Weather and Seasons — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Why do some trees lose their leaves in fall?
A) The wind blows them off.
B) They prepare to save energy for winter.
C) Animals eat all the leaves.
D) The leaves get too old.
Trees lose their leaves in fall to prepare for winter. Without leaves, trees save energy and water during the cold months.
2. What causes the seasons to change throughout the year?
A) The moon moves around Earth.
B) The sun gets bigger and smaller.
C) Earth tilts as it moves around the sun.
D) Clouds block the sunlight.
The seasons change because Earth is tilted on its axis as it orbits the sun, causing different parts to receive more or less sunlight.
3. Which season has the shortest days and longest nights?
A) Spring
B) Summer
C) Fall
D) Winter
Winter has the shortest days and longest nights because the sun is in the sky for fewer hours.
4. What do many animals do to get ready for winter?
A) They build nests in trees.
B) They store food or migrate to warmer places.
C) They learn to swim in cold water.
D) They shed their fur.
Many animals prepare for winter by storing food or migrating to warmer places where they can find food more easily.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Bears hibernate during the winter season to save energy.
Bears hibernate during the winter season to save energy when food is hard to find.
2. In spring, farmers begin to plant seeds in their fields.
In spring, farmers plant seeds in their fields because the warmer soil and rain help them grow.
3. The longest day of the year happens in summer.
The longest day of the year happens in summer, around June 21st, when the sun is out the most hours.
4. Animals that fly south for the winter are said to migrate.
Animals that fly south for the winter are said to migrate, traveling to warmer places to find food.
5. Seasons repeat in the same order every year.
Seasons repeat in the same order every year: spring, summer, fall, winter.