Science STAAR Review Released Questions

The force that keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun is the _____________________________.

• balanced force between each planet
•  elliptical orbit of each planet
•  gravitational pull of the Sun 
• magnetic attraction between the planets

A ___________ occurs when the Moon moves directly between the Sun and Earth and throws a shadow on the Earth.

• solar eclipse 
• lunar eclipse
• waning gibbous
• waxing gibbous

Which statement best explains why the same side of the Moon always faces Earth?

• The moon revolves around Earth and rotates in about the same amount of time.
• The moon does not rotate as it revolves around Earth.
• The moon and Earth rotate in the same amount of time. 
• The moon travels at a faster speed than Earth.

Earth's ocean tides are caused by the _____________________.

• force of the wind 
• rotation of Earth on its axis 
• position of Venus and Mars
• gravitational attraction of the moon and the Sun 

How long does the Moon phase cycle last from one full moon to the next full moon?

• 7.5 days 
• 14.5 days
• 29.5 days
• 34.5 days

In which galaxy do we live in? 

• Great Spiral Galaxy
• Andromeda Galaxy
• Milky Way Galaxy
• Local Group Galaxy 

The gravitational pull of the moon has a greater effect than the gravitational pull of the Sun on Earth's tides. This is because _______________________.

• the Sun is closer to Earth.
• the Moon is closer to Earth.
• the Sun is larger than the Moon.
• Earth is larger than the Moon.

The number of daylight hours changes during the year because _____________________________________.

• Earth moves farther from the Sun
• Earth's axis is tilted 23.5 degrees.
• Earth's axis is tilted 45 degrees
• Earth moves closer to the Sun.

Summer occurs on the hemisphere of the Earth that is _________________________________.

• tilted away from the Sun
• turned away from the Sun.
• turned toward the Sun.
• tilted toward the Sun. 

A scientist is attempting to classify a large object in space. The scientist has determined that the object is in orbit around Jupiter. The object is most likely a __________________.

• planet
• moon
• star
•  meteor