FREE ASSESSMENT · AGES 9–12
Solar System assessment with answers
Two ready-to-print PDFs: a two-page student worksheet and detailed teacher answers. Six exercises check key facts, scientific vocabulary and understanding of scale.
SKILLS ASSESSED
Check knowledge and ask for explanations
The assessment goes beyond reciting planet names. It also checks whether students can classify celestial bodies, distinguish movements and explain why a Solar System image is not always to scale.
ORDER
Name the eight planets from nearest to farthest from the Sun.
CLASSIFY
Distinguish a star, rocky planet, giant planet and natural satellite.
EXPLAIN
Use rotation, orbit, day and year correctly.
REASON
Identify the limitations of a representation that changes sizes or distances.
CONTENT AND MARK SCHEME
Six progressive exercises worth 20 marks
Order of the eight planets
4 marks
Types of celestial bodies
4 marks
True or false, with reasons
4 marks
Rotation, orbit and duration
3 marks
Understand scales
3 marks
Explain Pluto's classification
2 marks
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
Using the assessment in class
Which learners is this assessment suitable for?
It was designed for French Cycle 3 (CM1, CM2 and 6e, roughly ages 9–12). Teachers can adapt the wording and expectations to their own teaching sequence.
Are the answers separate from the student worksheet?
Yes. The student worksheet and teacher answers are separate files, so you can distribute the assessment without the answers.
Is the assessment free?
Yes. Both PDFs can be downloaded, printed and used free of charge in class or at home.
What does the mark scheme out of 20 assess?
It assesses key facts, scientific vocabulary and the ability to explain the limitations of a Solar System model.