*Earth Moon Sun Unit Exam

Which of the following is true about the moon? Choose ALL correct answers.

• Half of the moon is always lit by the sun, except during an eclipse.

• The moon orbits the Earth once every month.

• The moon rotates on it's axis like Earth.

• The moon orbits the Sun.

Answer explanation

The moon does not rotate like Earth does - we always see the same side. The moon orbits the Earth, not the sun.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The moon will be most illuminated from Earth...

• when it is between the Earth and the sun.

• when it is further from the sun.

• when it is closer to the sun.

• when is passes into the Earth's shadow.

Answer explanation

In the moon's orbit, it is actually more illuminated when it is further from the sun.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Omar sees a full moon tonight. How long will it be until he sees another full moon?

• about a month.

• about 2 weeks.

• about a year.

• could be weeks or months because the moon's pattern is unpredictable.

Answer explanation

The moon takes about a month to orbit the Earth, so we see the pattern of phases repeat that often.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

When the Earth, Moon, and Sun are in this position, what will the moon look like from Earth?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

The illuminated half of the sun would be facing away from Earth, so the moon is always dark when it is between the sun and the Earth.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which shows the position of the moon during a lunar eclipse?

• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

During a lunar eclipse the Earth is always between the sun and the moon.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

On this date in January 2025, the Earth is between the sun and moon. Why is it a full moon and not a lunar eclipse?

• The moon is too far from the sun.

• The moon is below the Earth's shadow in its tilted orbit.

• The moon should be between the Earth and sun.

• It is winter. Eclipses only happen in the summer.

Answer explanation

The tilt of the moon's orbit prevents a lunar eclipse from happening every month.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

This image confirms that...

• the Earth's seasons are not caused by distance, because we are closer to the sun in January.

• The Earth's seasons are caused by distance, because we are closer to the sun in July.

• The distance between the Earth and sun never changes.

Answer explanation

Our distance from the sun does change slightly, but we are actually closer in winter than summer. The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The time it takes a planet to make one complete trip around the Sun is called what?

• period of revolution
• day
• axis
• period of rotation

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Day and night are caused by...

• the tides
• the tilt of the Earth's axis
• the revolution of the Earth around the Sun
• the rotation of the Earth on its axis

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What phase of the moon is labeled 2?

• waning crescent
• waxing crescent
• waxing gibbous
• waning gibbous

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1