Name __________________________________________________ Date ______________________________

Earth's Tilted Axis TestMain IdeasRead each item. Then select the letter next to the best answer.

1. Throughout the year, there is a seasonal pattern of changes as Earth revolves around the sun. Summer temperatures are warmer, the days are longer, and the sun rises in the northern sky. Winter temperatures are colder, the days are shorter, and the sun rises in the southern sky. Year after year this pattern repeats.

Which statement best explains the cause of changes in the seasons during the year?

A. The seasons change because Earth’s distance from the sun changes.B. The seasons change because Earth’s rotation on its axis changes.C. The seasons change because the tilt of Earth’s axis relative to the sun changes.D. The seasons change because the amount of energy released by the sun changes.

2. Near the equator, the temperature is warm throughout the year. The further away from the equator, the colder temperatures tends to be. Isabella wants to explain to her brother and sister why climates on Earth vary greatly depending upon location.

Which statement should Isabella use as part of her explanation of the cause of the difference in temperatures at the two locations show in the illustration?

A. The location at the equator receives diffuse sunlight and results in lower temperatures.B. The northern location receives concentrated sunlight and results in higher temperatures.C. The location at the equator receives concentrated sunlight and results in highertemperatures.D. The northern location receives diffuse area sunlight and results in higher temperatures.

3. An equinox is a time of year when the sun is directly overhead at the equator at noon. During an equinox, places on the equator experience sunlight at a 90° angle. An equinox can also be defined in terms of Earth’s poles.

Which of the following describes Earth’s position in relationship to the sun at an equinox?

A. When the North and South Poles switch positions, Earth experiences an equinox.B. When the South Pole is closer to the sun than the North Pole, Earth experiences anequinox.C. When the North Pole is closer to the sun than the South Pole, Earth experiences anequinox.D. When the North and South Poles are equal distance from the sun, Earth experiences anequinox.

4. The rock structure in the video, known as Stonehenge, was designed by people who lived more than 3,000 years ago in what is now England. The structure was built using huge rocks arranged in a circle. When you stand inside the circle at different times of the year, the rising sun appears near different rocks.

What causes the sunrise to appear near different rocks at different times of the year?This question requires an online resource. Login to your subscription to view it.A. Earth rotates on its axis at different speeds during different times of the year.B. Earth rotates on its axis at the same speed during different times of the year.C. The sun’s path in the sky begins and ends in slightly different places during the year.D. The sun’s path in the sky always begins and ends in the same place during the year.

5. Luis, who lives in the Northern Hemisphere, was talking to his cousin Sofia, who lives in the Southern hemisphere. Luis was telling Sofia about how cold the temperatures were getting, how the days were getting shorter, and how excited he is to play outdoor ice hockey again. Sofia did not understand why there was such a differences in the seasons where Luis lives.

What causes the difference in the seasons experienced by Luis and Sofia?

A. The differences in the seasons are caused by the speed of rotation of Earth.B. The difference in the seasons are caused by the cousins’ locations at different longitudes.C. The differences in the seasons are caused by the cousins experiencing different day andnight cycles.D. The differences in the seasons are caused by changes in the position of Earth’s axis relativeto the sun.

6. The tropics are the furthest latitudes north and south of the equator at which sunlight hits Earth’s surface at a 90° angle. Which of the following occurs during a solstice?

A. The length of day and night are equal.B. The sun is equal distance from both tropics.C. The sun is directly overhead at the equator at noon.D. The sun is directly overhead of one of the tropics at noon.

Think Like a ScientistRead about each scientific investigation. Then answer the three questions that follow the investigation by selecting the letter next to the best answer.

Investigation ASome students wanted to find out how the difference in the concentration of light at different locations on Earth affects the temperature in those locations. For each location they tested, the areas the light covered and temperatures are recorded on the table below.

7. Based on the data the students collected, which of the following statements are true?

A. The locations that had a larger area covered by light had higher temperatures.B. The locations that had a smaller area covered by light had lower temperatures.C. The locations that had a larger area covered by light had lower temperatures.D. The size of the area covered by light did not affect the temperature of the location.

8. Which explanation best describes the cause and effect relationship in this investigation?

A. The distance of a location from the sun impacts the temperature of the location.B. When the light is concentrated into a smaller area, it causes the temperature to increase.C. The temperature of a location is not affected by the area covered by the light.D. The larger the area covered by light causes in an increase in the temperature.

9. Based upon the results of the investigation, which temperature do you predict an area with 30 cm2 would be closest to?

A. 65°B. 70°C. 75°D. 85°

Expressing Science Practices, Concepts, and IdeasRead the directions for each item carefully before constructing your response.

10. Draw and label on the blank Earths to show the June Solstice and September Equinox. On each drawing include:• the Equator line• the Tropic of Cancer, the Tropic of Capricorn lines• Earth’s axis• The North Pole and South Pole• the sun’s rays that affect Earth• a caption that describes the seasonal pattern

11. As winter gives way to spring and eventually to summer, there is a change in the amount of daylight from day to day.

• Write an appropriate title on the graph and above the table. • Draw a dashed line to predict the number of hours of sunlight for the missing latitude of 45° N. • Write a caption suggesting how people can use the graph to plan travel.

12. Your school’s Family Science Night will take place in two weeks. You have been asked to give a brief presentation called “The Reason for Seasons.” You have decided to show the picture below to the people who attend. Write a script for what you plan to say in your presentation using the picture. Use all the words from the word bank.

WORD BANK• axis of rotation• orbit• orbital pane• pattern• revolves• season• summer• sunlight• winter