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Grade 5 Science · Sun, Earth and Moon

Grade 5 Sun, Earth and Moon Practice Test

Build Grade 5 Science skills with five 10-question practice tests on sunlight, Earth motions, Moon phases, eclipses, seasons, tides, and Sun-Earth-Moon models.

Sun, Earth and Moon Practice Tests

These Grade 5 Science practice tests help students explain the relationships among the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Students study sunlight, gravity, rotation, revolution, day and night, Moon phases, eclipses, seasons, tides, shadows, observations, and models.

Skills covered

  • Explaining the Sun as a star and energy source
  • Describing Earth rotation, revolution, and the day-night cycle
  • Explaining Moon phases and eclipses with positions and sunlight
  • Using Earth tilt and orbit to explain seasons
  • Describing tides as patterns affected by gravity
  • Using shadows and observations as evidence of motion
  • Building and interpreting Sun-Earth-Moon models safely

How to use these practice tests

Look at the positions and motions of all three objects. Ask where sunlight is coming from, which object is rotating or revolving, and whether a shadow or illuminated surface explains the observation.

For more Grade 5 Science practice, return to the Grade 5 Science category.

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Grade 5 Sun, Earth and Moon Practice Tests

A 10-question Grade 5 Science practice test on the Sun, Earth, Moon, sunlight, rotation, revolution, Moon phases, eclipses, seasons, tides, and models.

Use the positions, motions, light, and gravity of the Sun, Earth, and Moon to choose the best scientific explanation.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

What causes Moon phases?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The Moon’s position around Earth changes which sunlit portion is visible..

  1. Identify the Sun-Earth-Moon pattern: Decide which object is moving, where sunlight is coming from, and what observation is being explained.
  2. Use the model: The Sun always lights half the Moon, but the visible portion changes as the Moon orbits Earth.
  3. Choose the best explanation: The correct choice is The Moon’s position around Earth changes which sunlit portion is visible..

The Sun always lights half the Moon, but the visible portion changes as the Moon orbits Earth.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

When is the Moon’s near side mostly lit?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is During a full moon..

  1. Identify the Sun-Earth-Moon pattern: Decide which object is moving, where sunlight is coming from, and what observation is being explained.
  2. Use the model: A full moon occurs when most of the side facing Earth is illuminated.
  3. Choose the best explanation: The correct choice is During a full moon..

A full moon occurs when most of the side facing Earth is illuminated.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

When is the Moon’s near side mostly dark?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is During a new moon..

  1. Identify the Sun-Earth-Moon pattern: Decide which object is moving, where sunlight is coming from, and what observation is being explained.
  2. Use the model: During a new moon, the illuminated side faces mostly away from Earth.
  3. Choose the best explanation: The correct choice is During a new moon..

During a new moon, the illuminated side faces mostly away from Earth.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

What causes a lunar eclipse?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon when Earth is between the Sun and Moon..

  1. Identify the Sun-Earth-Moon pattern: Decide which object is moving, where sunlight is coming from, and what observation is being explained.
  2. Use the model: A lunar eclipse requires the Sun, Earth, and Moon to align so Earth blocks sunlight.
  3. Choose the best explanation: The correct choice is Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon when Earth is between the Sun and Moon..

A lunar eclipse requires the Sun, Earth, and Moon to align so Earth blocks sunlight.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

What causes a solar eclipse?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The Moon’s shadow falls on Earth when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth..

  1. Identify the Sun-Earth-Moon pattern: Decide which object is moving, where sunlight is coming from, and what observation is being explained.
  2. Use the model: The Moon blocks some sunlight from reaching a portion of Earth.
  3. Choose the best explanation: The correct choice is The Moon’s shadow falls on Earth when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth..

The Moon blocks some sunlight from reaching a portion of Earth.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Why do eclipses not happen every month?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The Moon’s orbit is tilted, so the three objects are not aligned during every new or full moon..

  1. Identify the Sun-Earth-Moon pattern: Decide which object is moving, where sunlight is coming from, and what observation is being explained.
  2. Use the model: The orbital tilt usually keeps the shadows above or below the needed alignment.
  3. Choose the best explanation: The correct choice is The Moon’s orbit is tilted, so the three objects are not aligned during every new or full moon..

The orbital tilt usually keeps the shadows above or below the needed alignment.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which observation helps identify a quarter Moon?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is About half of the visible Moon appears illuminated..

  1. Identify the Sun-Earth-Moon pattern: Decide which object is moving, where sunlight is coming from, and what observation is being explained.
  2. Use the model: A quarter phase shows about half of the Moon’s visible disk lit, even though it represents a quarter of the orbit.
  3. Choose the best explanation: The correct choice is About half of the visible Moon appears illuminated..

A quarter phase shows about half of the Moon’s visible disk lit, even though it represents a quarter of the orbit.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does the Moon look different during the month?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The viewing angle changes as the Moon revolves around Earth..

  1. Identify the Sun-Earth-Moon pattern: Decide which object is moving, where sunlight is coming from, and what observation is being explained.
  2. Use the model: The Moon’s surface is not changing shape; the lit portion visible from Earth changes.
  3. Choose the best explanation: The correct choice is The viewing angle changes as the Moon revolves around Earth..

The Moon’s surface is not changing shape; the lit portion visible from Earth changes.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which object provides the light for Moon phases?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The Sun.

  1. Identify the Sun-Earth-Moon pattern: Decide which object is moving, where sunlight is coming from, and what observation is being explained.
  2. Use the model: Sunlight illuminates the Moon’s surface.
  3. Choose the best explanation: The correct choice is The Sun.

Sunlight illuminates the Moon’s surface.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which classroom model best shows a lunar eclipse?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A lamp, globe, and small ball aligned so the globe’s shadow reaches the ball..

  1. Identify the Sun-Earth-Moon pattern: Decide which object is moving, where sunlight is coming from, and what observation is being explained.
  2. Use the model: The model uses Earth’s shadow to represent the alignment of a lunar eclipse.
  3. Choose the best explanation: The correct choice is A lamp, globe, and small ball aligned so the globe’s shadow reaches the ball..

The model uses Earth’s shadow to represent the alignment of a lunar eclipse.

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Frequently asked questions about Grade 5 Sun, Earth and Moon

What causes day and night?

Earth rotates on its axis, so different parts of Earth face toward or away from the Sun.

What causes Moon phases?

As the Moon revolves around Earth, the visible portion of its sunlit half changes.

How many questions are on this page?

The page includes five mini tests with 10 questions each, for 50 Grade 5 Sun, Earth and Moon questions in total.