Solar System ELS Practice

1. The table shows the average distance of four planets from the Sun and the appropriate time it takes those planets to orbit the Sun. Which statement is best supported by the data in this table?

• A. Earth takes less time to orbit the Sun than Venus does.
• B. Mars takes less time to orbit the Sun than Earth does.
• C. Mercury takes more time to orbit the Sun than Venus does.
• D. Mars takes more time to orbit the Sun than Earth does.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

2. Which planet has the shortest revolution around the Sun?

• A. Earth
• B. Mars
• C. Mercury
• D. Venus

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

3. How long does it take the Earth to rotate once on its axis?

• A. a day
• B. a week
• C. a month
• D. a year

4. How long does it take the Earth to revolve around the Sun?

• A. one day
• B. one week
• C. one month
• D. one year

5. Which planets have scientists found to be made mostly of gases?

• A. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
• B. Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn
• C. Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Neptune
• D. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

6. Which term best describes the Sun?

• A. asteroid
• B. planet
• C. natural satellite
• D. star

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

7. Which statement best describes the Earth?

• A. It is the second planet from the Sun which has a dusty rocky surface with many craters and is surrounded by an atmosphere of gases.
• B. It is the third planet from the Sun which has a rocky surface and water on it and is surrounded by an atmosphere of gases.
• C. It is located at the center of the solar system and has a rocky surface and water on it and is surrounded by an atmosphere of gases.
• D. It is located at the center of the solar system and has a rocky surface and water on it and no atmosphere.

8. The table shows the distances of the Sun and Alpha Centauri from Earth and their relative brightness. A student claims that the Sun is brighter than Alpha Centauri when viewed from Earth. Is the claim correct, and why?

• A. No. Alpha Centauri is closer to Earth than the Sun.
• B. Yes. The Sun is closer to Earth than Alpha Centauri.
• C. No. The Sun has a lower relative brightness than Alpha Centauri.
• D. Yes. Alpha Centauri has a higher relative brightness than the Sun.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

9. The table lists the sizes and distances from Earth of different stars in the galaxy. Based on the information in the table, why does the Sun appear brighter on Earth than the other two stars?

• A. The Sun is smaller than the other stars.
• B. The Sun is closer to Earth than the other stars.
• C. The Sun is hotter than the other stars.
• D. The Sun has more gas than the other stars.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3