1. Which object orbits Earth in both the Earth-centered(geocentric) and Sun-centered (heliocentric) modelsof our solar system?(1) Polaris (3) the Sun(2) Venus (4) the Moon

2. A cycle of Moon phases can be seen from Earthbecause the(1) Moon spins on its axis(2) Moon revolves around Earth(3) Moon’s distance from Earth changes at a

predictable rate(4) Moon’s axis is tilted

3. The diagram below shows the Moon at fourpositions in its orbit around Earth as viewed fromabove the North Pole.

Beginning with the Moon at position X (thenew-Moon phase), which sequence of Moon phaseswould be seen by an observer on Earth during 1month?(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Base your answers to questions 4 and 5 on the diagrambelow, which shows numbered positions of the Sun at fourdifferent times along the Sun’s apparent daily path, as seenby an observer in New York State. Numbers 1 throughrepresent apparent positions of the Sun.

4. During which day of the year is the Sun most likelyto follow the apparent path shown?(1) July 1 (3) December 1(2) March 1 (4) October 1

5. The observer had the longest shadow when the Sunwas at position(1) 1 (3) 3(2) 2 (4) 4

6. In which direction on the horizon does the Sunappear to rise on July 4 in New York State?(1) north of due east (3) due north(2) south of due east (4) due south

7. Summer days in New York State are likely to behotter than winter days because in summer(1) the Sun gives off more energy(2) Earth’s northern axis is tilted toward the Sun(3) the number of sunspots increases(4) Earth is closer to the Sun

8. The Coriolis effect provides evidence that Earth(1) revolves (3) has a tilted axis(2) has seasons (4) rotates

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9.The diagram below shows the positions of the Moon and the Sun at sunset during an evening in New York State.Points A, B, C, and D represent positions along the western horizon.

At sunset on the following evening, the Moon will be located at position(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D

10.The diagram below shows the relative positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth when an eclipse was observedfrom Earth. Positions A and B are locations on Earth’s surface.

Which statement correctly describes the type of eclipse that was occurring and the position on Earth where this eclipsewas observed?(1) A lunar eclipse was observed from position A. (3) A solar eclipse was observed from position A.(2) A lunar eclipse was observed from position B. (4) A solar eclipse was observed from position B.

11. The apparent daily path of the Sun changes with theseasons because(1) Earth's axis is tilted(2) Earth's distance from the Sun changes(3) the Sun revolves(4) the Sun rotates

12. The best evidence that Earth spins on its axis isprovided by(1) apparent shifts in the swing of a Foucault

pendulum(2) variations in atmospheric density(3) eclipses of the Moon(4) changes in the position of sunspots on the Sun

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13.Which diagram sequence correctly shows the order of Moon phases, as viewed from Earth, for a period of 1month? [Note that some phases have been omitted.](1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

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Base your answers to questions 14 through 16 on the graph below, which shows the maximum altitude of the Moon,measured by an observer located at a latitude of 43° N during June in a particular year. The names and appearance ofthe four major Moon phases are shown at the top of the graph, directly above the date on which the phase occurred.

14. Which terms describe both the changes in the maximum altitude of the Moon and the changes in the Moon’s phasesover a period of several years?(1) noncyclic and predictable (3) cyclic and predictable(2) noncyclic and unpredictable (4) cyclic and unpredictable

15. Which diagram best represents the Moon’s phase observed on June 11?(1) (2) (3) (4)

16. What was the maximum altitude of the Moon on June 22?(1) 40° (2) 43° (3) 46° (4) 50°

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17.The diagram below shows the Moon orbiting Earth as viewed from space above the North Pole. The Moon isshown at eight different positions in its orbit.

At which two positions of the Moon is an eclipse of the Sun or Moon possible?(1) 1 and 5 (2) 2 and 6 (3) 3 and 7 (4) 4 and 8

18. The diagram below represents Earth at four differentpositions, A, B, C, and D, in its orbit around the Sun.

Between which positions would New York State beexperiencing the summer season?(1) C and D (3) A and B(2) D and A (4) B and C

19. Which observation provides the best evidence thatEarth rotates?(1) The length of the shadow cast by a flagpole at

noontime changes from season to season.(2) The direction of swing of a freely swinging

pendulum changes during the day.(3) The position of the planets among the stars

changes during the year.(4) The location of the constellations in relationship

to Polaris changes from month to month.

