Content Benchmark E.8.A.1
Students know seasons are caused by variations in the amounts of the Sun’s energy
reaching Earth’s surface due to the planet’s axial tilt. E/S
Sample Test Questions
1st Item Specification: Understand the relationship between the sun and Earth and
how equinoxes, solstices, and seasons occur.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
1. When the Northern Hemisphere is angled toward the Sun, it will be
A. summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
B. summer in the Southern Hemisphere and winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
C. winter in the both hemispheres.
D. summer in both hemispheres.
2. The day in the fall when the Earth experiences 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of
darkness is known as the
A. vernal equinox.
B. autumnal equinox.
C. winter solstice.
D. summer solstice.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
3. During an equinox, what is the relationship between the amount of the radiant energy
received from the Sun north of the equator compared to the amount of sunlight
received south of the equator?
A. The Sun’s energy increases north of the equator, but decreases south of the
equator.
B. The Sun’s energy decreases north of the equator, but increases south of the
equator.
C. There is no relationship between location to the equator and the amount of
radiant energy received in an area.
D. The amount of radiant energy decreases gradually the farther away from the
equator in either direction.
4. Las Vegas is located at approximately 32° N latitude. The Sun’s most direct rays
strike the city
A. on December 21st.
B. between March 23 and June 21st.
C. between June 21 and September 23rd.
D. on September 23rd.
2nd Item Specification: Know Earth rotates on an axis, tilted at 23.5 as it orbits the
sun (the tilt does not change orientation as Earth orbits the sun).
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
5. During each orbit around the sun, the Earth
A. changes the angle of axial tilt and orientation.
B. alternates toward and away from the sun.
C. maintains a consistent tilt and orientation.
D. maintains a consistent distance from the sun.
6. The Earth is tilted on its axis approximately
A. 15°.
B. 20°.
C. 23°.
D. 32°.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
7. Which of the following is NOT influenced by the Earth’s tilt on its axis?
A. When the seasons occur.
B. The number of daylight hours.
C. Solar and lunar eclipses.
D. The height of the tides.
8. Which of the following evidence supports the Earth’s orientation is constant as it
orbits the sun?
A. Earth’s orbit is elliptical as the Earth moves closer and farther from the Sun.
B. Solar and lunar eclipses can only happen during a new moon or full moon.
C. The North Star can be used as a fixed reference point in the night sky.
D. The Earth takes approximately 365 days to orbit the sun.
3rd Item Specification: Know Earth’s axial tilt produces winter in the Northern
Hemisphere when it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
9. In which season is energy from the Sun the most direct?
A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Fall
D. Winter
10. When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, what season is the Southern
Hemisphere experiencing?
A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Fall
D. Winter
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
11. In the Southern Hemisphere, when is the energy from the Sun most concentrated?
A. September to November
B. December to March
C. April to June
D. July to August
4th Item Specification: Know location and latitude affect the amount of sun’s energy
received.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
12. Which area receives the most direct sunlight throughout the year?
A. Equator
B. Tropic of Cancer
C. Tropic of Capricorn
D. North Pole
13. Which area receives the least direct solar energy throughout the year?
A. Equator
B. Tropic of Cancer
C. Tropic of Capricorn
D. North Pole
Constructed Response E.8.A.1
1. Diagram the Earth in its orbit around the Sun and include the following labels and
explanations.
A. The Earth’s tilt must be represented along with labels for each solstice and
equinox as experienced in the Northern Hemisphere.
B. Identify the position that reflects the Southern Hemisphere receiving the
greatest and least amount of direct solar energy. Provide evidence to support
the choice.
C. Explain, with evidence, what seasons would be like on Earth if there were
no axial tilt.
Content Benchmark E.8.A.1
Students know seasons are caused by variations in the amounts of the Sun’s energy
reaching Earth’s surface due to the planet’s axial tilt. E/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. A, DOK Level 1
2. B, DOK Level 1
3. D, DOK Level 2
4. C, DOK Level 2
5. C, DOK Level 1
6. C, DOK Level 1
7. D, DOK Level 2
8. C, DOK Level 2
9. B, DOK Level 1
10. D, DOK Level 1
11. B, DOK Level 2
12. A, DOK Level 1
13. D, DOK Level 1
Constructed Response E.8.A.1 Score Rubric:
Response addresses all parts of the question clearly and correctly.
3 points
A. The diagram shows the Earth in a counterclockwise rotation
tilted toward the Sun in the Summer Solstice for the Northern
Hemisphere and away when it is Winter Solstice. The Vernal
Equinox and Autumnal Equinox should be labeled in order
respectively. At each of the equinoxes the Earth should not be
tilted toward or way from the Sun.
B. The Sun’s rays would be the most direct in the position labeled
as the Northern Hemisphere’s winter as the Southern
Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. The Sun’s rays would be
the least direct in the position labeled as the Northern
Hemisphere’s summer as the Southern Hemisphere is tilted
away from the Sun.
C. Without an axial tilt there would be no seasons, as the amount of
direct sunlight an area receives would not change throughout
Earth’s orbit. The equatorial regions would receive the largest
amount of direct energy, and the poles would consistently
receive the least. This would be because Earth’s axis of rotation
would have a perpendicular relationship with the plane of the
ecliptic, resulting in an angle of incidence of 90º at the equator
and 0º at the poles.
2 points
Response addresses all parts of the question and includes only minor
errors.
1 point
Response does not address all parts of the question.
0 points
The response is totally incorrect or no response provided.