CBSE Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun MCQs Set 02

Practice MCQs for Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun

Access targeted multiple-choice questions for Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun designed to align with the latest CBSE academic syllabus for Class 7 Science. These objective practice sets help students evaluate their conceptual understanding and improve exam readiness.

Access Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun Questions and Solutions

Navigate directly to the 50 objective questions for Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun using the digital viewer below. Each practice set includes verified answer keys, allowing students to instantly cross-check their work and identify areas requiring further revision.

Question: Rashmika observed that shadows from coconut trees were much longer in the morning but became noticeably shorter by afternoon. Using the merry-go-round analogy, what is the accurate explanation for this shadow behavior?
A. The Sun physically moves across the sky while the Earth remains stationary
B. The Earth rotates from West to East, causing the apparent motion of the Sun
C. The shadows grow and shrink due to variations in sunlight intensity at different times
D. The position of trees changes relative to the ground throughout the day
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The Earth rotates from West to East, causing the apparent motion of the Sun

Explanation:
Just as objects appear to move in the opposite direction when you spin on a merry-go-round, the Sun appears to move across the sky because the Earth is rotating from West to East beneath our feet. This apparent motion of the Sun is not because the Sun itself is moving, but because of our rotating reference frame on Earth.

Question: When the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer in June, which two factors work together to create the intense heat and longer days during this season?
A. The Earth is closest to the Sun and the hemisphere tilts toward it
B. Sunrays spread over a smaller area due to the tilt, and the hemisphere receives sunlight for more than 12 hours per rotation
C. The Sun's rays are more intense due to reduced atmospheric interference
D. The Moon's gravitational pull creates warming effects in the tilted hemisphere
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Sunrays spread over a smaller area due to the tilt, and the hemisphere receives sunlight for more than 12 hours per rotation

Explanation:
• Tilt causes sunrays to concentrate in a smaller area, making them more intense
• Days exceed 12 hours of sunlight due to the hemisphere's angle toward the Sun during rotation
• These two factors combine to produce both greater heat intensity and longer periods of daylight.

Question: The Earth completes one full rotation around its axis in approximately 24 hours. Which of the following statements about this motion is correct?
A. The Earth rotates in a clockwise direction when viewed from above the North Pole
B. When viewed from above the North Pole, the Earth rotates in an anti-clockwise direction from West to East
C. The rotation occurs at a constant speed everywhere on Earth's surface
D. The rotation is caused by the Sun's gravitational pull on the Earth
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) When viewed from above the North Pole, the Earth rotates in an anti-clockwise direction from West to East

Explanation:
The chapter clearly states that when viewed from the top of the North Pole, the Earth rotates in the anti-clockwise direction, which is equivalent to rotating from West to East.

Question: In Activity 12.3, a student observes the Big Dipper constellation at 9 PM, then again at 11 PM and 1 AM. What phenomenon does the apparent motion of the Big Dipper around the Pole Star directly demonstrate?
A. The Moon's orbit around the Earth
B. The Earth's rotation on its axis causing apparent celestial motion
C. The revolution of Earth around the Sun
D. The gradual dimming of stars due to atmospheric changes
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The Earth's rotation on its axis causing apparent celestial motion

Explanation:
Observing the Big Dipper move around the Pole Star over several hours is a direct demonstration of Earth's rotation. Since the Pole Star aligns nearly with Earth's rotation axis, it appears stationary while other stars seem to rotate around it—just as the merry-go-round activity showed that objects appear to move opposite to your actual direction of motion.

Question: On the equinox days around March 21 and September 23, daytime lasts for exactly 12 hours in the Northern Hemisphere. What is the significance of equal day and night length on these specific dates?
A. The Earth is at its closest point to the Sun on these dates
B. Neither hemisphere is tilted more favorably toward the Sun than the other
C. The Sun is directly overhead at the North Pole on these dates
D. The Moon and Sun align in a way that increases daylight hours equally
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Neither hemisphere is tilted more favorably toward the Sun than the other

Explanation:
During equinox days, the tilt of Earth's axis is oriented such that neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the Sun more than the other, resulting in equal distribution of daylight and darkness across both hemispheres.

Question: Why can Mercury and Venus never completely block the Sun's light as the Moon does, despite some of them being larger than the Moon?
A. They are not dense enough to cast shadows
B. Their orbits place them too far from Earth compared to the Moon, making their apparent sizes much smaller than the Sun
C. They do not rotate on their axes like the Moon does
D. The Sun's magnetic field prevents them from blocking sunlight
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Their orbits place them too far from Earth compared to the Moon, making their apparent sizes much smaller than the Sun

Explanation:
While Mercury and Venus are much larger in actual physical size than the Moon, they orbit much farther from Earth. Since apparent size depends on both physical size AND distance, these distant planets have much smaller apparent sizes compared to the Sun and cannot block its light, whereas the nearby Moon can.

