The Moon's phases
6 free practice questions with explanations
PassNova has 6 free Kids Stars & Night Sky practice questions on The Moon's phases, each with a clear explanation. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback — 100% free, no sign-up, on any device. Updated for 2026.
The Moon's phases: example questions & answers
6 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Practise them in the browser with instant feedback on every answer.
When the Moon looks like a big bright circle in the sky, we call it what?
- AA square Moon
- BA tiny Moon
- CA full Moon✓
- DA broken Moon
Answer: A full Moon is when we can see the whole bright, round face of the Moon.
When we can see only a thin curved sliver of the Moon, we call it a what?
- AMelted Moon
- BCrescent Moon✓
- CGiant Moon
- DFull Moon
Answer: A crescent Moon is a thin, curved slice of the Moon that looks like a smile.
Why does the Moon seem to change shape during the month?
- ASunlight lights up different parts of it✓
- BIt really breaks apart
- CIt gets eaten and grows back
- DSomeone paints it
Answer: The Moon's shape seems to change as sunlight lights up different amounts of it.
Does the Moon make its own light like a lamp?
- AYes, it is on fire
- BYes, it glows by itself
- CYes, it has a giant torch
- DNo, it reflects light from the Sun✓
Answer: The Moon has no light of its own; it shines by bouncing back the Sun's light.
Roughly how long does it take the Moon to go through all its shapes and back again?
- AAbout ten years
- BAbout one day
- CAbout a month✓
- DAbout an hour
Answer: The Moon takes about a month to move through all its phases and start again.
What is the round shape called when we can hardly see the Moon at all?
- AA square Moon
- BA full Moon
- CA rainbow Moon
- DA new Moon✓
Answer: At the new Moon, the lit side faces away from us, so it is very hard to see.