1. Space Boot Camp – Part 1 5.8D: Identify and compare the physical characteristics of the Sun, Earth and Moon.

2. TAKS 2003—#22 (42%)
1. Sunspots appear to be darker than the rest of the sun’s surface because they are— F partially hidden from view G in the shadow of the sun’s corona H cooler than the rest of the sun’s surface J made of dark-colored minerals

3. TAKS 2003—#22 (42%)
1. Sunspots appear to be darker than the rest of the sun’s surface because they are— F partially hidden from view G in the shadow of the sun’s corona H cooler than the rest of the sun’s surface J made of dark-colored minerals

4. TAKS 2003—#30 (56%)
2. Which of these would best model how the sun’s energy warms Earth? F A pot of water boiling G A heat lamp keeping food hot H An oven baking bread J A spoon getting hot when stirring soup

5. TAKS 2003—#30 (56%)
2. Which of these would best model how the sun’s energy warms Earth? F A pot of water boiling G A heat lamp keeping food hot H An oven baking bread J A spoon getting hot when stirring soup

6. TAKS 2004—#14 (68%)
3. The surface of the sun is made of — F gases G solids H liquids J energy

7. TAKS 2004—#14 (68%)
3. The surface of the sun is made of — F gases G solids H liquids J energy

8. TAKS 2004—#23 (70%)
4. Which of these best shows the relationship between Earth, the moon, and the sun? A C B D

9. TAKS 2004—#23 (70%)
4. Which of these best shows the relationship between Earth, the moon, and the sun? A C B D

10. TAKS 2004—#29 (68%)
5. A rock is taken from the surface of the moon and brought to Earth. What is different about this rock on Earth? A Its mass B Its shape C Its length D Its weight

11. TAKS 2004—#29 (68%)
5. A rock is taken from the surface of the moon and brought to Earth. What is different about this rock on Earth? A Its mass B Its shape C Its length D Its weight

12. TAKS 2008—#4 (Unused release item)
6. Which is a possible condition for an area of the moon that receives no light? F Fog G Strong winds H Thunderstorms J Cold temperatures

13. TAKS 2008—#4 (Unused release item)
6. Which is a possible condition for an area of the moon that receives no light? F Fog G Strong winds H Thunderstorms J Cold temperatures

14. TAKS 2009—#18 (77%)
7. Which of these is the center of our solar system? F Mars G The moon H Jupiter J The sun

15. TAKS 2009—#18 (77%)
7. Which of these is the center of our solar system? F Mars G The moon H Jupiter J The sun

16. TAKS 2009—#26 (75%)
8. Which of the following can be found on both Earth and the moon? F Hills G Thick atmosphere H Thunderstorms J Oceans

17. TAKS 2009—#26 (75%)
8. Which of the following can be found on both Earth and the moon? F Hills G Thick atmosphere H Thunderstorms J Oceans

18. TAKS 2009—#28 (72%)
9. Which of the following happens in our solar system? F Earth revolves around the sun once per day. G The moon revolves around Earth once per day. H Earth revolves around the sun once per year J The moon revolves around Earth once per year.

19. TAKS 2009—#28 (72%)
9. Which of the following happens in our solar system? F Earth revolves around the sun once per day. G The moon revolves around Earth once per day. H Earth revolves around the sun once per year J The moon revolves around Earth once per year.

20. 10. Which of the following processes takes place in the core of the sun? A Sunspots B Solar flares C Solar fusing D Nuclear fusion

21. 10. Which of the following processes takes place in the core of the sun? A Sunspots B Solar flares C Solar fusing D Nuclear fusion

22. 11. The outermost layer of the sun’s atmosphere is called the— A
11. The outermost layer of the sun’s atmosphere is called the— A core B corona C corolla D atmosphere

23. 11. The outermost layer of the sun’s atmosphere is called the— A
11. The outermost layer of the sun’s atmosphere is called the— A core B corona C corolla D atmosphere

24. 12. All energy that influences weather and causes plants to grow comes from – A the moon B the Earth C the sun D electricity  

25. 12. All energy that influences weather and causes plants to grow comes from – A the moon B the Earth C the sun D electricity  

26. 13. The sun is a medium-sized star made mostly of – A
13. The sun is a medium-sized star made mostly of – A heat and hydrogen B hydrogen and helium C helium and oxygen D nitrogen and helium  

27. 13. The sun is a medium-sized star made mostly of – A
13. The sun is a medium-sized star made mostly of – A heat and hydrogen B hydrogen and helium C helium and oxygen D nitrogen and helium  

28. 14. The sun produces big explosions of energy called – A
14. The sun produces big explosions of energy called – A solar flares B solar energy C geothermal energy D heat and light  

29. 14. The sun produces big explosions of energy called – A
14. The sun produces big explosions of energy called – A solar flares B solar energy C geothermal energy D heat and light  

30. 15. The sun is the center of the solar system
15. The sun is the center of the solar system. The sun is considered a— A meteorite B galaxy C corona D star  

31. 15. The sun is the center of the solar system
15. The sun is the center of the solar system. The sun is considered a— A meteorite B galaxy C corona D star  

32. 16. The sun is of great importance to the Earth
16. The sun is of great importance to the Earth. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the sun? A The sun provides energy for the water cycle. B The sun heats the atmosphere causing wind. C The sun revolves around the Earth and the moon. D The sun provides solar energy for the Earth.  