Question: Figure 12.10 illustrates why seasons occur differently in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Which statement accurately explains the difference in sunlight intensity shown in this figure?
A. The Southern Hemisphere receives fewer sunrays because it is farther from the Sun
B. The same amount of sunrays spread over a larger area in one hemisphere and a smaller area in the other due to Earth's spherical shape and tilt
C. The Northern Hemisphere absorbs more heat because it contains more land mass
D. Sunrays in the Southern Hemisphere are filtered by more atmospheric layers
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The same amount of sunrays spread over a larger area in one hemisphere and a smaller area in the other due to Earth's spherical shape and tilt

Explanation:
The chapter emphasizes that when one hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, the same amount of solar energy is concentrated into a smaller area, making it more intense. Meanwhile, in the tilted-away hemisphere, the same energy spreads over a larger area, resulting in less intensity. This is due to the spherical shape of Earth combined with the tilt of its axis.

Question: Aryabhata, an ancient Indian astronomer, calculated Earth's rotation period as approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.1 seconds. What makes this historical calculation significant?
A. It was the first time anyone had attempted to measure Earth's rotation
B. It remains completely inaccurate by modern standards
C. It is remarkably close to the currently accepted scientific value
D. It disproved the idea that the Earth rotates at all
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) It is remarkably close to the currently accepted scientific value

Explanation:
Aryabhata's calculated value is described in the chapter as impressively close to the currently accepted value, demonstrating the sophisticated astronomical knowledge of ancient Indian scholars and the accuracy they achieved without modern instruments.

Question: When observing a lunar eclipse, why can it be safely watched with the naked eye, whereas a solar eclipse requires special protective equipment?
A. The Moon emits less light than the Sun during a lunar eclipse
B. A lunar eclipse involves the Earth blocking sunlight from reaching the Moon, so the Moon reflects dim light; a solar eclipse involves the Sun's light directed toward Earth
C. Lunar eclipses occur less frequently than solar eclipses
D. The chapter does not explain this difference
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) A lunar eclipse involves the Earth blocking sunlight from reaching the Moon, so the Moon reflects dim light; a solar eclipse involves the Sun's light directed toward Earth

Explanation:
During a lunar eclipse, the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, which then reflects only dim reflected sunlight toward Earth—safe to observe directly. During a solar eclipse, the Sun's intense light reaches Earth with only the Moon partially blocking it, making direct viewing dangerous without protection.

Question: At the equator, there are always 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of darkness throughout the year. Why is this consistent day-night pattern maintained regardless of the season?
A. The equator is always directly between the two tilted hemispheres, so it always receives equal illumination
B. The equator rotates faster than other parts of Earth
C. The Moon's orbit is aligned with the equator
D. The Sun's intensity is weaker at the equator
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (A) The equator is always directly between the two tilted hemispheres, so it always receives equal illumination

Explanation:
Because the equator is located halfway between the North and South poles, and Earth's tilt causes one hemisphere to tilt toward the Sun while the other tilts away, the equatorial region consistently remains in the balanced middle. This geometric position ensures that as Earth rotates, the equator always spends equal time in sunlight and darkness.

Question: The shadow cast by the Moon during a solar eclipse covers only a small area of Earth. What causes this limited path of totality?
A. The Moon is too small to cast a large shadow across Earth's entire surface
B. The Earth's atmosphere scatters the Moon's shadow over a large area
C. The Moon's orbit is nearly parallel to Earth's orbit around the Sun
D. The Moon moves too quickly for its shadow to cover large areas
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (A) The Moon is too small to cast a large shadow across Earth's entire surface

Explanation:
Although the Moon can completely block the Sun from certain locations due to its apparent size matching the Sun's, the physical size of the Moon is much smaller than Earth. Therefore, the Moon's shadow can cover only a limited region on Earth's surface at any given moment, which is why total solar eclipses are only visible from small paths.

Question: Given how the Foucault pendulum demonstrates Earth's rotation, what would an observer notice if they watched the pendulum's swing pattern over several hours?
A. The pendulum would gradually swing in a different direction relative to fixed points on the ground because Earth is rotating beneath it
B. The pendulum would stop swinging as Earth's rotation slowed down
C. The pendulum's swing would become more predictable over time
D. There would be no observable change in the pendulum's motion
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (A) The pendulum would gradually swing in a different direction relative to fixed points on the ground because Earth is rotating beneath it

Explanation:
The Foucault pendulum provides a simple demonstration of Earth's rotation because the pendulum maintains its plane of swing while the Earth rotates beneath it. To a stationary observer on Earth, the pendulum appears to change direction over time—a clear proof of Earth's rotation rather than any change in the pendulum itself.

