Lunar Eclipses and Solar Eclipses

Read the sentence from paragraph 12.

The change in its shadow is based on where it is in its orbit.

Which word from paragraph 12 or 13 has the same meaning as the word orbit?

• atmosphere

• cycle

• eclipse

• path

Which quotation from paragraph 13 provides support from the answer for the previous question?

• "As the moon continues along its path, . . ."

• ". . . direct light from the Sun is blocked."

• ". . . it passes through a long and thick layer of Earth's atmosphere."

• "Shorter wavelengths of sunlight, like blue, are scattered by the atmosphere, . . ."

Read the sentence from paragraph 13.

As the moon continues along its path, however, it enters what's called umbra, where all direct light from the Sun is blocked.

What is the meaning of the word umbra as it is used in the sentence?

• layer

• light

• phase

• shade

Select two statements which show the differences between solar and lunar eclipses.

• In a solar eclipse, the sun appears bigger.

• In a solar eclipse, the sun appears darker.

• In a solar eclipse, the sun appears brighter.

• In a lunar eclipse, the moon appears bigger.

• In a lunar eclipse, the moon appears darker.

Which quotation from the passage best supports the main idea of the section "Why don't we have a lunar eclipse every month?

• "It's true that the moon goes around Earth every month, but it doesn't always get in Earth's shadow." (paragraph 9)

• "The moon's path around Earth is tilted compared to Earth's orbit around the sun." (paragraph 9)

• "Because they don't happen every month, a lunar eclipse is a special event." (paragraph 10)

• "If you live on the nighttime half of Earth when the eclipse happens, you'll be able to see it." (paragraph 10)

What is the author's reason for including paragraph 12 in the passage?

• to show how a new moon becomes a full moon

• to compare a total lunar eclipse with a full moon

• to show how the moon changes during a lunar eclipse

• to compare the phases of the moon and a lunar eclipse

Select two statements that express a main idea in the passage.

• Lunar eclipses do not occur on a monthly basis.

• A total solar eclipse does not happen very often.

• The moon is a shade of red during a lunar eclipse.

• The moon's shadow is seen in small places on Earth.

• Both solar and lunar eclipses can be viewed from Earth.