Sky Watcher Quiz Assessment
Earth and Space Checkup
WEATHER, WATER CYCLE, & EARTH PATTERNS (GRADE 5)
NAME:
DATE:
Standard 5.E.1 Diagnostic Assessment
Select the best answer for each question. Use any provided diagrams to help you think through the science concepts.
1
A meteorologist noticed that the cups on an anemometer were spinning very quickly during a storm. Which weather property was the meteorologist measuring?
A) Air pressure
B) Temperature
C) Wind speed
D) Humidity
2
After a hot afternoon, water vapor in the atmosphere begins to cool down and turn back into liquid water droplets to form clouds. Which part of the water cycle is occurring?
A) Evaporation
B) Condensation
C) Precipitation
D) Transpiration
3
Look at the diagram of the water cycle below. Which letter represents runoff flowing back into the ocean?
B
C
A
D
A) Letter A
B) Letter B
C) Letter C
D) Letter D
4
Earth completes one full rotation on its axis approximately every 24 hours. Which of the following is a direct result of this rotation?
ROTATION
A) The cycle of the four seasons
B) The change from day to night
C) The phases of the moon as seen from Earth
D) The Earth moving around the sun once a year
5
Why does the Northern Hemisphere experience summer while the Southern Hemisphere is experiencing winter?
A) Earth is closer to the sun during the summer months.
B) The moon blocks more sunlight in the Southern Hemisphere.
C) Earth's tilt causes the Northern Hemisphere to receive more direct sunlight.
D) Earth rotates faster during the summer than it does during the winter.
6
A student is tracking weather patterns and notices that the barometric pressure is dropping quickly. What kind of weather is most likely approaching?
A) Clear, sunny skies and calm winds
B) Stormy weather with clouds and precipitation
C) A period of extreme dry heat and no wind
D) Heavy fog that will last for several days
7
What is the primary source of energy that drives the entire water cycle on Earth?
A) Wind patterns
B) Ocean currents
C) The Sun's radiation
D) Earth's inner core heat
8
Which weather tool should a student use to measure how much rain has fallen in a single day?
A) Thermometer
B) Barometer
C) Rain Gauge
D) Wind Vane
Sky Watcher Answer Key
Earth and Space Answer Key
DIAGNOSTIC SCORING GUIDE • GRADE 5 NC SCIENCE
8 QUESTIONS
1 C (Wind speed)
Standard: 5.E.1.1. An anemometer uses spinning cups to measure wind speed.
2 B (Condensation)
Standard: 5.E.1.2. Water vapor cooling and turning back into liquid droplets is condensation.
3 D (Letter D)
Standard: 5.E.1.2. D represents runoff (water flowing across land). A=Evap, B=Cond, C=Precip.
4 B (The change from day to night)
Standard: 5.E.1.1. Rotation on Earth's axis every 24 hours results in day and night.
5 C (Earth's tilt causes direct sunlight)
Standard: 5.E.1.1. Seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis as it revolves around the sun.
6 B (Stormy weather)
Standard: 5.E.1.1. Low or dropping barometric pressure typically indicates approaching storms.
7 C (The Sun's radiation)
Standard: 5.E.1.2. The Sun provides the thermal energy that powers the entire cycle.
8 C (Rain Gauge)
Standard: 5.E.1.1. A rain gauge is the specific instrument used to measure precipitation.
Diagnostic Scoring Guide
8/8
Mastery
6-7/8
Approaching
0-5/8
Intervention
