Mystery Detectives Question 1 – Astronauts traveling to the moon must wear space suits having air tanks. Astronauts on the moon must breathe from air.

Mystery DetectivesMystery Detectives

Question 1 – Astronauts traveling to the moon must wear space suits having air tanks. Astronauts on the moon must breathe from air tanks because -


F. there is too much oxygen on the surface of the moon.*F. there is too much oxygen on the surface of the moon.*

G. the moon has little or no atmosphere.*G. the moon has little or no atmosphere.*

H. the moon’s atmosphere is thicker than that on the Earth.*

J. the moon’s atmosphere has more carbon dioxide than the Earth’s.*



G. the moon has little or no atmosphere.*G. the moon has little or no atmosphere.*

Question 2 – Which of the following events is caused by the Earth rotating on its axis?


A. The four seasons *A. The four seasons *

D. A day and night cycle *D. A day and night cycle *

B. The passing of a year *

C. The phases of the moon *



D. A day and night cycle *D. A day and night cycle *

Question 3 – Which of the following planets has the shortest orbit around the sun?


G. Mercury *G. Mercury *

F. Earth *F. Earth *

H. Neptune *

J. Jupiter *



G. Mercury *G. Mercury *

Question 4 – The visible part of the sun’s surface is called the photosphere. The dark areas that appear on the photosphere are—


A. sunspots *A. sunspots *

D. craters *D. craters *

C. solar flares *

B. coronas *



A. sunspots *A. sunspots *

Question 5 – A student noticed that the size of Galveston Beach changed each day. Why does this happen?


F. Bays have one high tide and one low tide every day.*F. Bays have one high tide and one low tide every day.*

J. Bays have two high tides and two low tides every day.*J. Bays have two high tides and two low tides every day.*

G. Bays have two high tides and two low tides every week.*

H. Bays have three high tides and three low tides every day.*



J. Bays have two high tides and two low tides every day.*J. Bays have two high tides and two low tides every day.*

Question 6 – Which of the following is the correct order of the planets, from innermost to outermost?


A. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars *A. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars *

B. Jupiter, Earth, Mars, Saturn *B. Jupiter, Earth, Mars, Saturn *

C. Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn *

D. Mars, Earth, Venus, Mercury *



A. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars *A. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars *

Question 7 – Which sentence below explains why we see the phases of the moon?


C. The moon revolves around the sun. *

D. The moon is covered with many craters. *

B. The moon is a very large planet. *

A. The moon revolves around the Earth. *A. The moon revolves around the Earth. *



A. The moon revolves around the Earth. *A. The moon revolves around the Earth. *

Question 8 – About how many times does the Earth rotate on its axis each year?


F. 365 *F. 365 *

G. 28 *G. 28 *

H. 24 *

J. 1 *



F. 365 *F. 365 *

Question 9 – What causes day and night on Earth?Question 9 – What causes day and night on Earth?

D. the turning of Earth on its axis*D. the turning of Earth on its axis*

A. the Earth’s orbit around the sun*A. the Earth’s orbit around the sun*

B. the tilt of the Earth on its axis*

C. the movement of the moon*

Question 9 – What causes day and night on Earth?Question 9 – What causes day and night on Earth?

D. the turning of Earth on its axis*D. the turning of Earth on its axis*

Question 10 – In Houston, summer is warmer than winter because—Question 10 – In Houston, summer is warmer than winter because—

F. the moon is higher in the sky in the summer. *F. the moon is higher in the sky in the summer. *

H. the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun in the summer. *


G. the Earth is closer to the sun in the summer. *

J. the sun shines brighter in the summer. *

Question 10 – In Houston, summer is warmer than winter because—Question 10 – In Houston, summer is warmer than winter because—



Question 11 – Which of the following keeps the planets in orbit around the sun?


D. The force of gravity *D. The force of gravity *

B. Electromagnetic energy *B. Electromagnetic energy *

A. Their atmosphere *

C. Thermal energy *



D. The force of gravity *D. The force of gravity *

Question 12 – Which of the following objects is found in the center of our Solar System?


