Lunar vs Solar Eclipses Quiz (ReadWorks Article)

What is an eclipse?

• An eclipse is when the moon blocks Earth's orbit.

• An eclipse is when the Earth casts a shadow on the sun.

• An eclipse is when a planet or moon blocks the sun's light.

• An eclipse is when the sun shines on the moon.

The text compares and contrasts solar and lunar eclipses. What is one difference between them?

• It is safe to look at a solar eclipse. It is not safe to look at a lunar eclipse.

• Solar eclipses happen every month. Lunar eclipses happen every year and a half.

• During a solar eclipse, you cannot see the sunset. During a lunar eclipse, you can see sunset.

• During a solar eclipse, it's dark in daytime. During a lunar eclipse, the moon looks reddish dark.

The text states, "During a lunar eclipse, Earth gets in the way of the sun's light hitting the moon. That means that during the night, a full moon fades away as Earth's shadow covers it up." What conclusion can you draw based on this evidence?

• The moon only shines because of the sun's light hitting it.

• Earth's shadow is not as large as the moon.

• The moon can be behind the Earth and still get sunlight.

• Lunar eclipses only happen at night during full moons.

What is one thing that must happen in order for either a solar or a lunar eclipse to occur?

• It has to be daytime on the Earth.

• The sun, moon, and Earth have to be lined up.

• The moon has to be completely lit up by the sun.

• The sun has to be having a solar storm.

What is the main idea of this passage?

• Eclipses happen when Earth blocks the path of the sun's light, and there are two kinds of eclipses, solar and lunar.

• Solar eclipses happen when the moon blocks the sun's light from reaching Earth, and lunar eclipses happen when the Earth blocks the sun's light from reaching the moon.

• During a solar eclipse, the moon blocks the Earth from getting sun's light, and during a lunar eclipse, the sun blocks the moon's light.

• The sun and moon are both blocked by the Earth during a solar eclipse, while in a lunar eclipse, the sun casts its shadow on the moon.

Please read these sentences from the text. "Getting a chance to see a total eclipse is

rare. The moon's shadow on Earth isn't very big, so only a small portion of places on

Earth will see it."

Based on these sentences, what does the word rare mean?

• normal

• nice

• uncommon

• scary

Please choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

Earth's atmosphere bends certain colors of sunlight and absorbs others, ___ the moon looks reddish during a lunar eclipse.

• so

• during

• first

• why

What happens during a solar eclipse?

Answer explanation

During a solar eclipse, the moon passes in front of the sun and blocks the sun's light from reaching Earth.

Which kind of eclipse do you think is more special, lunar or solar? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Answer explanation

Students must include evidence from the text to support their opinion. Students may write that a solar eclipse is more special because only a few people on Earth are able to see it when it happens. They might write that a lunar eclipse is more special because the moon can appear reddish.

Your friend wants to see a total solar eclipse. What information does your friend need to know in order to see one? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Answer explanation

Students should use evidence from the passage in their responses. To see a total solar eclipse, the friend needs to be in a place on Earth where they will be in the moon’s shadow when the moon passes in front of the sun. The friend needs to be sure to protect their eyes when they look at the eclipse. They have to wear special glasses called solar viewing glasses or goggles used for welding.