Solar System Test - Grade 5

Multiple Choice
Directions: Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. Write this
answer on your answer document.

1.Why does the Earth experience seasons?

a. The Earth is tilted on its axis

b. The Sun is hotter in the Spring and Summer
c. The Earth gets less sun in the Fall and Winter
d. The distance between the Sun and the Earth changes

2.Earth takes 365 ¼ days to orbit the Sun. Which of the following is a result of this fact?

a. All calendars have 365 days

b. February has 28 days instead of 30
c. An extra day is added every four years
d. Some holidays are on different dates each year

3.The majority of asteroids are found in a belt located between what two planets?

a. Earth and Mars

b. Mars and Venus
c. Mars and Jupiter
d. Jupiter and Saturn

4.What keeps the Earth in its orbit?

a. The Sun’s speed rotating

b. The Sun’s gravitational pull
c. The Earth’s spin direction
d. The Earth’s location between other planets

5. A year on Jupiter is 4,333 days long. A year on Mercury is 88 days long. Why do
planets have different length years?

a. A year is longer on larger planets

b. Each planet has its own orbital period
c. Some planets are larger than other planets
d. Planets exert a gravitational force on other planets
6.What causes the phases of the Moon?

a. The Moon is tilted on its axis

b. The Earth’s shadow on the Moon
c. The positions of the Moon as viewed from Earth
d. The pull of gravity between the Moon and the Earth

7.When standing on the Earth, the Moon and Sun appear to rise in the east and set in the
west. What is responsible for this apparent movement of the sun and moon?

a. The Earth revolves around the Sun.

b. The Earth rotates on its axis
c. The Moon and Sun rotate on their axis.
d. The Sun and Moon move from east to west in Space.

8. The diagram shows the view of earth looking downward from the North Pole.
Cleveland is located at approximately Point A. In 12 hours, predict the position of
Cleveland compared to the sun.

a. Cleveland will be at Position A

b. Cleveland will be at Position B
c. Cleveland will be at Position C
d. Cleveland will be at Position D

9. It takes 29.5 days for the moon to make one complete cycle through its phases. If the
moon is currently in the waxing crescent phase, predict what phase it would be in two
weeks.

a. Waxing crescent
b. First quarter
c. Waning gibbous
d. Waxing gibbous
 10. In the diagram below, at which position in Earth’s orbit will Ohio be experiencing
spring?

a. Position A
b. Position B
c. Position C
d. Position D

11. What makes a star different from other objects in the solar system, such as planets, moons
and asteroids?

a. The Moons and planets produce light

b. Stars orbit and planets do not
c. Stars produce their own light
d. Planets go through a life cycle and stars do not

12. The diagram below represents the Sun and planets of our solar system

Which planet on the above diagram represents Earth?

a. G
b. H
c. K
d. M

13. In the diagram above represents which planet represents Neptune?

a. G
b. H
c. K
d. M

14. What regular motion causes the pattern of day and night on Earth?
a. Earth rotates on its axis
b. Earth orbits around the sun
c. The moon rotates on its axis
d. The moon orbits around the earth
 The diagram below represents the Earth

  North  Pole  

A  

Earth   B  
Sunlight  

Equator  

C  

15. Based on the diagram above, what season is it at Point C?

a. Summer
b. Fall
c. Winter
d. Spring

16. Solar panels are placed on homes to gather the suns light energy. This solar energy is
then used to power a house. For example, solar power may be used to run appliances or
to heat water. In which geographic location would solar panels work the best?

a. In Alaska
b. In Ohio
c. In Florida
d. In Antarctica

17. The sun is a star of average size and brightness. From Earth, the sun appears as a round,
yellow object in the daytime sky. At night, we see other stars. They appear as tiny points
of light. Why does the sun appear larger than stars that we see at night?

a. Daylight brightens the sun, making it appear larger.

b. Starlight bends as it passes planets, making stars appear smaller.
c. The sun is closer to Earth than other stars, making the sun appear larger.
d. Earth’s atmosphere filters out light from other stars, making them appear smaller.
18. A student is looking at the night sky and observes the following image. The use of which
tool allows the student to easily observe the image?

a. binoculars
b. telescope
c. magnifying glass
d. microscope

19. Carol saw a streak of light cross the night sky. She called it a “shooting star.” What did
Carol actually see in the night sky?

a. comet
b. meteorite
c. meteor
d. the sun
Science
12. Which diagram correctly shows the orbits of Earth (E) and the moon (M)
S
20. Which diagram correctly shows the orbit of the Earth (E) and moon (M) around the sun
around the sun (S)?

(S)?
S
S
a. Diagram A A. B.
M
E
b. Diagram B M E
c. Diagram C
d. Diagram D
C. E D. E
S M

S
M
11778; 5S0000ESAXR0122A
FT Form A SP06 (8)

21. What is the most likely “next step” in a star that is in the red giant phase?

a. a yellow dwarf
b. a white dwarf On the May 2009 Grade 5 Science Achievement
Test, items 13–18 are field-test items, which are
c. a black hole not released.
d. a nebula

22. Students collected data on the temperature of stars and completed the chart to the right.
Which of the stars is burning at the coolest temperature?
77 Go to next page

a. Rigel
b. Sun
c. Betelgeuse
d. Sirius
Written Response Questions

23. SHORT ANSWER (2 points) Gravity is a major force in the solar system. Describe two
effects that gravity has between objects in the solar system. (Note: DO NOT describe
that gravity keeps objects from floating into space. Think about all the other role’s
gravity plays!)

25. EXTENDED RESPONSE (4 points) Compare Comets to Asteroids by completing the

Venn Diagram. Use the choices listed to contrast the two object. (Note: all choices may
not apply to asteroids or comets.)
Characteristics of Celestial Objects:
Asteroids Comets
-Orbit the sun
-Composed of rock
-Pass through the atmosphere
-Usually burn up in Earth’s atmosphere
-Has a tail, coma and nucleus
-Go through a life cycle
-Create its own light
-Composed of gas, ice and dust

26. SHORT ANSWER (2 points) Many of the motions of the solar system are regular and
predictable, meaning they happen over and over in a pattern. Identify one regular and
predictable motion of the solar system. Then, describe how long that movement takes.

27. SHORT ANSWER (2 points) Our Earth is a very special planet because it is the only
planet in our solar system that can support life. Describe two characteristics that make
Earth unique and able to support life.