G. The sun*G. The sun*

F. Jupiter*F. Jupiter*

J. The moon*

H. Earth*



G. The sun*G. The sun*

Question 13 – It is possible to see large dark areas on the moon’s surface. These areas are MOST LIKELY—


A. mountains*A. mountains*

B. craters*B. craters*

D. great lakes*

C. active volcanoes*



B. craters*B. craters*

Question 14 – What would happen if the Earth stopped rotating?Question 14 – What would happen if the Earth stopped rotating?

G. The entire Earth would always be dark.*G. The entire Earth would always be dark.*

F. Half of the Earth would always be dark.*F. Half of the Earth would always be dark.*

H. The entire Earth would always be light.*

J. The sun would revolve around the Earth.*

Question 14 – What would happen if the Earth stopped rotating?Question 14 – What would happen if the Earth stopped rotating?

F. Half of the Earth would always be dark.*F. Half of the Earth would always be dark.*

Question 15 – What type of energy does the sun provide?Question 15 – What type of energy does the sun provide?

H. Solar*H. Solar*

J. Sound*J. Sound*

G. Lunar*

F. Electrical*

Question 15 – What type of energy does the sun provide?Question 15 – What type of energy does the sun provide?

H. Solar*H. Solar*

Question 16 – To the people on Earth, the sun looks much larger than all the other stars. Why is this true?


A. The sun is much bigger than the other stars.*A. The sun is much bigger than the other stars.*

B. The sun is closer to the Earth than the other stars.*B. The sun is closer to the Earth than the other stars.*

C. The sun looks big because the moon is so small.*

D. The Earth revolves slowly around the sun.*



B. The sun is closer to the Earth than the other stars.*B. The sun is closer to the Earth than the other stars.*

Question 17 - An astronaut weighs less on the moon than on the Earth because the moon has less

.


.

H. gravity*H. gravity*

F. magnetism*F. magnetism*

G. density*

J. atmosphere*


.


.

H. gravity*H. gravity*

Question 18 – What causes the ocean tides on the Earth?Question 18 – What causes the ocean tides on the Earth?

B. The moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth*B. The moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth*

A. The movement of the Earth around the sun*A. The movement of the Earth around the sun*

C. The rotation of the moon around the Earth*

D. The Earth’s reflection of sunlight to the moon*

Question 18 – What causes the ocean tides on the Earth?Question 18 – What causes the ocean tides on the Earth?

B. The moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth*B. The moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth*

Question 19 – Which of the following forces pulls a person jumping rope back to the Earth’s surface?


F. Pressure*F. Pressure*

J. Gravity*J. Gravity*

G. Inertia*

H. Friction*



J. Gravity*J. Gravity*

Question 20 - How long does it take the Earth to rotate once on its axis?


G. about 24 hours*G. about 24 hours*

F. about 365 days*F. about 365 days*

H. about 1 year*

J. about 29 days*



G. about 24 hours*G. about 24 hours*

Question 21 – Why is it possible for astronauts in space to see the Earth and the moon from great distances?


F. The Earth and the moon reflect the sun’s light.*F. The Earth and the moon reflect the sun’s light.*

G. The sun shines in the windows of the space craft.*G. The sun shines in the windows of the space craft.*

H. They view the Earth and moon through a telescope.*

J. They look at the Earth and moon with binoculars.*



F. The Earth and the moon reflect the sun’s light.*F. The Earth and the moon reflect the sun’s light.*

Question 22 - What causes seasons on the Earth?Question 22 - What causes seasons on the Earth?

C. the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun*C. the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun*

A. the movement of the moon as it revolves around the sun*A. the movement of the moon as it revolves around the sun*

B. the movement of the sun as the Earth revolves around it*

D. the orbits of other planets as they revolve around the sun*

Question 22 - What causes seasons on the Earth?Question 22 - What causes seasons on the Earth?

C. the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun*C. the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun*

Question 23 – In order from the sun, the fifth planet is —Question 23 – In order from the sun, the fifth planet is —

D. Jupiter*D. Jupiter*

A. Earth*A. Earth*

B. Venus*

C. Saturn*

Question 23 – In order from the sun, the fifth planet is —Question 23 – In order from the sun, the fifth planet is —

D. Jupiter*D. Jupiter*

Question 24 – What object follows the same orbit as Earth orbiting the sun?


F. Mercury*F. Mercury*

G. The moon*G. The moon*

H. Jupiter*

J. The sun*



G. The moon*G. The moon*

Question 25 - When it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, it is summer in the .


