AAAS Science Assessment ~ Topics ~ Weather and Climate II: Seasonal Differences ~ Item CL117002

A student observes that in the middle of the day the sun is higher in the sky in summer than in winter. Which of the following statements explains her observation?

The orientation of the earth’s axis relative to the sun is different in summer than it is in winter.
The orientation of the earth’s axis relative to the plane of the earth’s path around the sun is different in summer than it is in winter.
The difference is not caused by changes in the orientation of the earth’s axis. It is caused by changes in the sun’s position in the solar system.
The difference is not caused by changes in the orientation of the earth’s axis. It is caused by the days in summer being longer than days in winter.

Item Details
Student Performance

Topic: Weather and Climate II: Seasonal Differences
Correct Answer: A

Distribution of Responses

Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item CL117002

Percent of students responding correctly

Overall	39%
Grades 6–8	36%
Grades 9–12	43%
Male	40%
Female	37%
Primary Language is English	39%
Primary Language is not English	35%

View data table

AAAS Science Assessment ^beta

Item CL117002: At a given place, the sun is higher in the sky in the middle of the day in summer than in winter because the orientation of the earth’s axis relative to the sun is different in summer than it is in winter.

AAAS Science Assessment beta

Item CL117002: At a given place, the sun is higher in the sky in the middle of the day in summer than in winter because the orientation of the earth’s axis relative to the sun is different in summer than it is in winter.

AAAS Science Assessment ^beta