Question: Different stars appear in the night sky during different months of the year. What causes this gradual change in the visible constellation patterns throughout the year?
A. Stars are gradually moving toward and away from Earth
B. As Earth revolves around the Sun, our viewing angle toward distant stars changes, making different constellations visible at different times
C. The atmosphere refracts light differently depending on the season
D. Stars are born and die at different times throughout the year
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) As Earth revolves around the Sun, our viewing angle toward distant stars changes, making different constellations visible at different times

Explanation:
As the chapter explains in section 12.2.1, the changing view of the night sky occurs because Earth is continuously revolving around the Sun. From different positions in our orbit, we look out into space in different directions, and therefore see different patterns of stars at different times of year—even though the stars themselves are stationary relative to us.

Question: When India's cricket team travels to Australia in December for matches, what does an understanding of seasons in different hemispheres suggest they should pack?
A. Winter clothing, because December is winter everywhere on Earth
B. Summer clothing, because Australia experiences summer in December when the Southern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun
C. Light spring clothing regardless of the season
D. The chapter does not provide information to answer this question
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Summer clothing, because Australia experiences summer in December when the Southern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun

Explanation:
The chapter explains that seasons are reversed between hemispheres. When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere around December, the Southern Hemisphere experiences summer because it is tilted toward the Sun. Australia, in the Southern Hemisphere, would be warm in December, so summer clothing would be appropriate.

Question: Indigenous communities like the Bhil and Pawara used star patterns as seasonal markers. What specific seasonal event did they predict using the appearance of certain constellations?
A. The beginning of winter season in their region
B. The arrival of monsoon rain
C. The change from day to night each day
D. The beginning of the calendar year
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The arrival of monsoon rain

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states in a Fascinating Facts box that the Bhil and Pawara communities used the appearance of certain patterns of stars in the sky as markers for the arrival of monsoon rain, demonstrating traditional knowledge of connecting astronomical observations to agricultural seasons.

Question: If the Earth's axis were not tilted but instead perfectly perpendicular to its orbital plane, how would this change affect the occurrence of seasons?
A. Seasons would become more extreme due to the straighter angle of sunrays
B. Seasons would not occur because there would be no variation in how sunrays hit different hemispheres throughout Earth's orbit
C. The equator would receive no sunlight during winter
D. Seasons would occur at the same times but with reversed intensity
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Seasons would not occur because there would be no variation in how sunrays hit different hemispheres throughout Earth's orbit

Explanation:
The chapter emphasizes that both the tilt of Earth's axis AND its spherical shape are necessary for seasons to occur. If the axis were perpendicular to the orbital plane, neither hemisphere would ever be tilted toward or away from the Sun, and every location would receive nearly equal sunlight year-round, eliminating seasonal variation entirely.

Question: The Surya Siddhanta is an important ancient Indian astronomical text used for predicting eclipses. In what literary form is this text written?
A. Prose narrative with detailed scientific explanations
B. Simple lists of numbers and calculations
C. Classical Sanskrit poetry tradition in rhythmic shlokas
D. Diagrams with minimal written description
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (C) Classical Sanskrit poetry tradition in rhythmic shlokas

Explanation:
The chapter specifically states that the Surya Siddhanta "is written in the classical Sanskrit poetry tradition in rhythmic shlokas," showing how ancient Indian astronomers preserved sophisticated astronomical knowledge through verse rather than modern scientific notation.

Question: During Activity 12.2, when students rotate a globe counterclockwise while viewing from above the North Pole, they observe their marked location cycling through light and darkness. Which real-world phenomenon does this activity directly model?
A. The revolution of Earth around the Sun across one year
B. The daily cycle of day and night caused by Earth's rotation
C. The precession of Earth's axis
D. The Moon's orbit around the Earth
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The daily cycle of day and night caused by Earth's rotation

Explanation:
In the activity, a torch represents the Sun and a rotating globe represents the Earth. As the globe rotates counterclockwise (West to East), the marked location passes through the illuminated side (day) and dark side (night) repeatedly, directly demonstrating how Earth's rotation creates the daily day-night cycle.

Question: The Kodaikanal Solar Observatory in southern India has operated for over a century. What primary contribution has this institution made to scientific knowledge?
A. It first proved that the Earth rotates on its axis
B. It has provided continuous data about the Sun for more than 100 years
C. It discovered the Moon's orbit around the Earth
D. It created the first maps of all constellations visible from India
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) It has provided continuous data about the Sun for more than 100 years

Explanation:
The chapter states that the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, established in 1899 and operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, "has provided data about the Sun for over 100 years," making it a long-term source of solar observations and research.

