Grade 7 · Science · Unit 4 of 9
Our Solar System
Planets, the changing sky and exploring space
What your child practises
Children learn the scale and members of the Solar System, why the Sun and stars appear to move, how latitude and longitude describe Earth’s place in space, and how people explore space.
Manitoba Curriculum learning outcome: SCI.7.E.12, SCI.7.E.13, SCI.7.E.14, SCI.7.E.15, SCI.7.E.16 · the Solar System, the apparent motion of the sky, human space exploration, and latitude and longitude
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Winnipeg is at about 50° N. Which is true?
- It is north of the Arctic Circle
- It is on the equator
- It is in the Southern Hemisphere
- It is in the Northern Hemisphere, south of the Arctic Circle
Show answer
It is in the Northern Hemisphere, south of the Arctic Circle
Hint: The Arctic Circle is at about 66.5° N.
Question 2
Which is a long-tailed object that orbits the Sun and whose tail points away from it?
- a dwarf planet
- a comet
- a moon
- a satellite
Show answer
a comet
Hint: Sunlight and the solar wind push the comet’s gas and dust away from the Sun.
Question 3
Who was the first Canadian in space?
- Chris Hadfield
- Jeremy Hansen
- Marc Garneau
- Roberta Bondar
Show answer
Marc Garneau
Hint: Marc Garneau flew on the space shuttle in 1984.
Question 4
How many planets are in our Solar System?
- eight
- ten
- seven
- nine
Show answer
eight
Hint: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Question 5
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
- Neptune
- Venus
- Mars
- Mercury
Show answer
Mercury
Hint: Mercury orbits closest to the Sun.
Question 6
In midsummer north of the Arctic Circle, the Sun may…
- set every hour
- stay up for 24 hours
- turn red
- never rise
Show answer
stay up for 24 hours
Hint: Earth’s tilt means high latitudes get constant daylight in summer.