Greetings! This listing features a four-page test about the Solar System for a middle school earth science class. It focuses on the sun, the eight major planets, and other celestial objects like comets. The test has seven sections:

• Short answer / defend your answer – regarding features you can or would never observe on planets due to their classification (Two questions)
• Multiple-choice (19 questions)
• Write out the equation for nuclear fusion using a provided term bank
• Table – match the ancient scientist or mathematician to their credited contribution in astronomy (Four historical figures)
• Table – check mark the primary listed atmospheric gas for each of the eight planets
• Which planet? Write the name of the planet next to its stated unique feature (14 Q)
• Short answer – Four questions (e.g., state two reasons why you would never see a solar eclipse on Venus)

Other topics covered on this test include the layers of the sun’s atmosphere, the main features of the sun’s surface, various gravitational forces in the Solar System, Greek/Latin breakdown of some root words, and other miscellaneous terms such as orbit, revolution, rotation, ellipse, and axis. Students also have to rank the terrestrial planets by various features correctly.

This PDF document will become editable upon conversion to Microsoft Word using Adobe Acrobat. I included a key with the answers highlighted in red font.

This activity complements the following resources in my store.

Dialing Up a Better Understanding of the Sun Activity https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dialing-up-a-Better-Understanding-of-the-Sun-Activity-4421192

Planets of our Solar System Crossword Puzzle Set https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Planets-of-our-Solar-System-Crossword-Puzzle-Set-4437082

Introduction to the Sun and the Solar System Crossword Puzzle Set https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Introduction-to-the-Sun-and-the-Solar-System-Crossword-Puzzle-Set-4419802

Planets in our Solar System Matching Activity https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Planets-in-our-Solar-System-Matching-Activity-4626635

Solar System Review Guide

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Solar-System-Review-Sheet-

5277531

I appreciate your interest. I have over twenty-five years of teaching and curriculum writing experience. I joined TPT with seventeen years of publishing experience. Order with confidence!