33. 16. The sun is of great importance to the Earth
16. The sun is of great importance to the Earth. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the sun? A The sun provides energy for the water cycle. B The sun heats the atmosphere causing wind. C The sun revolves around the Earth and the moon. D The sun provides solar energy for the Earth.  

34. 17. Solar energy comes from the sun
17. Solar energy comes from the sun. This type of energy is produced when hydrogen is converted to helium through nuclear reactions. Where on the sun does this process take place? A In the sun’s core B In the sun’s corona C On the surface of the sun D In the sun’s atmosphere  

35. 17. Solar energy comes from the sun
17. Solar energy comes from the sun. This type of energy is produced when hydrogen is converted to helium through nuclear reactions. Where on the sun does this process take place? A In the sun’s core B In the sun’s corona C On the surface of the sun D In the sun’s atmosphere  

36. 18. All of the following may be effects of the sun EXCEPT— A
18. All of the following may be effects of the sun EXCEPT— A a person’s skin may burn if they are outside in the sun too long B the sun does not shine brightly at night C the heat from the sun can be used to cook food D the sun plays a major part in the water cycle  

37. 18. All of the following may be effects of the sun EXCEPT— A
18. All of the following may be effects of the sun EXCEPT— A a person’s skin may burn if they are outside in the sun too long B the sun does not shine brightly at night C the heat from the sun can be used to cook food D the sun plays a major part in the water cycle  

38. 19. All of the following are true statements EXCEPT— A
19. All of the following are true statements EXCEPT— A the sun is solid like the Earth B the sun is much hotter than Earth C wind is caused by the sun’s heating D light from the sun takes about 8 minutes to reach the Earth  

39. 19. All of the following are true statements EXCEPT— A
19. All of the following are true statements EXCEPT— A the sun is solid like the Earth B the sun is much hotter than Earth C wind is caused by the sun’s heating D light from the sun takes about 8 minutes to reach the Earth  

40. 20. Why is the sun the only star that we usually see during the daytime? A The other stars do not shine in the daytime. B The other stars are cooler during the daytime. C The sun is brighter because it is closer than the other stars. D The Earth’s atmosphere makes it impossible to see the other stars.  

41. 20. Why is the sun the only star that we usually see during the daytime? A The other stars do not shine in the daytime. B The other stars are cooler during the daytime. C The sun is brighter because it is closer than the other stars. D The Earth’s atmosphere makes it impossible to see the other stars.  

42. 21. Which of the following tells one way stars such as the sun are different from planets? A Stars give off their own light while planets do not. B Planets give off their own light while stars do not. C Stars reflect light back from the planets. D Stars are rocky while most planets are gaseous.  

43. 21. Which of the following tells one way stars such as the sun are different from planets? A Stars give off their own light while planets do not. B Planets give off their own light while stars do not. C Stars reflect light back from the planets. D Stars are rocky while most planets are gaseous.  

44. 22. Which of the following best describes how hot it is on the surface of the sun? A About as hot as boiling water B About as hot magna from a volcano C Much hotter than anything on Earth D About as hot as burning rocket fuel

45. 22. Which of the following best describes how hot it is on the surface of the sun? A About as hot as boiling water B About as hot magna from a volcano C Much hotter than anything on Earth D About as hot as burning rocket fuel

46. 23. When comparing the Earth and the moon, which of the following statements is true? A The moon is larger than the Earth. B The Earth is larger than the moon. C The Earth and the moon are the same size. D The moon is twice as big as the Earth.

47. 23. When comparing the Earth and the moon, which of the following statements is true? A The moon is larger than the Earth. B The Earth is larger than the moon. C The Earth and the moon are the same size. D The moon is twice as big as the Earth.

48. 24. Which of the following features can be found on both the moon and the Earth? A Water B Rivers C Mountains D Peninsulas

49. 24. Which of the following features can be found on both the moon and the Earth? A Water B Rivers C Mountains D Peninsulas

50. 25. How is it possible for the moon to shine at night even though it produces no light? A The moon have many craters filled with water. B The moon is covered with a thin layer of ice. C The moon rotates at a very high rate of speed. D The moon reflects the light from the Sun.