20. Predictable changes in the direction of swing of aFoucault pendulum provide evidence that(1) Earth is tilted on its axis(2) Earth rotates on its axis(3) Earth's orbit is slightly elliptical(4) Earth's magnetic poles reverse over time

21. The planetary winds in Earth’s Northern Hemispheregenerally curve to the right due to Earth’s(1) spin on its axis (3) force of gravity(2) orbit around the Sun (4) magnetic field

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Base your answers to questions 22 through 24 on the diagram below, which shows a model of the apparent path andposition of the Sun in relation to an observer at four different locations, A, B, C, and D, on Earth’s surface on the datesindicated. The zenith (z) and the actual position of the Sun in the model at the time of the observation are shown. [Thezenith is the point directly over the observer.]

22. From sunrise to sunset at location B, the length of the observer’s shadow will(1) decrease, then increase (3) decrease, only(2) increase, then decrease (4) increase, only

23. Where on Earth’s surface is the observer at location C located?(1) at the Equator (3) at the North Pole(2) at the South Pole (4) in Oswego, New York

24. According to the Sun’s actual position shown in the diagrams, the most intense insolation is being received by theobserver at location(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D

25. Surface ocean currents curve to the right in theNorthern Hemisphere because(1) the Moon travels in an orbit around Earth(2) the Moon spins on its axis(3) Earth travels in an orbit around the Sun(4) Earth spins on its axis

26. The apparent rising and setting of the Sun, as viewedfrom Earth, is caused by(1) Earth’s revolution (3) the Sun’s revolution(2) Earth’s rotation (4) the Sun’s rotation

27. The length of an Earth day is determined by the timerequired for approximately one(1) Earth revolution (3) Sun revolution(2) Earth rotation (4) Sun rotation

28. The diagram below represents a simple geocentricmodel. Which object is represented by the letter X?

(1) Sun (3) Polaris(2) Earth (4) Moon

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29.The maps below show the amount of sea ice surrounding the continent of Antarctica at two different times of theyear. Map A represents late August when the area covered by sea ice approaches its greatest extent. Map Brepresents the minimum extent of sea ice.

Which month is most probably represented by map B?(1) May (2) February (3) October (4) June

30. The Sun's position in space is best described as theapproximate center of(1) the universe (3) our solar system(2) a constellation (4) the Milky Way

galaxy

31. Which planet has an orbit with an eccentricity mostsimilar to the eccentricity of the Moon’s orbit aroundEarth?(1) Saturn (3) Jupiter(2) Pluto (4) Earth

32. Which object is located at one foci of the ellipticalorbit of Mars?(1) Earth (3) the Sun(2) Jupiter (4) Betelgeuse

33. Earth’s orbital velocity is slowest on July 5 because(1) Earth’s distance from the Sun is greatest(2) the Moon is closest to Earth(3) the highest maximum temperatures occur in the

Northern Hemisphere(4) Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are located along

a straight line in space

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34.Base your answer to the following question on the diagram below, which represents the position of the Sun withrespect to Earth’s surface at solar noon on certain dates. The latitudes of six locations on the same line oflongitude are shown. The observer is located at 42° N in New York State. The date for the Sun at position A hasbeen deliberately left blank.

When the Sun is at the March 21 position, New York State will usually have(1) the highest annual altitude of the Sun at solar noon (3) 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness(2) the lowest annual altitude of the Sun at solar noon (4) longer days than nights

Base your answers to questions 35 and 36 on the diagram below, which shows sunlight entering a room through thesame window at three different times on the same winter day.

35. This room is located in a building in New York State. On which side of the building is the window located?(1) south (2) north (3) west (4) east

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36. The apparent change in the Sun’s position shown in the diagram is best explained by(1) the Sun rotating at a rate of 15° per hour (3) the Sun’s axis tilted at an angle of 23¡°(2) Earth rotating at a rate of 15° per hour (4) Earth’s axis tilted at an angle of 23¡°

37. Which graph best represents the change ingravitational attraction between the Sun and a cometas the distance between them increases?(1) (3)

(2) (4)

38. Which statement correctly compares the size,composition, and density of Neptune to Earth?(1) Neptune is larger, more solid, and more dense.(2) Neptune is smaller, more solid, and more dense.(3) Neptune is larger, more gaseous, and less dense,(4) Neptune is smaller more gaseous, and less

dense.

