Content Benchmark E.12.B.1

Students know common characteristics of stars. I/S

Sample Test Questions

1st Item Specification: Identify the processes of stellar evolution.

Depth of Knowledge Level 1

  1. Which of the following determines most characteristics and future events of a star’s existence?
  2. Size
  3. Temperature
  4. Color
  5. Mass
  1. When a star is on the main sequence, it is
  2. converting hydrogen into helium through nuclear fusion.
  3. converting uranium into helium through nuclear fission.
  4. burning hydrogen and oxygen to make heavier elements.
  5. burning radioactive elements to create lighter elements.
  1. In a main sequence star, equilibrium is reached when matter pulled inward by the gravitational force is pushed outward by
  2. convection of stellar material from the core.
  3. immense pressure created by energy in the core.
  4. coronal mass ejections originating from the core.
  5. endothermic cooling of hydrogen fuel in the core.
  1. Which of the following lists the stages of life of a low-mass star in correct order?
  2. Main sequence, planetary nebula, red giant, white dwarf
  3. Red giant, white dwarf, black hole, main sequence
  4. Main sequence, red giant, planetary nebula, white dwarf
  5. Red giant, main sequence, black hole, planetary nebula
  1. Which of the following lists the stages of life of a high-mass star in correct order?
  1. Main sequence, red giant, supernova, neutron star
  2. Red giant, main sequence, planetary nebula, neutron star
  3. Main sequence, black hole, supernova, planetary nebula
  4. Red giant, white dwarf, black hole, main sequence


Depth Of Knowledge Level 2

  1. Use the diagram below to answer the following question.


(From http://emsc32.nysed.gov/osa/reftable/esp10-16.pdf)

Which of these stars is considered a main sequence star?

A.  Aldebaran

B.  Alpha Centauri

C.  Betelgeuse

D.  Procyon B

  1. What happens to cause a star to leave the main sequence? The gravitational pull inward becomes
  2. greater than the outward pressure, so the core of the star shrinks while the outer layers expand, creating a red giant.
  3. greater than the outward pressure, so the core and the outer layers of the star both shrink, creating a black hole.
  4. less than the outward pressure, so the core and the outer layers of the star both expand, creating a red giant.
  5. less than the outward pressure, so the core and the outer layers of the star both expand, creating a black hole.


2nd Item Specification: Recognize that stars change in temperature, size, color, and brightness as they age.

Depth of Knowledge Level 1

  1. A star’s brightness
  2. remains the same over its lifetime.
  3. increases as it gets older.
  4. decreases as it gets older.
  5. fluctuates during its lifetime.
  1. A star’s temperature
  1. fluctuates during its lifetime.
  2. decreases as it gets older.
  3. increases as it gets older.
  4. remains the same over its lifetime.

Depth of Knowledge Level 2

  1. As a star leaves its main sequence stage, it gets
  2. cooler, smaller, bluer, and dimmer.
  3. hotter, larger, redder, and brighter.
  4. cooler, larger, redder, and brighter.
  5. hotter, smaller, bluer, and dimmer.
  1. As a star leaves its red giant stage and goes toward a white dwarf, it gets
  1. cooler, smaller, bluer, and dimmer.
  2. hotter, larger, redder, and brighter.
  3. cooler, larger, redder, and brighter.
  4. hotter, smaller, bluer, and dimmer.
  1. Compared to a red giant, a white dwarf is
  2. older, hotter, smaller, and brighter.
  3. older, hotter, smaller, and dimmer.
  4. younger, cooler, smaller, and brighter.
  5. younger, hotter, smaller, and dimmer.


3rd Item Specification: Demonstrate the general relationship between the color and temperature of stars.

Depth of Knowledge Level 1

  1. What color are the hottest stars?
  2. Red
  3. Blue
  4. Yellow
  5. Green
  1. The color of a star mainly depends on
  1. its location within the galaxy.
  2. its position within a constellation.
  3. the temperature of the star.
  4. the composition of the star.
  1. If two stars, one red and one blue, are both on the main sequence, what is known about their temperatures?
  2. The blue star is hotter.
  3. The red star is hotter.
  4. They are the same temperature.
  5. Nothing is known about their temperatures.

Depth of Knowledge Level 2

  1. Rank the order of a blue, a yellow, and a red star from COOLEST to HOTTEST.
  2. Red à blue à yellow
  3. Red à yellow à blue
  4. Yellow à red à blue
  5. Yellow à blue à red

  1. Use the diagram below to answer the following question.


(From http://emsc32.nysed.gov/osa/reftable/esp10-16.pdf)

What is the approximate temperature of Rigel?

A.  6,000 °C

B.  8,000 °C

C.  10,000 °C

D.  12,000 °C


Content Benchmark E.12.B.1.

Students know common characteristics of stars. I/S

Answers to Sample Test Questions

1.  D, DOK level 1

2.  A, DOK level 1

3.  B, DOK level 1

4.  C, DOK level 1

5.  A, DOK level 1

6.  B, DOK level 2

7.  A, DOK level 2

8.  D, DOK level 1

9.  A, DOK level 1

10.  C, DOK level 2

11.  D, DOK level 2

12.  B, DOK level 2

13.  B, DOK level 1

14.  C, DOK level 1

15.  A, DOK level 1

16.  B, DOK level 2

17.  D, DOK level 2