Phases Of The Moon Test: Uncover Your Moon Wisdom

Reviewed by Markus Amano
Markus Amano, PhD (Physics) |
Theoretical Physicist
Review Board Member
Markus Antonio Amano, PhD, is a theoretical physicist. With 10 years of teaching experience and multiple publications, he is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Henan University, focusing on Nuclear Matter from a holographic perspective. He holds a PhD from the University of Alabama and a BS in Engineering Physics from the Colorado School of Mines.
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By Cs34
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    What is the size of the moon in comparison to Earth?

    • Bigger
    • Smaller
    • Both the Same
    • Not clear
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About This Quiz

Start a celestial journey with our Moon Phases Quiz and deepen your understanding of the lunar cycle. This quiz is expertly crafted to test your knowledge of the different stages of the moon, from the new moon to the full moon and everything in between. Each phase has its unique characteristics and influences on Earth, which you'll explore through a series of detailed questions and answers.

Whether you're a student, a teacher, or simply a lunar enthusiast, this quiz offers a comprehensive review of moon phases. You'll be challenged to identify specific phases, understand their order, and recognize the scientific phenomena behind their appearances. Our Moon Phase Test is designed not only to assess your current understanding but also to enhance your grasp of lunar dynamics.

With interactive content that is both informative and engaging, our quiz is an excellent resource for anyone looking to increase their astronomical knowledge. It’s perfect for classroom use, self-study, or as a fun activity for families to learn together. Take our Moon Phases Quiz today and see how well you know our closest celestial neighbor!

Phases Of The Moon Test: Uncover Your Moon Wisdom - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What is the shape of the moon when it is fully lit and looks like a round ball?

    • Full Moon

    • New Moon

    • Crescent Moon

    • Half Moon

    Correct Answer
    A. Full Moon
    Explanation
    During a Full Moon, the entire side facing Earth is brilliantly illuminated by sunlight, presenting a complete circle in the night sky. This phase marks a celestial spectacle, captivating observers and showcasing the moon in its full splendor.

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  • 3. 

    A full moon happens roughly every 29.5 days.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    A full moon occurs roughly every 29.5 days, which is the length of one lunar cycle. This cycle, also known as a synodic month, is the time it takes for the Moon to go through all its phases, from new moon back to new moon, passing through the full moon phase in the process.

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  • 4. 

    About how long does it take the Moon to complete its cycle around the Earth?

    • 1 year

    • 1 week

    • 1 month

    • 1 day

    Correct Answer
    A. 1 month
    Explanation
    The Moon takes approximately one month to complete a full orbit around the Earth. This cycle is what causes the different phases of the Moon that we see from Earth, as the amount of sunlight reflected off the Moon's surface changes depending on its position in relation to the Sun and Earth. More precisely, the Moon's sidereal period (time to complete one orbit relative to the stars) is about 27.3 days, while its synodic period (time to return to the same phase) is about 29.5 days.

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  • 5. 

    What is the name of the phase when we can only see a small curved part of the moon?

    • Waxing Crescent

    • New Moon

    • First Quarter

    • Waning Gibbous

    Correct Answer
    A. Waxing Crescent
    Explanation
    The Waxing Crescent phase reveals a slender, curved portion of the moon, resembling a delicate sliver in the night sky. This phase marks the moon's initial transition from darkness, setting the stage for its gradual illumination throughout the lunar cycle.

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  • 6. 

    Why does the Moon have different phases?

    • It moves around the Earth.

    • It moves around the Sun.

    • It moves around other planets.

    • It disappears behind other planets.

    Correct Answer
    A. It moves around the Earth.
    Explanation
    The Moon has different phases because it moves around the Earth. As the Moon orbits the Earth, different portions of its illuminated surface are visible from Earth, resulting in the different phases we observe. The changing positions of the Moon and the Sun relative to Earth cause the Moon to appear differently throughout its orbit. This phenomenon is known as the lunar cycle, which includes phases such as new moon, crescent moon, half moon, and full moon.

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  • 7. 

    During the New Moon phase, the Moon leaves the sky for a while.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    During the New Moon phase, the Moon does not leave the sky. In fact, the New Moon phase occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, causing the side of the Moon that faces the Earth to be in shadow. This makes the Moon appear invisible or very faint in the sky, but it is still present. Therefore, the statement that the Moon leaves the sky during the New Moon phase is false.

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  • 8. 

