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What is TRUE about where the earth’s axis of rotation points as the earth moves along its yearly path around the sun?

  1. The earth’s axis of rotation gradually shifts over the course of one year so that every day it points to a different place in space.
  2. The earth’s axis of rotation shifts twice each year, so it points to two different places in space during a year.
  3. The earth’s axis of rotation shifts four times each year, so it points to four different places in space during a year.
  4. The earth’s axis of rotation does not shift, so it always points to the same place in space during a year.
Distribution of responses
Answer Choice
Overall
Grades
Gender
Primary Language
 
n = 2253
6–8
n = 1249
9–12
n = 996
Male
n = 1070
Female
n = 1106
English
n = 1940
Other
n = 218
A. The earth’s axis of rotation gradually shifts over the course of one year so that every day it points to a different place in space. 31% 30% 32% 30% 32% 32% 24%
B. The earth’s axis of rotation shifts twice each year, so it points to two different places in space during a year. 23% 23% 23% 25% 22% 22% 30%
C. The earth’s axis of rotation shifts four times each year, so it points to four different places in space during a year. 23% 25% 20% 23% 24% 24% 22%
D. The earth’s axis of rotation does not shift, so it always points to the same place in space during a year. 23% 22% 24% 22% 23% 22% 24%