Sky and Clouds — Quiz

Grade 1 · Science · Quiz

Test what you know about the sky, clouds, and weather!

Questions

1. Which type of cloud looks like big puffy cotton balls?

   1. Cirrus
   2. Stratus
   3. Cumulus
   4. Fog
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   Answer: Cumulus

   Cumulus means 'heap' in Latin — these puffy, white, stacked clouds are the classic cloud shape kids draw.

2. The sky appears blue during the day because of how sunlight interacts with the air.

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   Answer: True

   Air molecules scatter shorter blue wavelengths of sunlight in all directions, making the sky appear blue to our eyes.

3. The layer of gases that surrounds our planet is called the ___.

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   Answer: atmosphere

   Earth's atmosphere is the protective envelope of gases that makes life possible by providing air and regulating temperature.

4. What are clouds made from?

   1. Cotton and feathers
   2. Smoke and ash
   3. Tiny water droplets or ice crystals
   4. Sand and dust
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   Answer: Tiny water droplets or ice crystals

   Clouds are essentially visible collections of condensed water vapor — billions of droplets too small to see individually.

5. All clouds are made from the same type of water droplets at the same height.

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   Answer: False

   Different cloud types form at different altitudes and temperatures. Cirrus clouds are icy and high; stratus clouds are lower and watery.

6. Thin, wispy clouds high in the sky are called:

   1. Cumulus clouds
   2. Stratus clouds
   3. Fog clouds
   4. Cirrus clouds
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   Answer: Cirrus clouds

   Cirrus clouds form at altitudes above 20,000 feet where it is extremely cold, causing water vapor to freeze into wispy ice crystal strands.

7. Dark storm clouds are called cumulonimbus clouds.

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   Answer: True

   Cumulonimbus clouds are the tallest, most powerful clouds — they can extend from near the ground to 50,000 feet and produce lightning and hail.

8. Flat, gray clouds that cover the whole sky and bring rain are called ___ clouds.

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   Answer: stratus

   Stratus clouds are like a gray blanket draped over the sky, forming when a large layer of moist air cools uniformly.

9. Why does the sky turn orange and pink at sunset?

   1. The air catches fire
   2. Sunlight interacts with air at a low angle
   3. Clouds turn orange at night
   4. There is no oxygen at sunset
   Show answer

   Answer: Sunlight interacts with air at a low angle

   When the Sun is low on the horizon, sunlight travels through more atmosphere, scattering away blue light and leaving warm oranges and reds.

10. Clouds stay up in the sky because the tiny water droplets fall very slowly.

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    Answer: True

    Cloud droplets are so tiny (about 10 micrometers) that updrafts of air easily keep them aloft, despite their enormous collective weight.

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