Space Boot Camp4.8:

Collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict patterns of change in shadows, tides, seasons, and the observable appearance of

the Moon over time. (Supporting Standard)

A. Coelho

1. The graph below shows changes in the length of the shadow of a tree during part of a day:

If this day continues to be sunny, what will most likely happen to the length of the shadow from 2P.M. to 4P.M.?A. The length of the shadow will stay the same.B. The length of the shadow will decrease and then increase.C. The length of the shadow will increase.D. The length of the shadow will decrease.

STAAR 2013 #7; RC3; Supporting

1. The graph below shows changes in the length of the shadow of a tree during part of a day:

If this day continues to be sunny, what will most likely happen to the length of the shadow from 2P.M. to 4P.M.?

C. The length of the shadow will increase.

STAAR 2013 #7; RC3; Supporting

2. Tides on the Texas coast usually occur twice —

A dailyB weeklyC monthlyD yearly

TAKS 2004—#21 (40%)

2. Tides on the Texas coast usually occur twice —

A daily

TAKS 2004—#21 (40%)

3. A student observed the apparent shape of the moon every night for a period of 60 days. On Day 10 the student observed a full moon. On which other day did the student most likely observe a full moon?

A Day 20B Day 30C Day 40D Day 50

2011—STAAR™ Released Test Questions, #8

3. A student observed the apparent shape of the moon every night for a period of 60 days. On Day 10 the student observed a full moon. On which other day did the student most likely observe a full moon?

C Day 40

**Because a full lunar cycle takes about 30 days – so 10 + 30 = 40

2011—STAAR™ Released Test Questions, #8

4. The tilt of the Earth on its axis as it moves around the sun MOST affects the—

A timing of the tidesB length of a monthC cycle of the seasonsD phases of the moon

4. The tilt of the Earth on its axis as it moves around the sun MOST affects the—

C cycle of the seasons

5. Which phase of the moon would have been seen most recently BEFORE the phase shown in the picture below?

A C

B D

Waxing Gibbous

New Moon

Third Quarter

Full Moon

First Quarter

5. Which phase of the moon would have been seen most recently BEFORE the phase shown in the picture below?

D

Waxing Gibbous

First Quarter

6. Earth would not have seasons if—

A it did not rotateB it was slightly closer to the sunC it was not tilted on its axisD it had more than one moon

6. Earth would not have seasons if—

C it was not tilted on its axis

7. In Texas, it is warmer in summer than in winter because in summer—

A Earth is closer to the sunB there are fewer cloudsC Texas is tilted towards the sunD Texas is tilted away from the sun

7. In Texas, it is warmer in summer than in winter because in summer—

C Texas is tilted towards the sun

8. What causes the phases of the moon?

A The Earth orbiting the moonB The sun reflecting the moonC The moon rotating on its axisD The moon orbiting the Earth

8. What causes the phases of the moon?

D The moon orbiting the Earth

9. Seasons result from the Earth’s—

A rotation on its axis while orbiting the sun

B tilt on its axis as it orbits the sunC distance from the sun during its orbitD atmosphere changing during its orbit 

9. Seasons result from the Earth’s—

B tilt on its axis as it orbits the sun 

10. What season would it be in McKinney if it is summer in South America?

A Summer B Autumn C WinterD Spring

 

10. What season would it be in McKinney if it is summer in South America?

C Winter

 

11. What change in the night sky occurs about every 28-30 days?

A An eclipse of the moonB An eclipse of the sunC The phases of the moonD The orbit of the Earth

 

11. What change in the night sky occurs about every 28-30 days?

C The phases of the moon

 

12. Which is the correct order of the moon phases?

A 1, 2, 3, 4B 2, 3, 4, 1C 3, 2, 1, 4D 4, 3, 2, 1

12. Which is the correct order of the moon phases?

B 2, 3, 4, 1

13. Which of the following cycles takes about twenty-eight days to complete?

A The seasonal cycleB The carbon cycleC The water cycleD The lunar cycle

 