    When the Earth is positioned between the Moon and the Sun, what form does the Moon take?

    • Half Moon

    • 3rd Quarter Moon

    • Quarter Moon

    • Full Moon

    Correct Answer
    A. Full Moon
    Explanation
    When the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, the Sun's light illuminates the entire side of the Moon that faces the Earth, creating a Full Moon. This occurs because the Sun is directly behind the Earth, and its light is fully reflected off the Moon's surface, making it appear as a complete circle.

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  • 9. 

    What is the correct order of the Moon Phases?

    • New, 1st Quarter, Full, 3rd Quarter

    • New, Full, 1st Quarter, 3rd Quarter

    • 1st, Quarter, 3rd Quarter, New, Full

    • None of these

    Correct Answer
    A. None of these
    Explanation
    The correct order of the Moon phases begins with the New Moon, where the Moon is not visible, followed by the Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and finally the Waning Crescent. These phases represent the changing illumination of the Moon as observed from Earth. 

     

    The correct order is:
    New Moon → Waxing Crescent → First Quarter → Waxing Gibbous → Full Moon → Waning Gibbous → Third Quarter → Waning Crescent → New Moon (and the cycle repeats).

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  • 10. 

    We can see the shining light of the Moon during the full moon phase.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
     

    True. During the full moon phase, the entire illuminated side of the moon faces Earth, making it appear as a bright, full circle in the sky. This results in the moon's shining light being visible from Earth.

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  • 11. 

    What is the shape of the moon when it looks like a half-circle in the sky?

    • Last Quarter

    • Waxing Gibbous

    • First Quarter

    • Waning Crescent

    Correct Answer
    A. First Quarter
    Explanation
    When the moon appears as a half-circle in the sky, it's known as the First Quarter. This phase occurs when the moon has completed one-quarter of its orbit around the Earth since the last New Moon. It marks the midpoint between the New Moon and the Full Moon in the lunar cycle.

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  • 12. 

    In which phase is the moon most likely, when it's between the Earth and Sun?

    • New

    • Full

    • 3rd Quarter

    • 5th Quarter

    Correct Answer
    A. New
    Explanation
    When the moon is between the Earth and the Sun, it is in the New phase. During this phase, the side of the moon that is facing the Earth is not illuminated by the Sun, making it appear dark or invisible from Earth. This occurs because the Sun's light is not reaching the side of the moon that faces us.

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  • 13. 

    What is the name of the phase when the moon looks like a thin banana in the sky?

    • Waxing Gibbous

    • Waning Crescent

    • Third Quarter

    • Full Moon

    Correct Answer
    A. Waning Crescent
    Explanation
    The "Waning Crescent" phase of the moon occurs when less than half of the illuminated portion of the moon is visible from Earth, resembling a thin banana shape. This phase happens as the moon's illuminated side gradually decreases in size before transitioning into the "New Moon" phase.

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  • 14. 

    During the Waxing Gibbous phase, what portion of the moon's surface is illuminated by sunlight?

    • One-quarter

    • One-half

    • Three-quarters

    • Full moon

    Correct Answer
    A. Three-quarters
    Explanation
    In the Waxing Gibbous phase, approximately three-quarters of the moon's surface facing Earth is illuminated by sunlight. Understanding this phase is essential for observing the moon's progression towards its full illumination during the lunar cycle.

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  • 15. 

    Select the wrong statement about a full moon phase.

    • The full moon phase lasts 7 days.

    • The full moon phase is the time when moon reflects light brighter than the sun.

    • The full moon doesn't happen during winters.

    • All of these

    Correct Answer
    A. All of these
    Explanation
    The given statement, "All of these," is the correct answer because all of the statements mentioned about the full moon phase are incorrect. The full moon phase does not last for 7 days; it typically lasts for only a few days. The moon does not reflect light brighter than the sun during the full moon phase; it simply reflects the sunlight that falls on it. Additionally, the full moon can occur during any season, including winter.

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Markus Amano |PhD (Physics) |
Theoretical Physicist
Markus Antonio Amano, PhD, is a theoretical physicist. With 10 years of teaching experience and multiple publications, he is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Henan University, focusing on Nuclear Matter from a holographic perspective. He holds a PhD from the University of Alabama and a BS in Engineering Physics from the Colorado School of Mines.

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  • Current Version
  • Jun 28, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
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    Expert Reviewed by
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  • Nov 05, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Cs34

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