Science Assessment ~ Topics ~ Weather and Climate II: Seasonal Differences ~ Item CL120002 ~ Student Performance

Which of the following statements describes the point on the surface of the earth where sunlight is most intense from June of one year until June of the next year?

The point where sunlight is most intense shifts from the North Pole, over the equator to the South Pole, then back to the North Pole.
The point where sunlight is most intense shifts south from 23.5° north of the equator until it reaches the equator, then it shifts north again until it reaches 23.5° north.
The point where sunlight is most intense shifts from 23.5° north of the equator to 23.5° south of the equator, then back to 23.5° north.
The point where sunlight is most intense does not shift; it always stays at the equator.

Distribution of responses
Answer Choice		Overall	Grades		Gender		Primary Language
		n = 3351	6–8 n = 1902	9–12 n = 1433	Male n = 1617	Female n = 1653	English n = 2908	Other n = 329
A.	The point where sunlight is most intense shifts from the North Pole, over the equator to the South Pole, then back to the North Pole.	17%	20%	12%	16%	17%	16%	18%
B.	The point where sunlight is most intense shifts south from 23.5° north of the equator until it reaches the equator, then it shifts north again until it reaches 23.5° north.	25%	25%	26%	27%	24%	24%	33%
C.	The point where sunlight is most intense shifts from 23.5° north of the equator to 23.5° south of the equator, then back to 23.5° north.	29%	26%	34%	31%	27%	30%	26%
D.	The point where sunlight is most intense does not shift; it always stays at the equator.	29%	29%	28%	26%	31%	30%	24%

Science Assessment

Item CL120002: The point on the surface of the earth where sunlight is most intense from June of one year until June of the next year shifts from 23.5° north of the equator to 23.5° south of the equator, then back to 23.5° north.