13. Which of the following cycles takes about twenty-eight days to complete?

D The lunar cycle

 

14. About how long will it take the Earth to move from Point B to Point A in the diagram?

A 3 hoursB 3 daysC 3 monthsD 3 years

 

14. About how long will it take the Earth to move from Point B to Point A in the diagram?

C 3 months

**Since there are 12 months in a year – divide 12 by 4 and you get 3 months**

 

15. Which of the following cycles takes about 28 days to complete?

A The Earth revolving around the sunB The moon rotating once on its axisC The Earth rotating once on its axisD The moon revolving around the Earth

 

15. Which of the following cycles takes about 28 days to complete?

D The moon revolving around the Earth

 

16. The moon’s gravitational pull is responsible for the Earth’s—

A atmosphereB temperatureC ocean tidesD night and day 

16. The moon’s gravitational pull is responsible for the Earth’s—

C ocean tides

 

17. Motions in the oceans caused by gravity are called—

A tidesB wavesC currentsD upwellings

17. Motions in the oceans caused by gravity are called—

A tides

18. If it is spring in South America, what season is it in North America?

A SpringB SummerC AutumnD Winter

18. If it is spring in South America, what season is it in North America?

C Autumn

19. What phase of the moon will come next?

A C  Waxing Crescent Third Quarter 

B D  Waxing Gibbous New Moon

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Full Moon Waning Gibbous

19. What phase of the moon will come next?

C  

Third Quarter 

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Full Moon Waning Gibbous

20. The Earth’s axis tilts at an angle of 23 ½ degrees from vertical. This tilt and the rotation of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun is responsible for –

A the rock cycleB the water cycleC the weatherD the seasons

20. The Earth’s axis tilts at an angle of 23 ½ degrees from vertical. This tilt and the rotation of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun is responsible for –

D the seasons

21. The lunar cycle is—

A the repeating phases of the moonB precipitation that falls on the moonC the difference between day and nightD the rotation of the moon on its axis

21. The lunar cycle is—

A the repeating phases of the moon

22. Summer is warmer than winter because—

A the Earth tilts toward the sun in summer

23. The tilt of Earth’s axis helps to create which of the following?

A Day and nightB The changing seasonsC The revolution of the EarthD The phases of the moon

23. The tilt of Earth’s axis helps to create which of the following?

B The changing seasons

24. Why do we see phases of the moon?

A The Earth’s shadow on the moon changes over the month.B The distance to the moon changes slightly as it revolves around the Earth.C The part of the moon’s sunlit side that we can see from Earth changes.D Sometimes no part of the moon reflects light from the sun.

24. Why do we see phases of the moon?

C The part of the moon’s sunlit side that we can see from Earth changes.

25. In Texas, summer occurs in July and winter occurs in January. Which of the following BEST describes the difference between January and July?

A Earth is closer to the sun in July than in January.B Earth is closer to the sun in January than in July.C The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun in July.D The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun in January.

25. In Texas, summer occurs in July and winter occurs in January. Which of the following BEST describes the difference between January and July?

C The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun in July.

26. Which of these is the MOST LIKELY cause of tides on the Earth?

A The gravitational pull of the SunB The gravitational pull of the moonC The movement of water in the oceanD Wind on the surface of the ocean

26. Which of these is the MOST LIKELY cause of tides on the Earth?

B The gravitational pull of the moon

The diagram below shows the relative positions of Earth and the sun for each of the four seasons. Because Earth’s is an ellipse—not a circle—it is about 2 million miles closer the Sun in the winter than in the summer. 

27. If the Earth is closer to the sun in winter, why is Texas colder in the winter than in the other seasons?

A The sun releases less energy in winter.B The Eastern Hemisphere faces the sun during the winter.C The moon is between the sun and the Earth during winter.D The Northern Hemisphere is pointed away from the sun in the winter.

