The tilt of the Earth

The tilt of the Earth

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about the Sun, the Earth and day and night.
 
diagram - sun's rays hitting the tilted earth
Here is a diagram of the Sun's rays hitting the Earth.
Use it to help answer the following questions.

Question

a)  Name the hemisphere which is having summer.

    • Northern hemisphere

    • Southern hemisphere

Question

b)  Which two letters represent areas in daylight? (Choose two)

    • A

    • B

    • C

    • D

Question

c)  Which area is having a 'short' night?

    • A

    • B

    • C

    • D

Question

d)  How many hours of sunlight and darkness would a person in the Arctic experience over a 24 hour period?

    • 24 hours sunlight

    • 8 hours sunlight, 16 hours darkness

    • 12 hours sunlight, 12 hours darkness

    • 24 hours darkness

Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Copyright: 
Graphic: copyright NZCER.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
astronomical systems, seasons, day and night, diagrams
Description of task: 
Task: Use a diagram to answer questions about seasons and day and night. Assessment focus: relationship of Sun and Earth.
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 specific diagrams that represent science ideas.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
    Y8 (05/1999)
a) Southern Hemisphere easy
b) A and C (must have both) easy
c) D moderate
d) 24 hours darkness difficult

 

Diagnostic and formative information: 
  Common error
d) 37% of students chose option B - 8 hours sunlight, 16 hours darkness.
32% of students chose option C - 12 hours sunlight, 12 hours darkness.