Earth and the Solar System

15 Grade 7 Social Studies questions on Earth and the Solar System, with worked marking schemes. 15 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   1 mark

   The movement of the Earth around the sun is called:

   A. Rotation

   B. Gravity

   C. Revolution

   D. Eclipse

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

2. Question 2

   1 mark

   Day and night on the Earth are caused mainly by the:

   A. Rotation of the Earth on its axis

   B. Change of seasons

   C. Revolution of the moon

   D. Movement of clouds

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme

   A. Rotation of the Earth on its axis

3. Question 3

   4 marks

   A learner observes that it is daytime in Kenya while it is night-time in another part of the world. (a) Explain why this happens. (2 marks) (b) State two importance of the sun to life on Earth. (2 marks)

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) The Earth rotates on its axis, so only the part facing the sun experiences daytime while the part facing away experiences night; as the Earth turns, different parts face the sun at different times (2 marks). (b) Any TWO: provides light; provides heat/warmth; enables plants to make food (photosynthesis); helps in drying; source of vitamin D (1 mark each, max 2).

4. Question 4

   1 mark

   The planet on which we live and which is the third planet from the Sun is:

   A. Mars

   B. Venus

   C. Earth

   D. Jupiter

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

5. Question 5

   4 marks

   The Earth experiences both rotation and revolution. (a) Differentiate between rotation and revolution of the Earth. (2 marks) (b) State two effects of the rotation of the Earth. (2 marks)

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   (a) Rotation is the spinning of the Earth on its own axis (taking about 24 hours), while revolution is the movement of the Earth around the sun (taking about 365 1/4 days) (2 marks). (b) Any TWO: causes day and night; causes the apparent rising and setting of the sun; causes differences in time across the Earth (1 mark each, max 2).

6. Question 6

   1 mark

   The Earth rotates on its axis once. This rotation takes approximately:

   A. 365 days

   B. One week

   C. 24 hours

   D. One month

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

7. Question 7

   4 marks

   The solar system consists of the sun and other heavenly bodies. State four members/components of the solar system other than the planets.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any FOUR: the sun; moons/natural satellites; asteroids; comets; meteors/meteoroids; dwarf planets (e.g. Pluto) (1 mark each, max 4).

8. Question 8

   1 mark

   The rotation of the Earth on its axis, which takes about 24 hours, mainly causes:

   A. The four seasons

   B. Day and night

   C. The changing of the tides only

   D. Earthquakes

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

9. Question 9

   1 mark

   It takes the Earth about 365 and a quarter days to complete one journey around the sun. This period is known as one:

   A. Year

   B. Decade

   C. Hour

   D. Day

   (1 mark)

   Marking scheme for this question

   Create a free account to see it

10. Question 10

    1 mark

    Which heavenly body is the Earth's natural satellite that moves around it?

    A. The sun

    B. Venus

    C. The moon

    D. Jupiter

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

11. Question 11

    1 mark

    Which of the following is the correct order of the first three planets starting from the sun?

    A. Venus, Mercury, Mars

    B. Mercury, Venus, Earth

    C. Earth, Mars, Venus

    D. Mars, Earth, Mercury

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

12. Question 12

    1 mark

    How many planets orbit the Sun in our solar system?

    A. Seven

    B. Eight

    C. Nine

    D. Ten

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

13. Question 13

    1 mark

    The solar system is made up of the sun and the bodies that move around it. Which is at the centre of the solar system?

    A. The sun

    B. The Earth

    C. The moon

    D. Mars

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

14. Question 14

    1 mark

    The rotation of the Earth on its axis is mainly responsible for:

    A. The change of seasons

    B. Day and night

    C. The phases of the moon

    D. Ocean currents

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

15. Question 15

    1 mark

    How many planets are there in our solar system?

    A. Five

    B. Twelve

    C. Ten

    D. Eight

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme for this question

    Create a free account to see it

16. 11 more marking schemes are on this page. A free account opens all of them, and lets you build your own paper on the topics you have actually taught, laid out in KNEC format with its full marking scheme.

    Create a free account

More Grade 7 Social Studies topics