Space Boot Camp – Part 1

4.8C: 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)

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.?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

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 dailyB weeklyC monthlyD yearly

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?

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

2011—STAAR™ Released Test Questions, #8

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

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—

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

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?

A C

B D

Waxing Gibbous

New Moon

Third Quarter

Full Moon

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—

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

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—

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

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

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 

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?

A Summer B Autumn C WinterD Spring

 

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?

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

 

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?

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

A The seasonal cycleB The carbon cycleC The water cycleD 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?

A 3 hoursB 3 daysC 3 monthsD 3 years

 **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?

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

 

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—

A atmosphereB temperatureC ocean tidesD night and day 

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 tidesB wavesC currentsD upwellings

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?

A SpringB SummerC AutumnD Winter

19. What phase of the moon will come next?

A C  Waxing Crescent Third Quarter 

B D  Waxing Gibbous New Moon

?

Full Moon Waning Gibbous

19. What phase of the moon will come next?

A C  Waxing Crescent Third Quarter 

B D  Waxing Gibbous New Moon

?

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 –

A the rock cycleB the water cycleC the weatherD 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 moonB precipitation that falls on the moonC the difference between day and nightD the rotation of the moon on its axis

22. Summer is warmer than winter because—

A the Earth tilts toward the sun in summerB the moon is higher in the sky in summerC the Earth is closer to the sun in summerD the sun shines brighter in the summer

22. Summer is warmer than winter because—

A the Earth tilts toward the sun in summerB the moon is higher in the sky in summerC the Earth is closer to the sun in summerD the sun shines brighter in the 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?

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

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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

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?

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.

 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?

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

  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?

A Point AB Point BC Point C D Point D

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?

A FallB WinterC SpringD Summer

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?

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

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?

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