The equator, hemispheres and poles

How the equator divides the Earth into hemispheres and what is found at the North and South Poles

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
The equator is an imaginary line that divides the Earth into which two halves? A) Northern and Southern Hemispheres B) Eastern and Western Hemispheres C) Top and Bottom D) Hot and Cold
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2
Fill in the blank. The equator has a latitude of ___ degrees.
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3
True or false? The UK is in the Northern Hemisphere. A) True B) False
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4
Match each place to where it is. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: North Pole, South Pole, Equator Right: Top of the Earth (Arctic), Bottom of the Earth (Antarctica), Middle of the Earth
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5
Which of these is true about countries on the equator? A) They are usually very hot all year round B) They are usually very cold all year round C) They have lots of snow D) They have very long winters
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6
True or false? The South Pole is on land (the continent of Antarctica), but the North Pole is on floating sea ice. A) True B) False
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7
Australia is south of the equator. Which hemisphere is it in? A) Southern Hemisphere B) Northern Hemisphere C) Eastern Hemisphere only D) It is on the equator
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8
Fill in the blank. The imaginary line that runs from the North to the South Pole through Greenwich, London is the Prime ___.
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9
True or false? When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. A) True B) False
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10
Which continent does the equator NOT pass through? A) Europe B) Africa C) South America D) Asia
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Answer key

The equator, hemispheres and poles · for parents and teachers

1
Northern and Southern Hemispheres
The equator splits the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere (above it) and the Southern Hemisphere (below it).
2
0
The equator is at 0° latitude. It is the line from which latitude north and south is measured.
3
True
True. The UK is in the Northern Hemisphere, north of the equator.
4
North Pole → Top of the Earth (Arctic); South Pole → Bottom of the Earth (Antarctica); Equator → Middle of the Earth
The North Pole is at the very top of the Earth in the Arctic. The South Pole is at the bottom, in Antarctica. The equator is around the middle.
5
They are usually very hot all year round
Countries on the equator are usually very hot all year because they get strong, direct sunlight throughout the year.
6
True
True. The South Pole sits on the continent of Antarctica, which has land beneath the ice. The North Pole sits on sea ice floating on the Arctic Ocean.
7
Southern Hemisphere
Australia is south of the equator and so is in the Southern Hemisphere.
8
Meridian
The Prime Meridian is the line of 0° longitude. It passes through Greenwich in London and separates the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
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True
True. Because the Earth is tilted, when one hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun (summer) the other is tilted away (winter).
10
Europe
The equator passes through Africa, South America and parts of Asia (and Oceania), but not through Europe, which is entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.