AMSTI 6th Grade Formative Set-Researching the Sun-Earth-Moon

Which statement explains why seasons occur in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

• Earth is closer to the Sun in the summer.

• Earth is closer to the Sun in the winter.

• Earth is tilted on its axis, and each hemisphere points toward the Sun in the summer.

• The orbit of Earth is not a perfect circle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Leo decides to create a scale model of the Sun, Earth, and Moon using round objects found at his house. First, he finds a large, round tablecloth to represent the sun. Next, he finds a small marble to represent the Moon. Use the chart to determine which object to represent Earth would best complete the scale model?

• Any object smaller than the table cloth

• Any object smaller than the table cloth but larger than the marble

• An object about 2 times the size of the marble

• An object about 4 times the size of the marble

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The following image shows a meter stick and its shadow at 8:00am on a certain day. How will the stick's shadow at 2:00pm compare to its shadow at 8:00am?

• There will be no shadow at 2:00pm.

• The shadow will be longer and on the opposite side of the stick.

• The shadow will be longer and on the same side of the stick.

• The shadow will be shorter and on the opposite side of the stick.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What effect of Earth's magnetic field does this model best represent?

• Earth’s magnetic field can protect its surface from solar wind and other space weather.

• Earth’s magnetic field sometimes causes problems with satellites and other communication systems.

• Surface wind and the tides are both controlled by Earth’s magnetic field.

• The poles of Earth’s magnetic field reverse at predicted intervals.

If Earth is 2.0 centimeters (cm) in diameter on Jackie's poster, how many centimeters away should she draw the Moon to best represent the distance between Earth and the Moon? Use the chart provided.

• 15 cm

• 20 cm

• 30 cm

• 60 cm

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The diagram shows the Moon, Earth, and the Sun’s rays as viewed from space. For observers on Earth, which phase of the Moon is represented by the diagram?

• New moon

• Full moon

• First quarter moon

• Waxing crescent moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A calendar year contains 365 days, but every four years an extra day is added. Which statement explains why this extra day is necessary every four years?

• The axis of Earth is tilted.

• The orbit of Earth is not exactly 365 days.

• The gravitational pull of the Sun affects Earth's orbit.

• The Moon crosses the orbit of the Sun every 28 days.

Stephanie put iron filings on a plate and placed a magnet underneath the plate directly in the center. Look at the image of the iron filings to determine what this model best represents about Earth's interior and its resulting magnetic field?

• Earth has a liquid outer core and solid inner core.

• Earth's magnetic field is stronger at the equator than at its poles.

• Earth's magnetic field is stronger at its poles than at the equator.

• Materials in Earth's interior spin faster than Earth's surface.

Students are manipulating models of the Sun, Earth, and Moon to show eclipses. Their arrangements are shown in the table below. Which student most accurately shows a solar eclipse, and which student most accurately shows a lunar eclipse?

• 1 = solar; 2 = lunar

• 1 = solar; 3 = lunar

• 3 = solar; 1 = lunar

• 3 = solar; 2 = lunar

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The image shows Earth's position around the Sun at four different times throughout the year. Earth's axis is shown at every position with 'NP' representing the North Pole. Which position represents the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1