P6 Science question before PSLE

[Lee]

My child was given a science question today :-

Qn. The Earth rotates around the Sun.
True / False / Depends
Explain.

My answer is False.
The Earth revolves around the Sun in around 365 days but rotates on it's own axis in about 24 hours.

Any other answers ?

[kayheem]

Hi,

Taking the question at face value, I would say 'true', and leave it at that.

My son is also taking the science paper tomorrow :-(

[Zephyrus]

I'd say as long as you can give a reasonable answer on your choice, it should be fine. But it could depend on what the primary school textbook teaches them, for it could be a definite answer they are looking for. It also sounds to me that Lee's answer should be correct cause they question asks if the Earth "rotates around" the Sun. The fact is it doesn't rotate around it, but rather revolves and it rotates about it's own imaginary axis daily.

[kayheem]

Sometimes, it is difficult to decide how deep to read into the question.

Just for fun, I have 2 more questions. Do bear in mind they are meant for 12 year olds sitting for their PSLE:

1) The moon rotates around the earth - True or False?

2) The solar system has nine planets - True or False?

[tungkian]

hmm..actually your answers sound correct but they are not answering the qn. the qn is the earth rotates around the sun. true/false/depends.

so what you'll have answered is actually for a qn which would sound like :"describe the movement of the earth (around the sun)".

so, the correct answer should be: true. that is why we can see different patterns of stars in the sky which varies throughout the year. (NOTE: In primary school, rotates around the Sun is used for a full circle rotation, aka orbit. this term is used VERY loosely in primary school...so if the assessment book uses rotates instead of orbits, then the setter is not exactly thinking a lot when setting the qn...and the book is...ermm..questionable..)

or: true. otherwise the earth will fly off at a tangent to its orbit. (because of the physics of centripetal forces)

btw, if your answer is depends, then it could be as follow:
1. depends. if the rotation is describing an orbit, the earth does rotate around the sun.
2. depends. if the rotation is describing the movement of the earth on its axis, no, the earth does not rotate around the sun but it rotates on its own axis.

the answers given by u guys are also justified too! so not to worry...but thinking in the mindset of the qn setter, the answers should be as above...sometimes, qn setters are not exactly very reliable themselves..so as you can see, this qn has 3 possible answers. and if all answers are justified, they are all correct. so basically, it's a LOUSY qn!!!!!

okie..i hope i've not broken any rules of the forum for this...but if anyone with primary sch kids is interested, you can check out this series of books: "Powerhouse", by Panpac. i shan't say more about them..but..erm..haha..ok lah..i'm the author...the books are geared towards making kids think...

[Lee]

Hi,

Taking the question at face value, I would say 'true', and leave it at that.

My son is also taking the science paper tomorrow :-(

You are right.
Have to answer the question at face value.

Teacher's Answer : True
Reason : The Earth revolves around the sun and rotates at the same time. There are 365 rotations in a year or a full rotation.

In this case rotate & revolve are used loosely. Your qn for '1' is true then.

[weixing]

Hi,
The first question is to ask your child teacher: "Is this a Science question or a English question??"

Those guys with good English will answer "false" and those with bad English (like me) might answer "true".... no wonder there is an option for "depend"... ha ha ha

Anyway, they seem like to come out with questions that basically test your English instead of the subject.

Luckily, I select electronic and computer engineering... '0' mean "false" and '1' mean "true"... ha ha ha

Have a nice day.

[Canopus Lim]

The answer is probably 'true' since I do not think there are 'trick' questions at Primary 6 to test the kid's english.

[weixing]

Hi,
The teacher answer is "True" as Lee mention in his follow-up post... I miss that post... :p

Have a nice day.

[wucheeyiun]

The answe is probably "true " given the basic knowledge of the solar system they understand....surely there is some confusion here.
My son is taking the PSLE Science paper now...hmm... i have already prayed for him so don't worry for him already...He will definitely pass his English....