39. Three planets that are relatively large, gaseous, andof low density are(1) Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus(2) Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus(3) Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn(4) Venus, Jupiter, and Neptune

40. Compared to the average density of the terrestrialplanets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars), theaverage density of the Jovian planets (Jupiter,Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) is(1) less (3) the same(2) greater

41. Which planet takes more time to complete onerotation on its axis than to complete one revolutionaround the Sun?(1) Mars (3) Mercury(2) Jupiter (4) Venus

42. Which planet is approximately thirty times fartherfrom the Sun than Earth is?(1) Uranus (3) Jupiter(2) Neptune (4) Saturn

43. A major belt of asteroids is located between Marsand Jupiter. What is the approximate averagedistance between the Sun and this major asteroidbelt?(1) 390 million kilometers (3) 110 million

kilometers(2) 850 million kilometers (4) 220 million

kilometers

44. Scientists believe that Earth’s early atmospherechanged in composition as a result of(1) the drifting of the continents(2) the appearance of oxygen-producing organisms(3) a transfer of gases from the Sun(4) the changes in Earth’s magnetic field

45. The Milky Way galaxy is best described as(1) a type of solar system(2) a constellation visible to everyone on Earth(3) a region in space between the orbits of Mars and

Jupiter(4) a spiral-shaped formation composed of billions

of stars

46. Which star color indicates the hottest star surfacetemperature?(1) white (3) red(2) blue (4) yellow

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47. Which diagram correctly shows the apparent motionof Polaris from sunset to midnight for an observer innorthern Canada?

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

48. The redshift of light from distant galaxies providesevidence that the universe is(1) remaining the same size(2) shrinking and expanding in a cyclic pattern(3) expanding, only(4) shrinking, only

49. In the diagram below, the spectral lines of hydrogengas from three galaxies, A, B, and C, are comparedto the spectral lines of hydrogen gas observed in alaboratory.

What is the best inference that can be madeconcerning the movement of galaxies A, B, and C?(1) Galaxies A, B, and C are all moving toward

Earth.(2) Galaxies A, B, and C are all moving away from

Earth.(3) Galaxy A is moving away from Earth, but

galaxies B and C are moving toward Earth.(4) Galaxy B is moving away from Earth, but

galaxies A and C are moving toward Earth.

50. Which star is cooler and many times brighter thanEarth’s Sun?(1) Rigel (3) Barnard’s Star(2) Sirius (4) Betelgeuse

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Base your answers to questions 51 through 53 on the diagram below, which represents the elliptical orbit of a planettraveling around a star. Points A, B, C, and D are four positions of this planet in its orbit.

51. The calculated eccentricity of this orbit is approximately(1) 0.1 (2) 0.2 (3) 0.3 (4) 0.4

52. As the planet revolves in orbit from position A to position D, the orbital velocity will(1) continually decrease (3) decrease, then increase(2) continually increase (4) increase, then decrease

53. The gravitational attraction between the star and the planet will be greatest at position(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D

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54.The table below shows gravitational data for a planet traveling in an elliptical orbit around a star. The table showsthe relative gravitational force between the star and this planet at eight positions in the orbit (letters A through H).Higher numbers indicate stronger gravitational attraction.

Which diagram best represents the positions of the planet in its orbit that would produce the gravitational forces shownin the data table?(1) (3)

(2) (4)

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55.Which graph best represents the relative periods of rotation of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars?(1) (2) (3) (4)

56.The diagram below illustrates three stages of a current theory of the formation of the universe.

A major piece of scientific evidence supporting this theory is the fact that wavelengths of light from galaxies moving awayfrom Earth in stage 3 are observed to be(1) longer than normal (a blue shift) (3) shorter than normal (a blue shift)(2) longer than normal (a red shift) (4) shorter than normal (a red shift)

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Base your answers to questions 57 and 58 on the graph below, which shows changes in the Sun’s magnetic activity andchanges in the number of sunspots over a period of approximately 100 years. Sunspots are dark, cooler areas withinthe Sun’s photosphere that can be seen from Earth.

57. Which graph best represents the relationship between the number of sunspots and the amount of magnetic activity inthe Sun?(1) (3)

(2) (4)

58. The graph indicates that years having the greatest number of sunspots occur(1) in a cyclic pattern, repeating approximately every 6 years(2) in a cyclic pattern, repeating approximately every 11 years(3) randomly and unpredictably(4) precisely at the beginning of each decade

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Answer KeyAnswer Key

1. 4

2. 2

3. 2

4. 1

5. 4

6. 1

7. 2

8. 4

9. 1

10. 3

11. 1

12. 1

13. 4

14. 3

15. 1

16. 3

17. 1

18. 3

19. 2

20. 2

21. 1

22. 1

23. 3

24. 1

25. 4

26. 2

27. 2

28. 2

29. 2

30. 3

31. 1

32. 3

33. 1

34. 3

35. 1

36. 2

37. 1

38. 3

39. 2

40. 1

41. 4

42. 2

43. 1

44. 2

Answer Key

45. 4

46. 2

47. 4

48. 3

49. 2

50. 4

51. 2

52. 3

53. 1

54. 1

55. 3

56. 2

57. 3

58. 2