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Shadows - Printable Science Worksheets - Wayground

Shadows

15 questions

5th - 5th Grade

Science

This Grade 5 science worksheet helps students explain how the Sun’s position affects shadows. Through 15 items—three fill-in-the-blank questions, nine multiple-choice questions, and three multiple-select questions—students identify the Sun’s apparent direction, determine when shadows are shortest or longest, and recognize that a shadow forms when an object blocks light. Students also use time of day, seasons, and directional clues to predict a shadow’s length and orientation. They answer questions about the Sun’s eastern or western position, identify the direction opposite the Sun, interpret a picture of a noon shadow, and compare the Sun’s seasonal path. This free printable worksheet includes a complete answer key and is designed for Grade 5 science instruction, review, or assessment.

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Worksheets

Shadows

Total questions: 15

Name
Class
Date
1.

The sun appears to rise in the (a)   .

2.

Shadows are shortest at this time of day:

a)

morning

b)

noon

c)

afternoon

d)

evening

3.

In what ways does a shadow change throughout the day?

Check all of the correct answers.

a)

length

b)

color

c)

orientation (direction)

d)

size

4.

True or False:

A shadow is the light area created by an object that stops light.

a)

True

b)

False

5.

Why does your shadow change during the day?

a)

The sun is moving.

b)

The directions (N, S, E, W) change throughout the day.

c)

The sun's position in the sky changes.

d)

The moon rises.

6.

If the sun is setting in the western part of the sky, in which direction will we find the shadow of an object?

a)

north

b)

south

c)

east

d)

west

7.

You can tell where the sun is by looking at a shadow because the sun is always on the __________ side of the object.

a)

same

b)

opposite

c)

right

d)

left

8.

Which answer correctly completes this statement?


Just before sunset, a shadow is very ________ and it points _______.

a)

short, west

b)

short, east

c)

long, west

d)

long, east

9.

During which season does the sun travel in its highest path across the sky?

a)

winter

b)

spring

c)

summer

d)

fall

10.

If your shadow is in front of you, the sun is (a)   you.

11.

Which time of day would the shadow be the lowest?

a)

4 am

b)

sunrise

c)

noon

d)

3 pm

12.

Check all of the times when the sun would be in the eastern part of the sky.

a)

7 am

b)

10 am

c)

2 pm

d)

5 pm

13.

Which picture shows the shadow of a pole at noon?

a)
b)
c)
d)
14.

What time of day would you find the SUN in the western part of the sky?

Check all of the correct responses.

a)

8 am

b)

11 am

c)

1 pm

d)

4 pm

15.

In the winter, the sun's path is (a)   in the sky, so the shadows are longer.

Answer Key

Shadows

Total questions: 15

1.
east, eastern part of the sky
2.
b)

noon

3.
a)

length

, c)

orientation (direction)

, d)

size

4.
b)

False

5.
c)

The sun's position in the sky changes.

6.
c)

east

7.
b)

opposite

8.
d)

long, east

9.
c)

summer

10.
behind, back
11.
b)

sunrise

12.
a)

7 am

, b)

10 am

13.
a)
14.
c)

1 pm

, d)

4 pm

15.
lower, low, lowest

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FAQs

What does the Shadows worksheet cover?

This Grade 5 science worksheet focuses on using the Sun’s position to predict how a shadow changes in length and direction. Its 15 items combine fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice, multiple-select, and picture-based questions about sunrise, sunset, noon, seasons, eastern and western sky positions, and the fact that a shadow forms on the side opposite the Sun.

How can I use this worksheet to teach how the Sun affects shadows?

Introduce the idea that the Sun’s position in the sky changes the shadow’s length and orientation, then model the relationship with an object and a light source or a simple directional diagram. Have students explain their reasoning before completing the worksheet, especially for the items asking where a shadow points at sunset and when it is shortest. Use the multiple-select questions as discussion prompts to distinguish changes in length, size, and direction from properties that do not change.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete the Shadows worksheet?

Students may choose the Sun’s direction instead of the opposite direction for a shadow, such as selecting west when the worksheet asks for the shadow while the Sun is setting in the west. They may also confuse the time when shadows are shortest with the time when they are longest, or select color as a way a shadow changes throughout the day. Check that students select every correct time in the multiple-select items, including morning times for the eastern sky and afternoon times for the western sky.

How do I assign and grade this Shadows worksheet?

You can assign Shadows as a printable PDF or as a digital quiz on Wayground. It includes a complete answer key for checking the fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice, multiple-select, and picture-based responses. For printable submissions, scan student work with the Wayground for Teachers app to help grade responses.

How can I differentiate this shadow-direction and length worksheet for my students?

Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing and font size so the directional, time-of-day, and seasonal questions are easier to read. You can also enable a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language, depending on your students’ needs.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across all subjects. Teachers can browse downloadable PDFs with answer keys at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets to find additional resources for essential skills and concepts.

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