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6th Grade Science
Mini Assessment # 10
Multiple Choice
Directions: Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
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1. The Kuiper Belt is a region beyond Neptune that is 55 astronomical units (AU) from the
Sun. It contains smaller bodies that scientists think are pieces left over from the formation of
the Solar System. Which of the following best states how scientists know that the Kuiper
Belt is part of our solar system?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Objects in the Kuiper Belt are still visible with a telescope.
Objects within the Kuiper Belt are larger than Mercury.
Objects in the Kuiper Belt are located beyond Neptune.
Objects within the Kuiper Belt orbit the Sun.
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2. The model below illustrates some planetary orbits around the Sun. The black dots represent
different planets and the letters represent the planet Mars at different points along its orbit.
Determine which statement best describes the Sun's gravitational pull on Mars.
A. At point D, the Sun's gravitational pull is weaker, because Mars is at its farthest point from
the Sun.
B. At point C, the gravitational pull is weaker than at point B, because Mars is at its closest
point to the Sun.
C. At point B, the gravitational attraction is at its weakest due to another planet being between
Mars and the Sun.
D. At point A, the gravitational pull is greatest, due to two other nearby planets increasing the
gravitational pull of the Sun.
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6th Grade Science
Mini Assessment # 10
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3. The Orion Nebula is an enormous span of gas and dust that is located within the Milky Way
galaxy. Some scientists refer to this nebula as, "the birthplace of stars". Which of the
following would be the best explanation for this statement?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Stars are formed from massive explosions within a nebula.
Stars are formed due to the increased spinning of a nebula.
Stars are formed from the combining and cooling of particles of dust and gas.
Stars are formed as clouds of dust collapse as a result of gravitational attraction.
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4. Comets are astronomical bodies, made up of ice and dust, which orbit the Sun. During its
elliptical orbit, a comet’s distance from the Sun varies. As a comet nears the Sun, what
happens to the speed of its orbit?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The speed decreases due to the gravitational pull of the Sun.
The speed increases due to the gravitational pull of the Sun.
The speed decreases due to an increase in orbit size.
The speed increases due to a decrease in orbit size.
Use the timeline below to answer questions 5, 6, and 7.
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5. Ever since the Greeks developed the first model of the solar system, the way people
perceive the solar system has changed. Which of the following best explains why
knowledge of the solar system has changed throughout history?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Telescopes improved from 220 BC to the 1500s.
New knowledge was revealed as new discoveries were made.
Only the contributions that included all aspects of our current solar system were accepted.
Scientists based the current models of the solar system primarily on the earliest discoveries.
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6th Grade Science
Mini Assessment # 10
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6. How does the development of the structure of the solar system support the scientific
process?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Scientific evidence is only supported if technology confirms the discoveries.
Scientific models are not dependent on the collection of empirical evidence.
Scientific knowledge changes as new evidence is discovered and shared.
Scientific theories are composed of every scientific claim.
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7. Which of the following best states how scientists presently view our solar system?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Few scientists believe the accuracy of the current structure of the solar system.
All discoveries related to the solar system have been made.
Only discoveries made in the last century are important.
Some changes may occur if new evidence is provided.
8. Throughout history, several different models of the solar system have been proposed. One
such model is shown below.
According to a heliocentric model of the solar system, what should be located at position Q
where indicated on the diagram?
A. Earth
B. Jupiter
C. The Sun
D. The Moon
9. Two of the models created to show the solar system were Ptolemy's geocentric and
Copernicus's heliocentric. Which characteristic is the same for both models?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Uranus and Neptune are not included.
The Earth revolves around the Sun.
The Sun is located at the center.
The Earth orbits the moon.
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6th Grade Science
Mini Assessment # 10
10. Which of the earlier models of the Solar System, Geocentric or Heliocentric, is most similar
to the Solar System as we know it to be today and why?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Geocentric, which includes all eight planets.
Heliocentric, which includes all nine planets.
Heliocentric, because the planets are orbiting the Sun.
Geocentric, because only the moon is shown orbiting the Earth.
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6th Grade Science
Mini Assessment # 10
6th Grade Science Mini-Assessment #10
Answer Key
Question
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Answer
D
A
D
B
B
C
D
C
A
C
School Board of Broward County (revised 8/27/2015)
Benchmark
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DOK
3
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