in our Solar System.

• Galaxies are made of billions of planets.

• We live in the Andromeda Galaxy.