Earth & Space Science (Grade 6) Midterm — Units 5–6

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. When rainwater soaks into the ground, the process is called what?
   1. A. Transpiration
   2. B. Infiltration
   3. C. Evaporation
   4. D. Runoff
2. Water vapor released from the leaves of plants is called what?
   1. A. Condensation
   2. B. Precipitation
   3. C. Infiltration
   4. D. Transpiration
3. What mainly drives surface ocean currents?
   1. A. Wind
   2. B. Moonlight
   3. C. Earthquakes
   4. D. Tides
4. What is the main source of energy that drives the water cycle?
   1. A. The Sun
   2. B. The Moon
   3. C. Ocean currents
   4. D. Earth's core
5. What mainly causes ocean tides?
   1. A. Changes in water temperature
   2. B. Wind blowing on the water
   3. C. Underwater earthquakes
   4. D. The Moon's gravitational pull
6. Where is most of Earth's fresh water stored?
   1. A. In rivers
   2. B. In the atmosphere
   3. C. In glaciers and ice caps
   4. D. In lakes
7. How do clouds form?
   1. A. Water droplets evaporate in warm air
   2. B. Water vapor cools and condenses into droplets
   3. C. Wind blows ocean water upward
   4. D. Rain rises back into the sky
8. Why is ocean water salty?
   1. A. Rain falling on the ocean is salty
   2. B. Sea plants produce salt
   3. C. Melting icebergs add salt
   4. D. Rivers carry dissolved minerals from rocks into the sea
9. When liquid water changes into water vapor, what is the process called?
   1. A. Condensation
   2. B. Precipitation
   3. C. Evaporation
   4. D. Runoff
10. Where is most of Earth's water found?
    1. A. Underground
    2. B. In glaciers and ice caps
    3. C. In the oceans
    4. D. In lakes and rivers
11. About how long does it take Earth to revolve once around the Sun?
    1. A. About 24 hours
    2. B. About 7 days
    3. C. About 30 days
    4. D. About 365 days
12. Which is the largest planet in our solar system?
    1. A. Jupiter
    2. B. Earth
    3. C. Neptune
    4. D. Saturn
13. What is the name of the galaxy that contains our solar system?
    1. A. The Milky Way
    2. B. The Whirlpool
    3. C. Andromeda
    4. D. The Big Dipper
14. When does a solar eclipse happen?
    1. A. When the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth
    2. B. When Mars passes between Earth and Sun
    3. C. When Earth passes between the Sun and Moon
    4. D. When the Sun passes between Earth and Moon
15. What causes the phases of the Moon?
    1. A. The Moon makes less light some nights
    2. B. Clouds block part of the Moon
    3. C. Earth's shadow covers part of the Moon
    4. D. We see different amounts of its sunlit half as it orbits
16. What causes day and night on Earth?
    1. A. Earth revolving around the Sun
    2. B. The Sun moving around Earth
    3. C. The Moon orbiting Earth
    4. D. Earth rotating on its axis
17. Which planet is closest to the Sun?
    1. A. Mars
    2. B. Venus
    3. C. Mercury
    4. D. Earth
18. A light-year is a unit used to measure what?
    1. A. Time
    2. B. Mass
    3. C. Brightness
    4. D. Distance
19. Which planet has the hottest average surface temperature?
    1. A. Venus
    2. B. Mars
    3. C. Mercury
    4. D. Jupiter
20. In 2006, astronomers reclassified Pluto. What is it now called?
    1. A. A moon
    2. B. An asteroid
    3. C. A dwarf planet
    4. D. A comet

Part 2: Written Response

21. Explain why we see different phases of the Moon and why eclipses do not happen every month. Use the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.