Question: In the context of apparent size discussed in Activity 12.4, why can the Moon appear to completely cover the Sun during a total solar eclipse despite the Sun being much larger in actual physical dimensions?
A. The Moon is actually larger than the Sun in reality
B. The Moon is much closer to Earth than the Sun, so its apparent size relative to the Sun appears equal even though it is physically much smaller
C. The Sun's light is dimmed by Earth's atmosphere during eclipse
D. The Moon moves faster than the Sun, allowing it to overtake and cover it
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) The Moon is much closer to Earth than the Sun, so its apparent size relative to the Sun appears equal even though it is physically much smaller

Explanation:
The chapter emphasizes that apparent size depends on both actual physical size AND distance from the observer. Though the Moon is much smaller than the Sun in physical dimensions, it is vastly closer to Earth. This proximity makes the Moon's apparent size nearly equal to the Sun's apparent size, allowing the Moon to appear to cover the Sun completely during a solar eclipse.

Question: Which statement best describes why eclipses do not happen every month?
A. The Moon's orbit is not in the same plane as Earth's orbit, so the three bodies do not align every month
B. The Sun's gravity prevents the Moon from aligning with Earth regularly
C. Eclipses are prevented by Earth's magnetic field
D. The chapter does not provide information about eclipse frequency
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (A) The Moon's orbit is not in the same plane as Earth's orbit, so the three bodies do not align every month

Explanation:
While the chapter does not explicitly state this, it shows in figures 12.13 and 12.16 that solar and lunar eclipses require precise geometric alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Since the Moon's orbital plane is tilted relative to Earth's orbital plane, this alignment does not occur every month, which is why eclipses are relatively rare events.

Question: During a total solar eclipse, the experience lasts only a few minutes at any specific location on Earth. What is the primary reason for this brief duration?
A. The Moon's shadow moves very quickly across Earth's surface due to combined effects of Earth's rotation and the Moon's orbital motion
B. The Sun's light pushes the Moon's shadow away after a few minutes
C. Eclipse totality is physically limited to last only a few minutes by astronomical laws
D. The atmosphere absorbs the blocked sunlight after a few minutes
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (A) The Moon's shadow moves very quickly across Earth's surface due to combined effects of Earth's rotation and the Moon's orbital motion

Explanation:
The chapter explains that due to Earth's rotation and the Moon's motion in its orbit, the Moon's shadow moves across Earth's surface. Therefore, even though the Moon is positioned to block the Sun, the shadow passes over any given location in only a few minutes as it sweeps across the planet's surface.

Question: Aryabhata's statement that "just as a man in a boat moving forward sees stationary objects as moving backwards" explains which astronomical phenomenon observed from Earth?
A. Why the Moon appears to orbit around Earth
B. Why stars appear to move across the sky due to Earth's rotation, even though they are actually stationary
C. Why the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West
D. Why seasons change throughout the year
Show Answer & Explanation

Answer: (B) Why stars appear to move across the sky due to Earth's rotation, even though they are actually stationary

Explanation:
Aryabhata's analogy from ancient Sanskrit texts directly parallels the merry-go-round example used in the chapter. Just as a moving observer sees stationary scenery appear to move in the opposite direction, Earth's rotation causes stationary stars to appear to move across the sky, which is precisely what we observe as the apparent daily motion of celestial objects.

Free study material for Science

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun

Chapter MCQs with Answers for Class 7 Science

Explore reliable practice questions for Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun tailored for Class 7 Science learners. Use these multiple-choice formats to evaluate preparedness and strengthen problem-solving skills.

Expert Practice Material for Class 7 Science

Cross-reference your completed choices with comprehensive NCERT solutions for Class 7 Science to ensure absolute clarity across all sub-topics in this chapter.

Complete Your Chapter Revision

Explore our broader library of printable assignments, chapter notes, and mock tests designed to support continuous revision and secure higher marks in CBSE assessments.

FAQs

Where can I access latest CBSE Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun MCQs Set 02?

You can get most exhaustive CBSE Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun MCQs Set 02 for free on StudiesToday.com. These MCQs for Class 7 Science are updated for the 2026-27 academic session as per CBSE examination standards.

Are Assertion-Reasoning and Case-Study MCQs included in the Science Class 7 material?

Yes, our CBSE Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun MCQs Set 02 include the latest type of questions, such as Assertion-Reasoning and Case-based MCQs. 50% of the CBSE paper is now competency-based.

How do practicing Science MCQs help in scoring full marks in Class 7 exams?

By solving our CBSE Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun MCQs Set 02, Class 7 students can improve their accuracy and speed which is important as objective questions provide a chance to secure 100% marks in the Science.

Do you provide answers and explanations for CBSE Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun MCQs Set 02?

Yes, Science MCQs for Class 7 have answer key and brief explanations to help students understand logic behind the correct option as its important for 2026 competency-focused CBSE exams.

Can I practice these Science Class 7 MCQs online?

Yes, you can also access online interactive tests for CBSE Class 7 Science Chapter 12 Earth, Moon, And The Sun MCQs Set 02 on StudiesToday.com as they provide instant answers and score to help you track your progress in Science.