51. 25. How is it possible for the moon to shine at night even though it produces no light? A The moon have many craters filled with water. B The moon is covered with a thin layer of ice. C The moon rotates at a very high rate of speed. D The moon reflects the light from the Sun.

52. 26. A match will not burn on the moon because there is— A
26. A match will not burn on the moon because there is— A not enough water B not enough gravity C not enough oxygen D not enough carbon dioxide

53. 26. A match will not burn on the moon because there is— A
26. A match will not burn on the moon because there is— A not enough water B not enough gravity C not enough oxygen D not enough carbon dioxide

54. 27. In photos taken from space the Earth appears to be blue, while the moon appears to be white. This difference in appearance occurs because— A the Earth and the moon have different gases in their atmosphere B there is more water on the surface of the Earth than on the moon C a great deal of the Earth is covered by water, but there is none on the moon D there are many more clouds surrounding the Earth than around the moon

55. 27. In photos taken from space the Earth appears to be blue, while the moon appears to be white. This difference in appearance occurs because— A the Earth and the moon have different gases in their atmosphere B there is more water on the surface of the Earth than on the moon C a great deal of the Earth is covered by water, but there is none on the moon D there are many more clouds surrounding the Earth than around the moon

56. 28. Which of these layers of the Earth is the thinnest. A
28. Which of these layers of the Earth is the thinnest? A The outer core B The inner core C The mantle D The crust

57. 28. Which of these layers of the Earth is the thinnest. A
28. Which of these layers of the Earth is the thinnest? A The outer core B The inner core C The mantle D The crust

58. 29. Which of the following is one way that the Earth and the moon are NOT the same? A The moon has craters. B The moon has rocky dust. C The Earth rotates on its axis. D The Earth has an atmosphere.

59. 29. Which of the following is one way that the Earth and the moon are NOT the same? A The moon has craters. B The moon has rocky dust. C The Earth rotates on its axis. D The Earth has an atmosphere.

60. 30. Which of the following statements is true about the moon. A
30. Which of the following statements is true about the moon? A The moon orbits around the sun in about 28 days. B Seasons on Earth are caused by the phases of the moon. C Only one side of the moon is visible from the Earth. D It takes the moon 365 days to orbit around the Earth.

61. 30. Which of the following statements is true about the moon. A
30. Which of the following statements is true about the moon? A The moon orbits around the sun in about 28 days. B Seasons on Earth are caused by the phases of the moon. C Only one side of the moon is visible from the Earth. D It takes the moon 365 days to orbit around the Earth.

62.   31. Which of the following is one reason that there are more craters on the surface of the moon than on the surface of the Earth? A The moon has a stronger gravitational pull. More meteorites are pulled to its surface than to the Earth’s surface. B There is more water on the Earth’s surface than on the moon’s surface. This water causes meteorites to explode. C The moon has little or no atmosphere. Meteorites heading to Earth burn up in its atmosphere before hitting the ground. D Meteorites are more likely to hit a small body in space, such as the moon, than a larger body like the Earth.

63.   31. Which of the following is one reason that there are more craters on the surface of the moon than on the surface of the Earth? A The moon has a stronger gravitational pull. More meteorites are pulled to its surface than to the Earth’s surface. B There is more water on the Earth’s surface than on the moon’s surface. This water causes meteorites to explode. C The moon has little or no atmosphere. Meteorites heading to Earth burn up in its atmosphere before hitting the ground. D Meteorites are more likely to hit a small body in space, such as the moon, than a larger body like the Earth.

64.   32. Which of the following statements best describes the Earth’s surface? A The surface of the Earth looks exactly like it did thousands of years ago. B The changes in the Earth’s surface occur for moon. C The surface of the Earth is constantly changing. D All of the changes on the Earth’s surface occur slowly.

65.   32. Which of the following statements best describes the Earth’s surface? A The surface of the Earth looks exactly like it did thousands of years ago. B The changes in the Earth’s surface occur for moon. C The surface of the Earth is constantly changing. D All of the changes on the Earth’s surface occur slowly.

66. 33. The Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun
  33. The Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun. The moon rotates on its axis and revolves around the— A sun B Earth C planets D solar system

67. 33. The Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun
  33. The Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun. The moon rotates on its axis and revolves around the— A sun B Earth C planets D solar system

68. 34. Like Earth, the moon’s core is most likely— A. solid rock B
34. Like Earth, the moon’s core is most likely— A solid rock B nitrogen gas C molten rock D full of craters.

69. 34. Like Earth, the moon’s core is most likely— A. solid rock B
34. Like Earth, the moon’s core is most likely— A solid rock B nitrogen gas C molten rock D full of craters.