8.9B and 8.10B Reading Passages Quiz

What is a light year?

• The time it takes for light to travel from the Sun to Earth

• The distance light travels in a year

• The time it takes for the Earth to orbit the Sun

• The distance between the Earth and the Moon

Answer explanation

A light year is defined as the distance that light travels in one year, which is approximately 5.88 trillion miles. The other options refer to time or distances unrelated to the definition of a light year.

Which type of galaxy is the Milky Way?

• Elliptical

• Irregular

• Spiral

• Circular

Answer explanation

The Milky Way is classified as a spiral galaxy due to its distinct spiral arms that extend outward from the center, containing stars, gas, and dust. This structure is characteristic of spiral galaxies.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

What characteristic is common in elliptical galaxies?

• They have a flat, disk-like appearance

• They have a smooth, featureless light distribution

• They have a chaotic shape

• They have spiral arms

Answer explanation

Elliptical galaxies are characterized by their smooth, featureless light distribution, lacking the distinct structures like spiral arms or chaotic shapes found in other galaxy types.

Why is the Milky Way most visible during the summer?

• It is closer to Earth during the summer

• The sky is darker in the summer

• It is up in the sky for a greater period of time

• The stars are brighter in the summer

Answer explanation

The Milky Way is most visible in summer because it is up in the sky for a greater period of time during the night, allowing more opportunity to observe it compared to other seasons.

What are global winds?

• Small breezes that occur locally

• A system of winds that wrap around the Earth

• Winds that only occur at the equator

• Winds that blow in one direction

Answer explanation

Global winds are a system of winds that wrap around the Earth, driven by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface. This distinguishes them from local breezes, which are smaller and occur in specific areas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What causes the Coriolis effect?

• The uneven heating of the Earth by the Sun

• The spinning of the Earth

• The presence of mountains

• The movement of ocean currents

Answer explanation

The Coriolis effect is caused by the spinning of the Earth. As the Earth rotates, moving objects, such as air and water, are deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What are trade winds known for?

• Being weak and irregular

• Bringing moisture from the oceans to tropical areas

• Moving weather systems from west to east

• Causing El Niño

Answer explanation

Trade winds are known for bringing moisture from the oceans to tropical areas, which contributes to rainfall and supports tropical climates. This makes the second answer choice the correct one.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What is one effect of El Niño?

• It causes only dry spells everywhere

• It changes normal weather, causing big storms in some places

• It strengthens the trade winds

• It stops the movement of the atmosphere

Answer explanation

El Niño disrupts normal weather patterns, often leading to increased storm activity in certain regions. This makes the choice "It changes normal weather, causing big storms in some places" the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Why is the atmosphere important in the context of global winds?

• It is a solid layer that blocks winds

• It is a thin layer that is always moving because of global winds

• It only affects weather at the poles

• It remains unaffected by global winds

Answer explanation

The atmosphere is a thin layer of gases surrounding the Earth, and it is constantly in motion due to global winds. This movement is crucial for weather patterns and climate, making the correct choice essential.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

We live in the ______________ galaxy.

• Snickers

• Baby Ruth

• Hershey

• Milky Way

Answer explanation

We live in the Milky Way galaxy, which is the correct answer. The other options, Snickers, Baby Ruth, and Hershey, are names of candy bars and not galaxies.