Practice Questions on Solstices and Equinoxes for High School Geography

📚 Topic Summary

Solstices and equinoxes mark specific points in Earth's orbit around the Sun, influencing seasons. Solstices (summer and winter) occur when a hemisphere is tilted most towards or away from the Sun, resulting in the longest and shortest days. Equinoxes (spring and autumn) happen when the Sun shines equally on both hemispheres, leading to roughly equal day and night.

🧭 Part A: Vocabulary

Match the term with its correct definition:

1. Term: Summer Solstice
2. Term: Equinox
3. Term: Winter Solstice
4. Term: Hemisphere
5. Term: Axis

Definitions:

1. One half of the Earth.
2. The day with the fewest hours of sunlight.
3. The day when day and night are nearly equal.
4. The day with the most hours of sunlight.
5. An imaginary line around which Earth rotates.

(Write the number of the correct definition next to each term above)

📝 Part B: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following paragraph using the words provided below:

The Earth's _______ causes seasons. During the summer _______ in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted _______ the Sun. During the equinoxes, neither pole is tilted _______ the Sun, resulting in nearly equal day and night.

Words: towards, tilt, solstice, away, towards

🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking

Explain how the solstices and equinoxes impact daily life in your region. Consider changes in daylight hours, temperature, and activities.