J. Northern Hemisphere*J. Northern Hemisphere*

F. Western Hemisphere*F. Western Hemisphere*

G. Southern Hemisphere*

H. Eastern Hemisphere*



J. Northern Hemisphere*J. Northern Hemisphere*

Question 26 – The sun and the nine planets compose —Question 26 – The sun and the nine planets compose —

G. a system*G. a system*

F. a comet*F. a comet*

H. a galaxy*

J. an orbit*

Question 26 – The sun and the nine planets compose —Question 26 – The sun and the nine planets compose —

G. a system*G. a system*

Question 27 – Astronauts who travel to the moon must wear spacesuits containing air tanks. What would be the most important reason for doing this?


C. The spacesuits contain oxygen for the astronauts.*C. The spacesuits contain oxygen for the astronauts.*

A. The suits protect the astronauts from the rays of the sun.*A. The suits protect the astronauts from the rays of the sun.*

B. The suits protect the astronauts if they fall down.*

D. The spacesuits keep the astronauts from getting too hot.*



C. The spacesuits contain oxygen for the astronauts.*C. The spacesuits contain oxygen for the astronauts.*

Question 28 – The great majority of the Earth’s surface is covered by —


C. water*C. water*

A. rocks*A. rocks*

B. soil*

D. sand*



C. water*C. water*

Question 29 – Earth would not have seasons if—Question 29 – Earth would not have seasons if—

C. it was not tilted on its axis *C. it was not tilted on its axis *

A. it did not rotate on its axis *A. it did not rotate on its axis *

D. it had more than one moon *

B. it was closer to the sun *

Question 29 – Earth would not have seasons if—Question 29 – Earth would not have seasons if—

C. it was not tilted on its axis *C. it was not tilted on its axis *

Question 30 – What is one year on Earth?Question 30 – What is one year on Earth?

H. The time it takes for Earth to make one complete revolution around the sun*


F. The time it takes for Earth to make one complete rotation around the sun *

F. The time it takes for Earth to make one complete rotation around the sun *

G. The time it takes for Earth to make one complete revolution around the moon *

J. The time it takes for Earth to make 365 revolutions around the sun*

Question 30 – What is one year on Earth?Question 30 – What is one year on Earth?



Question 31 – What determines the length of a planet’s year?


C. The time it takes to rotate on its axis *C. The time it takes to rotate on its axis *

D. The time it takes to revolve around the sun *D. The time it takes to revolve around the sun *

A. How large the planet is *

B. The number of hours in its year *



D. The time it takes to revolve around the sun *D. The time it takes to revolve around the sun *

Question 32 – Planets move in a curved path around the sun called —


J. an orbit*J. an orbit*

F. an ellipse*F. an ellipse*

G. a track*

H. a circle*



J. an orbit*J. an orbit*

Question 33 – All of the following are true statements about the sun EXCEPT—


A. the sun is a solid mass of rock much like the Earth *A. the sun is a solid mass of rock much like the Earth *

B. the sun is the source of almost all of the energy found on the Earth *

B. the sun is the source of almost all of the energy found on the Earth *

C. the sun is about 100 times the size of the Earth *

*D. the sun has many different layers *



*A. the sun is a solid mass of rock much like the Earth **A. the sun is a solid mass of rock much like the Earth *

Question 34 – In an accurate diagram of our Solar System, which of the following objects would be shown closest to the Earth?


*G. The sun **G. The sun *

*F. The moon **F. The moon *

*H. Venus *

*J. Mars *



*F. The moon **F. The moon *

Question 35 – What tool would be used to observe the moon in the night sky?


*D.**D.*

*A.**A.*

*B.*

*C.*



*D.**D.*

Question 36 – The sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west every day. This happens because—


*H. the earth rotates on its axis**H. the earth rotates on its axis*

*G. the Earth revolves around the sun **G. the Earth revolves around the sun *

*F. the sun revolves around the Earth *

*J. the sun rotates on its axis *



*H. the earth rotates on its axis**H. the earth rotates on its axis*

Question 37 – The moon produces no light of its own, yet we see it shining brightly in the night sky. How is this possible?


