Days and Seasons quiz

How long does it take the Earth to rotate once on its axis?

• One day

• One week

• One month

• One year

Answer explanation

When our part of the Earth is pointing towards the Sun it is daytime and when we are pointing away from the Sun it is night

On two days each year, the Earth receives equal amounts of daylight and darkness. What are these days called?

• Rotation days

• Seasons

• Solstices

• Equinoxes

Answer explanation

In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring (vernal) equinox is around the 21st of March and the autumnal equinox is around the 21st of September

What causes day and night?

• The Sun moves around the Earth

• The moon comes out, causing night

• The Earth orbits the sun

• The Earth rotates on its axis

Answer explanation

The Earth rotates on its axis. When part of the Earth is facing away from the Sun, it is dark because it cannot receive any sunlight. As the Earth rotates, that part gradually turns to face the Sun (we call this moment 'sunrise') and it becomes day

How long does it take the Earth to orbit the Sun?

• One day

• One month

• One year

• One decade

Answer explanation

When our part of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun it is summer and when we are tilted away from the Sun it is winter

Which of the following causes the seasons to change?

• The Moon

• The Earth's tilt on its axis

• The Earth's rotation

• Changing weather

Answer explanation

The Earth's tilt on its axis means that as the Earth orbits the Sun, the amount of sunlight received by each hemisphere changes, causing the changing seasons. The equator, however, always receives 12 hours of sunlight each day and does not experience changing seasons (although it does experience changing weather)

Why does the South Pole receive no sunlight during its winter?

• The Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun

• The Sun doesn't orbit the Earth in the winter

• The Earth stops rotating in the winter

• The Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun

Answer explanation

When the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, the South Pole is in darkness for 24 hours every day, while the North Pole (which is tilted towards the Sun at the same time) receives 24 hours of sunlight every day

If it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, what season is it in the Southern Hemisphere?

• Spring

• Summer

• Autumn

• Winter

Answer explanation

When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere

When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, which pole is tilted towards the Sun?

• The North Pole

• The South Pole

• Both poles are equidistant (an equal distance) from the Sun

• Both poles are tilted away from the Sun

Answer explanation

When the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun the South Pole is tilted away from it

The Earth is divided into its northern and southern hemispheres by what?

• Its axis

• The Equator

• The North and South Poles

• Lines of longitude

Answer explanation

The Equator is an imaginary line which goes around the Earth's middle

In which season are the nights much longer than the days?

• Spring

• Summer

• Winter

• Autumn

Answer explanation

In summer the days are much longer than the nights. In autumn and spring the days and nights are roughly the same length