Sun, Earth, Moon
A student observes that the Moon appears to change shape each night over a month. What is the best explanation for this pattern?
A. The Moon’s shape is changing as it rotates.
B. The Moon reflects different amounts of Earth’s light.
C. The Moon is being covered by clouds at night.
D. The Moon’s position relative to Earth and the Sun causes different amounts of its lit side to be visible.
D. The Moon’s position relative to Earth and the Sun causes different amounts of its lit side to be visible.
Why does the Sun appear brighter than other stars?
A. It is the largest star
B. It burns hotter
C. It is closer to Earth
D. It is newer than other stars
C. It is closer to Earth
Which object is affected by gravity?
A. Floating balloon
B. Rock falling
C. Cloud moving
D. Beam of light
B. Rock falling
A dog sits on command. This is:
A. Instinct
B. Learned behavior
C. Inherited trait
D. Reflex
B. Learned behavior
Fossils of ocean animals on mountains show:
A. Mountains were always above water
B. Volcanoes formed fossils
C. The area was once underwater
D. Fossils can travel
C. The area was once underwater
Which of the following best explains why the Moon appears to move across the sky during a single night?
A. The Moon is rotating quickly on its axis.
B. The Moon is moving through its orbit around Earth.
C. The Earth is rotating on its axis.
D. The Moon is being pulled by the Sun’s gravity.
C. The Earth is rotating on its axis.
Which object is found outside the solar system?
A. Asteroid
B. Moon
C. Comet
D. Star
D. Star
A ball is rolling and slows down. What force is acting on it?
A. Gravity
B. Electricity
C. Friction
D. Magnetism
C. Friction
A spider spins a web. This is:
A. Learned behavior
B. Taught by parents
C. Inherited instinct
D. Based on the weather
C. Inherited instinct
How can you tell which rock layer is oldest?
A. Thickest layer
B. Top layer
C. Middle layer
D. Bottom layer
D. Bottom layer
Students observe that their shadows are longest in the morning and evening but shortest at noon. What causes this pattern?
A. The angle of sunlight changes as Earth rotates on its axis.
B. The Earth tilts farther away from the Sun at night.
C. The Sun moves in a circular path during the day.
D. The Moon’s gravity pulls on the Earth during the day.
A. The angle of sunlight changes as Earth rotates on its axis.
What’s the difference between a comet and an asteroid?
A. Comets are made of ice and dust
B. Asteroids orbit the Moon
C. Asteroids glow like stars
D. Comets never enter the solar system
A. Comets are made of ice and dust
Which example shows a pattern in motion?
A. Ball rolling randomly
B. Swing going back and forth
C. Rock sitting still
D. Bird changing flight paths
B. Swing going back and forth
Which body structure helps a cactus survive in the desert?
A. Large leaves for catching rain
B. Thick stem for water storage
C. Colorful flowers for pollinators
D. Long roots to hold it down
B. Thick stem for water storage
Fossils are found in sedimentary rocks because:
A. The rocks are hot
B. Sediment buries organisms
C. Fossils only form in lava
D. They form in clouds
B. Sediment buries organisms
Look at the diagram showing Earth tilted on its axis and revolving around the Sun.
In the position where the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, which season is it in the Northern Hemisphere?
A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Fall
D. Winter
D. Winter
What best describes the shape of the Milky Way galaxy?
A. Round ball
B. Spiral
C. Cube
D. Ring
B. Spiral
Which object will have the strongest gravitational pull?
A. Small rock
B. Large planet
C. Feather
D. Toy car
B. Large planet
A bird builds a nest the same way each year without being taught. This behavior is:
A. A learned behavior
B. A physical trait
C. A response to fear
D. An inherited instinct
D. An inherited instinct
Why do some fossils look different than the same animal today?
A. Fossils are fake
B. Environments change, and animals adapt
C. Animals change color when buried
D. Fossils break apart
B. Environments change, and animals adapt
Which of these best explains why different constellations are visible in the night sky during different seasons?
A. The stars move quickly across the galaxy.
B. The Sun blocks all constellations during the day.
C. The Moon’s brightness changes how we see stars.
D. Earth’s revolution around the Sun causes us to see different parts of space.
D. Earth’s revolution around the Sun causes us to see different parts of space.
Which object has a tail when it gets close to the Sun?
A. Moon
B. Comet
C. Asteroid
D. Planet
B. Comet
What affects the strength of gravity?
A. Color and shape
B. Speed and direction
C. Mass and distance
D. Size and magnetism
C. Mass and distance
Which example shows how a species might change over time to survive?
A. A tiger learns to sleep longer
B. A bird's wings grow larger to fly farther
C. A cat is trained to do tricks
D. A dog is fed better food
B. A bird's wings grow larger to fly farther
What helps scientists determine the order of rock layers?
A. The color of the rock
B. The type of fossils inside
C. The presence of crystals
D. Wind patterns
B. The type of fossils inside