Rotation, Revolution, & Seasons STAAR Practice

Which diagram shows the relative position of Earth's axis at the beginning of summer in Texas?

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During an investigation in class, a student creates this model.

Which of these statements best compares the locations of point A and point B?

• Point A is experiencing day while point B is experiencing night.

• Point A is experiencing night while point B is experiencing day.

• Point A is experiencing summer while point B is experiencing winter.

• Point A is experiencing winter while point B is experiencing summer.

A student draws models of Earth and the sun in different positions. Which drawing should be used to represent summer in the Southern Hemisphere?

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A student is modeling how sunlight affects different locations on Earth. The student uses a globe and a flashlight as shown. Based on the model, which statement is correct?

• Locations J and M will be experiencing daytime in 12 hours.

• Locations K and L will be experiencing daytime in 24 hours.

• Locations J and K will be starting to experience nighttime in 12 hours.

• Locations L and M will be starting to experience nighttime in 24 hours.

The map shows the route an airplane takes from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Houston, Texas. A flight from Buenos Aires to Houston takes about 12 hours to complete. 

A plane leaves Buenos Aires at 10:00 P.M. during a time when Earth's northern hemisphere is at its maximum tilt away from the sun.

The flight takes place when it is ​ (a)   in Houston.

When the plane lands in Houston, it will be ​ (b)   in Buenos Aires.

• Winter
• Morning
• Summer
• Fall
• Spring
• Afternoon
• Evening

The diagram shows Earth in its orbit around the sun when very little light is visible at Earth's South Pole.

  

Which TWO statements are true when Earth is in the position shown?

• It is August in the Northern Hemisphere.

• It is April in the Southern Hemisphere.

• It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

• It is winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

• The number of hours of daylight is greater in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere.

The model shows Earth in four different positions in its orbit around the sun. Which statement correctly explains which position of Earth represents summer in the United States?

• Position 1, because the Western Hemisphere is facing the sun

• Position 2, because the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun

• Position 3, because Earth is at its closest point to the sun in its orbit

• Position 4, because Earth is traveling at its fastest rate in its orbit

The diagram shows Earth in its orbit around the sun when very little light is visible at Earth’s South Pole. Which statement is true when Earth is in the position shown?

• It is August in the Northern Hemisphere. It is April in the Southern Hemisphere.

• It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It is winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

• The number of hours of daylight is greater in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere.

• Spring begins earlier in the year in the Southern Hemisphere than it does in the Northern Hemisphere

Students make a model using a globe and a flashlight.

Which answer choice best explains the change from daytime to nighttime on Earth?

• The sun stops sending light to Earth at night.

• Earth moves farther away from the sun at night.

• The tilt of Earth causes less light to reach Earth at night.

• Earth rotates and causes different parts of Earth to experience night.

Which diagram models a hypothetical situation in which every location on Earth would have 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness per day?

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