The diagram below shows the relative positions of Earth and the sun for each of the four seasons. Because Earth’s is an ellipse—not a circle—it is about 2 million miles closer the Sun in the winter than in the summer. 

27. If the Earth is closer to the sun in winter, why is Texas colder in the winter than in the other seasons?

D The Northern Hemisphere is pointed away from the sun in the winter.

 28. Scientists use sensors that measure the angle of the Earth’s tilt. Which of the following could they determine by the direction of the Earth’s tilt?

A When the next lunar eclipse will beB What seasons are occurring on EarthC What time of day is occurring on EarthD When a meteor shower will fall to Earth

 28. Scientists use sensors that measure the angle of the Earth’s tilt. Which of the following could they determine by the direction of the Earth’s tilt?

B What seasons are occurring on Earth

  29. At what point on the diagram above would it be winter in Houston?

A Point AB Point BC Point C D Point D

  29. At what point on the diagram above would it be winter in Houston?

B Point B

30. The Earth orbits the sun once every 365.25 days. At the point in the Earth’s orbit pictured above, which season is it in the Northern Hemisphere?

A FallB WinterC SpringD Summer

30. The Earth orbits the sun once every 365.25 days. At the point in the Earth’s orbit pictured above, which season is it in the Northern Hemisphere?

B Winter

31. Which occurs as a result of Earth’s tilt on its rotating axis?

A Movement of the tidesB Prevalent or trade windsC Seasonal changes in the climateD Light and dark changes of day and night

31. Which occurs as a result of Earth’s tilt on its rotating axis?

C Seasonal changes in the climate

Maps of the Western and Eastern Hemispheres are shown below.

32. Which two cities will have summer at about the same time of year?

A Sydney and TokyoB Tokyo and Buenos AiresC Buenos Aires and New YorkD New York and Tokyo

Maps of the Western and Eastern Hemispheres are shown below.

32. Which two cities will have summer at about the same time of year?

D New York and Tokyo

33. Why are the sun’s rays more direct in the northern hemisphere in the summer?

A The Earth is closer to the sun in the summer.B The North Pole is tilted toward the sun.C The South Pole is tilted toward the sun.D The Earth rotates more slowly in the summer.

33. Why are the sun’s rays more direct in the northern hemisphere in the summer?

B The North Pole is tilted toward the sun.

34. The gravitational pull of the moon causes the daily rising and falling of the ocean waters that we call—

A A tropical depressionB A tsunamiC SalinityD Tides

34. The gravitational pull of the moon causes the daily rising and falling of the ocean waters that we call—

D Tides

35. Which sentence below explains why we see the phases of the Moon?

A The moon is a large planet.B The moon revolves around the Earth.C The moon is covered with many craters.D The moon revolves around the Sun.

35. Which sentence below explains why we see the phases of the Moon?

B The moon revolves around the Earth.

36. Why does the moon have more effect on the tides on Earth than the sun has?

A The moon is more dense than the sun.B The moon is in motion in space, while the sun is not.C The moon is larger than the sun.D The moon is nearer to the Earth than the

sun.

36. Why does the moon have more effect on the tides on Earth than the sun has?

D The moon is nearer to the Earth than the sun.

The amount of direct sunlight the Northern Hemisphere receives changes throughout the year. The diagram below shows Earth revolving around the Sun.

 37. In which month will the Northern Hemisphere receive the GREATEST amount of direct sunlight?

A MarchB JuneC SeptemberD December

The amount of direct sunlight the Northern Hemisphere receives changes throughout the year. The diagram below shows Earth revolving around the Sun.

 37. In which month will the Northern Hemisphere receive the GREATEST amount of direct sunlight?

B June

38. A student takes a trip to Central America during the winter holidays. He finds out that the temperature in Central America is about the same year round. Which of the following could explain why?

