Earth & Space Science (Grade 6) Midterm — Semester 2, Form A
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Free printable Earth & Space Science midterm (Grade 6): 15 multiple-choice questions plus 1 written response covering Weather & Climate, The Water Cycle & Oceans, The Solar System & Universe. Answer key included — customize it in the Midterm Maker.
Earth & Space Science (Grade 6) Midterm — Semester 2, Form A
Name: Date: Period:
Directions: Read each question carefully and choose the best answer. Answer the written response in complete sentences.
Covers: Weather & Climate · The Water Cycle & Oceans · The Solar System & Universe
Part 1: Multiple Choice
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What does humidity measure?
- A. The speed of the wind
- B. The amount of water vapor in the air
- C. The temperature of the air
- D. The weight of the air
-
What causes Earth's seasons?
- A. The tilt of Earth's axis
- B. Changes in Earth's spin speed
- C. Earth's changing distance from the Sun
- D. The Moon's gravity
-
A high-pressure system usually brings what kind of weather?
- A. Heavy snow
- B. Clear, dry weather
- C. Thunderstorms
- D. Steady rain
-
Which statement best explains the difference between weather and climate?
- A. Weather is global; climate is only local
- B. Weather is day-to-day; climate is the long-term pattern
- C. Weather is long-term; climate is day-to-day
- D. Weather is only rain; climate is only temperature
-
A cold front forms when what happens?
- A. A warm air mass slides over a cold air mass
- B. A warm air mass is trapped between two cold ones
- C. A cold air mass pushes under a warm air mass
- D. Two air masses stop moving
-
When rainwater soaks into the ground, the process is called what?
- A. Transpiration
- B. Infiltration
- C. Evaporation
- D. Runoff
-
Water vapor released from the leaves of plants is called what?
- A. Condensation
- B. Precipitation
- C. Infiltration
- D. Transpiration
-
What mainly drives surface ocean currents?
- A. Wind
- B. Moonlight
- C. Earthquakes
- D. Tides
-
What is the main source of energy that drives the water cycle?
- A. The Sun
- B. The Moon
- C. Ocean currents
- D. Earth's core
-
What mainly causes ocean tides?
- A. Changes in water temperature
- B. Wind blowing on the water
- C. Underwater earthquakes
- D. The Moon's gravitational pull
-
About how long does it take Earth to revolve once around the Sun?
- A. About 24 hours
- B. About 7 days
- C. About 30 days
- D. About 365 days
-
Which is the largest planet in our solar system?
- A. Jupiter
- B. Earth
- C. Neptune
- D. Saturn
-
What is the name of the galaxy that contains our solar system?
- A. The Milky Way
- B. The Whirlpool
- C. Andromeda
- D. The Big Dipper
-
When does a solar eclipse happen?
- A. When the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth
- B. When Mars passes between Earth and Sun
- C. When Earth passes between the Sun and Moon
- D. When the Sun passes between Earth and Moon
-
What causes the phases of the Moon?
- A. The Moon makes less light some nights
- B. Clouds block part of the Moon
- C. Earth's shadow covers part of the Moon
- D. We see different amounts of its sunlit half as it orbits
Part 2: Written Response
- Explain why weather can change from day to day while a region's climate stays about the same. Include air masses, fronts, or air pressure in your answer.
Answer Key — Earth & Space Science (Grade 6) Midterm — Semester 2, Form A
- B — The amount of water vapor in the air Humidity describes how much water vapor the air holds.
- A — The tilt of Earth's axis The tilt changes how directly sunlight strikes each hemisphere during the year.
- B — Clear, dry weather Sinking air in high pressure discourages cloud formation.
- B — Weather is day-to-day; climate is the long-term pattern Climate is the average of weather conditions over many years.
- C — A cold air mass pushes under a warm air mass Cold, dense air wedges under warm air, forcing it up and often causing storms.
- B — Infiltration Infiltration refills groundwater stored in soil and rock.
- D — Transpiration Plants give off water vapor through small openings in their leaves.
- A — Wind Steady winds push surface water into large circulating currents.
- A — The Sun Sunlight heats water, causing evaporation that powers the cycle.
- D — The Moon's gravitational pull The Moon's gravity (helped by the Sun's) pulls ocean water into bulges.
- D — About 365 days One full orbit around the Sun is one year, about 365.25 days.
- A — Jupiter Jupiter is more massive than all other planets combined.
- A — The Milky Way Our solar system orbits within the Milky Way galaxy.
- A — When the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth The Moon blocks sunlight, casting its shadow on Earth.
- D — We see different amounts of its sunlit half as it orbits Half the Moon is always lit; its position changes how much of that half we see.
Written Response — Look-Fors
- Defines weather (short-term) vs. climate (long-term average); explains fronts/air masses/pressure systems causing daily change; notes factors like latitude or nearness to water shaping climate.