Matching: Place the letter that best defines the numbered term in the correct place on your answer
sheet. (5 points each)
A. cluster A 1. large group of stars in a galaxy
B. constellation C 2. large group of stars
C. galaxy E 3. stars that fall within a band in the middle of the H-R diagram
D. magnitude G 4. material in the center of a nebula that becomes a star
E. main sequence stars I 5. bands of the different colors of light
F. nebula J 6. ball of gases that gives off light and heat
G. protostar H 7. instrument that separates light into different colors
H. spectroscope F 8. spinning cloud of hot gases
I. spectrum D 9. measure of a star�s brightness
J. star B 10. grouping of stars that form a pattern in the sky
Multiple Choice: Read each question or statement. Place your answer on the answer sheet. (2 points each).
A 11. Most stars are made up of these gases A. hydrogen and helium B. helium and oxygen
C. oxygen and nitrogen D. nitrogen and hydrogen
D 12. The force that causes spinning nebula to shrink A. heat B. friction C. electricity D. gravity
A 13. The hottest stars are this color A. blue B. yellow C. orange D. red
D 14. Each of these in a star gives off its own spectrum A. temperature B. atom C. ion D. element
A 15. This shows the relationship between a star�s absolute magnitude and its surface temperature
A. Hertzsprung-Russell diagram B. telescope C. spectroscope D. spectrum
D 16. Very small, hot stars A. red giants B. supergiants C. blue stars D. white dwarfs
A 17. The second stage in a star�s life cycle A. main sequence stage B. protostar stage
C. nova stage D. super nova stage
D 18. A star changes this into energy A. heat B. light C. gas D. mass
A 19. The two parts of the sun A. core and atmosphere B. corona and core
C. chromosphere and core D. photosphere and atmosphere
D 20. Galaxies that are spherical or flattened disks A. spiral galaxies B. irregular galaxies
C. solar galaxies D. elliptical galaxies
Reading and Interpreting: Read the following passage and answer the questions. (2 points each).
The sun is too bright to look at directly without damaging your eyes. Astronomers use special telescopes
to study the surface of the sun. The McMath Solar Telescope, at Kitt Peak in Arizona, is 800 m long and is
built into the ground. With this telescope, astronomers can observe and study sunspots and solar flares.
The sun is constantly cannonading the earth with electrically charged atomic particles. Solar
flares release these particles into space. When the charged particles reach the earth, they interact with
gases in the upper atmosphere. Spectacular ribbons of colored light called auroras are formed. You may
be familiar with auroras as the northern or southern lights.
Astronomers have found that sunspot activity builds up and decreases in an eleven-year cycle. During
periods of high sunspot activity, bursts of energy from the sun often interfere with radio and television
reception. Meteorologists have related the sunspot cycle to weather and climate changes on the earth.
For example, mini-ice ages have been associated with periods of low sunspot activity.
D 21. According to the article, this may be associated with sunspot activity A. auroras B. damage to the eyes C. telescope repair D. weather and climate changes on earth
D 22. It can be inferred from the article that radio and television reception is interrupted
A. when it gets cold B. when the sun is bright C. when the auroras are occurring
D. every eleven years
A 23. In the passage, what is meant by the word cannonading? A. bombarding B. missing
C. passing D. moving
D 24. What does the article imply about the earth�s upper atmosphere A. it has hot gases
B. it has cold gases C. it has neutral gases D. it has charged gases
D 25. What does the article attempt to explain? A. why the sun is hot B. what happened if you stare
at the sun C. what telescopes do D. the effects of sunspots and solar flares