Astronomy Benchmark Review

What would most likely happen if Earth rotated faster?

• Summer would last longer.
• The year would be shorter.
• The Moon would orbit faster.
• A day would be shorter.

A student gathered the information below on four different planets. Which planet was most likely Earth?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

The diagram below represents Earth revolving around the Sun. Which position represents summer in the Northern Hemisphere?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A group of students drew the model below to represent the solar system. Which of the objects in the picture has a rocky surface?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Which of the following best explains why the Sun sets in the west?

• Earth rotates from west to east which makes the Sun appear to move below the horizon.
• Earth rotates from east to west which makes the Sun appear to move below the horizon.
• The Sun revolves around Earth which makes it appear to move below the horizon.
• Earth revolves around the Sun which make the Sun appear to move below the horizon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The instrument below is used in navigation. Why is this instrument important to navigation?

• Because the needle spins it can be used to measure wind speed.

• Because the needle spins it can be used to predict the time of sunrise.

• Because the magnetic needle always points North it can be used to find latitude.

• D. Because the magnetic needle always points North it can be used to find direction.

A student drew the diagram below to model objects in space. Which object most likely represents a star?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The star called Polaris is also called the North Star. Navigators once used it to find directions at night because it does not seem to move. Most other stars and constellations move across the sky at night. Ursa Minor and Ursa Major seem to spin around Polaris during the night. Why does Polaris not seem to move during the night?

• Because it is located directly above the North pole.

• Because it is fixed in the sky.

• Because Ursa Minor does not move.

• Because it revolves around the Sun with Earth.

Below is a model of the Earth and Sun system. Which of the following best explains what is happening on Earth using this model?

• Daylight hours are shorter in the Northern Hemisphere.

• Daylight hours are shorter in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Days are cooler in the Northern Hemisphere.

• Days are warmer in the Southern Hemisphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

10. A student observed the constellation Orion at 9 o’clock at night. She looked again at 11 o’clock and noticed that the Orion was in a different part of the sky. Why did it seem to move?

• Earth rotated and now faced a different part of the sky.
• Earth revolved to a different part of the sky.
• Orion revolved to a different part of Earth’s sky.
• Orion rotated and faced a different part of the sky.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1