Download Critical Thinking - Leon County Schools

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Skills Worksheet
Critical Thinking
ANALOGIES
In the space provided, write the letter of the pair of terms or phrases that best
complete the analogy shown. An analogy is a relationship between two pairs of
words or phrases written as a:b::c:d. The symbol : is read is to, and the symbol :: is
read as.
______ 1. planet : solar system ::
a. sun : star
b. large : small
c. tree : forest
d. river : lake
______ 6. inner planet : outer planet ::
a. Mercury : Mars
b. heavy elements :
light elements
c. Earth : atmosphere
d. helium : hydrogen
______ 2. moon : planet ::
a. star : solar system
b. moon : sun
c. planet : sun
d. sun : planet
______ 7. core : nickel and iron ::
a. mantle : iron and
magnesium
b. crust : hydrogen and
helium
c. acorn : oak
d. cherry : pit
______ 3. orbital period : time ::
a. AU : astronomical unit
b. AU : distance
c. distance : time
d. time : distance
______ 8. greenhouse effect : runaway
greenhouse effect ::
a. global warming : ozone
depletion
b. summer : winter
c. warm : hot
d. Venus : Earth
______ 4. ellipse : circle ::
a. orbit : axis
b. moon : revolution
c. points : foci
d. oval : round
______ 9. planet : planetesimals ::
a. lava : volcano
b. matter : molecules
c. Pluto : Neptune
d. ice crystal : water
______ 5. Copernicus : heliocentric ::
a. Galileo Galilei :
lunarcentric
b. Kepler : mathematics
c. Aristotle : geocentric
d. Newton : astronomy
______ 10. gravity : orbital curve ::
a. cause : effect
b. reaction : action
c. process : product
d. hypothesis : experiment
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Holt Earth Science
3
Planets of the Solar System
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Critical Thinking continued
INTERPRETING OBSERVATIONS
Read the following passage and answer the questions below.
In August, 2004, a probe dubbed Messenger set off on a 4.9-million-mile journey that will take it within 125 miles of the planet
Mercury. Scientists hope that by studying Mercury they will learn
something about the formation of Earth.
Why Mercury? One reason is that Mercury seems to have
a magnetic field, the only rocky planet other than Earth that
has one. Mercury most likely has an iron core, like Earth, but
Mercury’s core makes up more than 60% of the planet’s total mass.
That is a metal-to-rock ratio four times greater than that of either
Earth or Venus. Why? Was Mercury like that from the beginning,
or was an outer crust of rock somehow blasted away?
Messenger will also try to discover whether ice is hiding in
shadows of this planet, whose temperature peaks at 840°F. It will
try to determine where the gases of Mercury’s thin atmosphere,
including helium, oxygen, and hydrogen, came from. And, it could
shed light on the nature of dozens of other recently discovered
stars with closely orbiting planets.
Mercury is a treasure box of secrets. Scientists plan to find the
key to that box within the next decade.
11. What is the purpose of Messenger?
12. Why have scientists chosen to study Mercury at this time?
13. Why do you think the study of magnetic fields might be important?
14. In your opinion, is it important to study other stars and their planets? Explain
your answer.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Holt Earth Science
4
Planets of the Solar System
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Critical Thinking continued
AGREE OR DISAGREE
Agree or disagree with the following statements, and support your answers.
15. Because it is different from the other planets, Pluto should not be considered
a planet.
16. Studying the inner planets can help us to understand the development of
Earth better than studying the outer planets.
17. Because most exoplanets orbit stars similar to our sun, we might reasonably
conclude that life exists in other solar systems.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Holt Earth Science
5
Planets of the Solar System
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Critical Thinking continued
REFINING CONCEPTS
The statements below challenge you to refine your understanding of concepts
covered in the chapter. Think carefully, and answer the questions that follow.
18. Scientists have recently discovered a sun-like star they named HD209458.
A Jupiter-sized planet orbits the star. Because this star and its planet (or
planets) are 150 light years away from Earth, what possible benefit might be
gained by studying this system?
19. You know that the inner planets and outer planets are divided by an asteroid
belt. You also know that the composition of the inner planets is very different
from that of the outer planets. Speculate on the importance of the asteroid
belt and what it might reveal about the formation of our solar system.
20. Because Venus is similar to Earth in size, density, and mass, it would seem to
be a good candidate for colonization. What major differences make the planet
unfriendly to life-forms from Earth? What, if anything, might be done to cope
with the problems?
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Holt Earth Science
6
Planets of the Solar System