3rd Grade CR2

Part A: What is the primary role of the Sun in the Solar System?

• It provides heat and light essential for life on Earth.

• It attracts asteroids toward the Earth.

• It blocks the orbits of the planets.

• It acts as a gravity source for comets.

Part B: Which sentence from the article supports the answer to Part A?

• "At the center of the Solar System is the Sun, a star that provides heat and light essential for life on Earth."

• "The planets orbit the Sun in elliptical paths, with Earth being the third planet from the Sun, the only known planet to support life."

• "The four inner planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—are rocky and solid."

• "Asteroids are small rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, primarily in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter."

Part A: Which of the following is true about the four inner planets in the Solar System?

• They are all gas giants.

• They are rocky and solid.

• They have large rings like Saturn.

• They have no moons.

Part B: Which sentence from the article helps to support the answer to Part A?

• "The four inner planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars—are rocky and solid."

• "Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are gas giants."

• "Some of the largest moons in the Solar System, like Jupiter’s Ganymede and Saturn’s Titan, are larger than the planet Mercury."

• "The future of space exploration is full of exciting possibilities."

What are some of the challenges humans might face in colonizing another planet? Write an essay and use details from the text to support your answer.