MCQ on Beyond Earth Class 6
Class 6 Science Chapter 12 MCQ Beyond Earth
Multiple Choice Questions :
Question 1.
Which of the following is a characteristic of the constellation Orion?
(a) It is also known as the Morning Star.
(b) It contains three stars that form the ‘belt’ of Orion.
(c) It is a planet with a reddish appearance.
(d) It is visible only during the daytime.
Answer:
(b) It contains three stars that form the ‘belt’ of Orion.
Explanation: Orion is famously known for its ‘belt’, which is formed by three prominent stars in a straight line: Alnilam, Alnitak and Mintpka.
Question 2.
What is the primary purpose of constellations in ancient times?
(a) To help in navigation and timekeeping
(b) To decorate the night sky with artistic patterns
(c) To determine the colour of stars
(d) To measure the distance between planets
Answer:
(a) To help in navigation and timekeeping
Explanation: Ancient cultures used constellations for navigation (finding directions) and timekeeping (seasonal changes).
Question 3.
What distinguishes planets from stars when observed in the night sky?
(a) Planets twinkle more than stars.
(b) Planets are usually brighter than stars.
(c) Planets are visible only during the day.
(d) Planets appear as fixed points of light, whereas stars twinkle.
Answer:
(d) Planets appear as fixed points of light, whereas stars twinkle.
Explanation: Planets generally appear as steady points of light (though they can move across the sky), while stars twinkle due to atmospheric effects.
Question 4.
Which of the following celestial bodies is the closest to Earth other than the Sun?
(a) Sirius
(b) Proxima Centauri
(c) Orion
(d) Jupiter
Answer:
(b) Proxima Centauri
Explanation: Proxima Centauri is the closest known star to Earth, excluding the Sun.
Question 5.
What is the primary source of energy for the planets in our Solar System?
(a) Gravitational pull from the Moon
(b) The Sun
(c) Chemical reactions within the planets
(d) The Earth’s magnetic field
Answer:
(b) The Sun
Explanation: The Sun provides the primary source of energy for the planets in the Solar System through sunlight and solar radiation.
Question 6.
Assertion (A): The Moon has phases due to its varying positions relative to the Earth and the Sun.
Reason (R): The phases of the Moon are caused by the changing angles of sunlight as the Moon orbits the Earth, resulting in different portions of the Moon being illuminated.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.
(d) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.
Answer:
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
Explanation: The Moon does have phases because its position relative to the Earth and Sun changes, which affects how much of the Moon’s surface is visible from Earth. The phases of the Moon are indeed due to the changing angles of sunlight as the Moon orbits Earth, leading to varying visibility of its illuminated portion.
Question 7.
Assertion (A): Stars appear to twinkle more than planets when observed from Earth.
Reason (R): The twinkling of stars is caused by the turbulence in Earth’s atmosphere, which causes varying amounts of starlight to reach the observer.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.
(d) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.
Answer:
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion.
Explanation: Stars do appear to twinkle more than planets when observed from Earth. The twinkling of stars is indeed due to the turbulence in Earth’s atmospltere, which affects the light from stars. Planets usually appear steady because they are closer and their light is less affected by atmospheric turbulence.
Question 8.
Match the following:
| Column I | Column II |
| 1. Jupiter | A. Known for its prominent ring system |
| 2. Saturn | B. The third planet from the Sun, home to life |
| 3. Earth | C. The largest planet in the Solar System |
| 4. Neptune | D. The farthest from the Sun |
| 5. Venus | E. The hottest planet in the Solar System |
(a) 1-D, 2-C, 3-A, 4-B, 5-E
(b) 1-A, 2-D, 3-C, 4-B, 5-E
(c) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D, 5-E
(d) 1-B, 2-E, 3-D, 4-A, 5-C
Answer:
| Column I | Column II |
| 1. Jupiter | C. The largest planet in the Solar System |
| 2. Saturn | A. Known for its prominent ring system |
| 3. Earth | B. The third planet from the Sun, home to life |
| 4. Neptune | D. The farthest from the Sun |
| 5. Venus | E. The hottest planet in the Solar System |
Explanation: Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System. It has the most mass and volume compared to other planets.
Saturn is well-known for its prominent ring system, which is the most extensive and visible among the planets.
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is unique for its capacity to support life.
Neptune is the farthest gas giants from the Sun. Venus is the hottest planet in the Solar System due to its thick atmosphere, which traps heat through a runaway greenhouse effect.
Passage Based Questions :
I. Read the given passage below and answer the questions that follow:
At night, the sky is dotted with stars that form patterns known as constellations. Ancient cultures named these patterns and used them for navigation before modern tools. Today, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) recognises 88 official constellations. While their practical use has faded, constellations like Orion and Canis Major remain significant. Different cultures have unique names and stories for these star patterns; e.g., in India, they are called nakshatra.
Question 1.
Which constellation is represented by a hunter and is known for its prominent belt of three stars?
(a) Gemini
(b) Orion
(c) Leo
(d) Scorpius
Answer:
(b) is correct.
Explanation: The constellation Orion is often represented as a hunter and is notable for its prominent belt of three aligned stars, known as the Orion’s Belt. This constellation is one of the most recognisable patterns in the night sky.
Question 2.
How many official constellations are recognised by the International Astronomical Union (IAU)?
(a) 50
(b) 88
(c) 100
(d) 150
Answer:
(b) 88
Explanation: The International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially recognises 88 constellations in the night sky.
Question 3.
What is one example of a constellation that includes a prominent star known as Sirius?
(a) Orion
(b) Ursa Major
(c) Canis Major
(d) Ursa Minor
Answer:
(c) Canis Major
Explanation: Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, is located in the constellation Canis Major.
Question 4.
What are constellations?
Answer:
Constellations are patterns of stars in the sky that are recognised and named based on their shapes and stories.
Question 5.
Name one star or constellation that helps in locating the north direction.
Answer:
The Pole Star (Polaris) found in the Little Dipper constellation helps in locating the north direction.
II. Observe the following diagram and give answers to questions that follow:
Fig. 12.9: The Moon (a) Image taken by Cartosat, ISRO.
(b) Close-up image by cameras onboard Chandrayaan-3, ISRO.
Question 1.
How long does it take for the Moon to complete one revolution around the Earth?
(a) 27 days
(b) 14 days
(c) 7 days
(d) 30 days
Answer:
(a) is correct.
Explanation: The Moon takes about 27 days to complete one revolution around the Earth.
Question 2.
What is a significant feature of the Moon’s surface that results from impacts of asteroids?
(a) Mountains
(b) Volcanoes
(c) Craters
(d) Valleys
Answer:
(c) is correct.
Explanation: The Moon’s surface is marked by circular bowl-like structures called craters, formed by impacts from asteroids or rocks.
Question 3.
Why do features like craters remain on the Moon’s surface for a long time?
(a) There is a strong atmosphere.
(b) There is water on the Moon.
(c) There is constant volcanic activity.
(d) There is no atmosphere.
Answer:
(d) There is no atmosphere.
Explanation: The absence of atmosphere on the Moon means that features like craters do not erode or change significantly over time.
Question 4.
How does the size of the Moon compare to the Earth in terms of diameter?
Answer:
The Moon is about a quarter the size of the Earth in diameter.
Question 5.
Which Indian space missions have been launched to study the Moon?
Answer:
India has launched three Chandrayaan (Chabdrayaan I, Chandrayaan II and Chandrayaan III) missions to study the Moon.