The Moon – Phases and Eclipses MCQs

1. What causes the phases of the Moon?
(A) The Earth’s shadow falling on the Moon
(B) The rotation of the Moon around the Earth
(C) The Sun’s light being blocked by the Earth
(D) The distance of the Moon from the Sun

2. Which phase of the Moon occurs when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun?
(A) Full Moon
(B) New Moon
(C) First Quarter
(D) Last Quarter

3. What is a lunar eclipse?
(A) When the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun
(B) When the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon
(C) When the Sun blocks the Moon’s light
(D) When the Moon’s light is blocked by an asteroid

4. What is the term for the shadow cast by the Earth during a lunar eclipse?
(A) Penumbra
(B) Umbra
(C) Antumbra
(D) Halo

5. During which phase of the Moon does a solar eclipse occur?
(A) Full Moon
(B) New Moon
(C) First Quarter
(D) Third Quarter

6. Which type of eclipse occurs when the Moon partially covers the Sun?
(A) Total Solar Eclipse
(B) Partial Solar Eclipse
(C) Total Lunar Eclipse
(D) Annular Solar Eclipse

7. What is the phase of the Moon just before the full Moon?
(A) Waxing Crescent
(B) First Quarter
(C) Waxing Gibbous
(D) Waning Crescent

8. How long does it take the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases?
(A) 7 days
(B) 14 days
(C) 29.5 days
(D) 365 days

9. What is a total lunar eclipse?
(A) When the Earth blocks the Sun’s light completely from reaching the Moon
(B) When the Sun completely blocks the Moon’s light
(C) When the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun
(D) When the Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow completely

10. What occurs during a “blue moon”?
(A) A second full Moon in a single calendar month
(B) A full Moon on a leap year
(C) A full Moon during a solar eclipse
(D) A new Moon occurring every month