Grade 5 · Science · Unit 1 of 9
Midnight Sun and Polar Night
Why the Sun never sets in summer and never rises in winter.
What your child practises
Explains Earth's tilt, the seasons, the Arctic Circle and why far-northern places have very long days and very long nights.
Nunavut Curriculum approved guide: NWT Science and Technology K–6 (2004), Earth and space science · Earth's tilt, the seasons, and long days and nights near the poles
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Why is summer in the Arctic still cool even with long days?
- The Sun is far away
- The Moon is cold
- The Sun stays low in the sky
- The Sun is off
The Sun stays low in the sky
Hint: Low Sun means less heat.
Question 2
What is the Midnight Sun?
- A kind of snow
- A very bright Moon
- A cloud
- When the Sun stays above the horizon all day and night
When the Sun stays above the horizon all day and night
Hint: It happens in summer near the poles.
Question 3
On which day are day and night about equal everywhere?
- A new moon
- A solstice
- A leap day
- An equinox
An equinox
Hint: Equal night.
Question 4
What causes day and night?
- Clouds
- The Moon blocking the Sun
- The Sun moving around Earth
- Earth spinning
Earth spinning
Hint: Earth rotates.
Question 5
In winter, the north end of Earth's axis tilts…
- Toward the Sun
- Nowhere
- Toward Mars
- Away from the Sun
Away from the Sun
Hint: That gives short days in the north.
Question 6
Aurora are best seen…
- At noon
- In summer midday
- During a blizzard
- On dark, clear nights
On dark, clear nights
Hint: You need a dark sky.