Unit 4/5 Science Review

Seasons

100

1. (100) What is the main cause of Earth's seasons?

1. Earth’s tilt on its axis and its orbit around the Sun cause seasons.

200

1. (200) During which season does the Northern Hemisphere receive the most direct sunlight?

1. Summer.

300

(300) Explain how tilt and orbit work together to create seasons.

1. Earth's axis is tilted; as Earth orbits the Sun, each hemisphere tilts toward or away from the Sun at different times, changing directness and hours of sunlight.

400

(400) Name one way plant or animal behavior changes with the seasons (give one clear example)

1. Examples: birds migrate, trees lose leaves in autumn, animals hibernate in winter, flowers bloom in spring.

500

1. (500) If it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, what season is it in the Southern Hemisphere? Explain why.

1. Winter; hemispheres have opposite seasons because of Earth's tilt.

Moon Phases

100

1. (100) What do we call the phase when the Moon looks fully lit from Earth?

1. Full moon.

200

1. (200) Which phase comes right after a new moon as the lit part starts to grow?

1. Waxing crescent (or first visible waxing phase) / first quarter follows waxing crescent.

300

1. (300) Draw or describe the sequence of four major moon phases: new moon, first quarter, full moon, last quarter. (Student should order them correctly.)

1. Correct order: new moon → first quarter → full moon → last (third) quarter (then back to new).

400

1. (400) Why does the Moon appear to change shape from Earth? (Use simple language about Sun, Earth, Moon positions.)

1. The Moon’s appearance changes because we see different portions of the Sun-lit side as the Moon orbits Earth.

500

1. (500) A student sees the Moon as a thin crescent just after sunset. Is the Moon waxing or waning? Explain how you know.

1. Waxing (if it's just after new moon and the lit portion is growing). Thin crescent after sunset usually means waxing.

Water Cycle and Weather

100

(100) What process turns liquid water from lakes or oceans into water vapor?

Evaporation.

200

(200) What is precipitation? Give two examples.

Precipitation is water falling from clouds (rain, snow, sleet, or hail). Examples: rain and snow.

300

(300) Label the main parts of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. (Short written response or quick sketch.)

Evaporation → condensation → precipitation → collection (in lakes, oceans, groundwater).

400

(400) How does the Sun help drive weather and the water cycle?

The Sun provides energy to warm water causing evaporation and moves air masses that create weather.

500

(500) Explain how clouds form using the words: condensation and water vapor.

Clouds form when water vapor cools and condenses into tiny droplets or ice crystals that collect together.

Slow Changes to Earth

100

(100) What term describes the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces by wind, water, or ice?

Weathering.

200

200) What is erosion? How is it different from weathering? (One-sentence answer.)

Weathering is breaking down rocks; erosion is moving the pieces away.

300

(300) Give one example of how water can change Earth's surface over time.

Example: Rivers cutting valleys, waves wearing down cliffs, glaciers carving land.

400

(400) What is deposition? Provide an example students might see at a beach or river.

Deposition is dropping or laying down eroded material; example: sand forming a beach or a river delta.

500

(500) Describe a simple classroom investigation or demonstration that shows erosion (materials and expected result).

Example demo: Pouring water over a sand hill and observing channels form — shows erosion by running water.

Natural Resources and Conservation

100

(100) Name one renewable resource and one nonrenewable resource.

Renewable: trees (or water, solar energy). Nonrenewable: coal (or oil, natural gas).

200

(200) Why is conserving water important? Give one way students can save water at home or school.

Water is limited and needed for life; save by turning off tap while brushing teeth or fixing leaks.

300

(300) What does it mean to recycle? Give one example of an item that can be recycled.

Recycling means processing materials to make new products; example: recycling paper or plastic bottles.

400

(400) Explain why trees are an important natural resource (include at least one use for trees).

Trees provide oxygen, habitat, wood for building/paper, and help prevent erosion.

500

(500) A community needs to decide between cutting down a small forest to build a parking lot or moving the lot to a paved area nearby. List two reasons to conserve the forest and two reasons someone might want the parking lot there. (Short pros/cons response)

Conservation reasons: habitat protection, clean air, prevent erosion, recreation; parking lot reasons: needed space, convenience, economic development — teacher can guide discussion of trade-offs.