Why does the moon change shape and why are cheetahs fast? Try our kids’ quiz

1. Nora, 7, asks: why does the moon change shape?

   1. Different clouds block parts of the moon

   2. The moon rotates on its axis, which allows us to see its shapes as it turns

   3. The moon reflects different amounts of sunlight as it orbits the Earth

   4. The moon is pulled by the Earth’s gravity, making it bulge out at the sides

2. Alice, 11, asks: what is the biggest library in the world?

   1. The Shanghai Library

   2. The British Library

   3. The Yale Library

   4. The Bodleian Library

3. Cody, 7, asks: why are some trees evergreen and some deciduous?

   1. Because they conserve water over winter in different ways

   2. Deciduous trees need to change the colour of their leaves to repel insects, who are attracted to green

   3. Evergreen trees need to keep their leaves to stay warm all year round

   4. Deciduous trees need the rain to clean their wood over winter

4. Martha, 7, asks: why are cheetahs so fast?

   1. Their long tails act as propellers to push them forwards

   2. They have feathers instead of fur, which decreases air resistance

   3. They have flexible spines, large hearts and lungs, and slender legs

   4. They consume a special leaf that gives them extra energy

5. Elodie, 9, asks: how many people are born and die in a year?

   1. About 70 million births and 130 million deaths

   2. About 70 million deaths and 130 million births

   3. About 140 million births and 260 million deaths

   4. About 140 million deaths and 260 million births

Solutions

1:C - The moon doesn’t actually change shape, but as it moves around the Earth we see different amounts of the sunlight that is being reflected by the moon, and that makes it look as if it’s changing shape., 2:B - Based on its collection size, the British Library is the biggest in the world, with close to 200 million items! The library’s vast collection includes manuscripts, maps, stamps, sound recordings, photographs and music., 3:A - Deciduous trees let go of their leaves over winter to conserve water and energy. Evergreen trees need more energy for survival, so their leaves have a waxy coating that helps them to weather harsher conditions., 4:C - Cheetahs are so speedy for many different reasons, but their long slender legs, light body weight and large hearts and lungs all contribute. They also have a flexible spine, which helps them to maximise the length of their stride., 5:B - In 2021 there were 133.97 million births and 69.25 million deaths in the world. By the year 2100 the birth rate is projected to fall to 111.45 million.

Scores

1. 5 and above.

2. 4 and above.

3. 3 and above.

4. 2 and above.

5. 0 and above.

6. 1 and above.

Molly Oldfield hosts Everything Under the Sun, a weekly podcast answering children’s questions, out now as a book.

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