Quarter 2 Summative Practice Test

 What describes the spin of a planet on its axis?

• Rotation

• Revolution

• Orbit

• Hemisphere

Answer explanation

The spin of a planet on its axis is called rotation. This term specifically refers to the movement of a planet as it turns around its own axis, distinguishing it from revolution, which refers to orbiting another body.

The imaginary line that the Earth spins on from the north pole to the south pole is called the:

• Equinox

• Axis

• Eclipse

• Regolith

Answer explanation

The Earth spins on an imaginary line called the axis, which runs from the north pole to the south pole. The other options, equinox, eclipse, and regolith, refer to different concepts in astronomy and geology.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The illusion that an object in the sky is moving due to the Earth's movement is known as:

• Apparent Motion

• Tides

• Phases

• Constellation

Answer explanation

The illusion that an object in the sky appears to move due to the Earth's rotation is called 'Apparent Motion'. This term describes how celestial bodies seem to shift positions in the sky as the Earth moves.

The movement of one object around another is referred to as:

• Orbit

• Solstice

• Rotation

• Revolution

Answer explanation

• Orbit: Imagine you’re running around a big circle on the playground. The path you take around the circle is like an orbit. In space, planets and moons follow an invisible path around something, like the Earth or the Sun. That’s their orbit.

• Revolution: Now, think about how long it takes you to run all the way around the circle and get back to where you started. That complete trip around the circle is like a revolution. In space, when a planet makes one full trip around the Sun, that’s one revolution.

So, orbit is the path, and revolution is the trip around the path.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

What is the term for the path an object takes around another object?

• Eclipse

• Orbit

• Asteroid

• Dwarf Planet

Answer explanation

• Orbit: Imagine you’re running around a big circle on the playground. The path you take around the circle is like an orbit. In space, planets and moons follow an invisible path around something, like the Earth or the Sun. That’s their orbit.

• Revolution: Now, think about how long it takes you to run all the way around the circle and get back to where you started. That complete trip around the circle is like a revolution. In space, when a planet makes one full trip around the Sun, that’s one revolution.

So, orbit is the path, and revolution is the trip around the path.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Half of a planet is called a:

• Hemisphere

• Black Hole

• Comet

• Star

Answer explanation

Half of a planet is referred to as a 'Hemisphere'. This term is commonly used in geography to describe one of the two equal halves of the Earth, divided by the equator or the poles.

When day and night are equal in length, it is known as an:

• Equinox

•  Eclipse

• Solstice

• Revolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The point in time when there is maximum daylight or maximum night is called a ______________.  It occurs in late December to mark the beginning of winter and late June to mark the beginning of summer.

• Phase

• Solstice

• Tide

• Orbit

Answer explanation

• Equinox: Imagine a day when the amount of daylight and nighttime are exactly the same. This happens twice a year, and it’s called an equinox. Think of it as a day when the Earth is perfectly balanced, with equal parts day and night. These days mark the start of spring (around March 21) and autumn (around September 23).

• Solstice: Now, imagine the longest day of the year and the shortest day of the year. These are called solstices. The summer solstice (around June 21) is when we have the most daylight, and the winter solstice (around December 21) is when we have the least daylight. These days mark the start of summer and winter.

So, an equinox is when day and night are equal, and a solstice is when we have either the longest or shortest day of the year. 🌞🌜

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The changing appearance of the moon as seen from Earth is referred to as:

• Phases

• Apparent Motion

• Asteroid

• Galaxy

Answer explanation

The changing appearance of the moon as seen from Earth is called "phases." This term describes the different shapes of the moon visible from Earth due to its position relative to the sun and Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

What occurs when one object blocks the light from another object?

• Eclipse

•  Rotation

• Regolith

• Tides

Answer explanation

An eclipse occurs when one object, like the Moon, blocks the light from another object, such as the Sun. This results in a temporary darkening of the area affected, making 'eclipse' the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1