6th Grade Moon Phases/Seasons Test
Authored by Stephanie Buckley
Science
6th Grade
NGSS covered
Used 330+ times
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About
This quiz focuses on Earth's astronomical relationships and lunar cycles, covering two primary subtopics: seasonal changes caused by Earth's axial tilt and the lunar phases cycle. Designed for 6th grade middle school students, the assessment requires understanding of fundamental Earth-Sun-Moon system interactions. Students must grasp that Earth's 23.5-degree axial tilt creates seasons by changing the angle at which solar radiation strikes different hemispheres throughout our elliptical orbit, leading to solstices and equinoxes. The lunar phase questions demand knowledge of the Moon's 29.5-day orbital cycle, understanding that phases result from changing illumination patterns as the Moon orbits Earth, and recognizing the Moon as a natural satellite that reflects sunlight rather than producing its own light. Students need spatial reasoning skills to visualize three-dimensional astronomical movements and the ability to connect cause-and-effect relationships between planetary motions and observable phenomena. Created by Stephanie Buckley, a Science teacher in the US who teaches grade 6. This comprehensive assessment serves multiple instructional purposes, functioning effectively as a summative test following units on astronomy and Earth science concepts, or as a diagnostic tool to identify gaps in student understanding before remediation. Teachers can deploy individual sections as warm-up activities to activate prior knowledge, assign portions for homework practice, or use the complete quiz for formative assessment to guide instruction. The quiz aligns with Next Generation Science Standards 5-ESS1-2 (representing the sun, earth, and moon system) and supports the crosscutting concept of patterns in astronomical phenomena. The varied question formats, including multiple-choice and select-two-answers items, accommodate different learning styles while maintaining rigorous assessment of scientific reasoning and factual knowledge essential for middle school Earth science mastery.
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19 questions
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1.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Earth's axial tilt affects
days
years
seasons
Tags
NGSS.MS-ESS1-1
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
When the people of Earth cannot see a Moon, which phase is the Moon in?
full moon
waxing crescent
new moon
waxing gibbous
Tags
NGSS.MS-ESS1-1
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which of the following statements about Earth is true
It is the only planet in the solar system that rotates on an axis
It is the only planet in the solar system with a moon
It is the only planet in the solar system with an atmosphere
It is the only planet in the solar system known to support life
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
What is the last Moon phase before the new moon?
full moon
waning crescent
waxing gibbous
none of the above
Tags
NGSS.MS-ESS1-1
5.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
A half moon is also referred to as a
new moon
full moon
first quarter
waxing crescent
Tags
NGSS.MS-ESS1-1
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Which is the closest object to Earth?
Jupiter
Moon
Sun
Pluto
7.
MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION
30 sec • 1 pt
Between which phases is the Moon Waxing? Select TWO answers
full moon and third quarter moon
first quarter and full moon
new moon and first quarter moon
third quarter and new moon
Tags
NGSS.MS-ESS1-1
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