The Moon and Venus

The Moon and Venus

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Further Resources
This task is about reading star maps.

Question

  1. Because the Sun's planets are closer to the Earth than stars, the planets seem to move faster through the night sky. Which of the four objects shown is most likely to be a planet?

    • P

    • Q

    • R

    • S

Question

  1. Four children watched the Moon and the planet Venus set one night. They talked about what they saw.

          Select whose statement best describes what they saw?

    • Jason
       

    • Aroha

    • David
         

    • Melissa

Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Understanding about science, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
astronomical systems, night sky, planets, stars, Moon, venus, diagrams
Description of task: 
Students use two diagrams of the night sky to answer a multiple-choice question on each.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss how to read different representations e.g., maps that show the movement of planets. 
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (12/1997)
a) B - Q easy
b) B - Aroha: Venus was setting faster than the Moon. difficult
Diagnostic and formative information: 
 

Common error

b)

Option D (Melissa:the new (crescent) Moon always set very early and Venus had nothing to do with it) chosen by 31% of students.