Download b. Compare the similarities and differences of planets to the stars in

Sample Assessment Items
This is not meant to be printed off and given as a test…this document is to give you ideas
of how this standard might be assessed. Please use these as an example when you are
developing your own formative assessments. Remember formative assessment is to be
given throughout the teaching of a standard to help you guide your instruction based on
students needs. A good formative assessment should have a mix of multiple choice as
well as open ended.
S4E1. Students will compare and contrast the physical attributes of stars, star patterns,
and planets.
b. Compare the similarities and differences of planets to the stars in appearance,
position, and number in the night sky.
Multiple Choice:
How is the planet Jupiter similar to the Sun?
a. It is orange.
b. It has a ring.
c. It has several moons.
d. It is a giant ball of gases.
Answer: d
Compared to the stars, the planets in our solar system are _________________.
a. much smaller
b. closer to Earth
c. the same distance apart
d. farther away from Earth
Answer: a
Unlike the Sun, the planets in our solar system __________________.
a. radiate light
b. produce heat
c. have elliptical orbits
d. travel through space
Answer: c
How are all planets in the solar system alike?
a. They all orbit the Sun.
b. They are all the same size.
c. They all have rocky surfaces.
d. They are all balls of hot gases.
Answer: a
Open ended:
What is a star? What is a planet?
How do stars and planets differ?
**Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between
stars and planets. Us this diagram to create a paragraph comparing and contrasting
stars and plants?