*B. The Earth reflects light from the sun. **B. The Earth reflects light from the sun. *

*A. The moon reflects light from the sun.**A. The moon reflects light from the sun.*

*D. There are no clouds above the surface of the moon. *

*C. Heat on the moon’s surface glows in the night sky. *


Question 37 – The moon produces no light of its own, yet we see it shining brightly in the night sky. How is this possible?*A. The moon reflects light from the sun.**A. The moon reflects light from the sun.*

Question 38 – What causes a full moon to look different than a first quarter moon?


*F. The amount of sunlight reflected by the moon’s surface**F. The amount of sunlight reflected by the moon’s surface*

*G. The amount of sunlight reflected by the Earth’s surface**G. The amount of sunlight reflected by the Earth’s surface*

*H. The amount of sunlight reflected by the other planets*

*J. The amount of sunlight reflected by the asteroid belt*



*F. The amount of sunlight reflected by the moon’s surface**F. The amount of sunlight reflected by the moon’s surface*

Question 39 – What might happen to the solar system if there were no gravity?


*A. The planets would drift off to space in a straight line.**A. The planets would drift off to space in a straight line.*

*B. The planets would freeze and not move any more.**B. The planets would freeze and not move any more.*

*C. The planets would remain in orbit around the sun.*

*D. The planets would move in exactly the same way.*



*A. The planets would drift off to space in a straight line.**A. The planets would drift off to space in a straight line.*

Question 40 – The sun is composed of—Question 40 – The sun is composed of—

*A. cold rock**A. cold rock*

*G. hot gases**G. hot gases*

*H. frozen water*

*J. nuclear reactions*

Question 40 – The sun is composed of—Question 40 – The sun is composed of—

*G. hot gases**G. hot gases*

Question 41 – To which of the following planets is Earth the closest?


*F. Mars**F. Mars*

*G. Mercury**G. Mercury*

*H. Jupiter*

*J. Saturn*



*H. Jupiter*

Question 42 – The sun and a full moon appear to be about the same size from the Earth. Which answer below BEST describes the reason for this observation?


*F. The moon and the sun are the same size. **F. The moon and the sun are the same size. *

*J. The sun is farther away from the Earth than the moon.**J. The sun is farther away from the Earth than the moon.*

*H. As the Earth revolves, it gets closer to the sun. *

*G. As the moon orbits the Earth, it gets closer than the sun. *



*J. The sun is farther away from the Earth than the moon.**J. The sun is farther away from the Earth than the moon.*

Question 43 – Which of the following is found on the Earth, but NOT on the moon?


*A. Active volcanoes**A. Active volcanoes*

*B. Mountains**B. Mountains*

*D. Craters*

*C. Valleys and canyons*



*A. Active volcanoes**A. Active volcanoes*

Question 44 – The size of a planet’s orbit is determined by

.


.

*F. how big or small the planet is**F. how big or small the planet is*

*H. the distance of the planet from the sun**H. the distance of the planet from the sun*

*G. how hot or cold the planet is*

*J. the distance between the planet and its moon*


.


.

*H. the distance of the planet from the sun**H. the distance of the planet from the sun*

Question 45 – The moon is kept in orbit around the Earth mainly by the force of—


*B. gravity**B. gravity*

*A. friction**A. friction*

*C. rotation*

*D. revolution*



*B. gravity**B. gravity*

Question 46 - Like the Earth, scientists believe the moon’s inner core is made mostly of

.


.

*B. iron**B. iron*

*A. nickel**A. nickel*

*D. hydrogen*

*C. nitrogen*


.


.

*B. iron**B. iron*

Question 47 – Although the planets in our solar system are different, they all have some characteristics in common. Which of the following characteristics is most similar among the planets?


*G. The shape of their orbit**G. The shape of their orbit*

*F. Their mass**F. Their mass*

*J. The number of moons they have*

*H. What matter they are made of*



*G. The shape of their orbit**G. The shape of their orbit*

Question 48 – Sunspots on the sun appear as dark spots because they are —


*H. cooler than the rest of the sun’s surface**H. cooler than the rest of the sun’s surface*

*F. hotter than the rest of the sun’s surface**F. hotter than the rest of the sun’s surface*

*G. melted substances on the sun’s surface*

*J. icy spots on the surface of the sun*



*H. cooler than the rest of the sun’s surface**H. cooler than the rest of the sun’s surface*

Mystery Detectives Question 1 – Astronauts traveling to the moon must wear space suits having air tanks. Astronauts on the moon must breathe from air.

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