A Central America is near the North Pole.B Central America is near the South Pole.C Central America is near the equator.D Central America is near sea level.

38. A student takes a trip to Central America during the winter holidays. He finds out that the temperature in Central America is about the same year round. Which of the following could explain why?

C Central America is near the equator.

39. What phase of the moon will come next in the sequence shown above?A

B

C

D

39. What phase of the moon will come next in the sequence shown above?

B

40. Why is a new moon difficult to see in the night sky?

A It is invisible.B It is hidden behind Mercury.C It is in the Earth’s shadow.D The side of the moon that is not lighted by the Sun faces the Earth

40. Why is a new moon difficult to see in the night sky?

D The side of the moon that is not lighted by the Sun faces the Earth

41. Which picture shows a first quarter moon?

A 1B 2C 3D 4

41. Which picture shows a first quarter moon?

D 4

 42. The motion of the ocean caused by the pull of gravity from the moon is called—

A currentsB surfC tidesD waves

 42. The motion of the ocean caused by the pull of gravity from the moon is called—

C tides

43. When it is summer in the United States, it is winter in Brazil. What causes the Northern and Southern hemispheres of the Earth to experience seasons at different times?

A The Earth tilts on its axis.B There is more sunlight at the equator.C There are more winds north of the equator.D It takes the Earth about 365 days to orbit the sun.

43. When it is summer in the United States, it is winter in Brazil. What causes the Northern and Southern hemispheres of the Earth to experience seasons at different times?

A The Earth tilts on its axis.

44. The lunar cycle is completed in about a month because –

A the moon rotates once on its axis in a monthB Earth revolves once around the sun in a monthC the sun makes one full orbit in a monthD the moon revolves once around the Earth

44. The lunar cycle is completed in about a month because –

D the moon revolves once around the Earth

45. In what direction does the Earth always tilt?

A Towards the North PoleB Towards the South PoleC Towards the North StarD Towards the South Star

45. In what direction does the Earth always tilt?

C Towards the North Star

46. If it is summer in the southern hemisphere, what season is it in the Northern Hemisphere?

A SummerB AutumnC WinterD Spring

46. If it is summer in the southern hemisphere, what season is it in the Northern Hemisphere?

C Winter

47. Scientists might look for patterns in all of the following EXCEPT—

A high and low tidesB the life cycle of a beetleC the weather on a single dayD the phases of the moon

47. Scientists might look for patterns in all of the following EXCEPT—

C the weather on a single day

48. As the moon revolves around the Earth, different phases are visible. The pattern of phases is called—

A the stages of the moonB the lunar cycleC the life cycle of the moonD the changes to the moon

48. As the moon revolves around the Earth, different phases are visible. The pattern of phases is called—

B the lunar cycle

49. The time between today’s sunrise and tomorrow’s sunrise would be about—

A 29 daysB 365 daysC 12 hoursD 24 hours

49. The time between today’s sunrise and tomorrow’s sunrise would be about—

D 24 hours

50. A mother purchased a heavy jacket for her son on a 100°F August day. She made the purchase because she knows that—

A Texas weather is unpredictable and very cold temperatures are common all year roundB seasons change at about the same time each year and the temperature becomes colder during winterC seasons change every month or so and the temperature becomes colder during winterD seasons change on exactly the same day every other year and winter temperatures are colder

50. A mother purchased a heavy jacket for her son on a 100°F August day. She made the purchase because she knows that—

B seasons change at about the same time each year and the temperature becomes colder during winter

51. A student has been observing the moon every three days. On the seventh day, the moon could not been seen because of clouds. Which of these shows what the moon probably looked like on that day?

A C

B D

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Day 1 Day 4 Day 7 Day 10 Day 13

51. A student has been observing the moon every three days. On the seventh day, the moon could not been seen because of clouds. Which of these shows what the moon probably looked like on that day?

D

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Day 1 Day 4 Day 7 Day 10 Day 13