Earth and Space Science
The Earth and Space Science domain of the Grade 5 MCAS Science and Technology/Engineering test asks you to explain patterns you can observe in the sky, describe Earth's four systems and their interactions, trace water through the water cycle, and explain how Earth's surface changes. Questions often give a diagram, data table, or short scenario and ask for a cause-and-effect explanation.
Sky patterns and Earth's motion
- Earth rotates on its axis once about every 24 hours. This rotation makes the Sun appear to move across the sky and causes day and night.
- Shadows point away from the Sun. They are long in early morning and late afternoon and shortest near noon.
- Earth revolves around the Sun once about every 365 days, and its axis is tilted about 23.5°. The tilt, not distance from the Sun, causes the seasons.
- The Sun is a star. It looks larger and brighter than other stars only because it is much closer.
Earth's systems and water
- The four systems are the geosphere (rock and soil), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (living things). They interact; for example, plant roots break rock and transpiration adds water vapor to the air.
- Water cycle steps: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, runoff, infiltration, collection. The Sun supplies energy; gravity pulls precipitation down and drives runoff.
- Most of Earth's water is salty ocean water. Only a small fraction is fresh, and much of that is frozen.
Changing land
- Weathering breaks rock in place; erosion moves sediment; deposition drops it. Water, ice, wind, gravity, and plant roots are agents.
- In undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layer is at the bottom (superposition).
Worked example
A tree's shadow is long and points west at 9 a.m. At noon it is short and points north. Explain both changes. The Sun rises in the east, so the shadow points west in the morning. As the Sun climbs higher, the shadow shortens. At noon the Sun is due south, so the shadow points north. Earth's rotation causes this, not the Sun orbiting Earth.
Traps that cost marks
- Saying seasons happen because Earth is closer to the Sun.
- Confusing weathering (breaking) with erosion (moving).
- Saying shadows point toward the Sun.
- Placing the oldest rock layer on top.