Praxis 5005 Science Subtest 2026/2027 | Complete Practice
Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
SECTION I — EARTH SCIENCE
Questions 1–100
1.
Which process is primarily responsible for breaking rocks into smaller
pieces at Earth's surface?
A. Weathering
B. Deposition
C. Cementation
D. Melting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weathering breaks rocks into smaller particles through
physical or chemical processes. Deposition involves the settling of
transported sediments, while cementation forms sedimentary rock.
2.
Which layer of Earth is composed primarily of solid iron and nickel?
A. Crust
B. Mantle
C. Outer core
D. Inner core
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Earth's inner core is primarily iron and nickel and remains
solid because of the enormous pressure at Earth's center.
3.
Which layer of Earth is liquid?
A. Inner core
B. Outer core
C. Lower mantle
D. Crust
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The outer core is a liquid layer composed mainly of iron and
nickel. Movement of this conductive material contributes to Earth's
magnetic field.
4.
What is the primary cause of Earth's seasons?
A. Earth's changing distance from the Sun
B. Earth's axial tilt as it revolves around the Sun
C. Changes in the Sun's temperature
D. Earth's rotation slowing during winter
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Earth's approximately 23.5° axial tilt causes different
hemispheres to receive different angles and durations of sunlight during
the year.
5.
Why does the Moon appear to change shape during a lunar cycle?
A. Earth's shadow covers the Moon every night
B. The Moon produces different amounts of light
C. Different portions of the illuminated Moon are visible from Earth
D. Clouds cover different portions of the Moon
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Moon does not produce its own visible light. As it orbits
Earth, observers see changing portions of its sunlit half.
6.
A lunar eclipse occurs when:
A. The Moon moves between Earth and the Sun
B. Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon
C. The Sun moves between Earth and the Moon
D. The Moon stops reflecting sunlight
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During a lunar eclipse, Earth lies between the Sun and Moon,
causing Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon.
, 7.
A solar eclipse occurs when:
A. Earth is between the Sun and Moon
B. The Moon is between the Sun and Earth
C. The Sun is between Earth and Moon
D. Earth stops rotating
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the
Sun and Earth and blocks some or all of the Sun's light from reaching
portions of Earth.
8.
Which force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?
A. Magnetism
B. Friction
C. Gravity
D. Electricity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gravity provides the inward-directed force necessary to keep
planets in their orbital paths around the Sun.
9.
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
SECTION I — EARTH SCIENCE
Questions 1–100
1.
Which process is primarily responsible for breaking rocks into smaller
pieces at Earth's surface?
A. Weathering
B. Deposition
C. Cementation
D. Melting
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weathering breaks rocks into smaller particles through
physical or chemical processes. Deposition involves the settling of
transported sediments, while cementation forms sedimentary rock.
2.
Which layer of Earth is composed primarily of solid iron and nickel?
A. Crust
B. Mantle
C. Outer core
D. Inner core
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Earth's inner core is primarily iron and nickel and remains
solid because of the enormous pressure at Earth's center.
3.
Which layer of Earth is liquid?
A. Inner core
B. Outer core
C. Lower mantle
D. Crust
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The outer core is a liquid layer composed mainly of iron and
nickel. Movement of this conductive material contributes to Earth's
magnetic field.
4.
What is the primary cause of Earth's seasons?
A. Earth's changing distance from the Sun
B. Earth's axial tilt as it revolves around the Sun
C. Changes in the Sun's temperature
D. Earth's rotation slowing during winter
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Earth's approximately 23.5° axial tilt causes different
hemispheres to receive different angles and durations of sunlight during
the year.
5.
Why does the Moon appear to change shape during a lunar cycle?
A. Earth's shadow covers the Moon every night
B. The Moon produces different amounts of light
C. Different portions of the illuminated Moon are visible from Earth
D. Clouds cover different portions of the Moon
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Moon does not produce its own visible light. As it orbits
Earth, observers see changing portions of its sunlit half.
6.
A lunar eclipse occurs when:
A. The Moon moves between Earth and the Sun
B. Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon
C. The Sun moves between Earth and the Moon
D. The Moon stops reflecting sunlight
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During a lunar eclipse, Earth lies between the Sun and Moon,
causing Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon.
, 7.
A solar eclipse occurs when:
A. Earth is between the Sun and Moon
B. The Moon is between the Sun and Earth
C. The Sun is between Earth and Moon
D. Earth stops rotating
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the
Sun and Earth and blocks some or all of the Sun's light from reaching
portions of Earth.
8.
Which force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?
A. Magnetism
B. Friction
C. Gravity
D. Electricity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gravity provides the inward-directed force necessary to keep
planets in their orbital paths around the Sun.
9.
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
