About the Moon

About the Moon

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Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about interpreting a diagram of the phases of the moon.
Look at the diagram of the four phases of the Moon.
diagram of the four phases of the moon

Question

a)  The time it takes for the Moon to go from a new moon phase to a full moon and back to a new moon
     is about ...

    • one night

    • 14 days

    • 28 days

    • 365 days

Question

b)  During a week, the Moon's shape appears to change.
     Why does this happen?

    • The clouds in the night sky cause optical illusions.

    • The light from the Moon increases and decreases over time.

    • The Moon changes its position relative to the Sun and the Earth.

    • Atmospheric conditions on Earth distort the Moon's image.

    • The Sun's light is not reflected evenly by the Moon's cratered surface.

Question 2Change answer

c)  The diagram shows four phases of the Moon as it orbits the Earth.
     If the Moon was directly above you, which position on the Earth (1, 2, 3, or 4)
     would you have to be in to see a ..  
i)
new moon
new moon? Position 1234
 ii)
third quarter moon
third quarter? Position 1234
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online with auto-marking.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
astronomical systems, Moon, phases of the moon
Description of task: 
Task: multiple choice questions and interpreting a diagram. Assessment focus: phases of the moon.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
Scientists represent their ideas in a variety of ways, including models, graphs, charts, diagrams and written texts. 
This resource provides opportunities to discuss diagrams that model the phases of the moon.  
 
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (08/1998)
a)   C - 28 days moderate
b)   C - The Moon changes its position relative to the Sun and the Earth easy
c) i)
ii)		 Position 1
Position 4		 difficult
difficult
Diagnostic and formative information: 
 

Common error

a)

Option B (14 days) chosen by 20% of students.

c)

Analysis of numbers chosen:

i)   Position 1 – 31.5% (correct)
     Position 2 – 7%
     Position 3 – 41.5%
     Position 4 – 13%
     No answer/other wrong – 7%
ii)  Position 1 – 14%
     Position 2 – 26%
     Position 3 – 24% (correct)
     Position 4 – 24%
     No answer/other wrong – 12%