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Our solar system
Recall key facts about planets, moons and our solar system from a verified question bank. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12
Our solar system
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. Which phase of the Moon occurs when the sunlit side faces away from Earth so the Moon appears dark: New Moon or Full Moon?
2. How many planets are in our solar system (excluding dwarf planets): 8 or 12?
3. Which planet is the hottest in our solar system due to its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere: Venus or Mars?
4. What is Earth’s natural satellite called?
5. Which planet is farthest from the Sun among the eight planets: Neptune or Venus?
6. What is the largest planet in our solar system?
7. What is Saturn’s largest moon, which has a dense nitrogen-rich atmosphere: Titan or Phobos?
8. Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
9. What lies at the centre of our solar system: the Sun or the Moon?
10. What is the giant storm on Jupiter that has raged for centuries called: the Great Red Spot or the Lunar Mare?
11. Where is the main asteroid belt located: between Mars and Jupiter, or between Earth and Venus?
12. Does the Moon produce its own light or reflect light from the Sun?
12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12
Our solar system
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. Which phase of the Moon occurs when the sunlit side faces away from Earth so the Moon appears dark: New Moon or Full Moon?
New MoonAt New Moon, the Moon lies between Earth and the Sun.
2. How many planets are in our solar system (excluding dwarf planets): 8 or 12?
8The eight planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
3. Which planet is the hottest in our solar system due to its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere: Venus or Mars?
VenusVenus has an intense greenhouse effect that traps heat, making it hotter than Mercury.
4. What is Earth’s natural satellite called?
The MoonThe Moon is the natural rocky satellite that orbits Earth.
5. Which planet is farthest from the Sun among the eight planets: Neptune or Venus?
NeptuneNeptune is the eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun.
6. What is the largest planet in our solar system?
JupiterJupiter is the largest of the eight planets in our solar system.
7. What is Saturn’s largest moon, which has a dense nitrogen-rich atmosphere: Titan or Phobos?
TitanTitan is Saturn’s largest moon and the second-largest moon in the solar system.
8. Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
MarsIron oxide minerals on Mars give its surface a reddish appearance.
9. What lies at the centre of our solar system: the Sun or the Moon?
The SunThe Sun is the star at the centre of our solar system, and all planets orbit it.
10. What is the giant storm on Jupiter that has raged for centuries called: the Great Red Spot or the Lunar Mare?
Great Red SpotJupiter’s Great Red Spot is a persistent high-pressure anticyclonic storm.
11. Where is the main asteroid belt located: between Mars and Jupiter, or between Earth and Venus?
Between Mars and JupiterMost rocky asteroids orbit in the belt between Mars and Jupiter.
12. Does the Moon produce its own light or reflect light from the Sun?
Reflects light from the SunThe Moon shines because its surface reflects sunlight toward Earth.
12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12
Our solar system
Take your time. Show your thinking.
1. Which phase of the Moon occurs when the sunlit side faces away from Earth so the Moon appears dark: New Moon or Full Moon?
2. How many planets are in our solar system (excluding dwarf planets): 8 or 12?
3. Which planet is the hottest in our solar system due to its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere: Venus or Mars?
4. What is Earth’s natural satellite called?
5. Which planet is farthest from the Sun among the eight planets: Neptune or Venus?
6. What is the largest planet in our solar system?
7. What is Saturn’s largest moon, which has a dense nitrogen-rich atmosphere: Titan or Phobos?
8. Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
9. What lies at the centre of our solar system: the Sun or the Moon?
10. What is the giant storm on Jupiter that has raged for centuries called: the Great Red Spot or the Lunar Mare?
11. Where is the main asteroid belt located: between Mars and Jupiter, or between Earth and Venus?
12. Does the Moon produce its own light or reflect light from the Sun?
12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12
Our solar system
Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.
1. Which phase of the Moon occurs when the sunlit side faces away from Earth so the Moon appears dark: New Moon or Full Moon?
New MoonAt New Moon, the Moon lies between Earth and the Sun.
2. How many planets are in our solar system (excluding dwarf planets): 8 or 12?
8The eight planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
3. Which planet is the hottest in our solar system due to its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere: Venus or Mars?
VenusVenus has an intense greenhouse effect that traps heat, making it hotter than Mercury.
4. What is Earth’s natural satellite called?
The MoonThe Moon is the natural rocky satellite that orbits Earth.
5. Which planet is farthest from the Sun among the eight planets: Neptune or Venus?
NeptuneNeptune is the eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun.
6. What is the largest planet in our solar system?
JupiterJupiter is the largest of the eight planets in our solar system.
7. What is Saturn’s largest moon, which has a dense nitrogen-rich atmosphere: Titan or Phobos?
TitanTitan is Saturn’s largest moon and the second-largest moon in the solar system.
8. Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
MarsIron oxide minerals on Mars give its surface a reddish appearance.
9. What lies at the centre of our solar system: the Sun or the Moon?
The SunThe Sun is the star at the centre of our solar system, and all planets orbit it.
10. What is the giant storm on Jupiter that has raged for centuries called: the Great Red Spot or the Lunar Mare?
Great Red SpotJupiter’s Great Red Spot is a persistent high-pressure anticyclonic storm.
11. Where is the main asteroid belt located: between Mars and Jupiter, or between Earth and Venus?
Between Mars and JupiterMost rocky asteroids orbit in the belt between Mars and Jupiter.
12. Does the Moon produce its own light or reflect light from the Sun?
Reflects light from the SunThe Moon shines because its surface reflects sunlight toward Earth.
12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification